Sunday Reflections - January 20, 2017

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S INAUGURATION

I awoke early this morning with the National events of the day on my mind.  I took the time to pray for both the outgoing President and the incoming President.  I began to catch the coverage at 4:30 am. I had a thousand thoughts go through my mind as I watched the day unfold, listened to the coverage, tolerated the commentary, and made a variety of requests to my Lord. Here’s a few of my thoughts as I consider this day:

The world needs hope like never before. Our hope is not in the government, and it will never come through a politician. Our Nation needs hope as well. As a society, we’ve done an extremely good job at pushing God out of the National conversation, banning Him from schools by banning the Bible and prayer and seeking to do so in every other possible area. When a Nation distances itself from God, it also pushes away hope. We see this clearly illustrated in the history of Israel.

Israel’s first king was Saul, who turned out to be a disaster. God rejected Saul and chose a new king, “a man after his own heart” (I Sam. 13:14). David was God’s choice. He was the greatest king Israel ever had and set the standard for all future kings. Next came Solomon who led Israel to her greatest splendor. But he also modeled a divided heart.

Solomon’s divided heart made possible a divided kingdom. Israel in the north (10 tribes) lasted about 200 years and had 19 kings from many dynasties. All of these kings “did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord.” Judah in the south (2 tribes) lasted about 350 years and had 20 kings, all descendants of David. Eight of these kings “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”

Important Lessons Worth Learning -

Over a period of about 350 years the Southern Kingdom of Judah had 20 different kings, all descendants of David. Only eight of these kings were responsive to God. The rest were evil. The stories of these kings introduces us to the historical reality that God’s people have always been led by leaders who are a strange mixture of good and evil.

1.   The summation of a person’s life in the Scriptures is based not upon professional success, wealth, or power but rather upon moral character.

2.   Though all of these kings were a composite of good and evil, Scripture dares to give a summary statement of their life. Ultimately a person’s life will be deemed either “good” or “evil.” The Bible speaks in terms of either/or .... not both/and.

3.   A person’s moral character is ultimately measured not by some human standard of conduct but rather “in the eyes of the Lord.”

With the election over, and a new president sworn in, the work has really just begun. The years ahead could easily produce anxiety, greater division and frustration. We’ve seen the questions: Will our country ever be united?  Will this political party destroy America?

The results mean good news for some, and bad news for others. It’s good to be involved and even concerned about the political climate of our country. As Christians, this burden for the nation should lead us from angst to prayer.

The Apostle Paul instructed the church to pray for leaders:  

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

In this passage, there is a clear calling for us to pray for kings and all people in high positions. That means we pray for our President and all governing officials regardless of their political ideology or conviction.

Our government will never live up to what it should. Our presidents will never be completely who they should be. But we can rest and trust in God now - there’s an eternal future awaiting us. Jesus is coming back, and nations will not stand in his way. We will not always need to submit to governing authorities led by sinful men and women, who, just like us, are in need of God’s grace. Until the day of Jesus’ return, we continue to pray and rest in God because we know he is ruling, and we have a beautiful inheritance awaiting us.

It ain’t over till Gabriel blows his trumpet.

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (Heb. 10:36‒39)

I encourage you to take some time to pray today for both of these first families. I especially encourage you to pray for our nations new leader. We all know, he’s going to need it!

I can’t wait to see you this Sunday.

Loving You and Loving Him,

Pastor D

PS – If you have any snow removal equipment - be it a shovel, a snowblower, a tractor or your gloved hands – and would like to help those in our congregation who are shut in or stranded, please contact Jessi at jessisams@deerflat.org or Rick at rickday@deerflat.org

Sunday Reflections - January 10, 2017

AN IMPORTANT ITEM I WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT

Dear Church Family,

I’m sending this to you today as I am flying to Washington DC.  I received a call this past week from Christians United For Israel (CUFI) letting me know that there was a decision made by the leadership that it was urgent to send a group of CUFI leaders to Washington DC.  The decision was based on the recent UN Resolution 2334 which was a very damning decision regarding Israel.  President Obama specifically directed our UN representative to abstain from the vote.  I’ve included the bullet points of the recent weeks leading up to and including this decision.  Thanks for our dear friend, Randy Neal, for mapping these out.  I’m asking you to be praying diligently for the next 24-36 hours for God’s favor to rest on those of us headed to Capitol Hill to meet with Senators.  Pray that God’s divine favor will precede us and that the reception will be nothing short of a “God thing.”  Take a look at these bullet points, and then I’ll have a closing note.

“Greetings friends, several have asked for bullet talking/prayer points on the most recent event that unfolded regarding Israel, the UN, and the US. I tried very hard to simply state the facts without commentary, but could not restrain myself on a couple. I hope this is helpful, Randy”.  Western Regional Director for CUFI

These bullet points regarding Israel are just the tip of the iceberg but will help connect the dots of actions and intentions. They can also be used as prayer points in this increasingly contentious time for the Jewish State.

* In October  2016, the United Nations Education Science and Culture Organization’s World Heritage Committee voted by secret ballot and passed a resolution on the status of the Old City of Jerusalem, concluding that there are no Jewish historical ties to the Temple Mount. UN entities, their printed materials, and their public comments will now only refer to the site by its Arabic name, The Noble Sanctuary, referring to the al-Aqsa Mosque area.

 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37697108

* Summer/Fall 2016 increasing evidence confirmed that UN, US, and EU aid to the Palestinian Authority is used to pay stipends to terrorists in jail for injuring or killing Jews, and to the families of terrorists killed in the act they were committing. 

US House members seek to cease payments to the UN until incitement for terrorism ends. 

http://freebeacon.com/national-security/palestinian-authority-pays-terrorists-families-140-million-year/

* December 23, 2016 (one day before Chanukah) the United Nations Security Council passed resolution 2334 with 14 of 15 voting yes, and the US, by order of President Barak Obama, to abstain rather than veto the resolution. The resolution affirms that all land Israel recaptured in the Six Day War in June 1967 is legally Palestinian territory and illegally occupied by Israel. 2334 calls for “a complete cease of all settlement activity and expansion.” In addition to east Jerusalem and zones in Judea and Samaria, aka the West Bank, long agreed in all past peace accords to remain part of Israel in the event of  two State solution was forged, the resolution denies Israel to possess the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, or the Jewish Quarter.

Full text of 2334:  http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/full-text-of-un-security-council-condemnation-of-israel-resolution-2334/2016/12/24/

http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Cognitive-bias-and-UNSC-Resolution-2334-477377

* Days following UNSC 2334 International dignitaries, including from the supporting UNSC member nations, denounce the resolution as biased, one-sided, and a road block to peace. They also denounce the abstention by the US to be malicious, shameful, damaging to the region, and politically motivated.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/choosing-not-to-veto-obama-lets-anti-settlement-resolution-pass-at-un-security-council/

* December 25, 2016 - Senator Lindsey Graham, followed by Senator Ted Cruz, committed to lead efforts for the US to withhold its $8 Billion dollar annual funding of the UN until it rescinds UNSC 2334. The US funds 22% of the UN annual budget, far more than any other country.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/24/politics/lindsey-graham-united-nations/

* December 28, 2016 Secretary of State John Kerry gave a 72 minute speech defending the US abstention and choice to not veto. The majority of the speech criticized Israel as blocking peace by occupying pre-1967 territory and expanding “settlements”. He had presented a detailed six-point plan initiate a two state solution. 

(It is important to know and to note that the cornerstone premise legitimizing Kerry’s Two State Peace Plan hinges on the notion that “there were no Jews living in these areas before 1967”. It sounds reasonable and compassionate to intervene after 50 years of illegal occupation . . . if it were true. Mr. Kerry failed to mention that Jews lived in these areas for thousands of years, until 1947 when Jordan attacked and captured them, expelling, imprisoning, or killing every Jew in east Jerusalem. Twenty years later Israel recaptured east Jerusalem, the Jewish quarter, the Western Wall and the Temple Mount in 1967. 

http://www.timesofisrael.com/choosing-not-to-veto-obama-lets-anti-settlement-resolution-pass-at-un-security-council/

* January 15, 2017 - There are growing concerns that the Paris Peace Conference, at which dignitaries from seventy nations are set to assemble January 15, 2017 to discuss how the international community can assist in expediting a Two State Solution will result in a blue print based upon John Kerry’s proposal to the UN Security Council for a resolution that would include an implementation timeline and enforcement mechanisms, possibly resulting in sanctions against Israel. 

It is further concerning that such a resolution could be presented and voted on before the new US president is inaugurated to prevent a US veto.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-said-to-warn-of-more-anti-israel-un-activity/

Paris claims no plans at UN:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/222839

* January 4, 2017 - Senators Heller, Rubio, and Cruz seek Congressional mandate to relocate the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, an edict approved by Congress in 1995 but delayed by Executive Waiver by all US presidents since its passing.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/24/politics/lindsey-graham-united-nations/

* January 5, 2017 - US House condemns UNSC 2334.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/222839

* January 2017 - CUFI is preparing to launch a national campaign in DC and nationally at the grassroots level to support efforts to undo UNSC 2334 and significantly strengthen the US -Israel alliance - details are not public until January 11, 2017.

This is a whirlwind trip.  I will arrive in DC late this afternoon and spend the evening in a detailed briefing.  I will be given all of the behind the scenes happenings and hear the plan presented regarding going forward with these thoroughly thought through efforts at pulling down this recent resolution.  On Wednesday, some 200 of us will be lobbying every Senator on the Hill.  The appointments have already been made.  We are so fortunate to have both Idaho Senators, Risch and Crapo, be pro-Israel.  I will fly back home late Wednesday afternoon.

So many of the Deer Flat family share a heart for Israel and the Jewish people.  I couldn’t be more proud. I know you would want to know about this serious event happening this week.  I look forward to being with you this coming weekend.  Until then, I rest in your prayers and thank God for the privilege of serving such a great congregation!

Deeply Grateful,

Pastor D

Sunday Reflections - January 5, 2017

I AM SNOW TIRED

So, we just had one of the heaviest snow storms in the past 30 years. A record breaker.  Probably like me, you’ve shoveled more than your share of snow.  I can now do it in my sleep, only to wake up to more inches of the white stuff.

Snow used to be this amazing magical thing that happened every year when you were a kid. It was synonymous with awesome. Imagine having a playground fall from the sky for you to play in.  You could build a snowman, igloos and forts. You had unlimited ammunition for the inevitable wars that would break out, and for some reason you used to have a much higher tolerance for the cold weather.

But now I’m an adult and I feel betrayed by the snow.  How could something that brought me so much joy as a child, be so annoying to deal with today? These days, I find myself thinking that snow is just a burden. Think about it, snow means:

Dangerous roads and nervous drivers.

Slipping on the sidewalk.

Shoveling.

Scraping car windows.

Ruining the bottom of your pants.

Shoveling.

Forcing you to move your car from one side of the street to the other for a snow plow that never shows up.

Losing your parking spot to a pile of snow.

Looking stupid in a big puffy jacket.

Having to leave your amazing shoes at home and shuffling around in ugly boots.

Having a runny nose.

Hat hair.

The fog in your glasses when you come back indoors.

Shoveling.

Never knowing if your windshield wipers are going to clean your window or turn into an icicle.

The way your hand smells after it’s been in a glove too long.

Talk about freezing and storms…On 31 July 2003, the adventurer Bear Grylls led a team of five across the North Atlantic Ocean in an inflatable rigid dinghy. They set out from Halifax, Nova Scotia, heading for John o’ Groats, Scotland. On 5 August, a great storm arose. There were 100-foot waves. They lost satellite contact. They feared for their lives. Thankfully they survived to tell the tale. You can read about this life threatening event at Facing the Frozen Ocean by Bear Grylls.

Here’s the great news: Not all of us will have to face physical storms of this kind. But Jesus said that we would all face the storms of life (Matthew 7:25–27). Life is not easy. The storms of life are many and varied. As we see in a variety of Biblical passages, Abraham, David and Jesus’ disciples all faced storms in their lives. What can we learn from their example?

1. Take up the shield of faith - Psalm 7:10-17

“My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day. If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows. Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment. Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made. The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads. I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.”

2. Put your trust in Jesus – He’s been there and faced it.  He has the power to calm any storm.

3. Thank God for His provision – I’ve got heat at my house. I had some food to eat. I own a snow shovel.  I had the physical ability to shovel snow – lots of it.  I had a warm coat and a pair of gloves.  I had a hot beverage waiting for me in the house.  God provides.  Be thankful that we never face the storm alone.

Here’s to great shoveling.  I can’t wait to see you this Sunday.  We’re back to our regular schedule.  BY THE WAY – We have the absolute best team and volunteers who clean the sidewalks and parking lots so that we can have easy access to enter the Church.  A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO ALL WHO MAKE A WAY THROUGH THE SNOW!

Loving You and Loving Him,

Pastor D