Intentional Encouragement

            I read the above statement in a daily devotional I received via email and it caught me a little off guard.   The full statement is even more powerful: “The simple rule of a successful life is this: Love God and stop worrying” (Italics mine).             The thought comes from Psalm 145:20 which says, in part: “The L ord watches over all who love him…” (NIV) There is great truth here.   Consider a couple of things.             Not everyone really loves God.   Most people who believe that there is a God would say they probably love him to some degree or another.   But to love God is to obey him; to submit to him; to honor him.   We would never convince anyone that we really loved our spouse if we didn’t talk with them very often or if we ignored their interests and desires.   The same is true with God.               When we come to Christ, humbly accepting his sacrifice in our place and trusting him as our only hope of salvation, we come into a new relationship with God

     On November 4, 2008, Senator Barack Obama was elected to become the next president of the US .   Millions of Americans were ecstatic.   Millions more were saddened and disappointed.   In the four years since that time, we have watched many things take place.   Chances are that if we liked the choice at the time for philosophical reasons; it has been confirmed.   Similarly; if we voted “no” it’s a pretty good chance that our decision has been confirmed in our minds.      I personally disagree at a fundamental level with President Obama’s stand on some major moral issues.   Also; I am convinced that the morality of a nation (including its attitude toward human life, sexuality, marriage, and toward wealth) directly affects many other things (like the economy).   Whenever we ignore fundamental principles of righteous living, we will pay for it, one way or another.      The question I want to address regards our posture and attitude toward our president and those with whom we disagre