Politics…politics…politics….

...politicians have been campaigning forever, it seems, and all of us have become weary of the whole process.  Let’s break down the word…Politics…Poli means many and ticks are blood sucking parasites!  Pretty good description.  On a more serious note, how should we vote…who should we vote for?  Our choices don’t seem so good, Pastor Rick, so what should we do?  Maybe it will help you to stop looking at the people and start looking at their platform…what they believe and what they support.  I have had a simple formula for years and maybe it will help you.  The easy answer to how you should vote is to Vote Like a Pro!

1. Vote for those who are pro-life.  This is a biggy for me!  If you read both platforms one is for protecting unborn babies and the other platform if for abortion up to the day of birth.  Vote pro-life!

2. Vote for those who are pro-biblical marriage.  The Bible is clear that marriage is between one man and one woman for a lifetime.  Anything else is against God’s Word and, no, I do not care what the Supreme Court has said about it.  Vote pro-biblical marriage!

3. Vote for those who are pro-Israel.  Not just in their rhetoric but in reality.  God says that Israel is the apple of His eye…He will bless those who bless them and curse those who curse them.  Vote pro- Israel!

4. Vote for those who are for our protection.  God thought it was important enough to send Nehemiah to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem and to replace the gates. He also told them to separate themselves from those who did not believe in Jehovah God.  Vote for those who will protect the United States of America!

5. Vote for those who are pro-Christian.  They may not seem to be Christian to us but the question is “Will they defend our religious freedom and protect us from those who would change our very foundation we were founded on?”  They will protect our Judea-Christian values and rights.  Vote pro-Christian!

Vote like a Pro!  Enough said!

We all want change...

...  but are we willing to be the change we want to see? Are we willing to pass on to others what we have learned like Moses did for Joshua? Joshua 1:7-8 (NIV) ⁷  Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. John D. Rockefeller said “Good leadership consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people.” Leadership is a process, not a job. It requires the passing of the torch from one leader to another. We see this with Moses and Joshua. So what can you do to be ready to lead.

A.  Pay attention to what is going on around you. To become a great leader you cannot just focus on one thing but you must be able to see the big picture. See what is needed to make the organization better and wisely share with the leader the facts.

B. Be a problem solver. Problem solving will more than likely come from someone who is forward thinking, not always looking back of how we used to do it. Past experience can be beneficial but be willing to learn. Many churches and businesses have brought much detriment to themselves but always looking back. I read a few years ago that many of our churches are trapped in the 50s and 60s and that is why they do not grow.

True leadership is about solving problems and helping to take the load off of the head of the organization. You get better at solving problems as you encounter problems…start practicing before you lead.

Ketterling:  You probably think about becoming a leader more than existing leaders think about you becoming a leader.  They have other things on their minds.  If there isn’t someone to hold you accountable, hold yourself accountable.  Don’t let the day to day routine leave you in the shadow.  

In Luke 13:15 (NIV) 15 The Lord answered him,...

... "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?” Jesus had very little patience with the religious of His day and I love His style..."You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?”

Jesus had no problem with initiative...He saw a need and He met it...He saw the woman and He healed her after being crippled 18 years. In His impatience with their hypocrisy...He said to them...when something is set before you that represents a need...a cripple woman or a tied up donkey, do what you are supposed to do! 

This what He said to them and I believe He is saying to us...Untie your donkey...KJV!

We have prayed, we have asked, and we have believed God will open a great and effective door and that He will give us life more abundantly...it is time we untie our donkey and move toward the goal set before us. Say to your neighbor...untie your donkey. James 4:17 (NLT) “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” Example - It is one thing to want to go thru that great and effective door in the area of your finances, to pray it will happen, to tell everyone your need, but it is another thing to untie your donkey or get off your donkey and start searching for a job or for more work.

It is one thing to be frustrated and concerned about the condition of our nation but it is another to educate yourself where the candidates line up, or don’t line up with Scripture, and then untie your donkey, and go vote, and get others to do it also. Find out who is pro-life, pro-Israel, pro-family, pro-marriage (man and a woman), and for protection of our country and then vote for that candidate. Remember the four lepers were in a horrible situation...did I mention they were lepers...Hear this...They were put outside the gate because of their disease (limited...sound familiar?) They were broke, busted, and disgusted not to mention they were starving to death...Their options were not good...go to the enemy camp or stay there until they died. These lepers asked each other...why do we keep sitting here until we die...it is time for us to untie our donkey and get up and go do something. They said “Let’s untie our donkey” and head to the enemy’s camp and just see what God is going to do for us...If we die...we die!  Though He slay me yet will I trust Him!!!