GOD CHOSE THE FOOLISH

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV

In this election, we all have our opinion of who is foolish, wise, weak, or strong. GOOD NEWS! God can ( and will) use them. So, vote with expectancy.

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

"Each believer lives in a particular generation with its own blessings, opportunities, challenges, and dangers; and thus, we are called to be faithful, discerning, and life-giving in the unique generation in which we are placed."

Glenn T. Stanton
Loving My (LGBT) Neighbor  p. 197-8
Moody Publishers 2014

Wow! Some days I'm overwhelmed with the world I live in and the challenges I/we have to deal with. But, like Esther, you and I are here for "such a time as this."

Utterly Dependent on Him,
Lonnie

SUSPICIOUS

"Have you ever tried to explain the grace of God to an unsaved person who thinks that heaven is a "Hall of Fame" for achievers instead of the Father's house for believers? In this world, you work for what you get, and you are suspicious of anything that is free."

Warren W. Wiersbe
Be Comforted  P. 172
David C. Cook   1992

Tylenol

"In fact our brains respond so similarly to rejection and physical pain that Tylenol reduces the emotional pain rejection elicits."

Guy Winch, PhD
10 Surprising Facts About Rejection
Psychology Today July 3, 2013
(Quoted by Lysa TerKeurst in Uninvited p.105)

HARDENED OR TENDERIZED?

"It had been a time of refining for the nation (Isaiah 48), but they had learned to turn from idols and trust Jehovah alone. If you resist, the fire will burn you and make you hard; if you submit, the fire will purify you and make you tender."
(Emphasis mine)

Warren W. Wiersbe
Chapter By Chapter Bible Commentary  p.482
Thomas Nelson  1991

Reminding Myself,
Lonnie

SUPER SINS

"Homosexuality is not a super-sin any more than a number of other things are--seven actually . . . 

"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him: 

Haughty Eyes
Lying Tongue
Hands That Shed Innocent Blood
A Heart That Devises Wicked Plans
Feet That Make Haste To Run To Evil
False Witness
One Who Sows Discord Among Brothers

God seems to have a different economy about what are serious sins than we tend to have."

Glenn T. Stanton
Loving My L.G.B.T. Neighbor   p.67-68
Moody Publishers  2014

I apologize for the words past 50; all needed.

Taking a Personal Inventory  (and not much liking it),
Lonnie

ENEMIES' INTENT: INTIMIDATION

"We knew our enemies' intent was to intimidate us into stopping our work. They reasoned, 'These Jews will stop rebuilding out of fear and discouragement. Progress will grind to a halt.' Instead I renewed my dedication, strengthened my hands."

Nehemiah 6:9   The Voice

I felt God saying, "We're in the home stretch of this election. Don't stop praying NOW!

Lonnie

ENEMIES' INTENT: INTIMIDATION

"We knew our enemies' intent was to intimidate us into stopping our work. They reasoned, 'These Jews will stop rebuilding out of fear and discouragement. Progress will grind to a halt.' Instead I renewed my dedication, strengthened my hands."

Nehemiah 6:9   The Voice

I felt God saying, "We're in the home stretch of this election. Don't stop praying NOW!

Lonnie

HOPE FOR THE NATION

"The nation had sinned greatly against the Lord, with their idolatry, injustice, immorality, and insensitivity to His messengers. But they were still His people, and He loved them. Though He would chasten them, He would not forsake them."

Warren W. Wiersbe
Be Comforted   (study in Isaiah; p.130)
David C. Cook 1992

WHATEVER IT TAKES

"David did not barge into battle unprepared . . . He armed himself with five smooth stones. David was prepared for God to grant him victory with the first stone he hurled at the giant or the fifth. David was ready to accept God's victory, whether it came easily or with much effort."

Henry T. Blackaby
Richard Blackaby
Experiencing God Day By Day   p.291
B&H Publishing  2016

Gathering the equivalent of 5 smooth stones,
Lonnie

DO BIRDS SING BECAUSE THEY ARE HAPPY?

"It is unlikely that they sing simply for enjoyment. 

"There is an evolutionary trade-off between exposing oneself to predators and competitors and successfully breeding and raising young that makes singing worth the risk. A bird that  sang for fun would simply risk  being eaten for his frivolity."

Robert Lederer
Amazing Birds   p.92
A&C Black  London  2007