From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "Heritage" <gheritage@juno.com>
Subject: Blessings to All
Date: Sunday, September 16, 2001 6:48 AM

"He has shown you, O man, what is good;
 And what does the Lord require of you
 But to do justly,
 To love mercy,
 And to walk humbly with your God?"  Micah 6:8

The calculated act of evil that happened on Tuesday has sent shock waves
through our country.  Our country and our way of life is now changed.  We
have seen this week so very many turning to God for comfort and mercy.  As
Christians, we who live under an open heaven, have open access into the very
presence of God Almighty.  Let us be on our knees in prayer before our
heavenly Father on behalf of our countrymen that hearts will be softened and
made ready to receive Christ Jesus as their Savior and Lord.  Look at the
words of Jesus in Matthew 9:36-38

"And seeing the multitudes, He (Jesus) felt compassion for them, because
they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd.  Then He
said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His
harvest.'"

And in John 4:35-36, "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then
comes the harvest'?   Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on
the fields, that they are white for harvest.  Already he who reaps is
receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows
and
he who reaps may rejoice together.'"

In Jude 22-23 we read, "And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save
others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear,
hating even the garment polluted by the flesh."

Not only do we pray for salvation of mutlitudes, but we pray for God's
wisdom, knowledge, understanding, justice and mercies to rule in all the
plans and decisions of our leaders.  We pray that the President, his
advisors, the members of Congress, our state and local leaders will seek the
Lord and His righteousness in every one of the plans and decisions being
made.  For Scripture tells us that when we look to God this is what we can
expect;

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord
your God is the one who goes with you.  He will not fail you or forsake
you."
"And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you.  He
will not fail you or forsake you.  Do not fear, or be dismayed."
Deuteronomy 31:6 & 8

The Lord is our Shepherd and as the Psalmist in Psalm 23:4 said,
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
 I fear no evil; for Thou art with me..."
Jesus tells us in the Gospel of  John,
"I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down His life for the
sheep."
"I am the good shepherd; I know My own, and My own know Me,"  Vs. 11 & 14

So we look to our Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the midst of all
that has happened and is happening and pray for His leading and guiding
through His Holy Spirit.  And allow Him to have His perfect way as we
continue to seek His will.  As Scripture says, "For we know Him who said,
'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay...'"  Hebrews 10:30

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in
the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our
Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and
authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen."
Jude 24-25