MYRA D. COLGATE
CHEROKEE PENTECOSTAL HOLINESS CHURCH
“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.’
“He said to them, ‘what do you want me to do for you?’
“They said to him, ‘Permit one of us to sit at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.’
“But Jesus said to them, ‘You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I experience?’
“They said to him, ‘We are able.’
Then Jesus said to them, ’You will drink the cup I drink and you will be baptized with the baptism I experience,’
“But to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give. It is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
Mark 10:35-40 (NET) (GSB)
Jesus graciously allowed their question of inheritance to be asked. Regarding the prestige and power they were asking for, He asked them if they could sacrifice themselves, ‘to drink the cup I drink—meaning to share in His fate, or ‘To be baptized with the baptism’—also referred to His suffering and death.
The last one, He obediently refused to usurp as only the authority and glory of the Father could answer it.
For women, regarding laws governing inheritance and concerning ‘equal status’, an important question was asked of God through Moses. Read Numbers 27:1-11. God’s answer was major and has resulted in women being considered in ‘an equality of status’ in our world ever since!
ASK AND SEEK ONLY THE LORD’S ANSWERS…
At this time, we who are citizens of these United States of America, have just celebrated the freedoms and privileges offered by a government which guarantees these as rights for all of its legally- registered citizens. It is obvious that our Constitution was written and established in July of 1776, and after much prayerful consideration, was genuinely-based on Biblical principles of wisdom found in Scripture. It is admittedly not always as perfectly executed as we would like—mainly because no one is yet perfect—but by each succeeding year and generation ‘we the people’ have brought into play more goals of equality and fairness than preceding ones. There is still much room for improvement to meet these goals found in every portion of our local, state and national governments.
However, it shows us we must continue to seek and listen to God’s counsel and to each others’ ideas. It is extremely important to talk things over and work sensibly together in order to offer everyone much-needed, developed and workable solutions for identified problems. These solutions should each improve our way of life, just as it has for those who came before us,
By each legally-voting person giving good suggestions and plans towards the goals of real justice and full equality for all who participate in elections, we can be more successful. Through those who help by blending themselves into the beneficial ‘melting pot’ of responsible citizenry, we can establish a remarkably fair and effective body of governance.
Many of those who have visited and observed this nation and our actions, have also seen that borders for law-abiding citizens are necessary. They became necessary for the responsible securing and respecting of each citizens’ rights to safety, and their having a place of their own with reliable security. Security is in knowing that what has been bought and paid for is secure behind closed gates, doors and reasonable fences. No one wants any uninvited or threatening guests to overrun their personal property. Each person has worked hard to buy and care for their property, so they can legally have the right to call it their own, and is located in a land governed by the ‘rule of law.’ There is a peace that comes from owning and the securing of one’s very own property. It is much like the old saying, ‘A man’s home is his castle.’
Everyone legally registered should always vote in their appointed elections as it’s the only way to be assured that one’s voice is heard in a responsible way and expresses their own interests. Protests cannot assure anyone that their choices are being heard and followed. They could also quickly become a more heated and dangerous method of communication.
The United States form of governance provides a good, 243-year example. Could this offer to other observers be an obviously attainable goal for themselves? Could our Constitution help them, too?
