Why it Won't go Away

At some time during our lives, most of us experience limitations.  They may be physical, mental, or emotional.  The problems may involve anything, including the tasks of daily living, upward mobility, social interaction, or aging.  Our quality of life may be adversely affected.  Our limitations may negatively affect the ones we love, or theirs may become a duty for us.

It is difficult to endure and persevere.  It is hard to watch while those dear to us go through it.

 We wonder, “Why me?”  Believers may take it to the Lord in prayer.  Often, God provides relief or complete deliverance.  Sometimes He says, “No.”  What do we do then?

In Paul’s case, he was tormented by an affliction (probably physical), due to Satanic attack.  He asked God for deliverance, but he did not receive it.  Paul had been spiritually blessed by the Lord in such wonderful ways that God allowed the condition to continue to keep him humble.  He comforted himself with the knowledge that his limitations would force him to rely on the power of God, which would cause that power to be revealed in all that Paul did.

…I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.  And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak…

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!  Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.  And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2Corinthians 12:1-4, 7-10 NASB)

https://biblehub.com/nasb_/2_corinthians/12.htm

We may not know why we are given tests to cope with, or the reason why when God does not remove them. We do know that He helps us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

 

Jesus Can Handle It

When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.  And behold, a violent storm developed on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep.  And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”  He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.  The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”  (Matthew 8:23-27 NASB)*

 Are you beleaguered by the storms of life?  Are you tormented by anxiety, fear, and worry?  Take your cares to the foot of the cross and pray.  God knows your needs before you ask.  He is waiting to hear from you.  Believe in Jesus and be saved.  His Grace will be sufficient to carry you through life’s storms. (2Corinthians 12:9)  Study His Word, and  He will give you peace. (John 14:27)

  

* https://biblehub.com/nasb_/matthew/8.htm

 

 

What are They Thinking?

When he was Vice President, I always thought of Joe Biden as job security for Barack Obama.  I thought the Democratic party picked Mr. Biden because nobody in their right mind would want him for President, thus ensuring that Mr. Obama would remain in office.  I just could not believe that people would want Joe Biden to be President – could they be that stupid?

I was wrong.

Lately, a lot of conservative radio and television commentators are apoplectic about the mess President Biden and the Democrats in Congress are making of all things government, and they are calling for Joe Biden’s removal from office – by impeachment or under the 25^th Amendment.  What are they thinking?

If President Biden resigns or is forced out of office, Kamala Harris takes his place.  Is that what we want?  Heaven forbid! 

If Vice President Harris becomes Acting President or President, the 25^th Amendment provides that the Congress will fill the Vice-Presidential vacancy by appointment, as happened when Gerald Ford replaced Spiro Agnew.  Right now, the Democrats control congress.  Who might they appoint, Representative Angela Ocasio Cortez?  Do not dismiss the possibility.  Eventually, Mr. Ford became President when Richard Nixon resigned.  Who would be next in line if Kamala Harris was impeached?  Do we want to find out?

Some think that President Biden is a figurehead, and that Vice President Harris, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi are already running things.  If so, what is the harm in putting poor old Joe out to pasture?  Really, ya think!

I do not know who, if anyone, is the power behind Joe Biden’s throne.  It seems to me, however, to be foolish to set a precedent for removing the President of the United States from office under the 25^th Amendment for any reason except a complete incapacity to serve.  Impeaching Biden would make Kamala Harris our President, which is the worst of all possible outcomes.

I agree with the conservative commentators almost all of the time, but not this time.  The Democrats are going to make a hash of things whether Joe Biden stays in the White House, or not.  We need to focus on getting control of both houses of Congress in 2022 and regaining the Presidency in 2024.  If the object is to force the Democrats to spend time and money defending themselves, then let’s do that every time they screw up by pointing out how we can do it better.  The people will respond favorably if we provide positive, reasonable solutions for the nation’s problems.

Come on conservative talkers. You can do better than this.

 

Praise God

The Holy Spirit moved King David of Israel to praise God.  Let us praise God with him. 

I will bless the LORD at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul will make its boast in the LORD;

The humble will hear it and rejoice.

Exalt the LORD with me,

And let’s exalt His name together.  (Psalm 34:1-3 NASB)*

  

* https://biblehub.com/nasb_/psalms/34.htm