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I am up in VA with the kids celebrating Thanksgiving with them as they cannot leave the area for military alertness. It has been a grand time of laughter, learning, and living out who we are as believers and seeking to know that God is orchestrating all that is occurring according to His perfect plan and purpose. I am reminded to know that we have very much to be thankful for during this time even though 2020 has been a very difficult and trying year for us to endure. He knows the way I take and will bring me forth as gold we are told by the famous Job in 23:10. But what we left out is when He has tested me which is inserted before the promise of coming forth as gold. The refining process is not easy, fun, or desirous for any of us. We love the gold standard or conclusion but getting there is not all that enjoyable. God is good and kind and will only allow what will glorify Himself and extend His kingdom. So while in the fire, remember Who stands next to you… “there is another one in the fire” as the song says. He does not take you anywhere without Him. He is always in the fire with you. Have a grand time with family! I love you all.   

I need to learn how to see in the future. All too often I get into a situation and am not thinking about how this will continue and even end, which would really change much of the communication during situation. Now I know that Jesus was able to read the person’s mind of whom he was talking, which would be a great gift and help in communication. He knew what was in man. (John 2:25) Well that depends on who you are talking to… could be a mess also. One of the things that the Lord is teaching me is to think through the situation before it occurs so that you have some direction and steering to it. I noticed this week that Jesus would probe the words of an individual to which He was speaking much more than giving facts or information. He wanted to know the heart of the person before He answered or didn’t answer. All too often I answer before I know how I should answer. Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. (James 1:19) So I give you some advice, remember to be swift to hear and you will be slow to speak. Blessings. 

There is no greater joy than studying God and then praising Him. The greatest subject with the greatest correlating action for man. Regardless of our lives, duties, dreams, or thoughts nothing is better for all of those than the study of God. There is not greater joy! Read what you will, do what you will, hope what you will, think what you will – if not centered upon God – they shrink in comparison. A life without God is dead while living. The highest of duties accomplished and fulfilled without God result in emptiness. Dreams of any order or fashion separated from God become fake and false. Thoughts on the highest human order without God are forgotten and demented by the brush of time. Only God gives value, substance, and significance because He is the Giver of Life. He is Life. Study Him. Consider Him. Seek Him. This is the heaven of heaven so let’s begin now. Then share your impacted soul with Him in praise in gratitude and adoration for this is the enjoyment of Life. The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. (Ps.28:7) Study makes Worshippers. 

Can this year get any more crazy and bazaar? 2020 will definitely go down as one of the most unique and far reaching than in the last century. We don’t have a World War; there has been no Depression of our economy to point of desperation; we don’t have multitudes of people liberating themselves with drugs, sex, and music; nor do we have whole countries separating to previous nations. But the whole world is under a pandemic, nations are rising up against one another, our nation can’t count votes properly, and the new norm is absolutely unfamiliar. So where do we go from here? ALWAYS back to the basics. Love God with all that you are, love your neighbor as yourself, and make disciples. Those are our commissions and that for which God will hold us accountable in the future with Him. Make sure you know how to laugh with a strong confidence in the Sovereignty of God Who is over all things and bringing all things to His good pleasure and plan. The Lord is Good and that has not changed. We have more opportunities to minister to those we do not now know. So let’s keep focused. Smile more. And anticipate His return. The Lord Reigns. 

God answered your prayers about stopping the rain in DC with a YES! It was good for the worship! This is in front of the Lincoln Memorial right as the Lord stopped the rain so He could be worshipped. Amen. When Maria asked us to pray for the rally, rain was predicted for the entire time but God heard your prayers and answered with a cold clear night of good times with believing individuals from all kinds of differing backgrounds, ethnicity, and denominations. They all came together to praise the Lord Most High, El Elyon, - Thanks for praying and taking the time to concern yourself with other people in need.

Our nation will work through their Election 2020 this week and no one knows how it will conclude or what the response of the people will be. My question to you is what does God want from His Church? How are we to respond? What are we to think and do that will glorify Him as we also work through the details of our national responsibility. We have preachers and speakers all over the map when it comes to what should be done or executed when it comes to our Constitutional Republic. We have both civil and spiritual duties to preform and we need to know what God’s will for us to accomplish. These are sacred duties that we ought not to dismiss or hold lightly. National liberty is not given to all peoples on the earth and we have been given the heavy responsibility to vote in a program or platform that will most aid the Church in their duty to God. This is most important so on Sunday I will preach on the God-given Institutions we must support. Our vote is not up to our fancy but it is based on God’s determinations for His Church and People. God has instituted 3 duties for His Church to support and live out which are above any government’s authority. All 3 are being attacked by the evil one. We must adhere to God’s designation as we are allowed. Then men began to call on the Name of the LORD. (Ge.4:26)

Any “kids” (4-12th) that filled out your notes during our last two weeks, send a pic of them and let me know. I have 3 who did it and they will receive something from Whits.