...THEN it's worth it

:: I was at the store a couple of months ago when two guys, probably early 30's walked by me and one of them said ::

"I've been trying to tell him, If the good times outweigh the bad, then it's worth it!"

I instantly wondered what the story behind that statement could be. A marriage or relationship? A job? Whatever the case, what a sad statement! "THEN it's worth it." As though there is an option of value.

I'm so grateful that Christ doesn't have this outlook on me. "When Meagan is doing the right thing... THEN she's worth it." "When Meagan's not sinning...THEN she's worth it."

Christ's value for me spilled out at the cross.
["I am worth the life of Jesus"]

My mind turns to the nation. Whether you voted for Obama or McCain, the outcome is decided! I believe the church body is on sandy ground if we aren't careful of our response.

A reaction may be: "I'm moving"
A response should be: I'm praying

A reaction may be: to say that Obama will soon be assassinated.
*I could camp out on this point for a while. This statement enrages me!
A response should be: I'm praying for his safety and soul.

A reaction may be: "I don't understand"
A response should be: God understands, I trust and pray in faith, not fear.

In 1 Peter 2:13 we are told to respect authority:
" 13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right."

Notice the theme of prayer. Value has been decided. Value of prayer, value my life, value of this nation, value of leaders, value of President Obama's life and value of his authority.

It's not WHEN it's "worth it" to pray. It's BECAUSE it's "worth it" to pray.

I didn't vote for Barack Obama, but I support him IN PRAYER as the 44th President of the United States of America. Not only because "the Bible tells me so" but because I understand and trust the value of the statement, "Christ is Supreme"

::God Bless America::

::meg

No matter the outcome...

[In light of the election]

I believe that tonight is a monumental landmark in the time line of our great country. However GREAT this country is, it so does not compare to the greatness, the holiness, and the sovereignty of our great and ALmighty God.

I am at such incredible peace and filled with joy. God is sovereign. I'm not undermining the need for intercession and repentance on behalf of this nation and the state and degree of spiritual sickness it is in.
Today I intercede for the body of Christ: to take up the mantel of intercession for our nation. I pray for the conviction of the Holy Spirit to raise them out of their apathy and lethargy. To purpose themselves consecrated to God and dedicated to their destined function.

I also intercede for those that do not have a relationship with Christ. I believe that through this season in America there will be testimonies of salvation. I say all that to say--

I was stopped in this passage of scripture tonight, Colossians 1:11-23::

"11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,^[c] 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom^[d] and forgave our sins.

Christ Is Supreme

15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,^[e]
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.^[f]
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

23 But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it."

I love this... CHRIST IS SUPREME!

amen!
::meg