9 Nov, 2006

Obey the government?

This guy's vote was not counted!

PA voter charged for his smashing vote!

An Allentown, Pa., man told police he smashed an electronic voting machine with a metal cat paperweight because he didn't like Republicans.

"He smashed it with the cat's ears," poll volunteer Jim Govostis told the Allentown Morning Call.

Witnesses said a man, identified as 43-year-old Michael Young, entered the polling station at a nursing home, calmly showed his identification and went the machine and smashed its screen.

A source told the newspaper the man is a registered independent voter and said he believed Republicans were conspiring to steal his vote.

"The good news is that even though the machine is broken, the votes are not lost on the memory card. They have them in custody at the voter registration office," Lehigh County, Pa., Board of Elections Chief Clerk Stacy Sterner told the Morning Call.

After the incident, the man sat calmly and awaited police.

Young has been charged with felony criminal mischief and tampering with voting machines, Allentown police said.

photo & story courtesy UPI, 11/08/06

Romans 13:1-2

Submission to the Authorities

13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (ESV)

What does today's God's Story teach us about God's involvement in earthly government?

Too bad the voting machine vandal didn't read today's scripture just before he went to vote. Talk about voter rage!

Actually, all of us need to take today's scripture to heart, regardless of how we feel about the results of the elections this week.

At first glance, you might think that God places government leaders in power if they are Christian or at least moral people. But no...Paul is saying that all are in place because of God's ultimate will. Remember that Paul is writing this to Christians living in Rome under the horrible rule of the Roman Empire - they're the ones who fed Christians to lions for lunch. (The Romans might have used Republicans for a snack and Democrats for dessert!)

God has a "big picture" plan that requires everyone to make a decision about Jesus. He also uses earthly circumstances and authorities to bring us to depend on Him in the process of becoming more like Christ. This includes the need for us to obey earthly government unless it requires us to disobey the truth taught in the Bible.

Though most of you were too young to vote this week and more concerned about homework, sports, or some girl or guy, you still need to understand and apply today's Biblical truth for the future. It starts with the right attitude now.

So, no matter how you feel about the result of the elections, remember that God is in complete control. For those of us who follow Christ, think of the peace and confidence this should give us as we strive to honor God by being Godly citizens.

How can you connect today's God's Story to your life?

  • Thank God for being in complete control of what happens in our lives. Pray for President Bush and all other elected officals by using Paul's words in 1st Timothy 2:1-2, "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity."
  • Pray that all of our leaders in government (current or the new ones) will put their hope and trust in God.
  • Pray that God will bring unity to our divided country.
  • Pray that God will help you to be an example to the world by being a Christ-like citizen.

How can you connect today's story, God's Story and your story to others?

Today's story about the guy smashing the voting machine could be a fun way to connect the three stories. Ask those in your storysphere if they get mad at the government or if they ever feel like our nation's future is hopeless? You can use today's scripture to talk about your story - that because you know God is in control (government included), you have peace and hope about the future, no matter what.

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The Daily Bide is brought to you by a team of writers from Youth for Christ/USA. The writers all have various years of experience in youth ministry but share a common bond in serving Jesus and discovering what it means to abide deeply everyday and to connect God's Story with those around them. A number of the Daily Bide writers have also written portions of our 3Story® resources. You can check out our resources at the 3Story.org website or connect with our writers at 3story@yfc.net. If you have a question or a story you would like to share, please reference the Daily Bide date in your email.

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