Amen and Amen my brother in Christ. Thank you 🙏. I am a 71 year old Christian in the UK and I pray for sanity in this world over the next few weeks 🙏🙏❤️
Right, wrong or anything in between, my heart has hurt more these past few years than allll the years before combined. I'm so tired, and miss so many people.
The Bible also says not to cast your pearls before swine; they will trample them under their and turn around and rend you”. I don’t hate anyone - the price is too high; but I hate sin. You can pray that evil people repent; but most wicked people like donOld trump will never repent. Their consciences (like the Bible says) have been seared with a hot iron. They have shut down their ability to hear and receive the word of God. A few yrs ago I was in prayer and the Lord instructed me to pray that djt would repent( pause ) …but he won’t I asked why would you have me pray for a man that you know will not repent. He said “because I Am Just”. I prayed the briefest prayer I have ever prayed in my 7 plus decades of life. trump has become more brazen, vulgar and vengeful. As the Lord said he will not repent. And neither will those who has made him the object of their worship (Idolatry). These are the last days of perilous times that we were forewarned of. On a more uplifting note; I Voted Blue💙💙💙💙 for Freedom and Democracy today! Good against Evil! Amen!
At 63, I've learned that "giving them what for" never makes me feel relieved or good for longer than the last word I say echos. I'd rather walk away than give them any more of my energy than I've been giving. I side with loving and caring for others.
Rev Ed, thank you so much for your messages. I left Christianity 20 years ago, because of the hate and bigotry. I have been listening to you for several months, and I believe in your message. I believe in loving instead of hating. But I also believe in justice, and equality, and the former guy is the antithesis of love and equality. My "family" are the hate kind of Christians... So... Thank you so much. You may be bringing me back around to Christianity. You, and James Talarico.
You are not alone in the hateful Christian family thing. Mine are, too. I turned away for a while, but I came back to Jesus. I really struggle with how my family is so mean somedays more than others. What helps me is to remember that being a Christian is about a personal relationship with Jesus. You can't make someone else speak and act like what they say they are. You only control yourself. Just pray that their eyes and ears are open to the true message of Jesus. My pastor says this: The Church (Christians), are supposed to be about the mission of Jesus. If we aren't about the mission of Jesus, we are not HIS church. So we must examine our own hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to help us be about the Father's business. I hope this helps you. Just know that a lot of us are struggling or have struggled with the same thing.
@@sheliaporter6795 Thank you so much. I wish all Christians listened to the message of Jesus. Too many people are listening to Trump and his sycophants, and it's resulting in our world being torn apart, family by family. I used to think that families stick together no matter what. But I've been realizing that that isn't the case with MOST families as I have gotten older. Thank you for your comment. It has in fact, helped me at least. 😊
My brother & his wife, both nearing 80, both confirmed republicans, have always acted like orange man and believed that everyone else needed to conform to them. When I didn't, their bullying just worsened over the years. I finally went no contact 20 years ago and it's been the best decision of my life.
My 32 year old son was a die hard Trumper during his presidency. We had pretty strained conversations about it during that time. I was so worried about where he was going and I was so angry that he got sucked in. But I held onto who I know he is and I prayed and I had faith that he would eventually see. And he did. He is no longer a Trumper. I tried to just let him come around on his own and be supportive and love him throughout. It was so hard!! But he came around. I believe most of them will with time.
❤we all have to hope. Please hug your son and hold him tight. My oldest is gone and served this country 4 times 3 in Afghanistan. He reupped to make sure his daughter has everything she needed to grow up. 20 years ago this country was so together. Not so much anymore. I am sure he would be so disappointed….
I was thinking about the WWI story of Christmas Eve when German and British Soldiers stopped fighting and sand carols together. If they could find common ground in that horror, I hope we can get beyond this political scene and move forward aware of our common humanity and that we are all children of God. Boy, I need help with that right now, please dear God!
Amen. I came to a realization about a year ago that God intends diversity - differences. Look around you. God didn’t make just one kind of tree, or one kind of flower. God wants this spectrum of differences! So for me, the people who are the opposite of me are proof of God. Although, I do have my off days, my days when I am challenged in remembering this. Blessings
It's like Harry Potter said of Voldemort after he rematerialized: "we have something he doesn't. Something worth fighting for." (Love, honor, truth...) Be the change we want to see.
Amen father. We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world but we have one advantage we have a perfect savior who by the power of the Holy Spirit can guide us on that upward path.
Thanks Rev! I've been away from your channel for a while. I'm surrounded by these folks and sometimes they're just too much to take. I try to remember they are God's child just as I, but my goodness they make it hard. I've prayed in the past for people who have hurt me, but in my small mind I guess it never occurred to me to pray for all of maga. I will pray for them and that my country can survive.
Blue Rodeo, "If we are lost then we are lost together" Great Canadian band. At least eight billion people on this blue planet, love them all. No exceptions.
As an ex-Evangelical and ex-Christian, I'm grateful for this video post. I invested a lot in the Evangelical Movement, and my leaving was not the result of any wounds or anger (I admit that I got wounded and angry on my way out, but it wasn't why I left.) While I was wrong in my beliefs when I was an Evangelical, I don't want to believe that I was mistaken about what motivated most of the people I knew. That's why I'm grateful when believers who are motivated by love and an honest pursuit of truth speak out against Christian Nationalism. I salute you.
Regardless of circumstances, we can always find peace and compassion with God as our compass. Our country needs healing and it will take years. Our prayers and compassion will make a difference in creating unity.
So very hard because I was late to the hatred part. I’m praying I’ll pray more and add those who have inspired my anger in my prayers. I’ve been down on myself about my anger towards Maga ,trump , vance and all the rest of them! I don’t want to become what I dislike about them . Thank you rev! My Canadian naughty nana duz was talking about you the other day on her channel .
I just had a memory of something I shared on FB 12 years ago. I had been reading a fantasy series The Half-Orcs series by David Daglish. In the book, a character has two swords, one name Salvation and one named Condemnation. While they were just named weapons that delivered violence in the story, it provides an image to realize that when we meet someone who doesn't share the same beliefs as ourselves, that we have the freedom to condemn them or allow them the grace to live how they choose. When we choose to condemn, we flat out judge them as less than ourselves. It is only by choosing grace and salvation that we are able to show them love. Judgement and condemnation leave no room for love. They way we react to those who disagree with us shows much more of our character than the way we react to those who share our beliefs.
If we forgive ourselves for holding on to judgment and hate for others then it will become easier to pray for forgiveness and acceptance of those we don’t agree with
I just saw a talk by a guy named Drew Strait on a channel called Anabaptist Mennonite Bible Seminary. It’s on the topic of Christian Nationalism and strategies to counter it. It was released 5 days ago. I wanted to point this out to Ed and all of you.
Amen! Cut yourself some slack. We're all human and a work in progress. With that being said, another reason I've been reading Psalms isn't to scare anybody. It's to hopefully remind somebody of a verse that first brought them to Christ and bring them back to their childlike faith. BEFORE all of this. 💚💚💚
In the end, we all have out own paths to walk. From my own perspective, as long as we do what we do with the end goal of making a better world for those around us and those will come after us; all of them not just the ones we agree with; then I think we'll be okay. It's when you focus overmuch on the self, on what you want, on how you think things should be done, how everyone should live their lives, that we really start to have issues. We're stronger together, all of us with all the diversity that that entails.
I have told my Trump supporting family that we are not to talk politics. I told them I love too much to argue with them. If someone slips up, I remind them " no politics".
I've tried that. Didn't work with one of them. EVERY holiday dinner. "I know I'm not supposed to talk about politics, but....." *proceeds to make mean jokes about liberals
I have been praying for the millions of people who are being misled by all the false teachers and all of those who are being harmed. It could be the maga cult; or, it could be the christian nationalists. It could be those prosperity gospel pastors. Bottom line is that they need prayers. I believe that Jesus was/is the perfect example and i strive to follow Him. Thanks Rev. Ed for your thoughts and insights.
Ah, Rev. You see right into our gizzards. Fine. I'll pray for them. It's probably going to be a little grudgingly, tho, bc losing so many people in my life to MAGA and FOX doesn't leave me liking them much.
So pray for their repentance. That's always the goal anyway, for everyone to be reconciled to God. If you don't think you can pray for anything else for them, pray for that and as a corollary, as God to show you what you need to change. We always need to be growing so that's a good ask. I don't think you can go wrong with that kind of prayer.
@spirals73 Good points and good advice. I did feel much better about it all after prayers yesterday. I actually woke to a very strong memory of my mother this morning, from when I was being a shthead teenager... "I love you, but I don't like you right now. Go be a better person and get out of my face." 😬 Maybe my mom is trying to send me some divine inspiration, so that's today's prayer. Probably for both them and me. LOL
Uhhhh… I know you mean well and God bless you; but I must disagree with “we’re all children of God” ; when there is scripture after scripture to the contrary. True, Mankind was “created” by God; but much of mankind is estranged from their creator and serving another Spirit that is Not God, and therefore as Jesus said to some Pharisees “you are of your father the devil; he was a liar from the beginning and the father of lies”. Let’s not give people who doesn’t know better the false belief they can live like the devil and be considered a child of the Most High God. Exhibit A. MagaNuts and its MagaLeader; of the devil and lost as a ball in tall weeds. 🔥Revelation 21:8.🔥✔️
“But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolators, and all liars shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”. Also IITimothy 3:1-7… This is the reality of this generation, and those of past generations that rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus describes the difference between believers and unbelievers as wheat and tares; Also IIThessalonians 2:3 “.. a great falling away”. Meaning those that depart from the Truth.. 50 yrs ago we couldn’t have imagined these things coming to pass with such frequency, and greater magnitude during our lifetime. Christianity is far more than head knowledge - believing in the historical and physical existence of Jesus. Salvation requires sincere repentance , submission to his Lordship, and adherence to his Word for one’s lifetime. Even in the time of the early church the Apostle Paul admonished his fellow laborers followers of Jesus to walk worthy of the vocation which they were entrusted. Paul begins in Romans 12:1,2; I beseech ye therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies (yourselves) as a living sacrifice; holy and acceptable unto God; which is your reasonable service; and be ye not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of minds, so that ye may prove (by demonstration) what is that good and acceptable, perfect will of God”. This is One of my favorite scriptures.. Another epistle by our elder brother is found in IITim 2:15.. I apologize if this exhortation is too long. I do not have the gift of brief, cleverly worded statements. Have a wonderful day.
Brother there is one thing of maintaining one’s faith with righteousness and integrity; But there also must be a balance of telling the unvarnished truth. As a conscious act of my free will, I choose to forgive . But that does not absolve evil doers of their guilt or circumvent the recompense of God, they rightly deserve. When we forgive others, it’s not for them but for us. When we forgive we have released them to the Lord, and escaped the sin and punishment of unforgiveness. And if they will not accept the Truth of God’s word, we walk away (metaphorically ) shake the dust from our feet. There is always someone in one’s proximity that need to hear the truth; Especially in this climate of hatred. Witnessing takes discretion, knowledge of the Word, and leading of the Spirit of Truth. Back in the day witnessing to unbelievers was challenging but rewarding . Nowadays unbelievers question the validity of God’s word and His very existence. God does not intrude upon their free will and neither should we. I never thought I would hear so-called preachers of the Gospel spew the kind of vitriol, and their version of scripture from pulpits. .. these are truly the last days.. Ok, I’ll quit for now.
It helps me to remember that I, just like Donald Trump, am a member of God's family. All of His creation will sit at His table someday. It levels the playing field of my mind.
If you are moved to pray for what you want, well, that may be okay for some. But is it enough? I remember the words of JFK when he said (roughly) that God's work on earth must truly be our own. Well, for me, that means, if I want to help, I need to be a force for good. Wishful thinking by itself is just not enough. When it comes to others, there is not much you can do to change minds. But you can set an example. The bible says that faith without works is dead. My interpretation of that sentiment is that wanting it so, will not make it so. However, working for the goal with others may sometimes be all that you need. As far as praying away the bad and praying in the good. Jesus said (Matthew 6:34) that it is enough to worry about each day as it comes without worrying about what's gone on or what might happen tomorrow. The guidance from Jesus is to stay focused and concern yourself with issues as they arise without judgement and without expectations. If you believe that God is watching us, then, dealing with your issues as they arise should be enough. We don't believe in magic. We believe in work and applying our skills to make the world better.
