This morning I am led to provide you a special message. At noon today the United States of America will experience the peaceful transition of power, which is one of the foundational tenets of this great nation. The Obama presidency will end and the Trump presidency will begin. This seems to be a divided time in the United States. Obama and Trump supporters are vehemently against each other, tensions are high, many are very excited, while countless others are seemingly in despair. As I prayed over what to share with you this morning, I was led to recalibrate your focus.
Whether you’re a Trump supporter and you can’t wait ‘till noon or you’re an Obama supporter and thinking of what will happen at noon is breaking your heart, either way, my message to you is keep your eyes on God. Let’s take a look at two passages this morning and briefly discuss them within the context of today’s transition.
The Apostle Paul said, “The love of Christ controls us, because we know that one person died for everyone. So all have died. He died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from death so that they would live for him. From this time on we don’t think of anyone as the world thinks of people. It is true that in the past we thought of Christ as the world thinks. But we don’t think that way now. When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!” (2 Cor 5:14-17).
In the previous chapter the Apostle Paul said, “We focus our eyes on what we cannot see, not what we see. What we see lasts only a short time, and what we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Cor 4:18). As Born-Again believers, we are supposed to spend time looking at the things we cannot see with our natural eyes. The Bible teaches us to spend time focused on things that are beyond our physical eye’s ability to look. In the Spirit we can see into eternity, from time, and come back equipped to live informed by that revelation. In the Spirit we can peer into heaven, from the earth, and come back to LIVE OUT what we saw. Once we have God’s Spirit living IN us, God wants us to learn to live by the revealed knowledge His Spirit can provide, so that when people come in contact with us, they are hearing from heaven. This is how you are different. This is how you shine in this world. This is how God’s light, love and power are able to permeate through you, for all the world to see.
So what does this mean to you today? Several things:
1. The unseen is the superior realm.
a) Living by faith is living your life based on a reality you cannot see in this world (with natural eyes).
b) Living by faith is living on the earth in-sync with heaven. When you are in-sync with heaven, it may mean that you are out-of-sync with the people of this world, and you must learn to be okay with that.
c) The opposite of faith is not doubt. The opposite of faith is natural sight. That’s why Paul said, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor 5:7). As believers we choose to live our lives by faith; living off of a reality that cannot be seen with natural eyes. The people of this world live their lives by what they can see down here. We are supposed to be living our lives based on what we are seeing “up there”.
d) You are supposed to be living in the earth, on heaven’s agenda. In Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae he said it this way, “You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth. Your old self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. Yes, Christ is now your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory.” (Col 3:1-4).
2. You are NOT supposed to think like the world thinks.
a) The Apostle Paul said, “From this time on we don’t think of anyone as the world thinks of people. It is true that in the past we thought of Christ as the world thinks. But we don’t think that way now.”
b) Once you are in-Christ, everything is different. But the only way people in this world will SEE that difference IN you, is if you DIE TO SELF!
c) The more you die to self, the more God will flow through you, the more you will think like Him, and the more people will experience God when they come in contact with you.
d) When people talk to you they should NOT hear the same things they are hearing on the news. You are a spokesperson for Heaven. When people talk to you they should hear what God is saying in this season. Remember, as Jesus is, so are we, in this world (1 Jn 4:17). If you are not speaking what God is saying, you are not representing Jesus as you should.
e) The time for partisan politics and divisive rhetoric are over. The Bible says, “When you talk, don’t say anything bad. But say the good things that people need—whatever will minister grace and help them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you.” (Eph 4:29)
3. God’s plans for you have not changed.
a) God has been speaking to in this season about the things He wants to do in, with and through you, this year and in the years to come. None of those plans change because of a change in presidency.
b) If you were disappointed when PET Trump won, then embrace that disappointment for a moment and then let it go. God is unmoved and unphased. God was not surprised when Trump won. God is still God. God still has plans for you. Since God is IN you and you are IN Him, you should not be moved or phased either.
4. Pray for our nation and the new President.
a) America voted for change. Change is coming. Some will see this as a good thing. Others as a bad thing. But in the end, those you trust in God will be just fine.
b) The new administration will have major challenges ahead. Our nation and all the elected officials need our prayers.
c) I will close with the words of Paul. He said, “First of all, I ask that you pray for all people. Ask God to bless them and give them what they need. And give thanks. You should pray for rulers and for all who have authority. Pray for these leaders so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives—lives full of devotion to God and respect for him. This is good and pleases God our Savior.” (1 Tim 2:1-3)
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for being my source and strength. Times change, seasons change, administrations change, but You remain the same. You are the same yesterday, today and forevermore. So, I keep my eyes ON You and my confidence IN You. I give myself over to You this morning, to be used of You to minister healing and to shine as hope in this world. You have not changed. You were not surprised. You still have a plan. You’re still God. You still reign. And You will still bless the United States of America. Forward ever, backward NEVER, the best is yet to come! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and prosper!
