Remnant
On the eve of our “Shake the Nations” conference, I’m contemplative concerning the Body of Christ in America. As we endeavor to shake the nations with the Gospel, are we being shaken and sifted in our commitment to one another as brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of God? We are, first, Christians with a responsibility toward the Kingdom of God. Second, we are citizens of an earthly kingdom which is political in nature. Our second responsibility should never eclipse our first devotion and commitment. At least two factors in the upcoming election pose a greater than ordinary threat to our unity as Christians: one is gender in nature and the other is ethnic in nature. Although it would be ideal if we all agreed on the ethical and moral principles at stake, even those issues are potential lines of division. My prayer is that we will allow each other the freedoms afforded to us by our great constitution, especially by the Amendments, and not devise spiritual ways to prohibit the expression of those freedoms. While it is my responsibility as a spiritual leader to encourage all to be morally and ethically responsible in the support of candidates, it is also my privilege as a citizen to have and express private opinions. I refuse to use my God-given platform to endorse candidates, but I must use that platform to endorse or repudiate issues that affect the morals of our nation. I will not reject a brother or sister because of a political stand - the blood of Jesus is too strong for that! The love of God within me embraces and loves my blood-washed family and gives me the ability to understand and appreciate our differences of opinions. May we all remember our strong family-in-Christ ties and make room for each other’s private opinions and beliefs - the Scriptures being the boundaries for all persuasions. Let’s not allow a temporal kingdom to jeopardize the unity (which is our witness) of our Lord’s Kingdom. “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony” (Col.3:14).
October 7th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Thank you so much for stating this. This really needed to be said.
October 8th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Wise counsel, thank you Sis Melanie. It seems as though the Father is having ample opportunity to use his “political attitude” pruning shears on His children. I am reminded once again that judgment begins in the house of God…if we can’t get it right, how can we expect to be a light to a dark and dying world. My prayer is that the light will be the Gospel of Christ and the Word of God and the hearts of every believer will respond to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. I hope we always remember that God is our source and provider, not the government; the only “bailout” we need is the divine bailout from sin and death that was accomplished on the cross of Christ. And unlike the hundreds of billions the plan we see in the news today will cost, God’s plan of redemption is completely FREE!! It’s a gift. But it cost our precious Savior His life, and that should be the headline story of every one of our lives, no matter how we cast our vote. We have a right to our political opinions, but with that comes an obligation to speak and act with love and kindness.
October 9th, 2008 at 5:14 am
AMEN! and thank you.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Sis Melanie,
Thank you for this godly counsel, that is needed for such a time as this!
My family and I are so blessed to have you and Pastor Larry in our lives!
October 10th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I missed only one session of the Shake the Nations and that was the last one of the conference. Mrs. Marilyn, Bro. Dag, Pastor Joel, and Dr. Cho lit it up for me!! I received so much I’m bursting with vision and purpose and freedom! Not to mention Pastor Benny Hinn came in there and the power of the Lord popped my mother’s ear that has been causing her dizziness and aggravation for months with a hissing sound not to mention God touched her crippling arthritis. I am in awe of Him again. He does it all the time to me….showing off how amazing, wonderful, and loving He is. My Father, the Lover of my soul, and my Redeemer. Oh how I love Jesus.
If all who call themselves the Lord’s would sit at His feet and meditate on Him, He will guide you in the elections. We get too busy trying to defend our own agendas and that’s never been God’s way. God will not be silent in this election. He will speak to each and every one of us who go to Him and ask.
My baby developed a fever and became lethargic the day before the conference. I knew who that was and rebuked that thing in the Name of Jesus. I checked on him later to find he was outside playing with the fever gone!! Haha devil! Can’t wait till the next conference Mrs. Melanie!!!!
October 12th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Sis. Melanie,
Everyone who came to the Information desk seemed so pleased to be at the conference in an atmosphere of love. I believe that the demonstration of love will be remembered long after opinions and man’s logic cease. Bethany was founded, and continues to be about love. John 13:35 says “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you have love one for another.” We have love.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Sister Melanie,
I love you and I thank you for your kind spirit. I am humbled by your words. I really needed to hear the words expressed on this day.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Hi Sister Melanie:
I am so glad you have your blog….I miss you guys so much at Bethany. Since I have moved to New York, God is truly doing a mighty work in my life. Now I truly understand WHY I had to move so far away from home….I am reminded of Moses; In the beginning Moses had realized that that he was the one to deliver the people, but he had to be trained and disciplined by God first. (40 years in the wilderness) He was right in his individual perspective, but he was not the person for the work until he had learned true fellowship and oneness with God.
I am attending bible college now…very challenging but exciting…I thank you and Pastor Larry for your impartation in my life over the years while attending Bethany…the Holy Spirit always brings back to my rememberance the things that you and Pastor Larry shared with the Body…love you guys and miss you guys dearly.
Oh! I noticed that you all started a series on “Anonymous”, please provide author’s name, I would love to purchase and study along with you guys.
Take Care, Renea