FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022, SOME SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

 FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022 SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

Some scriptures for today:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Psalm 2:1-2

Why do the nations rage

    and the peoples devise futile plots?

The kings of the earth rise up,

    and the princes conspire together

against the Lord

    and against his Anointed One:

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This week we have seen one sovereign country attacked by another sovereign country.  So, why do the nations rage against one another?  Why do they devise futile plots? 

The War in Ukraine has confounded many people - from Ukraine to Russia to Belarus to Western Europe and of course to America.  

It seems as if two cousins are fighting and we don’t know why.  The two countries were part of the Soviet Union for over 60 years.  They speak a common language, look similar, and maybe were related, but now there is warfare.  In some regards, there are those in Ukraine who favor Russia (and of course, those who don’t, and those in Russia who feel that Ukraine is a sovereign nation and should be independent and those in Russia who believe that invading Ukraine is true and accurate action.  

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One-hundred, sixty-two years ago, one nation became two nations, but the larger of the two said they should remain as one nation.  What ensued was a Civil War (in the United States it has the definite object - THE Civil War).  Was it justified?  Was having slaves justified?  Was having the ability for a state to define its own rules and rights? 

Again, the people spoke a common language, looked similar, and maybe were even related. And ... that seems to be the same with Russia and Ukraine. They speak Russian, look similar, and are very similar in general.

Abraham Lincoln said:

“"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."

Malice implies hatred - so hatred against no one; charity implies love - so love for all.  

Lincoln also points out caring for those who need help - him who fought, widows, orphans.  (Should I take Ukraine refugees into my house?  Or Central American refugees? Or Afghanistan refugees?) 

1 Timothy 2:1-2: “ I urge then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all those who hold positions of authority, so that we may be able to lead a tranquil and quiet life with all possible devotion and dignity.

(Okay, I know I don’t pray for EVERYONE - only as I started to write this, did I pray for President Putin, the leaders of Ukraine, Belarus, United States, and others that hold “positions of authority”)

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Okay - prayer, showing love, loving enemies, what else can I do?

Turning the other cheek is one way, going the extra mile is an additional way.  Loving your enemies.

Give a drink to the thirsty

Give food to the hungry

Visit the sick and those in jail

(I haven’t been visiting the jails, but I have been visiting the elderly and sick)

How about sharing my wealth with poor people?  (God will provide for us)

How can I learn God’s ways (which are very different from our ways)?

Love covers a multitude of sins!!

Karen

March 4, 2022