Devotional, (Date)

!!!!
Each week you will be able to read a devotional
thought which we hope you will find
enjoyable and comforting
as well as
insightful and challenging.

It is normally not my practice to use humor that is politically based, but I thought the article below (with author unknown) was an interesting satire of recent events.   I hope that, whatever your
political leanings may be, you are still able to maintain your sense of humor.   It may be the only thing that gets us through this election
process. :-)

The Carolina Gamecocks, after consulting with the Democratic National Committee, have demanded a re-match with the Florida Gators because the score on Saturday evening was too close.   There are also several complaints that the playing field was too difficult to understand with
goals on BOTH ends of the stadium. They believe that some of the touchdowns that Florida made were really intended for them, but the Gators just got confused and chose the wrong end.

Jesse Jackson is heading for Gainesville to represent second-string players who claim that they did not get to exercise their right to play because they were turned away by their coaches. A demonstration is planned for tomorrow morning.

Laurence Tribe, representing the Gamecocks, has demanded that the game be extended by another hour or so, until such time as the Gamecocks
score is higher than the Gators.

"This is the will of the people," Tribe stated. "It is only fair that we play this game until it comes to its completion.   It should be a slow and un-rushed process.   The Gators should not be in such a hurry to claim victory."

The media reporters apologize for their part in this mess.   In the first quarter of the game they claimed Carolina to be the winner.   A spokesman for the media stated: "Competition was fierce to be the first to predict the outcome.   All the indications were that Carolina would carry Florida, but at that time I guess it was too close to
call."

Bottom line: We may not know the outcome of the Carolina vs. Florida game for days, maybe even weeks.   This may delay bowl games across
America into next year.    It may seem bizarre, but I for one am proud to live in a country that lets you change the rules and the outcomes until they are "The Will of the People," aren't you?

I suspect that whatever the outcome of the election may be, there will be many who will say, "It's not fair.   My candidate should have won!
The other guy won only through deceit and manipulation."   There may even be some who refuse to acknowledge the right of our new president to be president.   One thing is certain: the election of 2000 will long be remembered and talked about.

There is, however, an election of far greater importance (though if you watch CNN 24 hours a day, you may have trouble believing that).
On the great Day of Judgment, we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.   Those who are God's elect will enter into everlasting life. All others will suffer eternal punishment. There will be no "recount" and there will be no lawyers to argue your case.   That day will serve as the "deadline" and it will not be extended. There will
be many people, though, who will not be pleased with the verdict.

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"
(Matthew 7:21-23).

God has elected that all those who do His will receive the reward prepared for them. I pray that you will be among that number.

Have a great week!

In Jesus' name, Amen.

This weeks thought and comments comes from Thought-for-the-day, a daily devotional which you can receive daily on line by subscribing at:

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It is created by Alan Smith,
Boone Church of Christ,
Boone, NC