I am grateful for getting some of the barn signs in the county down today. It was below freezing and windy, but I really enjoyed my Wife’s company and help.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1
Me: Good evening Jesus!
Jesus: Good evening, Jon!
Me: Thank You Jesus, for holding everything together.
Jesus: My plan requires it to hold together.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29
Do you think about the plans that I have for you?
Me: I wonder sometimes, Jesus, if my belief that I am on the path you want me on is fully under the guidance of the Spirit and not merely a product of inertia.
Jesus: It is not merely inertia. I promised the Spirit to guide you into all truth (John 16:13) and you have a heart to listen. I Am faithful to speak to those who have a heart to listen. I am faithful to speak to you.
Me: I cannot overstate what that promise means to me. I honestly don’t know how people who don’t know You get out of bed in the morning.
The opening passage talks about You as creator of thrones and powers, rulers and authorities. You must be disappointed in our current authorities and their dismissal of Your plan. No, more their dismissal of You.
Jesus: Yes, I Am disappointed whenever any chooses not to have a relationship with Me.
Me: Is it more rampant now?
Jesus: Sin is progressive. Small steps at first. Eventually rushing headlong to destruction.
Me: We have elected officials who refuse to fix a broken voting system, the foundation of our republic. They draw back from making changes when cheaters cry foul. I know you see all this. My tendency is to believe that many elections are swayed by antics such as the dead voting. Am I a conspiracy theorist?
Jesus: No, what you sense is the truth. Let me remind you that this too falls under the “all things” coverage of Romans 8:28 –
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Also, in every age there has been a remnant dedicated wholeheartedly to Me. It is the same now. You meet many of them. Remnants do not win elections. They do tread the path to life eternal.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 7
Me: Thank You Jesus! I love You!
Jesus: You are welcome! I love you!
Missionary Sojourn 
It only took 12 men to turn the world upside down. All He asks is for willing, tuned in hearts.
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Well for us to remember. My sense is the as many look to the systems and institutions of men, while those same are seeking to quench our God Given nature, we must be ever mindful that the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are based in the very power of God.
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Amen
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Your concerns about the systemic abuse in our elections are mine too, more now as they seem not only entrenched and with no sign of improvement. And your listening to God’s voice in Scripture is a lesson in itself, taking our uneasiness and disappointment an placing them before our Master. Thank you for quoting Rom. 8:28, that “divine cordial” as an old English puritan called it. All things … ALL things … oh, what a comfort to know the power of God. Maranatha. May Christ return soon!!
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I know what you mean about seeing the injustices in the world. I don’t know how unbelievers can live without knowing there’s a just God that sees it all. We can give it all to Him – what do they do?
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I think a lot of them also see the problems in the world and without belief in God, default to building bigger and more controlling institutions of men to try to address them. On top of that, the power hungry even invent “problems” to give an excuse for ever more control, since individual freedom prevents the advance of their Towers of Babel.
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That makes sense.
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Truer words couldn’t be spoken, Jon. I can’t help but naturally see the negative of everyone’s blatant ignorance and dismissal of God, yet I wake in conversation with Him and in support from Him.
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God: I’m in charge. The cheaters get their season, their way is a dead end, I will use it for the kingdom. Just follow me.
Good words Jon
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