PLUS

I Kings 17:16 “And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.”

There are plenty of ways to get discouraged by the world.  Thus, we shouldn’t look to the world to uplift us.  We shouldn’t look to the government to solve our problems.  We shouldn’t look for hope in man’s institutions.  Instead, we should look towards God and God’s people to be our ultimate sources of encouragement.

There are times when an article comes along as a massive source of encouragement, as if it were delivered by God Himself.  The following article on fallen aviator Troy Gilbert, who crashed in an F-16 in Iraq on November 27, 2006, provides just such a source of encouragement.  Please especially linger on the wonderful, Godly quotes from his widow Ginger Gilbert Ravella (referred to in the link as Gilbert Ravella), that were thankfully included in the article from the Air Force News Service.  They will undoubtedly encourage you:  http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/965011/remains-of-fighter-pilot-hero-return-home-after-10-years.aspx

Ginger’s profound words should ring in our ears as poignantly as the most powerful sermon.  God is forever faithful.  He is good regardless of the circumstances.  We are to praise Him for His infinite mercies.  We are to have a passionate love for Jesus Christ.  We are to pray.

PLEASE PRAY FOR A STRONG FAITH, ENCOURAGED BY A HOPE THAT ONLY COMES FROM GOD.

Romans 1:21 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Have a great Thanksgiving week, and please reflect on the many things that we have for which to be thankful.  Thanksgiving proclamations from presidents throughout our history, even in the darkest of days, are great reminders our historical, national spirit of humble thankfulness.  Though our national spirit has changed much over the years, our positive and hopeful spirit as Christians must stay unchanged.

Please take time during this holiday week to review some of these proclamations and be reminded of our Christian heritage: http://www.pilgrimhallmuseum.org/thanksgiving_proclamations.htm

Like our predecessors, we must glorify the Lord as God and be thankful.  We must not become vain in our imaginations, and darkened in our hearts.  We must never allow our focus to be distracted from the fact that this day is Thanksgiving Day.  It is not Turkey Day.  It is not Football Day.  It is day of remembrance that we are to be overwhelmed by a spirit of humble thankfulness.

PLEASE PRAY AND BE THANKFUL DURING THIS IMPORTANT HOLIDAY WEEK.  It is an important part of our lives and an important part of our history.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof:  and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”

On November 16^th, 1776, the Continental Army faced one of its worst defeats in the Battle of Fort Washington.  On that day, the last American stronghold on Manhattan fell to the British and over 2,800 patriots were taken as prisoners of war.  This loss allowed the British to solidify their control of a large geographical area and drove the patriots southwest to prepare for a long winter.

On that day, and on the days to follow, defeat seemed imminent and the revolutionary flame was nearly extinguished.  Their hopes were crumbling; the patriot cause faced discouragement and disillusionment.  Yet, seven years later, General Washington returned to Fort Washington on November 25^th, 1783 and publically reclaimed it for the Americans.  At that point, the Revolutionary War had been won and a peace treaty had been signed.  While things looked bleak in the dark days of November 1776, the end result was triumph.  Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof!

In twenty-first century America, Christianity at times has faced defeat after defeat while our hopes crumble and our cause faces frequent discouragement and disillusionment.  Yet, we never know when triumph will overcome defeat, even when things look bleak in the darkest of days.  Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE END OF THE THING IN AMERICA.  May we never be bogged down with discouragement when the end of the thing is better than the beginning thereof!

I Timothy 2:1-3 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.”

The tallies are in. The results are finalized. The die is cast.

The campaigning is the easy part; the governing is the tough part. As our next leaders transition into their positions, we need to bathe them in prayer.

We are to pray for our 45th President, President-elect Trump who will swear his Oath of Office on January 20th, 2017. We are to pray for the 115th Congress that begins its term on January 3rd, 2017. We are to pray for next term of the Supreme Court, and the filling of Justice Scalia’s vacancy and the others who may follow. We are to pray for new terms of state governments and local governments. We are to pray for the rulings of newly shaped state and local courts.

We are to pray for us so that we can be more faithful in the coming days, months, and years to pray for government and participate in government.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR NEWLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT. We must never fall short of God’s command to pray FOR ALL that are in authority.

For a related thought, please read: https://prayatlunch.us/such-as-had-ability/

Isaiah 13:11 “And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”

Noah Webster wrote: “But in general, the calamity of having evil counselors, legislators, judges, and ministerial officers, is the fault of the electors.”

After invoking “the support and blessings of Almighty God,” President Garfield said: “Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress.”

As a nation, we get what we deserve because we elect who we follow. We are responsible, because there is no one else to blame. It is always our fault. Our choices are a reflection of us.

As you make your electoral decisions on Tuesday, please sense the gravity of your decisions. Then be brought to your knees by the weightiness of this responsibility.

PLEASE PRAY FOR TUESDAY’S ELECTION, REALIZING THAT IT REVEALS MORE ABOUT US THAN IT DOES ABOUT OUR CANDIDATES. The results will either be our success or our fault.