Ephesians 6:12
My wife will tell you – when trouble strikes, I’m typically the calm one. Even when she and I disagree, I tend to focus on the good that can come from the disagreement. Occasionally my demeanor will get under her skin and she’ll question my level of concern over the matter or if I actually care about her feelings. Been there?

Of course, I completely understand my wife’s position and can certainly see her point. And after the smoke has cleared, she too usually understands mine. But the one thing that is never in question is our understanding that no matter what we’re facing, God is in control, and we’re completely dependent upon His guidance, grace and sovereignty. We also know without a doubt that whatever we’re facing, we are not battling each other, and that we must fight together as a team to keep the enemy from getting the best of us.

1John 4:4 and Rom 8:28
If you’re a worship leader, do you concern yourself with what certain members of the congregation or church staff think of your song choices? Videos? Volume? Presentation? If not, I need you to counsel me! We all do it at times. When this happens, I recite 1 John 4:4. It helps me to understand that the negative forces causing those people to grumble are the same ones causing me to stress. It’s then that I realize I must fill myself with the Word of God and know that He is the Great One. All else is rubbish. If you’re in-tune with God, then He has placed you there to lead. Lead!

1John 5:4 and Jeremiah 29:11
Recently, a new president took office - Barrack Obama. A liberal by many accounts. Certainly a Democrat with far-reaching differences in values and politics than those of his predecessor. And while 53% of Americans voted for him, that leaves nearly half of Americans who believe he was the wrong choice for this country.

Despite who you wanted to win, Obama has been placed in a position of authority over us, to which we must submit. But what I’ve been reading and hearing from some of my own peers and colleagues is far more troubling than differences in views. Many people are convinced that because of this election, this Country is in for one of its most ill-favored decades of the last 100 years. And what’s worse, is many of these people are distraught and have convinced themselves that they have to live with whatever consequences Obama’s term may bring. People! Stop it!

Do we not believe Him when God’s word tells us that our faith will overcome the World? Do we not believe that He has plans for us to prosper? Have we Christians actually succumbed to the World view that a man in a man-made office has the power to shape our future? Do we no longer believe that no matter what the economic or financial forecast for the world, that we have already overcome? I pray each day that we, as Christians, would stop giving so much power to the powerless. That’s God’s job. And if He’s in control (and He is) then who am I to worry over who He places above me? I also pray that we'll all continue to pray for our leaders, as His Word instructs us to do.

For you, I pray regardless of what you’re wrestling with in your life, you’ll be able to recognize God as the all powerful, gracious and loving Father who wants nothing but the best for you, and has your future in the palm of His hands.