January 20 “Live Peaceably with All Men” Romans 12:18
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18)
My Daddy used to say that “95% of the issues that we have as humans would not be issues if we, would simply mind our own business!” Yesterday, I witnessed an encounter between an older man (like me) and a younger woman that was so enlightening, and sad, at the same time. Standing in line to check out, this woman decided that she would make it her business to take exception to the cap that the older man was wearing. The cap had a profound message, “Think Before You Speak!” Out of nowhere, this entitled woman began to lecture this older man about his attitude, his political position, his arrogant assumption that he should be telling her how to act or speak. He looks at her and asked a profound question: “Ma’am, what are you talking about?” She got closer to him and began to shout expletives and colorful words to describe, what he perceived as his politics, religious affiliation and a host of “left field” gibberish. The older man asked her to back up and to please leave him alone. She grew louder, and by then, she had attracted a crowd, and she was energized by the audience. Finally, she came out with what was “in her crawl!” She accused this quiet, unassuming, apparently gentle older man of being a part of a, her words, “Hate filled, Trump loving, MAGA garbage …” Again, he stated that he only wanted to make his purchase and he would leave her alone. For this sad, possessed woman, she was Ready to create a scene, yet this man refused to play into her scenario, so he placed his purchases on a shelf and began to exit the building. When he left, this crazy, entitles, self-important example of the arrogance of the day, said the most amazing thing, “Well, I showed him!” This older man demonstrated grace and manners and he simple removed himself from the craziness of the moment. The woman in question, she displayed a level of arrogant entitlement that will cause her to have difficulties navigating through this life. As I stood there, witnessing this unfold, I thought to myself, “Why is she so angry? Why does she think that it is her job to straighten this man out? Why did she feel compelled to make an example of him?” Wow! As she turned to make her purchase, still chattering on about any negative thing that she could produce, I noticed that her sweatshirt had a bold word emblazoned across the front, “RESIST!” Please Pay Close Attention! Evil, in many manifestations, will be out and about, ready, willing and able to challenge you, to hamper the sharing of the Good News, and, in some cases, RESIST by using physical means. When she left the building, those of us still in line were stunned. Why did she think that this man’s hat, the message, or anything about him, was her business? I walked out of the store and the statement from my Daddy, spoken over 60 years ago, came to my mind and I began to pray for the older man, and the crazy woman. Can you imagine the story that the older man told his wife? Can you imagine the story that the crazy woman told to anyone that would listen? Folks, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! Remember, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
Postscript: This past Sunday, in St. Paul, Minnesota, a group of organized agitators forced their way into a local church, during the worship time, and began to protest, shouting anti-American, anti-ICE, anti-Everything chants and they thought that this was a good idea to engage in this level of civil chaos! This action, initially, made me angry, then I realized that this is just another example of uncontrolled hatred being demonstrated by hate filled folks! Today, this is going on in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the State of Minnesota, however, be aware that this evil based rhetoric and this level of hatred is spreading across our land! This lady, in today’s devotion, was wearing a sweatshirt, emblazoned with the word, “RESIST!” (She thought that she had the right to wear whatever, yet she did not feel that the man had the right to wear his hat) Please be aware that when this brand of Evil decides to start targeting Houses of Worship, then you have yet to experience to true meaning of “RESIST!” Complain all you desire, Disagree with anything that you desire, Hold Protests in the streets, Refuse to participate in commerce, Withhold your support for your local economy, Refuse to recognize the authority of the Local, State and Federal Government, Be as militant as you please, but be warned, YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO ENTER ANY HOUSE OF WORSHIP, OR FOR THAT MATTER, ANY PRIVATE RESIDENCE, AND BRING YOUR BRAND OF PROTEST, REGARDLESS OF YOUR POSITION AND YOUR PARTICULAR BIAS! Again, if this level of chaos and violence-based actions continue, it WILL NOT END WELL! Believers, I am encouraging you to target in prayer, these paid agitators, and those who are along for the ride, that feel as if they have a mandate to violate the law of the land and can determine their actions, based on their “feelings” or their political persuasion! Are you paying attention? Satanic forces are becoming more arrogant and brazen, and it is time for the “Church” to STAND STRONG and RESIST the EVIL THAT IS SPREADING ACROSS OUR LAND! Stop, Drop, and PRAY for GOD to INTERVENE in the Hearts and lives of these RESISTORS! (2 Chronicles 7:14)