With much joy, I greet each of you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  We are so blessed to celebrate our 77th Church Anniversary, and I commend each of us who have participated and contributed.  I especially commend my son (Kevin B. Hall, Jr.), his staff, our music ministry, along with our special guests (Joe Douglass and the Spirit of Praise) for a job well done in regards to the concert last Sunday evening.  Moreover, we appreciate how some have contributed financially with a special God-directed Church Anniversary Offering.  Since we love our church, I want to believe that everyone who has not contributed financially will do so very soon, for this is OUR 77th Church Anniversary.

Besides the 77th Church Anniversary, I am still encouraging each of us to vote.  As citizens of our country, we have a responsibility to vote, and we should definitely do this since many of our ancestors lost their lives fighting for us to have this right.  Because so many are experiencing stress and confusion due to this impending Presidential Election, I would like to share some Scriptures from the NIV Bible (since it is easier to understand).

Romans 13:1-2 (NIV)

1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Paul is teaching us to submit to our leaders because God has established them as authorities.  When we rebel against our leaders, we rebel against God which will bring judgment on ourselves.

Titus 3:1-2 (NIV)

1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,

2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

Paul is reminding us to be obedient to our leaders without slandering anyone.

Titus 3:9 (NIV)

9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

Paul is cautioning us to avoid arguments and debates about the law because it is unprofitable and useless.

1 Peter 2:13-17 (NIV)

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,

14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Peter is exhorting us to submit to our leaders for the Lord’s sake which diffuses bad conversations.  Peter also is exhorting us to honor our leaders.

Psalm 9:7-8 (NIV)

7 The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment.

8 He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.

David is reminding us that the Lord reigns eternally and that He has set up His throne for judgment.  Also, the Lord will provide justice for people.

John 16:33 (NIV)

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus is teaching us that he will overcome the world, so have peace instead of worrying about the trouble we have in this world.

Matthew 28:18 (NIV)

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me

Jesus is reminding us that though our leaders have some authority, Jesus has “All authority.”

Although the Bible consists of many more Scriptures pertaining to politics, I pray that the seven Scriptures that I listed and briefly explained will inform, comfort and bless each of us in these perilous times.

Last but not least, I encourage each of us to give our Tithes and Offerings faithfully as God faithfully blesses us.  Don’t forget that 10% of what God blesses us with belongs to Him, and God wants us to give that 10% back to Him so that He can bless us more abundantly.  We currently contribute by mailing or dropping off our Tithes and Offerings to our St. John South Campus (662 South 52nd Street—Richmond, CA  94804) or by giving online through our website (sjmbc.org).  If you are a member of St. John who is financially able but not supporting our church financially, allow God to bless you with more by giving today your Tithes and Offerings.

May God bless and sustain each of us.

Your Servant In Christ,