Our Hope

Finally, it's over. No matter who your preferred candidate was, I think we are all feeling a bit battered and bruised by the process. Some folks have lost friends on Facebook and some have literally lost friends.  Some have lost hope.  

During this political season the words to the hymn lyric written by Edward Mote (1797-1874) have continued to echo in my mind. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteous. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.

I'll be returning to Washington, DC the second week in November and it will certainly be interesting to walk the halls, meet with members of Congress and once again lead worship in the Capitol. Some of the men and women that I have gotten to know have lost their election and will not be returning to the Capitol in January. Several of these are solid people of faith who were seeking to serve God as they served the nation. As I return to the Capitol four more times before the end of the year, I am looking forward to the opportunities to be an encouragement to those on Capitol Hill.

There have been calls to prayer before the election but I believe that prayer for our nation is even more important in the coming days. Our hope is not in kings, princes or presidents. Our hope can only be in Jesus, the King of kings.

Steve

THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME

Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you've got, be resolute, and love without stopping.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (The Message)

Some folks are stubborn. You can probably think of one or two people right now who are hardheaded. Maybe it's you. Some people get something in their head and it is virtually impossible for them to change their mind or point of view. Facts or logic has no effect on what they think and do. And if you try to offer an opposing perspective they will often dig in even more.

Abraham Lincoln said, "Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." The quote from Lincoln says it well. Before standing firm one should make sure to put their feet in the right place and that would include in the right direction.  I might be standing in the right place but if I'm not facing the right direction, I can miss seeing important things. 

Some believers in Jesus take a stand for the Gospel.  They are unbendable and relentless in their stand for the Truth and yet they are some of the most unloving people.  They may be defending the faith, but their words and actions even towards others who claim the name of Jesus are in stark contrast to Jesus' command to love.

From the scripture in Corinthians, I take two things. I am to be resolute and steadfast but also be a person of love.

In these days of political rhetoric and upheaval, let people know us by our love.

Steve

Encouragement Goes Both Ways

Recently, I spoke to a group of successful Christian businessmen. I was sharing with them about my travels to Washington, DC where I lead worship in the U.S. Capitol and walk the halls of the House and Senate office buildings to encourage and pray for members of Congress. 

My sense was that some were thinking, "Oh, that's nice. Steve goes and sings a song and prays a little prayer." I had to remind myself that God can use the power of a song to do great things including bringing down walls and tearing down strongholds. The importance of a song is also reinforced as that is what is happening around the throne of God right now in heaven and it is what will happen for all eternity.

 God has expanded my territory in so many ways. While the focus of Amerson Music Ministries was about my singing voice, it now includes the words I speak in the halls of Congress.  It also includes the words I write as I deliver notes of encouragement and challenge in the notes I personally deliver.

 But like anyone, I can wonder if my songs, words and presence really mean anything. A few weeks ago my friends, JoAnn and Dan Cummins, walked the halls of the Capitol and captured some remarks from members of Congress and others who work on Capitol Hill. I had no idea they had done this.  They surprised me with these comments and it was an encouragement to me in my journeys to Washington, DC.

To view the video click here. 

Steve

note:  Each time Steve goes to Washington, DC he sends an email newsletter update as to what took place while there.  If you would like to receive these updates, please send us your email address to info@steveamerson.com with 'DC update' in the subject line and we will send you these newsletters. 

Psalm 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

I have always appreciated Psalm 121. On many mornings here in California I have looked at the mountains that surround the San Fernando Valley and thought of that passage. 

In August Kristine and I will be in Colorado spending some time at 4 Eagle Ranch in the Vail Valley. The panoramic view from the ranch is stunning with the New York Mountains in the distance. The words, "I will lift up my mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord..." always come to mind.  

The majesty and grandeur of that setting is overwhelming. My help doesn't come from the mountains but from the creator of those mountains. God's power supersedes all that we can imagine and overwhelms the challenges and problems we face. The mountains stand as a reminder of God's infinite power, creativity and greatness.

If you are feeling overwhelmed today, look to the mountains or the hills or even the magnificence of a blade of grass and be assured of God's love and care for you and his ability to conquer the problems you are facing today.

Steve

Exiting Gracefully

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
 
One of the things I learned early on as a performer was how to walk on stage. As one walks onto the platform there needs to be sense of confidence and purpose. Anaudience needs to feel that something meaningful is preparing to happen. Exiting the stage is equally important. A performer shouldn't just saunter off aimlessly. Showing appreciation and being a gracious receiver of praise is important.
 
Recently, Kristine and I were invited to the home of some dear friends. They wanted to let us know of a serious and terminal diagnosis one of them had received. While they have shared this with their immediate family, there is also a circle of friends with whom they wanted to share this news. They wanted to include us in this circle.
 
These were tender moments as they shared the diagnosis and the prognosis. If the doctors are correct, our friend might have up to a year left in this earthly body. At the same time, all of us know of people who have far exceeded what medical professionals might have predicted.
 
These people are both mature in their faith and in years. I consider them spiritual giants. They have spent powerful times of prayer interceding for others and understand and believe in God's healing power. They have seen God's miracle power. They both have lived full and vital lives but they recognize that their age is not an advantage. They are not giving up but understand that God is in control. I see it as exiting gracefully.
 
As we shared, I asked, "How should we pray?"  The response was that we pray for God's timing. As we closedour visit, I prayed that God would help us align our clocks with His.  God knows the number of our days and whatever the time frame, our hearts should beat with God's heart and our clock should be synchronized with His.
 
As we consider the absence of our friend, I am reminded of the verse in First Thessalonians. We don't grieve as those who have no hope. We know that we will see our friend again.
 
This couple is a living demonstration of trusting God and leaving a legacy of their faith to those who remain. They are an amazing example of exiting gracefully.  
 
Steve

Separation of Church and State

A few weeks ago I was at a casual, social gathering with some friends.  I was seated at a table with three others and one of my friends asked about my involvement leading worship in the United States Capitol twice a month.  These weekly worship services are for members of Congress, their staff and others who work on Capitol Hill.  I began to explain that Thomas Jefferson used to ride his horse to the Capitol each week to attend church services and how after 144 years, I had been asked to lead worship and sing as these services were being revived.  I now travel to Washington, DC twice a month to give musical leadership. 

Another friend at the table said, "What about separation of church and state?"  She was going on about how these services are inappropriate.  Unfortunately, she and millions of other Americans are totally uninformed when it comes to understanding separation of church and state. They also fail to understand that it was Thomas Jefferson who penned the phrase "separation of church and state." I went on to explain that the separation was to keep the government out of the affairs of the church and not the other way around.  Unfortunately, the truth didn't go over very well.  The conversation came to an abrupt halt.

Today, the church is suffering from a misinterpretation of the Johnson Amendment of 1954 regarding the free speech of an organization and how it might effect their nonprofit status.  This is one of the reasons churches failed to speak out when prayer and Bible reading was stopped in schools in the 1960s.  Churches erroneously believe they can no longer speak out on political and cultural issues of the day for fear that the Internal Revenue Service will take away their tax exempt status.

Many pulpits no longer speak the Truth out of fear of the IRS or the desire to be relevant to the culture of the day. Many pulpits have gone silent.  The result is a nation that is in decline.  A democracy only works when its citizens live by a moral code, when people, companies and government leaders understand there is right and wrong. Morality cannot be legislated but must be a part of moral fabric of the culture.

I don't believe that religious leaders and pastors should endorse candidates, but issues of morality, justice and righteousness must be addressed from the pulpit. 

So I am traveling to Washington, DC twice a month tolead worship in the United States Capitol and to meet and pray with members of Congress, staff and others who work on Capitol Hill.   Amerson Music Ministries receives no remuneration for my travel, hotel, meals and time. My participation is underwritten by those who believe in and contribute to this endeavor.

If you are not on this select list and would like to receive my updates from my times in Washington, DC, send an email to info@steveamerson.com with "DC Updates" in the subject line and we will add you to this list.

Our nation will not be saved by the party of the elephant or the party of the donkey, but only by the power of the Lamb.  

The church must rediscover its voice and the pulpits must speak the hard word.  Pray for our nation, its leaders and pastors.

Steve

Making Your Requests Known

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

As you may know, I've been spending a lot of time in Washington, D. C. over the last 12 months.  It was a year ago that I led worship and sang in the first weekly worship services to be held in the United States Capitol in 144 years.  These services known Capitol Worship are for members of Congress, spouses, staff and others who work on Capitol Hill. I believe this has been a divine appointment for me to be there, to lead in worship and serve those in such strategic positions of leadership.  In the past year, I have made 17 trips to the Capitol and I am hoping to make eight more trips in the Fall if I have the support.

During the day before the worship service, I walk the halls meeting and praying with Senators, members of Congress and those who work there.  As I walk the halls of the House and Senate offices I am amazed by the number of people in the halls trying to get into even a bit of time pleading for their cause or initiative.  It is not unusual to see a group of five or six, or even 30 people wearing pins or badges or carrying placards promoting their cause.  Sometimes they are even chanting or singing their slogans in an attempt to make their voice heard.  There are almost always protestors on the steps of the Supreme Court attempting to bring attention to their cause.

Several weeks ago I walked into a Congressional office and was face to face with my friend, the Congressman.  I said, "I'm here to pray for you."  He responded, "Do it fast before I kill someone."  He was kidding but it was obvious that he was dealing with some significant issues.  I said a brief prayer and was on my way.  I wasn't there to ask anything of him but to be an encouragement to him.  When I returned the following week, he said, "It worked.  I didn't kill anyone." That might seem inconsequential to some, but our elected officials are under intense pressure and they need God's people to be praying.

As I see folks walking the halls trying to get something from their elected officials, I often think of the verse from Philippians chapter four.  These people are approaching those who have power in our nation, but we can approach God Almighty, the ruler of the universe and make our requests known.  There is no middle man and we can go directly to the top with our needs and our requests.  We are not to be anxious and we are promised God's peace.  

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Steve