Written before the election results are known.

In this time wrought with high emotions, I’d like to share some thoughts. Today most people view their emotions as a guide. How often have you heard the advice, “Just follow your heart?”

Emotions are a gift from God, but His intent is to enrich our lives with them, not guide us. Here are three reasons from observation for which I believe God gave us emotions (He probably has more).

A first reason is that God wants us to enjoy what He’s given us: a beautiful sunset, a pleasant concert, a fine friendship, a delicious meal, a sense of achievement. He likes for us to have pleasure in the good things He’s given.

A second reason is to warn us. Our our negative emotions are like the dash board lights on our car. When the oil light, or check engine light, or battery light comes on it doesn’t mean, “turn right at the next road,” or “go faster,” or “continue straight on.” They all mean, “Something is wrong, do something about it!”

Our negative emotions, like anger, jealousy, greed, fear or hate, are warnings to us, that we are thinking wrongly, following the wrong values, or have a wrong perception. For instance right perspective is, “Let every  man be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath, for the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19,20). If we follow our negative emotions, we almost certainly will get into trouble. If, instead we heed the warning, back off, think biblically and make a Godly decision, Things  will go much better.

A third reason for our emotions is to motivate us. All of us have been in a discouraging situation, when one person speaks up, “Come on! We can do this; we just have to pull together! What do you say?” Everyone’s emotions are stirred, they get up and move ahead.

And so it is now; whoever wins the election, we know that God has a plan and we can join Him, trust Him,, follow Him, not our emotions.

May we daily spend time with our Lord, our Bridegroom, nurturing our first love for Him, gazing upon His loveliness, focusing on His beauty rather than our busyness. Following is an example of focusing on Him.

“I will tell of all your wonders” (Ps. 9:1b). Great and many are your wonders, O Lord, beginning with your character.

–You are Love, Light and Life.

–In you there is Purity, Perfection, and Power.

–You are filled with Greatness, Grace and Goodness.

–You are Immortal, Invisible and Invincible.

–In you alone are Righteousness, Riches and upRightness.

–You are Mighty, Magnificent and Marvelous.

–You are Holiness, Justice and Mercy.

–You are God, Lord, and Sovereign.

–You are without beginning, without end and without time.

–You are a wonder, you are worthy, to be worshipped.

–You are the One and only God. Glory be to you both now and forever!

Prayer: “Lord, help me to seek your face every day, to bask in the beauty of your character, to fall more in love with you. Then help me to join you in what you have planned for the day, moving in your timing, your power and your wisdom. Amen.”

You, Lord God,  are the great Giver of good, supplying what is needed to keep your children growing, maturing, bearing more and more good fruit. You have provided all that is necessary for living a godly life and for overcoming the evil of the world (2 Peter 1:3).

In your wisdom and grace, your great patience and kindness, you leave it to us, your children, to draw this living water up through our roots by reading, studying, meditating on your Word, to remain in your courts, to abide in the vine and to bear your fruit.

To those of your children who keep their roots down into the water of the Word, you promise: “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green…” (Ps. 92:14).

As we grow old, lose our physical abilities, have less strength, hear and see less, and may seem to dry up on the outside, we will still bear good, rich, delicious fruit for those around us: the fruit of the Spirit, the fruit of the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of good works, the fruit of people coming to Christ—which is just the opposite of what happens if we live naturally rather than supernaturally.

You cause us to remain fruitful so that we can declare “the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him” (Ps. 92:15).

To you be power, might and exaltation, Lord Jesus. You are worthy, you are glorious, you are Elohim, the triune God, the Creator and Sustainer of all.  May we honor you today.

“… set your hearts on things above….set your minds on things above” Colossians 3:1b, 2

Our God is such a faithful guide.  From down here we cannot see much of the future. In fact, we sort of back into it, being very aware of the past and present, but seeing very little of where we should step next. God, however, being outside time, knows what’s coming and will guide us if we are willing to listen, as we “seek those things which are above.”

Right now, God is teaching us that an important part of “seeking things above” is praying through each situation, each event and then waiting for Him to open doors rather than pushing through them in our own strength. Recently we saw again how God, in His time, answers prayer for guidance.

This past weekend a man with 25 years of experience in our line of work just “happened” to drop by on his way to other countries. In the discussions with him, a number of areas we have had questions about were illuminated and guided us in how to  move ahead.

It is truly an adventure to walk with the Lord Jesus and watch Him unfold for us the terrain where we are to tred. What we need the most is to wait for Him to do so and not run ahead on our own. We need to obey the word, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” (Pro. 3:5).

How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!”

You have given us the delight of flowers with colors vivid and gentle, deep and pastel, having tiny beautiful details within, gorgeous shapes without. I think of the rich red and yellow of a tulip’s petals, sheltering the white stem within, like a lady wearing her three-pointed crown, surrounded by her deep brown guards—a tiny world of beauty, waiting to be discovered.

You have made joy available everywhere. Think of the joy of a new born colt, staggering to his feet, shaking off the surprise of birth, running at his mother’s side. Think of the exuberance of a shooting star, streaking across the night sky. Or the contentment of a crescent moon in winter, cradled low in the West in the bare arms of upstretched winter tree branches. Think of the happy croak of frogs on a warm spring night. Or the joy of a dog, greeting his master in the morning, tail wagging, tongue hanging out, smiling with anticipation of the day.

Your works give us joy, O Lord, they are marvelous, revealing to us your greatness, wisdom and beauty. And this is only a dim reflection of what it will be like with you in Heaven, where all will be more of everything: more beautiful, more vivid, more delightful, more tasty, more varied, more vibrant—for there will be no twisting of sin to mar our vision or your creation.

We praise you, Lord, for all you have given us. May we ever think on you as we enjoy your beautiful creation.