...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right had of the throne of God.
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
As we get ready for the "fundamental change" in America that is riding in on a "righteous wind", we need to be more prepared than ever and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Whether Barack Obama or John McCain gets elected, America is quickly going down a road that we have never dared to consider before.
In this election, Californians could break the dam that has been holding back the tidal wave that threatens the institution of marriage. Americans as a whole could elect officials who will take us into a place where Government has the ability to destroy the character of private citizens who dare ask questions. We could have a Government that will silence dissenting points of view and label God's Word as hate speech worth of prison time.
The Lord could spare us from all of this should that be His will for us but, like the Jewish people did in the time of Samuel, we are asking for a new king to replace our real King. God is being thrown out of all areas of our nation and we are looking to a man with a dark and mysterious past to bring us the "hope and change" we desire.
Hebrews tells us that Jesus went to the cross with joy and endured the shame and torture for us because He loves us. He loves us so much that, even though we are all huge sinners, He chose to give us real hope and change us from wicked sinners to righteous adopted sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven. That is the real hope and change we need.
As this passage goes on, we are told to consider what Jesus went through. He is God. He lived a perfect life and was completely sinless yet, sinners tortured Him in ways that very few people have ever come close to suffering. Though this book was written to the Jewish Christians in Paul's day, it very much pertains to us today as well. There is a word in verse 4 that is a little chilling in light of the current situation worldwide. "You have not YET resisted to bloodshed.
Do we have the faith to be strong in our faith to the point of torture or even death? I don't know what God's plan for this election or the future of America is but I know what the Bible says. As we get closer to the final days, the world will get more hostile towards true followers of Christ. There is already evidence of that in other parts of the world where Christians are resisting to bloodshed. Christians in America have gotten very complacent and comfortable. We have had it very easy in this country and do not know what it is like to suffer for our faith.
No matter what happens on Tuesday night, now is not the time to be luke warm in your faith. Put your hope in Christ and He will change your life.
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