Pray, then vote!

3:12 p.m. Today's project is to begin the process of filling in our absentee ballots. Steve and I have been voting absentee for many years, even taking our ballots to the Registrar of Voters to participate in "early voting."

Romans 13:1 says, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities." And so Christians are law-abiding citizens, because in this manner of living, we fulfill the admonitions of Romans 12:17b-18, to have regard for good things in the sight of all men, and to live peaceably with all, as far as it is in our power. Nor are we to avenge ourselves in what some would term vigilante justice, but let God repay evildoers in His way and in His time, often using laws and governmental systems that we are to obey to bring justice.

This admonition from the Apostle Paul did not stop believers from fleeing persecution and looking out for safe communities of believers throughout the Roman Empire. We are not to sit idly by and watch our families murdered, but take all proper steps to protect and care for them. I Timothy 5:8 says, "If anyone does not provide for his own, especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel." (KJV)

In our representative democracy, we have definite measures we can take to uphold the practice of our faith and protect our families from an overreaching, intrusive government bloated on its own self-satisfied power! It's the vote! We can research the public service records of candidates, whether incumbents or newcomers, by using the radio, television commentary we trust, the internet, or voter guides such as published by Christian organizations. For guidance on voting for local measures and candidates, we can seek out believing officeholders or activists for recommendations.

Above all, we can pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead us on matters that don't seem to get much notice, but may impact our cities and neighborhoods profoundly. Look at the rampant fees charged by officials in the City of Bell while they paid themselves exorbitant salaries. The justice system is acting on their cases as I write this. America is a land of citizen vigilance, not citizen sleepiness! The willingness of conscientious citizens to step forward and serve, as I did on the local board of education for 13 years, makes the governance of our land unique in civilization's history. Let's not lose all we have fought for because we think one person cannot make a difference! God could raise YOU up to be a civic leader! But it begins by taking your voting privilege seriously.

Pray for the Lord's leading to select men and women of good character, beneficial public service, and who honor God and His Word. Ask the Lord to help you to understand ballot measures--read them, please! Seek well-informed leaders, like those in Calvary Chapel's Salt and Light ministry for guidance. Make sure elderly like-minded believers get to the polls, by making a small sacrifice of time to drive them. Mail your absentee ballot on time!!

Your family's future security, safety, health and financial survival are dependent on your vote November 2nd!