Little Cuties

Need I say more?

Wisdom's Words

There is more history made in the prayer closet than in the national cabinet.

- Charles Spurgeon -

Beyond the Ballot: Shiphrah and Puah

But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. 

(Exodus 1:17)

I was struck by several things when reading about these two midwives –

1.  God’s redemptive plan can never be thwarted.  Even though Pharaoh went to great lengths to destroy the Israelite nation, his efforts were ultimately futile.  I’m sure those were uncertain and scary days in which to be living, yet the chosen people witnessed the power of their God prevail over the aggressive attacks of the enemy.  So in our day, whoever is elected to power is ultimately under the rulership of King Jesus and cannot overstep His decreed limits.

2. The extreme hardships that the Israelites suffered at the hand of the Egyptians brought about a beautiful response:  crying out to the Lord.  We do not know what the months and years ahead hold for the people of God in our country today, but whatever may come, may the church humble themselves before the Lord and cry out to Him for courage, help, protection, and provision. 

3. These two midwives exhibited great courage in the face of overwhelming odds.  And their faith and actions played an important role in God’s redemptive plan for His people.  Sometimes I wonder how soon I will be faced with the decision in my own day to “obey God rather than man.”  This is what Shiphrah and Puah demonstrated.  God’s people today must be ready to defend and sacrifice everything for what is precious and of value in the sight of God. 

Beyond the Ballot: Sarah, the Mother of Kings

I have always been challenged by the faith of Abraham and Sarah.  God made an extraordinary covenant with Abraham in declaring that his descendants would number the stars of the heavens, and, contrary to all human wisdom and invention, he fulfilled that covenant in its entirety. 

“…she considered him faithful who promised.”  (Hebrews 11:11b)  For Sarah, the fulfillment of God’s spoken word seemed impossible.   How could she, a barren woman and advanced in years, give Abraham a son, much less be known as “the mother of kings”? 

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”  (Genesis 18:14).  These words spoken to Sarah before the birth of Isaac mirror the message delivered to Mary when it was revealed to her she would be the mother of the promised Messiah:   “For nothing shall be impossible with God.”  (Luke 1:37)

Two noble women faced with impossible situations, called to anchor themselves in the truth of God’s decreed will.   The spoken word would defy all impossibilities and accomplish the plan of redemption.

For both Abraham and Sarah, this journey in seeing the covenant become reality through the gift of Isaac was anything but easy.  The Genesis account bears witness to their questionings and doubt through life difficulties.   In spite of their shortcomings, God remained faithful to his word, and this couple is a living example of what genuine faith looks like.  For faith to be exercised it has to be convinced of the trustworthiness of the object.  And for Abraham and Sarah, they knew that the trustworthiness of their covenant-making God was sure and established.

God used Sarah to continue the covenant of redemption throughout time.  Though I’m sure she did not fully comprehend the full breadth of God’s work in the human race through her, she believed the spoken word, and the power and faithfulness of God stands preeminent in her life for all generations.

So as I pray for my leaders, I am challenged to pray for those who do have a relationship with Christ, that their faith will be anchored in the spoken word of God so that they can rise above the seemingly impossible situations they face and find encouragement and boldness in their work because they are sure of the power and faithfulness of their God.

Wisdom's Words

Trust the sovereignty of God to turn the insanity of the nations to serve his purposes.

 

- John Piper -

 



Beyond the Ballot: Eve, the Mother of All Living

For the next ten weeks, I am participating in an online book study of Beyond the Ballot:  A Call to Pray for Your Nation written by my colleague, Pam Russell.  As I work through this study, I thought I would put here what I write and post on the Facebook study group.  So here is what I learned from chapter 1:

Eve:  The Mother of All Living

Given that sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, one might think that the meaning of Eve’s name is contrary to her life example.  But in actuality, what transpired in the Garden at the moment of the temptation ushered in God’s plan for redemption and ultimately salvation for the human race. 

After God confronted Adam and Eve for their eating the forbidden fruit, he first addressed the serpent with prophetic words of judgment:  “I will put enmity between you and woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”  (Gen 3:15-16).

We all know that these words refer to the Promised One  - the Messiah, Jesus Christ – who would victoriously conquer sin and annul the curse brought upon mankind.

So even in words of judgment, there were interwoven promises of hope and  eternal life.

God then addressed Eve, and as this chapter highlights, she was told of pain in childbirth.  Bringing forth another life would require great suffering and sacrifice.

We know, however, that Eve also heard the words of God spoken to the serpent.   In Genesis 4:1, Eve gives birth to Cain and makes this statement, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.”  If one goes back to the original Hebrew, this phrase is literally translated,  “I have gotten a man, the Lord.”  

Though we all know that Cain was not the Promised One referred to in Genesis 3:15-16, Eve’s statement reveals that she not only heard but also believed the promise spoken by God, that he would send One to crush the serpent. 

So in essence, even as Eve experienced great pain in bringing life into the world, she found great hope in the promise of God to reverse the curse of sin.

Eve, as the Mother of  All Living, represents not only physical life but also points to spiritual life as promised in the Person of Jesus Christ.

As I ponder these things in relation to praying for my elected leaders, I am reminded of the importance of praying for their protection from the Evil One, who is alive and aggressively seeking to bring destruction and death.  I am also exhorted to pray that our leaders come to a knowledge of the truth, that they will acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Savior and experience the everlasting life promised to those who place their trust in him.

Wisdom's Words

Faith is the acknowlegement that I have nothing to offer to God and that he has everything to give to me.

-Dr. Dennis Prutow- 

The Indiana Statehouse

I admit I might be a little partial, but I believe we have one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the country.  Yesterday, Rachael and I took a friend downtown for a tour of our statehouse.  Since it was a weekend with hardly anyone there, it was the perfect opportunity to practice some artistic photography.

We also got a couple of outdoors shots:

Following the statehouse tour, we made our way over to the Indiana State Library known for its rare manuscripts.  When I spotted Garfield, Rachael couldn't resist a pose...

It was a beautiful fall day, so we walked along the canal for a bit and took a few more pictures.  

We shared a great morning and afternoon together!  

Wisdom's Words

To love our brother is more important than orthodoxy.

- Martin Lloyd-Jones -