Prayers for All People

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2 

Today is election day.

We are so blessed to live in a country where we have the opportunity to vote for our elected officials.

What a contrast to the Soviet Union and other countries where dialog and differences are stifled and people are jailed or killed for their beliefs.

Even though our family mailed our ballots in several weeks ago, we'll find out the results this evening.

Most of them, anyway.

Despite the results, God calls us to pray for all those in authority, even when we don't agree with them.

We can still intercede on their behalf so that God's will might be done in their lives and in our country.

God calls us to give thanks for them and their service.

I especially pray for the poll workers, that He will surround them with His protection and peace.

That He will keep them safe and help us thank them for their service.

That we may live peaceful lives in godliness and holiness.

So that everything I do may glorify Him.

Agree Together to End Your Divisions

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree together, to end your divisions, and to be united by the same mind and purpose. — 1 Corinthians 1:10

Our Lord Jesus urges us to agree together.

On some days agreement seems extremely unlikely.

But our God does the impossible!

We can agree to end our divisions.

We can unite behind the same mind and purpose.

Especially when we focus on the mind of Christ.

In the name of our Lord Jesus.

Love All of God's Family

And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more. — I Thessalonians 4:11 

Paul urged the people of Thessalonica to love all people in God's family.

And to continue to do so more and more.

Tonight I sang with our San Diego Street Choir.

We praised God together and worshiped Him through song.

Our orchestra accompanied the choir.

The choristers were overwhelmed with blessings from the music.

They were so appreciative to have three of us there from our choir.

Sunday we'll have even more.

God urges us to love others more and more.

Help me, Lord, to do just that.

Encourage the Disheartened

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. — 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Lots of people have become disheartened during this time of social distancing.

Others have become disruptive.

God calls us to encourage the disheartened.

He charges us to help the weak.

And to go beyond even helping others, by being patient with them,

Not something we can do on our own.

Only with God's help is it possible for us to be patient when we want to lash out and be rude.

 

Live to Please God

Brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. — 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Today is All Saints Day, when we remember those loved ones who have gone before us.

My mom, Joyce Morong Turner,

My dad, Jet Elton Turner,

Kirk's mom, Rita Kindlespire Rogers

Kirk's dad, Gary John Rogers,

My Aunt Barbara Hawkins

My Aunt Diedree Morong

Kirk's cousin LeAnn Selzer,

Kirk's uncle Dale Rogers

and our grandparents:

Jesse and Lillian Turner

Carroll Oscar and Marion Morong

Sil and Mildred Kindlespire

Lucille Klein

My great-aunt, Lucinda Mattinson

Her dad, my great-grandpa Pappy, William Mattinson, and many others. 

We are thankful for their lives and their faith.