Just a Thought - 01/07/2021

Greetings to all in the powerful name of our redeemer and Lord, Jesus Christ!

I trust that everyone is continuing to stay safe from the spiking spread of the corona virus as we all await the soon to be made available corona vaccine. According to the daily news, it seems that after first responders receive their double doses, the elderly and those with compromised immunity would be next in line. I hope that by the end of February or early March, many of our church members would be eligible for vaccination and we may be able to reopen our FHG facility soon thereafter.

As always, there's so much I would like to share with you but would limit my thoughts to just a few brief comments on what's current in our country. While the American way permits peaceful protests, violence and destruction of property is to be strongly condemned. Yesterday's protest in Washington, DC was both permissible and understandable until the protestors evolved into an uncontrollable mob. This was unacceptable. and required the effort of the strong arm of the law. Many arrests were made and many more are to come. Even the President should have done/said more to mitigate the situation. I am disappointed! Our nation has always modelled the method of resolving conflicts through debate and the ballot box and this approach has served us well.

Over the last 4 years, our beautiful United States of America has enjoyed:

a) A 4-year reprieve from the unscrupulous killing of our babies;

b) The strongest economy coupled with the lowest unemployment rates in history (until COVID appeared);

c) The rebuilding and modernization of all branches of our military including the creation of

a sixth branch - The Space Force;

d) The strongest enhancement of our relationship with Israel since President Harry Truman;

e) The unprecedented normalization of relationships with Israel and some of her historic enemy neighbors.

I am sure that all of you are aware that this is by no means an exhaustive list.

I fear that the promise by some in the incoming administration to reverse the above gains may be fulfilled, leaving us and the world less safe. I console myself however with the biblically supported belief that God still intervenes in the affairs of men and ensures the prevalence of His own will. I am also aware of Romans 13:1 ".... for there is no authority except that which God has established." Furthermore, the apostle Paul goes on to say to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2: 1-3: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplication, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior." I want to point out to you that when Paul provided the above advice, he and his readers were under Roman domination. Paul was no fan of Rome but understood that God is the one who raises up kings and dethrones kings - Daniel 2:21. Therefore we must trust that God places people in rulership positions to fulfill His will.

Let me here remind all that we are mandated to pray for those in leadership roles. Please join me now as we pray together for our nation and its incoming leadership:

"Our Father and our God, we take solace in the fact that Your divine hand is always in the affairs of man and that your plan for the ages will come to fruition despite any and all forms of opposition. Now, we pray for our blessed nation O God, that you continue to allow us to be a beacon of freedom and a model to the world. We pray also for those who have rule over us and for our incoming administration. Guide the sensibilities of our leaders, provide wisdom that they may lead with integrity and in righteousness. Keep them from danger, bless their families and show them the truth of Genesis 12:3. Please allow our three branches of Government to work in concert with each other that our nation may prosper in every way. We now pray also for the peace of Jerusalem and for your people in Israel, that their eyes may be opened to the delightful reality that their true Messiah is our Lord Jesus. Thank You for watching over us and giving us the means to combat the current pandemic. All praise and honor to You O Lord. Amen.

Notice I did not end my prayer with "Amen and a woman" as was in the first prayer of our incoming 117th congress. US congressman Emanuel Cleaver ended his prayer with that nonsense term.

I know that FHG members know the meaning of "amen" but please allow me a few lines just to clarify. The word "amen" in English comes from the same word in biblical Hebrew. It appears 30 times in the Tanach (Old testament) The words for man in Hebrew is (ish) and refers to an adult male, having absolutely nothing to do with "amen" . When referring to a statement in the present or past, such as "Blessed is God", "amen would mean something like "yes, it is so." When referring to something in the future, "amen" means "may it be so" or "may that happen". The word "Amen" therefore has nothing to do with gender or an adult male. To end a prayer with the non-sensical term "amen or a woman" is to expose one's ignorance of the meaning of "amen", to say nothing of disrespecting the One to whom the prayer is addressed. If the congressman was ignorant of the meaning of "amen", he needs to be educated, but if not, he needs to be kindly reprimanded.

Just a Thought

Pastor Chandroo