Change?

So Obama won and the world is ecstatic.

I had mixed feelings. In a way it is great what he accomplished and how he epitomizes how long way America has come from the times of "black" slavery. And yes, he is truly an inspiring figure and offers a great vision of change for the nation.
BUT
I have my reserves. I do believe some level of progress and change can come through better government and leadership, but I wouldn't put my hope of a better world in the hands of any man...
When I was listening to Obama's victory speach yesterday, it reminded me of the tower of Babel. People joint together in pursuit of reaching the heavens INDEPENDENT of God. The message is all about WE CAN DO IT!
Yes, people can do a lot and even reach the moon, but if we operate autonomously, without God, we will never reach the paradise we were meant to live in. I pray that God may bless and use the authorities according to His plans and purposes, but I put no hope of paradise in human government. History teaches us to look beyond...

At the same time I am doing a paper on Isaiah. It talks about the people of Israel being in exile in Babylon and about their return. God uses the Persian king Cyrus to deliver Israel from Babylon and return to their land and rebuild Jerusalem. But there is a profound tension in the book. Even though the people return to the land the exile isn't really over. The spiritual condition of the people hasn't really changed. And thats where the famous section of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 comes in. It needs the suffering servant to bring about a true change and return to the "promised land". It is the suffering servant who can change the hearts of men and lead the "straying sheep" back to God.

He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:3-6)

God's way and wisdom to bring about true change looks so different from the ways of man. But it is the only way that works. The power of the Gospel of Jesus is the only thing that can transform the hearts of men. It is in Jesus Christ that we have been promised a restoration and transformation of all things " behold I make all things new". Lets join Him in the movement of change this world has and will ever see.
HE CAN AND WILL CHANGE IT ALL!
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This weekend we will be talking a lot about change and transformed lives from Ephesians 4.

Friday Youth Evening 7.30-10pm at Kotikirkko.
Sharing
Worship
Bible Study on Ephesians 4:17-32

Sunday 11am English worship Service
The change we can believe in!
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Upcoming plans:

Friday 11/14 Hot Topic Evening - Topic open; you can still suggest!
Friday 11/21 Bible Study - Ephesians 5
Friday 11/28 Prayer and Praise Night - Be filled with the Holy Spirit!
Dec 5 Bible Study - Ephesians 6
Dec 12 Christmas caroling in the surrounding community!!!
Dec 19 Pikkujoulut! (little Christmas party;)
Dec 21 Christmas Celebration with the whole Church!

(Sunday English Service 11pm every Sunday)
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Note:
We will start preparing for the Christmas caroling this Friday...
We need to prepare a performance for the Christmas celebration... (I have an idea)
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Hope to see you all this weekend!
Samuel