Received this e-mail the other day and thought it was pretty “fleek”.

Hey Pastor –

I wanted to share an interesting incident with you. I’m sending this on behalf of my son, Dakota… he took a political science college course this summer that deals with World Politics. One morning, a few weeks back, the class launched into a discussion on religion’s place in politics - about which nearly everyone seemed to have varying opinions. Eventually, Christianity’s involvement in Government came up – to which the professor stated: “Jesus was never involved in government issues…”

At that point, Dakota’s ears perked up. He was thinking, “Did I really just hear her say that? We JUST had a sermon on that.” With that, he raised his hand and began explaining the organizational approach Rome took to “governing” the countries under their rule and the role of the local leaders. He went into the Sanhedrin, Sadducees and Pharisees. He made the points about Jesus’ involvement with these groups and His role in clarifying God’s Law and its applications in leading His people. As he went on, the professor eventually began to give ground. Dakota could feel the class turning to listen intently to the exchange. It wasn’t argumentative or sarcastic and, at one point when another student attempted to divert the conversation to another topic, the professor prevented it and asked Dakota to continue.

Dakota went through nearly every facet of the sermon. As he was later relaying the encounter to me, I was a little taken aback because Dakota was bringing up points that I had heard, but hadn’t retained top-of-mind. He had absorbed them, however, and apparently unleashed them all on his professor and her class. In the end, his professor conceded that she would look more into what Dakota had stated and think it through. Again, there was no arguing or anger in the discussion, rather a mere exchange of fact vs. opinion.

Anyways, he and I both got a kick out of watching God in action. It was nice that we had the moment to discuss how really outstanding it is to look back and see what God had planned for in advance. He had the right person in the right place at the right time – prepared with the right information. All it took was a little observation and the courage to go ahead and speak up. Dakota asked that I relay the story to you.

Jason and Dakota

You know, that’s pretty encouraging and uplifting. To see God preparing a young student for the right place and right time to spread the right message. Good stuff. Just what I needed to hear. That’s one of the reasons why we read the Bible and that’s why we ask the Lord to give us an awareness of what He wants us to say and to do, wherever we might be. Dakota actually applied what He learned from the Bible to his life. I would have never made that specific application suggestion in a sermon. No, he was ready to apply it to his life, as the Lord wanted.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)

One of the challenges we face in our day to day living as Christians is sharing with others a Godly perspective. It’s easy to be intimidated into silence and not speak what we know to be true. The world on the other hand is not afraid of sharing their worldviews which touch on every area of life from the least important to the most important; what’s life all about, what is sex all about, marriage, how should it be defined..., even the presidential elections. The attempt to control human thinking has been a constant goal of the evil one throughout history. Satan has always been the father of lies and he knows that the way to make the world a mess is to confuse human thinking. Have you noticed the world is a “hot” mess at the moment? The attempts at this mind control are found in movies, music, business, media, and yes, even sensitivity classes that are mandated to be attended by the “uneducated” (Godly) having been sentenced by godless judges whenever you hold to the Biblical position of marriage. (Can anyone say George Orwell’s 1984.) And of course we find this conflict often in the educational system; especially in the classroom. Sometimes it’s intentional...sometimes it’s not, sometimes it is with the bully whip, sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s a big deal topic, sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it presents a whale of an opportunity to bring the focus on Jesus and what the Bible says. That’s what happened with Dakota!. It was an opportunity that he seized, and he did it with a humble spirit and confident inner strength that comes from the Lord. But it should be acknowledged that it will always remain a constant challenge for the Christian to step forward and speak.

It takes a love for God and a love for people. It takes knowing what God thinks and what He says through Bible study and prayer and then to step forward and share it with others who may not hold to that position at that moment. And did I happen to mention to do it with love and humility? Opening the door for dialogue and a change in thinking is a noble and Godly goal in a public setting. We are, whether we like it or not, engaged in a battle for the mind as a disciple of Christ. We know our life mission includes being the salt and the light in the world. We are the ones who are to be bold and loving as we impact the world for good, for God. It’s an exciting way to live...even “spices” up Political Science. It can “spice” up your life as well.

And, to be honest, as a side note... it’s pretty “snatched” that someone remembers something from a sermon. :)

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Matthew 5:13-15 (ESV)

By Pastor Ralph Sawyer

I’m watching the election coverage of the latest party convention and I’m just thinking to myself I just wish so and so would change a little...guess who so and so is? It would make my decision to vote just a little bit easier. Can politicians change?...they need to. And so do I. That type of evaluation always seems to lead me to introspection and the changes that need to occur in my own life, for the better; for the kingdom. To change means to become “different”. It happens all the time, some for the good and some for the bad. This is a good time of the year for some “good” change.

It is the time of the year where I begin to go through all the “stuff” in my office and the “stuff” in my life and throw out that which has become only clutter and keep that which will help in the coming church year. It’s been a really good summer, our church has continued to keep with its tradition of great summer attendance, we usually don’t drop off very much, if at all, during the summer, and meaningful ministry, whether it’s with the camps or missions or whatever, just plug in your ministry.

I believe that part of the reason that happens is because of the continuous work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to change us. The Lord continues, regardless of where we might be along our spiritual growth path, to mold us and shape us and grow us, yes, to change us, from who we have been into who we shall be. It’s amazing really, the more time you spend with the Lord, that’s just a nice way to say the older you get, the more awareness you have of your need of His direction, His guidance, and His power to change us...for the good.

So while we are changing all the time, whether its administrations of the government or a new grade level of educational instruction or a new football team with all of its uniqueness for the year, or hair style, or, in a more serious vein, our character and our habits, we need the power of God in our lives. His power is the key because it leads us to become more like Christ and thus a more useful and effective tool in the Master’s hands.

Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:21-22 (NKJV)

But change for the better can be tough because it’s so easy to become a slave to sin, to bad habits, to inappropriate behavior.

³⁴ Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. John 8:34 (NKJV)

It was Paul himself who presented the struggle we encounter. Even Paul had a struggle, he found himself doing the things He shouldn’t and not doing the things He should. If you’re like me you can identify with the struggle.

For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. Romans 7:15 (NKJV)

I know that there are some areas in my life that need to change, how about you?

Here’s the deal...we have hope...change for the better can happen. Whether it’s a little temper problem or a deep anger that lies just underneath the surface. Or maybe it’s lust, or worry, or_____, you just fill in the blank again. We can lose it...we can change. Or maybe it’s not doing what you’re supposed to be doing. No ministry, no service of others, no sacrifice, or, you know, just fill in the blank______. We can start it...we can change.

How? Realize.

1. Change starts in the mind.

² And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32 (NKJV)

You have to know the truth before you can find freedom. The Scripture tells us what’s right/wrong.

2. You must believe what you know.

Not just intellectually. Judas knew the truth but it didn’t change him at all. It takes total commitment.

3. Sin has to go...that’s the problem.

We can’t live in denial and continue to be deceived. We have to admit we have a problem and the reason we need to change is because of our sin.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8 (NIV)

4. Sin must be replaced with godliness.

It’s not enough to just stop...it won’t last...we need to replace the bad with the good.

Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. Romans 6:13-14 (NIV)

5. Trust Christ...for the power.

That’s what Paul did...trying...on your own...never works...you need the power and it comes from Christ...to give us forgiveness...and to change our hearts.

What an unhappy man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is taking me to death? Thanks be to God, who does this through our Lord Jesus Christ! This, then, is my condition: on my own I can serve God's law only with my mind, while my human nature serves the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25 (TEV)

6. Christ changes us and empowers us to resist the temptation.

so that it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. Galatians 2:20 (TEV)

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)

I can’t really do anything about the changes that need to happen in the lives of politicians, but I know I can change and get rid of the “stuff” I don’t need and add the “stuff” I do. So can you.