Our Fundamental Responsibility to the Government

Good evening again to you from the auditorium of beacon Baptist Church on Pastor Carnes here to conduct a live stream service and extend my appreciation to our beacon family, for your faithfulness to the ministry and the ministry of the word appreciate your diligence in your faithfulness to tune into our lifestream services and certainly not what we prefer, but it is what we are doing comply with the governor's restrictions and to safeguard you during these days of coven and we will continue this until we see some changes in the restrictions and see some improvement with the spread of the virus, so I know you're praying about that. Trust your praying about the national and state and local elections that take place on Tuesday of this coming week.

Let's see we learned this morning that Brooke Faust was in a serious car accident and is in Moses Cone.

Pray for her.

There were two deaths mentioned this morning the family of Gary Kendricks and family John Johnson both died this past week and we learned this afternoon that when Vestal has been called away to glory Ben had suffered with MS for about 11 years come down with cancer in December is battle with cancer is now were asking you to pray for Scott Hayes look as he's recovering from hernia surgery this past week Drew Guthrie as she is facing some serious matters in her battle with cancer. John Spencer is having knee replacement surgery tomorrow. Thank you for praying for him. Josh and Patty Butcher were married on yesterday what I what I intend to do this evening is to pray here in a moment, but tell you after I pray the I want to show a love 11 minute video from the ministry of Tom Connie Chapman in Chile and missionaries there for years who supported them quite a while if you're a regular beacon. You know that November is missions month and it is our custom to have missionaries in porting on their work. Many, not many, but usually a good number are our home on furlough and were able to arrange their furlough schedules to coincide with our November missions emphasis and on consecutive Sunday nights we would have missionaries in reporting on their work, but because of coven were not able to do that this year so this is the best we can do it to replace that is to bring some some updates to refocus our thoughts and intentions on various places that we are invested in the world were commissions and in the country of Chile's in South America. If you can think of South America on the Western border of the concord of South America in the southern part running north to south is the country of Chile. It's a narrow country of Argentina much larger country to the east of that they are there focuses in Antofagasta, Chile. So when I get done praying here to up video and show that to you for your information, so would you let me before I pray, let me read some words of the hymn. It's entitled if my people's hearts are humbled and the text is taken from second articles chapter 7 and verse 14 if my people's hearts are humbled if they pray and seek my face if they turn away from evil.

All I will not withhold my grace, I will hear their prayers from heaven, I will pardon every sin, if my people's hearts are humbled. I will surely heal their land. Then my eyes will see their sorrow. Then my ears will hear their play. If my people's hearts are humbled.

I will set their nation free if my people's hearts are humbled if they pray and seek my face if they turn away from evil. I will not, shall we pray.

Father, we thank you for the fact that you are a God of grace God of great grace. You are magnanimous in the dispensing of your grace and we rejoice that you have made us recipients of your redeeming saving keeping grace the Lord we would bring our nation before you this evening we would pray our God, that you would have mercy upon this land that you would turn the hearts of our leaders toward you that we would see and witness, and behold a revival that would suite from coast-to-coast and would not leave out any demographic would not leave out any person, Lord, we acknowledge that we are a wicked wicked nation. There are sins that are atrocious, that have been committed and committed with a high hand in defiance of you in rebellion toward your authority.

Lord we believe that the hope of our country and of this United States of America does not rest in elections does not rest in political activism, but rests in the transformation and the change of the human heart, Lord, we pray that we would again see a visitation from heaven that would sweep many end of the kingdom of God. Lord, please lead and direct and guide in these upcoming elections at every level of local, state and national and were thankful this evening that you have ordained all who will sit in places of authority, whether it be local, state or federal government, Lord, that really is the only way we can fill our head at night knowing that you are sovereign over these matters.

So Lord, we commit these things to you mentioned a number of needs were saddened concerning the the death of Ben Vestal.

We rejoice with him were thankful for him and yet there is some measure of sorrow in the hearts of those who know him, love him in the same Lord for a Gary Hendrix and John Johnson. We thank you for these men who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and all who are even as we speak in your presence to indeed to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Draw near to their families and minister your peace and your comfort, console them with these heavenly realities. Grant them an increase measure of faith to lay hold of the promises that you've made to all those who trust in your son the Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you that that faith that lays hold of Christ secures everlasting life, eternal life not life that's eternal because it begins after one dies on this earth but it's eternal it's everlasting from the very moment it is given to us as a gift from you or we pray this evening for Brooke Faust. Pray that you have mercy on her Jude help the doctors to accurately assess her injuries and bring healing and restoration to her commit John Spencer and his knee replacement surgery that scheduled for tomorrow that it would go well. We pray for Scott Hayes look and asked for his speedy recovery commit. Drew Guthrie to you and ask that you draw near to her and encourage her heart. Help her Lord to to endure this trial and persevere and to trust you in the midst of these challenging times.

Lord were burdened over the covert that has engulfed the world really is change life as we know it in our own country and our families and our churches. We pray for your preservation of our lives and ask you to bring an end to this disease that you would speed the production of a vaccine that would inoculate against it. Father, thank you that we can trust you and all of these things. We thank you father for Tom and Connie Chapman for their their lives for the years that they've invested in the country of Chile help them father to no fruitfulness in these days. Give them increased opportunities for the gospel sake help them not to become weary in well doing. Again, we thank you for their faithfulness over many many years. Bless beacon Baptist Church in its partnership with these dear folks, and as we hear and consider this 11 minute video update help us to engage our hearts and minds in what you are doing in that country.

Again, we commit these things to you with with joint confidence knowing that the God who sits enthroned in the heavens is mindful of us that his ears are not heavy that he cannot hear in his arm is not short that he cannot save. We thank you that you have received our prayers because we bring them to you in faith, we bring them to you through the merits of your dear son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ in his name we pray.

Amen.

Well, the us so who is this that you good morning greetings from Philly. We are glad for this opportunity to share some things with you. In fact, this is a first for us. We been enjoying 29 years and this is the first time we've done a video, so I'm thoroughly very professional. We want to thank the Lord for his safety. During this time of when our friend Bob Dole was exposed to the disease and then was at our house and we found out about it. We were quite concerned.

The Lord has protected us all through this time and were very thankful for that.

We want to thank you folks to for your faithfulness and pray for us all these years in your faithful monthly gifts that have helped to keep us on the field. Alcon is going to say a few words about our wonderful quarantine here.

Yes, I see pretty much of my lockdown right now stores are closed except for grocery stores and drugstores and anything that is essential that I took a slow start here in Chile.

At first, then last few months is just taking off and Mary's with a lot of bad people in the virus. Some countries trying to take preventative measures crisply like most of you probably still have dry going to start getting the temperature taken and now your hands spraying and then on line places you have to step on a mount that ties is you shoot and not say anything about me thanking me. I still get a permission can get commissions each week and asked my permission to go out and do my shopping so I think the Lord for protecting me through all of that that time just like all of you having to adjust to these times. But at the same time, we've seen a lot of blessings even throughout Lord is continually working in our hearts and helping us to feel the need to witness.

We are still praying about going up to an area three or 4 miles north of us to start a new work in an area that's one of the newer sections of the city, and there's no gospel witness that we are aware of their but a couple years ago the Lord began to burn my heart that you need to you need to witness to your neighbors and your community that you live in, and I fought it for allowing the burg also had is that okay Lord what you want me to do so. Anyway it was it was new. It was Christmas time in 2018 and so we composed a letter and with Connie's help, even though she was not well fix the novels form on fluorescent we were not and we gave out some 350 nest gospel messages to all of our neighbors in the businesses in the area along with the gospel tract then later in the summer which is January February here in the Lord burden made to that we needed to get into the homes of the. We knew by name. This was not an easy task, especially for an introvert like me but the Lord gave us grace.

We were able to do that and have as a result of that have made deeper friendships. During this time of the virus.

It's been difficult to cause to interact with anybody but the Lord is giving me a couple opportunities to witness when our good friend Pronto died a month ago, his boys that were out there asked if I would do the funeral will he had asked for to be cremated and I think all the golden patients to die here cremated anyway and so we went up to the cemetery to the crematoria and I stepped inside next to the little enclosure next to the to the casket and the rest of the people were outside and I thought I had 5:10 minutes the guy sent me to have.

So I had a five minute opportunity, but we were able to get the clear gospel out to the people and then later on in our neighbor of ours, a grandmother, I believe it was that had been saved as a result of her granddaughter's testimony that she asked me if I come up and say some words to them.

So I had a great opportunity to present the gospel clearly to that family that is a very, very worldly family, so we thank the Lord for those opportunities and and then thought those three sons were here, ranging in age from late 30s to maybe early 50s and they were here first for quite a while.

Several weeks, and so we were interacting with them in had them over for Sunday meal.

Stir three times and the Lords is really open up the door beautifully for gospel witness. On several occasions, especially to one of the sons name Marcello, who seems to be more open than any of them. So we praise the Lord for that account is going to mention some things about our church ministries just like you churches you had to go online to the services for we've done the same thing our pastor 97 projects services on Facebook on Sundays and then on Wednesday we use so there is more interaction there and the ladies meetings continued every two weeks. We do that on Saturday evening at 8 o'clock at night that's kind of an odd time maybe for people in the state that it works when the ones that all the children have to get the kids in bed first set anyway.

We do that and also the ladies has divided the groups of three and we meet every week on some prayer time together like consumer messenger. However, the people can do it and so it's actually bribed many of the ladies closer to each other and there's more interaction there's more understanding of what we need to pray about and so it's been a good thing even we are very anxious to get back together and not be able to actually hug each other and speak directly to each other face-to-face, but the Lord is working and also have been able to continue once a month with the other pastors wives who are here in the city. We also meet on Saturday evening once a month we display select from an event that he's doing would like to close with a very special blessing that has been unexpected but what we have seen in our church here since we can gather people helping one another very special way and what it seems to me is that the fulfilling of one another's of the Scriptures because we had people out of work. The young man, Richard the is wife with our wanting to help us get started when were able after this is over, to start a new work. He can't work because these works with a builder and and is not on not accompany this just wondered wherever they can get jobs and so he's been totally without a work without work all these weeks and others have suffered economically and and this just been a lot of interaction among people, even the poorest of the people concerned about helping others and so has been a great blessing and then we would not for a while but a group of our of our folks. Several of them are senior saints, a nice couple. Younger ones have been praying online from mom 9 to 10 at night. I believe it is for five nights a week and we found out when one of them elderly ladies called him to see how we are doing and told us that they were praying for us.

So that's been a great blessing to us and just people encouraging each other. If you have been unable to have services, you probably are experiencing the same thing.

We just praise the Lord for that.

I want to share something that the pastor's wife said her name is Emily. She's Japanese. She grew up in under Buddhism knew nothing of the gospel and then leave all to be with her mother. She went to church and first time she heard the gospel. She responded and I say that she went to Bob Johnson. As for our pastor Don Young met her, and now they're married and serving the Lord here and not long ago, after seeing all this happening in our church. She said now I understand what it searches my thought that was so good. That's what a church really is is loving each other, helping each other, encouraging one another and I'm sure you probably express much about yourself so we just thank the Lord for that. Thank the Lord for the opportunity to be here all these years and pray that the Lord will continue to give us strength and health for a few more years so that we can see in the work begun in your future.

Thank you for loving us.

Thank you for praying and forgiving all these years. And the Lord bless you have your Bible like you to turn to Romans chapter 13 Romans chapter 13 I want to read the first seven verses of Romans chapter 13 Paul is writing here. He says let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority do what is good and you will have praise from the same for he is God's minister to you for good.

But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain.

For he is God's minister and adventure to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore, you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience sake, for because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing, render therefore to all their due taxes to whom taxes are due customs to cut home customs fear to whom fear and honor to whom honor. Well, I do not need to tell you that there is a national election this coming Tuesday. It is captured the attention of our country and there is a great amount of confidence that has been placed in government on both sides of the political aisle. There has been so recently over $14 billion spent in advertising and investing to promote to divergent and opposing ideologies with both parties leaving that they are the hope of America well this passage tonight that we want to consider. Speak to what our relationship should be to the government.

God is not called us to political activism God has made us ambassadors, God is made us kingdom agents to live in this world and to influence the culture around us for his glory and his kingdom and that our interest in our attention and our investment needs to be in God's kingdom want to listen to a post from Dr. Al Mohler what he says about these matters. He says Christians ought to express their political beliefs in the voting booth and it is all right occasionally to support legitimate measures designed to correct a glaring social or political wrong complete noninvolvement would be contrary to what God's word says about doing good in society. It would also display a lack of gratitude for whatever amount of religious freedom.

The government allows us to enjoy. Furthermore, such pious apathy toward government and politics would reveal a lack of appreciation for the many appropriate legal remedies. Believers in democracies have for maintaining or improving the civil order, then this word about balance. He says a certain amount of healthy and balanced concern with current trends in government and the community is acceptable as long as we realize that such interest is not vital to our spiritual growth are righteous testimony or the advancement of the kingdom of Christ above all the believers political involvement should never displace the priority of preaching and teaching and investing in the gospel of Christ. So tonight I just like in the moments we have. Take a look at this passage.

Chapter 13 and see what it says about our fundamental responsibility to the government. And then there are seven reasons to support what Paul says about what our responsibility is to the government. So let's begin in verse one. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. That is our responsibility. It's clear it's set before us. Let every soul, not just some souls, but let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. This principle of subjection to human government applies to every believer whatever part of the world, and under whatever government one might find himself in writing to believers who were scattered throughout Pontus Palacio, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. Peter says this in his first epistle. Chapter 2 verses 13 through 17, submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether due a king is the one in authority, or to governors as set by him for the punishment of evildoers in the praise of those who do right, for such is the will of God, that by doing right. You may silence the ignorance of foolish men act as free men and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as a bonds as bond slaves of God honor all men love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king believers.

Christians are to be model citizens known as law-abiding, not rabble-rousers, obedient rather than rebellious, respectful of governing authorities. Not demeaning. We must speak against sin against injustice against immorality and ungodliness with with courage and fearlessness, but we must do it within the framework of civil law with respect for civil authorities. So this charge. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities be in subjection comes from that Greek word who Picasso it's a military term. It's it's speaks of what a soldier does in ranking himself under a superior officer.

The verb here is a passive imperative so the two things here. It's an imperative.

That is, it's a command.

Here's a principle that is a command. It's not a suggestion, is not an option is what God is commanded of us. But secondly, the believer is to willingly place himself under the governing authorities, whoever they may be. That's the idea of passiveness. We are to assume that place take our place and subject ourselves to those in government. Paul gives no qualification or condition. Every civil authority every governing authority is to be submitted to and I've talked to people and they say well yeah Diana and and and a perfect environment and in an idealistic way I can understand that will listen.

Paul wrote this in the time the Roman government was ruling the land and it was anything but a democracy. It was a difficult government. It was a dictatorship and Paul is writing to believers in churches in the church of Rome what he says to them applies to us so we have no justification for saying well because the government is this, the government is that they require this rate they require that I am not going to submit myself well. The command is let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. So regardless of the failures of government and many governments are immoral and just ungodly. Christians are to pray, and live peaceful lives that influence the world by what godless by godly selfless living not. We don't make our impact by protesting and marching in the streets and holding placards. No, that's not what God has called us to.

We are to be in submission to the governing authorities and then what follows this command.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. What follows is seven reasons why Christians believers are to submit themselves to the government. So let's walk through these seven reasons. Notice it says again. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.

For here is the queue that were going to get some reasons why were to do this for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. So the number one reason the worst were to submit ourselves to the governing authorities is that the government is by divine decree. The government that we live under is thereby divine decree it's ordained by God, it's ordained by God for the benefit of society and the people in that society.

And like marriage. Marriage is a universal institution of God government is one of those foundational institutions that God has ordained. No human government at any time in history at any place on earth among any people on earth at any level of society has ever existed or will exist apart from the sovereign authority of God. God sovereignly created and absolutely controls the universe with no exceptions, no limitations God has decreed the institution of human government as reason number one reason number two that were to submit to the governing authorities is that resistance to government is rebellion and not just rebellion but it is rebellion against God. Verse two. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves to reason number two is that resistance to government is rebellion against God. And here's the logic here. The logic the logical ramification is very simple because civil government is an institution of God, to rebel against government is to rebel against the God who has established that's makes sense.

That's logical, so there is a second reason and I think many times we forget that we miss that we extract God out of the equation.

We see such injustice. We see things that are so wrong and it's hard for us to get our minds around the fact that despite that God has ordained government.

Reason number three.

Those who resist government will be punished.

Notice again verse two. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. Now Paul is making a general statement here not speaking about God's direct judgment on those who opposed civil authorities and the government.

But rather the condemnation men suffer from the government itself is punishment for the crime.

So what what I think Paul is saying is not that God is going to punish but there will be the repercussions of failing to submit to the government, and it will be a judgment. There are laws that we have to obey and if we don't do that were going to suffer the consequences will be judgment simple as wearing a seatbelt.

I hear people grumble and say will know when to tap to know I should not be bound by what someone tells Beth got aware seatbelt. I don't want to wear seatbelt. It is a law is a law failing to wear seatbelt is a violation of the law is amazing how these little simple things can reveal the rebellion in our hearts and our failure to do what this text is commanding of us to submit to the governing authorities. Reason number four government serves to restrain evil government serves to restrain evil verse three for rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil were to submit because God has ordained it as a means of restraining evil, you say well you been watching the news lately. While I have, yes, there are things that need improved and reformed and changed in II understand that but this text is telling us that government is got responsibility to restrain evil again Paul was obviously speaking in general terms. He had, he himself had suffered a great deal at the hands of rulers who abused him for no other reason than the fact that he was a follower of Jesus Christ.

He was dealt with within with a major amount of injustice and because because he had done wrong, but because of his upright and good behavior. Here's a reason for us to submit to the governing authorities because government is it is to function as God designed it serves to restrain evil. Some so I don't see that happening. I seal I see just the opposite.

Listen to me as troubled as you may be about some of the things you are saying on your television screen.

You do not want to trade that for no government, no police you wouldn't. It wouldn't be safe to live. It would be tyranny beyond your wildest imagination.

So were thankful for law enforcement were thankful for those who are in a place of authority to restrain evil.

Reason number five. These are reasons that the Bible gives us here in Romans chapter 13 for submitting ourselves to the governing authorities number five. Government serves to promote good government serves to promote good do you want to be unafraid of the authority do what is good and you will have praise from the same for he is God's minister for he is God's minister to you for good government serves to promote good God intends for civil government to promote public good. Again, generally speaking, peaceful and law-abiding citizens have been favorably treated by the government and there are exceptions. We know that by and large, there is there is peace there is good that comes from living in submission to the governing authorities now is not wrong for believers to look to the government for protection of life and property.

Paul took advantage of his Roman citizenship. You recall when he was being unjustly accused of civil unrest and crimes he used the government. He made appeal, appeals to the government as a citizen, that he might bring his case before Caesar because let me say this fun this very very helpful in insightful Robert held Dean in his Romans commentary has this to say at this point. Listen carefully.

He says the institution of civil government is a dispensation of mercy and its existence is so indispensable that the moment it ceases under one form, it reestablishes itself in another. The world ever since the fall when the dominion of one part of the human race over another was immediately introduced has been in such a state of corruption and depravity that without the powerful obstacle presented by civil government to the selfish and malignant passions of man, it would be better to live among the beasts of the forest. Then in human society as soon its restraints are removed. Man shows himself in his real character.

When there was no king in Israel and Everyman did that which was right in his own eyes we see in the last three chapters of the book of Judges.

What were the dreadful consequences. What we seen play out in major cities in our country when rioters were looting the stores and breaking out store windows and they were doing that because they had no fear of the government. They warned they didn't believe that they were going to be held accountable and you see the depravity of the human heart know we need government government serves to promote good into restraining reason number six. These are the reasons that we ought to submit to the governing authorities.

Reason number six rules are empowered by God to inflict punishment for disobedience.

Verse four for he is God's minister to you for good.

But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is God's minister and avenger to exercise wrath on him who practices evil. There is the justification for prisons prison sentences and for capital punishment government has this function in order to protect the good society order to promote the good society human government must punish evil because the sword is an instrument of death. The weapons here symbolize the right of civil government to inflict punishment including ultimately the death penalty for crimes that deserve it. We could spend a lot of time talking about the merits of this but for sake of time, and for purposes tonight.

I will say anything more equipment. One more reason that we want to set before you reasons again seven reasons that Paul gives us here in the Scriptures why we are to submit to the governing authorities.

Government should be submitted to for conscience sake conscience sake. Therefore, verse five, you must be subject, not only because of wrath that is the fear of punishment for violating laws, but also for conscience sake. So here were to submit to the governing authorities, not only out of fear of punishment because of wrath but also for our own conscience sake. We know innately. We have a sense of right and wrong and we don't want to violate our conscience.

We want to live within the parameters of the law. We want to do what God has commanded us to do so as God's children, indwelt by his spirit.

We should realize with an a measure of instinctive mass that disobedience of and disrespect for government is wrong.

It's wrong and that obedience of and respect for it, are right whether we are personally protected or not. And again I say we do not want to exchange an inferior and a government that drastically needs reform. For no government at all. That would be absolutely destructive. So I thought. On the eve of a national election. Not knowing how the election will go and there are an awful lot of projections of what is going to take place in the days and weeks to come. There's going to be uprisings and there's going to be revolts and there is going to be all kinds of chaos in our country. Let it not be said of Christians we are to submit to the governing authorities are allegiances to a higher authority. We are under King Jesus represent him in his kingdom unless not dishonor his name.

Let's not dishonor our testimony. Let's respond well to whatever transpires this week in the weeks to come.

Let's obey this text of Scripture.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God as a good verse to put to memory. If you can settle settle in your own heart. That issue there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

God will appoint home he wills on November 2, regardless of what office you're concerned about Senate, Congress local, state, president, and it will help your anxiety level to decrease because God knows far more than you know he's wiser than you know. He's considering far more things than you could ever consider in whatever he's ordained well, what are my God ordains his right.

We sing that song and reflect on that in our personal lives and the providences going on in our lives, but it is also true on a national level and in the context of which were talking tonight what air my God ordains is right regardless of whether your candidate is elected or whether he's not. He's there because whoever is there will be there because God appointed him and if we can settle the matter. There than we should be. We should be at peace with whatever transpires. I'm glad that God is in charge. I'm glad that God's ordaining these things. I am glad it it doesn't rest with the voters entirely. We have a responsibility were to cast our votes and it is amazing that in these days of coven that over 90 million people have already cast their vote which is unprecedented, but it's because of the covert circumstances and people's caution and concern so it's good to see people engaged in the process.

Don't become so cynical and say well the choices are so bad I'm just not gonna vote that's that's not I don't think that that's God honoring way.

The civil responsibility be informed know what the issues are. Examine the candidates and going vote would be my charge to listen to this him praise the Lord.

Sing hallelujah praise the Lord hallelujah children of God's gracious choice. Let his praises rise as thunder. Let the whole earth hear his voice till the song of his salvation makes his broken world rejoice man's imprisoning night is shattered at the impact of his word light and life spring forth eternal where that mighty voice is heard. Let the powers of death and darkness. All the triumph of their Lord. Praise the Lord until his glory floods the farthest realms of earth till from every tribe and nation souls rise up, glad rebirth, haste the day of his appearing. When his world shell on his worth in the last stanza.

Praise the Lord, saying hallelujah sound his sovereign grace abroad till his word is loved and honored everywhere man's feet have trod till he's ransomed family gathers safely round the feet of God, shall we pray father take your word tonight and seal it to our hearts and instruct us and correct us and rebuke us and cause your word to have its impact upon our lives. Lord we would ask for your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven that that which you have ordained will indeed come to pass, minister, peace and comfort to us as we believe these things and embrace these things and live in the reality now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen and amen