Perilous Times 5

Conservatives are hoping to overturn the health care bill by sending wise people to congress in November who will more wisely make health care affordable and accessible. They also pray our nation will cut spending, significantly reduce the national debt, restore freedoms and the ability for America to become great again.

Although I am only one person, there is power in my vote. Dick Morris says the most important thing we probably will do in 2010 is vote. The privilege of casting a ballot is the basis of "Government for the people and by the people" handed to us from our founding fathers and those who spilled their blood fighting for freedom. We can't just hope for good government, we need to cast a ballot for freedom every chance we get. The process begins with registering.

But should all of our efforts fail to get the desired result, we can love God, others, entertain strangers, share what we can and rejoice in the Lord because of the hope we have in Him.

This life isn’t all there is—and that’s why we don’t need to be afraid of the future.

The Psalmist wrote, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:5-7). Later, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit another writer wrote this to the Hebrews: “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also…. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5-7).

Hope like this is why when the Apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians from a jail cell, in every one of the four chapters he said, “Rejoice!” Sometimes he said it twice in one verse: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:3-5NKJ. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy (Philippians 2:16-18).

America has been blessed as no other country in the world. You can't put a price on freedom of speech, freedom to practice our own religion, and freedom to use our talents and abilities to provide for our needs--and often more than we need.

Today, as was prophesied would happen before Jesus comes back to catch away the church, perilous times have come (1Thessalonians 4:13-18). But we can look up, for our redemption draws nigh (Acts 1:11).