Can America Return to God?

An excellent sermon regarding the decline of our values and standards as a culture and as a nation. Over the past decade, the church has failed to be the “salt and light” it is called to be. The church will be held responsible and accountable for its failures. However, the church can lead America back from the brink of destruction if, and only if, a modern day remnant of “Black Robe Preachers” will rise to stand in the gap and preach the whole truth without fear.

By Mark Beaird

Text: I Chronicles 7:14

Britain’s King George III wrote the day’s activities in his diary: “July 4, 1776–Nothing happened today.”

Nothing happened? America was born that day, King George. Her birth marked an epoch in history for the cause of human freedom.

For 218 years, we have celebrated our independence–our own right to do as we please in governing our own lives. What a wonderful country we live in–despite all its faults and failures. What wonderful freedoms are offered to us as citizens of the USA.

One of those freedoms is what I want to talk about today–FREEDOM OF RELIGION. We can believe or worship anybody or anything we want with no one to tell us differently.

Many thousands of Christians around the world die for that right each and every year. Yet in America–a country established for that very right–many will not give God the time of day, much less their lives.

What has happened that made millions now celebrate the “Freedom from Religion” instead of the “Freedom of Religion?”

Many have tried and succeeded often in getting God kicked out of our schools, sporting events, public places and work places.

It is not the god of the Hindu, Muslims, it’s not the philosophy of reincarnation or the New Age, it’s not homosexuality or condom distribution they want out. It is Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. “Spiritualism” has taken the place of Christianity. Spiritualism puts self on the throne and religion in general. Christianity–the founding guide for America–is under attack.

In the April 1994 edition of Reader’s Digest, an article by former Secretary of Education William Bennett entitled “What Really Ails America” had this to say, “Today, much of society ridicules and mocks those who are serious about their faith. America’s only respectable form of bigotry is bigotry against religious people. And the only reason for hatred of religion is that it forces us to confront matters many would prefer to ignore.”

To a great extent our society has gotten what it wanted – A society without God. But what good has it done? Bennett goes on to say,
“Last year I compiled The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators, a statistical portrait of American behavioral trends of the past three decades. Among the findings: Since 1960, while the gross domestic product has nearly tripled, violent crime has increased at least 560 percent. Divorces have more than doubled. The percentage of children in single-parent homes has tripled. And by the end of the decade 40 percent of all American births and 80 percent of minority births will occur out of wedlock.”

These are not good things to get used to.

The United States leads the industrialized world in murder, rape and violent crime. At the same time, our elementary-school students rank at or near the bottom in tests of math and science skills. Since 1960, average SAT scores in our high schools have dropped 75 points.

In 1940, teachers identified the top problems in America’s schools as: talking out of turn, chewing gum, making noise and running in the hall. In 1990, teachers listed drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, suicide, rape and assault.

These are not good things to get used to, either.

We have become inured to the cultural rot that is setting in. People are losing their capacity for shock, disgust and outrage. During the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Damian Williams was filmed crushing an innocent man’s skull with a brick, while Henry Watson held the victim down.

When Williams was finished, he did a victory dance. Watson and William’s lawyers then built a legal defense on the premise that people cannot be held accountable for getting caught up in mob violence. (“I guess maybe they were in the wrong place at the wrong time”, one juror told the New York Times). When these men were acquitted on most counts, the sound you heard throughout the land was no outrage, but relief.

This is not a good thing to get used to. What is the answer?

Bennett concludes with these words, “Today we must carry on a new struggle for the country we love. We must push hard against an age that is pushing hard against us. If we have full employment and greater economic growth-if we have cities of gold and alabaster-but our children have not learned to walk in goodness, justice and mercy, then the American experiment, no matter how gilded, will have failed.”

“Do not surrender. Get mad. Get in the fight.” “Do not surrender. Get Mad. Get in the fight.”

How can we turn this nation back to God? Can it even be done? Yes! We can make a difference!

II Chronicles 7:14, “If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

I. IF MY PEOPLE WHICH ARE CALLED BY MY NAME…
A. There can be no “finger-pointing” when returning to God. He’s talking to us.
B. Judgment always begins at the House of God.

II. …WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE…
A. It is good to be a proud American as long as we can bow to God.
B. Prayer is never obsolete, outdated or too late.

III. …AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS…
A. We are notorious for repenting but not turning. Repentance means to turn.
B. Do we love evil too much to turn from it?

IV. …THEN I (GOD) WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN…
A. God is waiting to hear from us.
B. God longs for America to return to Him.

V. …AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND HEAL THEIR LAND…
A. Forgiveness awaits all who will turn.
B. Healing awaits all who turn.

Can America return to God? If America wants to – YES. Do we want to?

CONCLUSION
God has given us a great blessing in our country. It is a blessing worth preserving through prayer and devotion to God in the face of those who would want to tear it down. Unless we serve God we will live in bondage.

Christianity and patriotism have much in common. It is significant to note that:
Our patriotic hymn “My County, ’Tis of Thee”, was written by a Baptist clergyman, Samuel Francis Smith.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was written in 1892 by a Baptist minister, Francis Bellamy.

The words, “In God We Trust,” carried on all of our coins, are traced to the efforts of the Rev. W.R. Watkinson of Ridleyville, Pennsylvania. his letter of concern, addressed to the Hon. S.P. Chase, was dated November 13, 1861.

Seven days later Mr. Chase wrote to James Pollock, Director of the U.S. Mint as follows: “No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. Will you cause a device to be prepared without delay with a motto expressing in the finest and tersest words possible, this national recognition.”

The president of the College of New Jersey, the Reverend John Witherspoon (Presbyterian) was the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. He is too much forgotten in our history books: John Witherspoon had a far-reaching influence on democracy. He had personally taught several of the signers of the document, and nine of them were graduates of the little college over which he presided at Princeton.

When he took up his pen to put his name to the document, Witherspoon declared: “There is a tide in the affairs of men, a spark. We perceive it now before us. To hesitate is to consent to our own slavery. That noble instrument upon the table, that insures immortality to its author, should be subscribed this very morning by every pen in this house. He that will not respond to its accents, and strain every nerve to carry into effect its provisions, is unworthy of the name of free man. For my own part, of property I have some; of reputation, more. That reputation is staked, that property is pledged on the issue of this contest; and although these gray hairs must soon descent into the sepulcher, I would infinitely rather they descent thither by the hand of the executioner than desert at this crisis the sacred cause of my country.”

Bible Verses on Truth

John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 8:32, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

John 16:13, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

Galatians 4:16, “Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?”

Jeremiah 9:5, “Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity.”

2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

John 3:21, “But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

1 Peter 1:22, “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.”

John 17:19, “And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.”

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Isaiah 59:15, “Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.”

2 Timothy 4:4, “..and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

John 1:17, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Isaiah 59:14, “Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter.”

2 John 1:2, “…because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever.”

John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Isaiah 65:16, “So that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes.”

Proverbs 12:17, “Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.”

Psalm 119:160, “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

2 Timothy 2:25, “Correcting his opponents with gentleness, God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.”

Ephesians 4:25, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”

1 Timothy 6:5, “And constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.”

1 Timothy 3:15, “If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

John 18:37, “Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

John 14:17, “Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

Proverbs 12:19, “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”

Revelation 16:7, “And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!”

2 Timothy 3:8, “Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.”

1 Timothy 4:3, “Who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”

1 Timothy 2:7, “For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”

2 Thessalonians 2:13, “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.”

2 Thessalonians 2:10, “And with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.”

Ephesians 6:14, “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”

1 Corinthians 13:6, “It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”

1 Corinthians 5:8, “Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Romans 2:8, “But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.”

John 5:33, “You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.”

John 4:24, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Zechariah 8:16, “These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace.”

Jeremiah 5:3, “O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You have struck them down, but they felt no anguish; you have consumed them, but they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent.”

Proverbs 23:23, “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

Psalm 145:18, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

Psalm 51:6, “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”

2 Thessalonians 2:12, “In order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

2 Corinthians 6:7, “By truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left…”

 

Bible Verses on Preaching

Mark 16:15, “And he said to them, Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

1 Corinthians 1:21, “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”

1 Corinthians 2:13, “And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.”

1 Corinthians 2:1-8, “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. …”

2 Corinthians 3:12, “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.”

2 Corinthians 2:14-16, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?”

James 4:17, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

1 Thessalonians 2:3-12, “For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. …”

Acts 8:27-38, “And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. …”

2 Timothy 4:1-2, “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

1 Thessalonians 1:5, “Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

Acts 8:5-12, “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. …”

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Luke 8:1, “Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him.”

Luke 3:3, “And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

Mark 6:12, “So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.”

Matthew 10:22, “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Ezekiel 22:30, “And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.”

Acts 8:9-13, “But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.”

Acts 2:14-41, “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy…”

 

Bible Verses on Leadership

John 15:4,5; Jesus says, “Remain in me, and I remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branch. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Philippians 4:13; Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

John 17:26; Jesus says, “I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for Me may be in them and that I Myself may be in them.”

Matthew 11:28-30; Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, you will find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

John 5:30; Jesus says, “By Myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and My judgment is just, for I seek not to please Myself but Him who sent Me.”

Exodus 14:13,14; Moses said to his people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again.

Bible Verses on Faith

Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

1 John 5:4, “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

Luke 17:6, “And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

Hebrews 11:1-39, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. …”

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Matthew 9:22, “Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.”

1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

James 1:3, “For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Mark 11:23, “Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”

Matthew 9:29, “Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”

Mark 11:22-24, “And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

Acts 3:16, “And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

1 Peter 1:7, “So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 6:16, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”

1 Corinthians 2:5, “That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

Luke 5:5, “And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”

Matthew 9:21, “For she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”

Romans 3:22-28, “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. …”

Galatians 3:1-29, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith.”

Habakkuk 2:4, “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”

Hebrews 11:4, “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”

John 20:31, “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Colossians 2:7, “Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Philippians 1:27, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. “

1 Samuel 17:37, “And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

Galatians 2:16, “Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

Revelation 2:19, ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.”

Hebrews 10:39, “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

1 Timothy 1:19, “Holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith.”

2 Thessalonians 1:3-5, “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering.”

Romans 10:6-10, “But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) or “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Mark 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

James 1:6, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

Hebrews 13:7, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

Hebrews 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

Hebrews 10:38, “But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

Hebrews 6:12, “So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Hebrews 12:2, “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2 Timothy 2:11-13, “The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”

2 Timothy 1:13, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 3:9, “They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”

Colossians 1:23, “If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

Galatians 5:6, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

1 Peter 1:21, “Who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

1 Timothy 2:15, “Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”

Colossians 2:6-7, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Ephesians 3:17, “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”

Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Romans 11:20, “That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.”

1 John 5:10, “Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.”

1 Peter 1:9, “Obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Hebrews 11:30, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.”

James 2:1-26, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?”

Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.”

1 Timothy 1:11-14, “In accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 1:18-19, “This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith.”

2 Thessalonians 1:4, “Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.”

Ephesians 6:16-18, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”

Romans 9:31-33, “But that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

1 Peter 1:5, “Who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Hebrews 11:33, “Who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.”

Titus 2:2, “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.”

Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

1 Timothy 1:14, “And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 2:12, “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”

Galatians 5:5, “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.”

 

An Exalted Nation; An Election Day Sermon

An excellent example of an “Election Day Sermon” in outline form with historical information and relevant verses.

By Pastor Gary Dull

PROVERBS 14:34

INTRO: Today I am going to preach AN ELECTION DAY SERMON. What is AN ELECTION DAY SERMON, you may ask? Well, such a sermon has its roots buried back in the 18th and 19th Centuries in America when, either on the Sunday before Election Day, the day of the election, or on both days, preachers would deliver messages called ELECTION DAY SERMONS. For those sermons, all the elected officials were invited to attend and the pastor would direct his message to both the ELECTED and the ELECTORATE.

The purpose of the ELECTION DAY SERMON was not to tell people who TO VOTE FOR, but rather to proclaim from the pages of scripture what a nation must to in order to experience the blessing of God. Most of the ELECTION DAY SERMONS followed a typical pattern in which it was asserted that CIVIL GOVERNMENT was founded by God with the responsibility to maintain order in society. In addition, the ELECTION DAY SERMON taught both the VOTERS and the RULERS what they must do, according to scripture, to gain the BLESSING OF GOD, relative to both of their circumstances. Both VOTERS and RULERS were charged to PROMOTE VIRTUE, SUPPRESS VICE, AND SUPPORT PEOPLE OF “PROVEN WISDOM, INTEGRITY, JUSTICE AND HOLINESS.”

Many of those sermons were printed and distributed nation-wide in large city newspapers and pamphlets, as there was no radio, TV or Internet back then. (Refer to Daniel Foster’s sermon). History reveals that God used the ELECTION DAY SERMONS to make a positive influence upon the entire nation. When America became more sophisticated, the ELECTION DAY SERMON passed off of the scene. Even though the ELECTION DAY SERMON is basically a thing of the past, today, as we are facing a very crucial election in America, the Lord has led me and some other pastors across America, to resurrect this tradition that God has used for His Glory in such a great way in the past.

QUESTION: WHAT KIND OF A NATION DOES GOD BLESS AND EXALT? I am sure we ALL want a nation that God BLESSES AND EXALTS!

ANSWER: A NATION THAT MAINTAINS RIGHTEOUSNESS! “RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION, BUT SIN IS A REPROACH TO ANY PEOPLE.” -PROVERBS 14:34

OBSERVATIONS ON PROVERBS 14:34
1) “Righteousness” – RIGHT CHARACTER ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL
2) “Exalt” – TO ELEVATE AND TO REMAIN ELEVATED
3) “Sin” – THE VIOLATION OF THE LAW OF GOD
4) “Reproach” – “TO SHAME AND TO MAKE SMALL WE SHOULD ALL CHOOSE RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR AMERICA!!!

I. THE PLAN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
WHAT IS GOD’S PLAN TO BRING RIGHTEOUSNESS TO SOCIETY?
HIS THREE INSTITUTIONS!
A. The Home – God’s FIRST institution – Genesis 2 & 3.
GOD’S PRIMARY INSTITUTION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
B. The Government – God’s SECOND Institution – Genesis 9; Romans 13
GOD’S PROTECTIVE INSTITUTION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
C. The Church – God’s THIRD Institution – Acts 2

GOD’S PROMOTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. IT IS GOD’S WILL FOR ALL THREE OF HIS INSTITUTIONS TO HERALD RIGHTEOUSNESS, BUT IT IS UP TO US TO SEE THAT SUCH IS DONE!

ILLUSTRATION:
II. THE PATTERN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
A. Righteousness is Revealed – In the Word of God.
B. Righteousness is Known – Through the Word of God.
C. Righteousness is Experienced – Through Jesus Christ
D. Righteousness is Promoted – By God’s People

ILLUSTRATION:
III. THE PRACTICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
A. Principle One: The Electorate and the Elected MUST work together as a TEAM if righteousness is to be practiced
1. The Electorate
a. Develop Righteousness – Through a relationship with God in Christ.
b. Determine Righteousness
2. Support God-given Unalienable Rights – Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.
3. Support God-established Unchangeable Realities – Sanctity of Life, Sanctity of the Family, The Public Expression of God in public spaces.
a. Demand Righteousness – Of self and the elected. Practice personal righteousness and communicate it with the ELECTED.

B. The Elected
1. Develop Righteousness – As your political platform.
2. Determine Righteousness – As the basis of all your legislation
3. Support God-given Unalienable Rights – Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness.
4. Support God-established Unchangeable Realities – Sanctity of Life, Sanctity of the Family, The public Expression of God in public spaces
a. Demand Righteousness – Of self and other elected individuals.
b. Principle Two: The Electorate and the Elected WILL rejoice together as a TEAM when righteousness is practiced – Proverbs 29:2

 

A Constitutional Republic

A brief article relative to how the Founding Fathers knew that Democracy was a horrible system of government so they gave us a Constitutional Republic with balanced sharing of powers and checks and balances to keep the progression of tyranny in check.

The enemies of this nation have been systematically corrupting the language. It’s time to set the record and the truth straight about the words we use.

By Jared Law.

The United States of America is NOT a Democracy; The United States of America is a Constitutional Republic.“…and to the Republic, for which it stands, One Nation, Under God, with Liberty and Justice for All!”

By the 1830?s, what we now call “progressives” had already begun transforming our language. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary is the last one to have fully Biblical/Christian education definition of all words. Nothing since, other than later printings of this edition of this dictionary, has been published, that I am aware of, that didn’t contain some form of word distortion/pollution by those we now call “progressives.”

Those progressives from the early 20th century all knew full well that we are a Constitutional Republic, and they felt that the Constitution of the United States of America was an impediment to their agenda, and one of the myriad of things that was done to combat the Principles of Liberty Enshrined in the Constitution of the United States of America, was to promote the falsehood that we are a democracy, rather than a Republic. This makes it far more easy to frame the argument in terms more agreeable to tyranny and oppression.

By the latter half of the 20th century, most public education resources had adopted this falsehood as if it were reality, and today, the very mention of the fact that we’re a Constitutional Republic is met with scorn by those who know better, but don’t want to admit it, and some who have been misled by our public education system even argue the point.
Whoever controls the language, controls society.

It’s time we took back our country, including our culture! When we use the distorted definitions and false terminology of the American Left (so-called “progressives”), we are fighting the battle with one hand tied behind our backs. Awake and Arise, fellow Patriots! Wake up, America, and realize that liberty is being smothered in the back room!

Let us continue to rally to her defense, even on issues that are seemingly small, such as the definitions of the words we use to discuss principles and issues. If it makes the difference in just a few dozen cases, it’s worth it, but if universally understood, this truth could potentially make the difference in a few hundred thousand, and indirectly, a few million cases, if not more!

Fourth Of July – I've Got to be Free

An excellent sermon that reminds us of what we often forget, that in declaring our independence from England, our forefathers made an equally strong declaration of dependence upon Almighty God.

By Melvin Newland

Deuteronomy 8:6-8:14

Today the United States is celebrating a crucial moment in the history of our nation – the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And as we look back at that event we need to realize that it was a fateful & very dangerous decision for each man who dared to sign that Declaration.

In fact, as John Adams signed it he said, “Whether we live or die, sink or swim, succeed or fail, I stand behind this Declaration of Independence. And if God wills it, I am ready to die in order that this country might experience freedom.”

It was that kind of patriotism which led men, armed with little more than hunting rifles, to engage in battle with the most powerful nation in the world.

Many of our forefathers paid a terrible price in the Revolutionary War, but finally they won the victory so that you & I might be citizens of this “land of the free & home of the brave.”

But what we often forget is that in declaring their independence from England, our forefathers made an equally strong “Declaration of Dependence” upon Almighty God.

I. THEY DECLARED THEIR DEPENDENCE UPON GOD

The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence begins with these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The closing words of their Declaration solemnly states: “With a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes & our sacred Honor.”

It is important that we remember this declaration of their dependence upon God, for in a time of world turmoil, the United States today is rapidly forgetting the God of our fathers, the God who gave this nation its birth & its greatness.

I trust that all of you recognize the name of Patrick Henry. But I’m afraid many of our school children know almost nothing of him at all. Patrick Henry was a famous statesman of colonial Virginia. In 1764, he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses where he became a champion of the frontier people, supporting their rights against the arrogant exercise of power by the aristocracy. In 1774 he was a delegate to the First Continental Congress. In 1775, before the Virginia Provincial Convention, which was deeply divided between those who supported England & those who desired freedom, he uttered his most famous words, “Give me liberty or give me death!”

During the Revolutionary War he became commander-in-chief of Virginia’s military forces. He was a member of the Second Continental Congress. He helped draw up the first constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, & was primarily responsible for drawing up the amendments to our Constitution known as the Bill of Rights. He became Virginia’s first governor, & was re-elected 3 more times. Then he retired from public life. But despite his strong objections, the people went ahead & elected him Governor for the 5th time. But he meant what he said, so he refused to take the office. He was offered a seat in the U.S. Senate, & posts as ambassador to Spain & to France. President George Washington asked him to join his cabinet & become Secretary of State, & later wanted to appoint him the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. But he refused all such honors & recognitions.

Now why do I mention these things about Patrick Henry? It is because I want you to realize that he was an important & respected leader in those days when our nation came into being.

Now listen to his words. He said, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians – not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

His Last Will & Testament was filed in the Brookneal County courthouse in Virginia. Read his Will & you’ll see that he bequeathed everything to his children, just as most people do. But the last paragraph in his Will is especially interesting. He wrote, “I have now given everything I own to my children. There is one more thing I wish I could give them & that is Christ. Because if they have everything I gave them & don’t have Christ, they have nothing.”

I love reading about Patrick Henry & George Washington & John Adams & Thomas Jefferson & John Jay & many of the other patriots who gave of themselves so valiantly that we might enjoy the freedoms that are ours. But we also need to be reminded again of the solemn warning that God gave to another nation which was experiencing the thrill of independence after centuries of slavery in Egypt. Although it was written over 3,000 years ago, this warning could very well apply to the United States today.

In Deuteronomy 8:7-14, Moses tells the people, “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land where you shall eat food without scarcity. When you have eaten & are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.”

Now listen to His warning: “Beware. . .lest, when you have eaten & are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them and your silver and your gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart becomes proud, and you forget the Lord your God.” Do we today have a reason to be concerned about this warning?

II. WATCH OUT THAT WE DON’T FORGET GOD

The testimony of history has made it abundantly clear that not only nations, but also individuals, need to heed that warning. The greatness of a nation is not measured by its military power, technological advancements, or national wealth. Righteousness & justice are the determining factors.

Solomon, the wisest of men, said: “Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

Someone wrote: “What in the world is happening with our kids today? Let’s see…I think it started when Madalyn Murray O’Hair complained that she didn’t want any prayer in our schools.” And our Supreme Court said, “Okay.”

Then someone said ,“You had better not read the Bible in school” – the Bible that says, “Thou shall not kill, thou shall not steal,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” And our nation said, “Okay.”

Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn’t spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem. So we said, “Okay, we won’t spank them.”

Then someone said that teachers & principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave. And our administrators said, “No one in this school is to touch a student when he misbehaves because we don’t want any bad publicity. And we surely don’t want to be sued.”

Then someone said, “Let’s provide our children with condoms so they can have all the ‘fun’ they desire.” And our nation said, “That’s a great idea.” Someone else said, “Let’s provide abortions for underage girls, and they won’t even have to tell their parents.” And our nation said, “That’s another great idea.”

Then some of our top officials said that it doesn’t matter what we do in private. And we said, “As long as I have a job, it doesn’t matter to me what anyone does in private.”

So now we’re asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don’t know right from wrong, and why it doesn’t bother them to kill.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with “We reap what we sow.” Wow! What a concept!

III. DON’T LET OUR FREEDOM GET OUT OF HAND

We have sung, “I’ve gotta be free,” but sometimes our proclaimed freedom has become the very thing that enslaves us.

In Titus 3:3, Paul says, “At one time we were foolish, disobedient, deceived and entangled by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.”

This is the enslaving and deceiving nature of sin. People who are caught up in sin think they are free, but in reality they are enslaved to sin.

Go to the wino on the street and say, “I want to set you free from alcoholism.” He will say, “I’m not a slave to anything. Give me back my bottle.”

The prodigal son came to his father and said, “I want to be free. Give me what is mine.” Then he wandered into the far country, saying, “I’m free! I’m free!” But his freedom was brief. His friends left him when his money ran out, and he found himself enslaved to a Gentile taskmaster and to a group of hogs in the hog wallow.

It was not until he came home and submitted to the father that he really found freedom.

IV. OUR REAL FREEDOM COMES IN CHRIST

So when we stand back and look at this land of the free we begin to wonder, “Is there any real freedom anywhere?”

But thank God, as Christians, we have a greater freedom than any Constitution can grant us. We have the freedom that is offered in Christ Jesus.

There is a word for freedom in the New Testament. It is the word “redemption.” “Redemption” means “to be set free.” It means that we have been bought with a price, that we have been freed of our bondage, and now we are really free.

In Paul’s letter to Titus he tells us that we have been set free from the bondage of sin. “For the grace of God teaches us to say ’No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, Godly lives in this present age. . . Jesus Christ. . .gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” [Titus 2:11-14]

If you really are concerned about America; if you earnestly want God to bless her, then live a life in harmony with the will of God. Only then does one truthfully have the right to sing:

God bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her, Through the night, with the light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam. God bless America, my home sweet home.

So, as we celebrate again the birth of our nation, pray that our country might have a new birth of freedom; not a freedom from God, which always leads to license and ultimate slavery, but rather a freedom built upon God and His commandments.

Also, may each one of us, as individuals, reaffirm our dependence upon God so that, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,” we might experience the freedom He gives not only from worry, doubt and fear, but also from all those sins which do “so easily beset us.”

Then, as did the founding Fathers of our country, we will find in Him our life, liberty, and true happiness.

Listen to this story:
The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he’d told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg.

It had been a year since Susan, 34, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis, she had lost her sight and was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, frustration, anger, and self-pity. And all she had to cling to was her husband, Mark.
Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again.

Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to go by herself. So Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city.

At first, this comforted Susan who was so insecure about herself now. Soon, however, Mark realized the arrangement wasn’t working. “Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again,” he admitted to himself. “But she is still so insecure, so angry – how will she react?”

Just as he feared, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. “I’m blind!”, she responded bitterly. “How am I supposed to know where I am going? I feel like you’re abandoning me.”

It broke Mark’s heart when he heard these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened.

For 2 solid weeks, Mark accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, especially her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment.

Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, and his love.

She said “Goodbye,” and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself!

On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying the fare to exit the bus, the driver said, “Boy, I sure do envy you.” Susan wasn’t sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year?

Curious, she asked the driver, “Why do you say that you envy me?” The driver responded, “It must feel good to be taken care of and protected like you are.” Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about and again asked, “What do you mean?”

The driver answered, “Every morning for the past week, a fine-looking man in a military uniform has been standing across the street watching you as you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss and walks away. You are one lucky lady!”

Tears of happiness poured down Susan’s cheeks. For although she couldn’t see him, she had always seemed to feel Mark’s presence. She was lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift that she didn’t need to see to know – the gift of his love.

 

The Founding Fathers as Christians

A vast collection of quotes by our founding fathers relating to their Christian faith, their love for Jesus Christ and their reliance on divine providence.

Samuel Adams – Father of the American Revolution, Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“I . . . recommend my Soul to that Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.” (From the will of Samuel Adams)

Charles Carroll – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.” (From an autographed letter in our possession written by Charles Carroll to Charles W. Wharton, Esq., on September 27, 1825, from Doughoragen, Maryland.)

William Cushing – First Associate Justice Appointed by George Washington to the Supreme Court
“Sensible of my mortality, but being of sound mind, after recommending my soul to Almighty God through the merits of my Redeemer and my body to the earth.” (From the will of William Cushing)

John Dickinson – Signer of the Constitution
“Rendering thanks to my Creator for my existence and station among His works, for my birth in a country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying freedom, and for all His other kindnesses, to Him I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity.” (From the will of John Dickinson)

John Hancock – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“I, John Hancock, . . . being advanced in years and being of perfect mind and memory-thanks be given to God-therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die [Hebrews 9:27], do make and ordain this my last will and testament…Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it: and my body I recommend to the earth . . . nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mercy and power of God.” (From the will of John Hancock)

Patrick Henry – Governor of Virginia, Patriot
“This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.” (From the will of Patrick Henry)

John Jay – First Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court
“Unto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved son. He has been pleased to bless me with excellent parents, with a virtuous wife, and with worthy children. His protection has companied me through many eventful years, faithfully employed in the service of my country; His providence has not only conducted me to this tranquil situation but also given me abundant reason to be contented and thankful. Blessed be His holy name!” (From the will of John Jay)

Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer – Signer of the Constitution
“In the name of God, Amen. I, Daniel of Saint Thomas Jenifer . . . of disposing mind and memory, commend my soul to my blessed Redeemer.” (From the will of Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer)

Henry Knox – Revolutionary War General, Secretary of War
“First, I think it proper to express my unshaken opinion of the immortality of my soul or mind; and to dedicate and devote the same to the supreme head of the Universe – to that great and tremendous Jehovah, – Who created the universal frame of nature, worlds, and systems in number infinite . . . To this awfully sublime Being do I resign my spirit with unlimited confidence of His mercy and protection.” (From the will of Henry Knox)

John Langdon – Signer of the Constitution
“In the name of God, Amen. I, John Langdon, . . . considering the uncertainty of life and that it is appointed unto all men once to die [Hebrews 9:27], do make, ordain and publish this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say-First: I commend my soul to the infinite mercies of God in Christ Jesus, the beloved Son of the Father, who died and rose again that He might be the Lord of the dead and of the living . . . professing to believe and hope in the joyful Scripture doctrine of a resurrection to eternal life.” (From the will of John Langdon)

John Morton – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“With an awful reverence to the great Almighty God, Creator of all mankind, I, John Morton . . . being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory-thanks be given to Almighty God for the same, for all His mercies and favors-and considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the times thereof, do, for the settling of such temporal estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life.” (From the will of John Morton)

Robert Treat Paine – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“I desire to bless and praise the name of God most high for appointing me my birth in a land of Gospel Light where the glorious tidings of a Savior and of pardon and salvation through Him have been continually sounding in mine ears.”(From Robert Treat Paine, The Papers of Robert Treat Paine, Stephen Riley and Edward Hanson, editors (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 1992), Vol. I, p. 48, March/April, 1749.)

“When I consider that this instrument contemplates my departure from this life and all earthly enjoyments and my entrance on another state of existence, I am constrained to express my adoration of the Supreme Being, the Author of my existence, in full belief of his providential goodness and his forgiving mercy revealed to the world through Jesus Christ, through whom I hope for never ending happiness in a future state, acknowledging with grateful remembrance the happiness I have enjoyed in my passage through a long life.” (From the will of Robert Treat Paine)

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney – Signer of the Constitution
“To the eternal, immutable, and only true God be all honor and glory, now and forever, Amen!” (From the will of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney)

Rufus Putnam – Revolutionary War General, First Surveyor General of the United States
“First, I give my soul to a holy, sovereign God Who gave it in humble hope of a blessed immortality through the atonement and righteousness of Jesus Christ and the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. My body I commit to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian manner. I fully believe that this body shall, by the mighty power of God, be raised to life at the last day; for this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality.” (From the will of Rufus Putnam)

Benjamin Rush – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“My only hope of salvation is in the infinite, transcendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the cross. Nothing but His blood will wash away my sins. I rely exclusively upon it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!” (From Benjamin Rush, The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, George Corner, editor (Princeton: Princeton University Press for the American Philosophical Society, 1948), p. 166, Travels Through Life, An Account of Sundry Incidents & Events in the Life of Benjamin Rush.)

Roger Sherman – Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Signer of the Constitution
“I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. . . . that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God. . . . that God did send His own Son to become man, die in the room and stead of sinners, and thus to lay a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind so as all may be saved who are willing to accept the Gospel offer.” (From Lewis Henry Boutell, The Life of Roger Sherman (Chicago: A. C. McClurg and Company, 1896), pp. 272-273.)

Richard Stockton – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“I think it proper here not only to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian religion, such as the Being of God, the universal defection and depravity of human nature, the divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Savior, the necessity of the operations of the Divine Spirit, of Divine Faith, accompanied with an habitual virtuous life, and the universality of the divine Providence, but also . . . that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; that the way of life held up in the Christian system is calculated for the most complete happiness that can be enjoyed in this mortal state; that all occasions of vice and immorality is injurious either immediately or consequentially, even in this life; that as Almighty God hath not been pleased in the Holy Scriptures to prescribe any precise mode in which He is to be publicly worshiped, all contention about it generally arises from want of knowledge or want of virtue.” (From the will of Richard Stockton)

Jonathan Trumbull Sr. – Governor of Connecticut, Patriot
“Principally and first of all, I bequeath my soul to God the Creator and Giver thereof, and body to the Earth . . . nothing doubting but that I shall receive the same again at the General Resurrection through the power of Almighty God; believing and hoping for eternal life thro the merits of my dear, exalted Redeemer Jesus Christ.” (From the will of Jonathan Trumbull)

John Witherspoon – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“I entreat you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ, for there is no salvation in any other [Acts 4:12]. . . . If you are not reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, if you are not clothed with the spotless robe of His righteousness, you must forever perish.”

Praying in the Spirit

A comprehensive article on the biblical foundations and spiritual power of praying in tongues.

By Prayer Warriors International.

What does it mean to move in the Spirit.

It is allowing a constant, effective influence within our hearts, whereby we are directed and enabled to do more than we could ask or think. To walk in obedience to God’s word, freely and joyfully.

Praying in the Spirit is a weapon of precision, it will always hit the target. It is effective deep into the realm of darkness.

Tongues. It touches the highest heaven.

We are of the Spirit of God, so all that we do should be done in and through the work of the Holy Spirit; conscious of Him, not led by various impulses from the soul of ideas that flood into the mind. The blind have to be led, not carried. So start to pray and He will lead.

Phil 2:13, “…for God is at work in us for His good pleasure. By His Spirit. For His purposes.”

Peace is a result of this relationship. Trust – Faith.
Galatians 5:22, “Fruit of the Spirit. Love -Joy -Peace. to God. Patience – Kindness – Goodness – Gentleness. to others. Self Control.”

If we live by the Spirit, we also walk by the spirit. Pray in the character of God’s Spirit. Faith in Jesus produces love. Love for Jesus produces faith and draws us together by His Spirit. .

1 Pet 4:11, “Whoever speaks, let him speak the utterances of God, by the strength given. Not struggling or striving.”
1 Cor 2:11-12, “Spiritual thoughts with spiritual deeds.”
Eph 4:23, “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”
1 Cor 14:15, “Mind and spirit. A right time to pray in tongues. Pray in natural language.”
Eph 6:18, “Pray in the Spirit, understanding, Wisdom, council, strength, fear of the Lord, Righteousness, faithfulness, His character.”
2 Cor 3:17, “There is liberty. No pressure or striving.”
Rom 12:2 + 11-12, “Mind and spirit devoted to prayer.”
1 Pet 4:7, “Be sober in spirit for the purpose of prayer, not unruly, wandering all over the place. Order on Order. Line on line. But, if the Holy Spirit says, do all that He asks.”
Col 4:2, “Keep alert, with an attitude of Thanksgiving.”
1 Thess 5:16-25, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing Rejoice some more. Give thanks for this is Christ’s will for you.” Prayer has its wings clipped without thanks.
Acts 12:5-12, “Paul in prison. People praying at Mary’s house. He was led to the place the people were praying. They were in the spirit but did not know that God had set Paul free.”
James 4:5, “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us.”

So pray according to His word and His will; forgiveness of sin. Increase of knowledge, understanding in the realm of the spirit, Wisdom etc. Opportunities to witness. Courage – boldness – Strength to do His will. Give thanks. Pray for the fruit of the Spirit. Divine appointments. For Jerusalem. Go through the concordance. Look up pray. He will always answer positively.

Paul’s thorn in the flesh was for added power. He received more power from having the thorn than he would with it. Can we trust Him like that?

So why do we not let the Holy Spirit do all the praying for us?
1. We build relationship with God in prayer, He wants to relate to us.
2. The Holy Spirit only prays in the hearts of those who choose to pray. He searches the desires.
3. God has told us to pray.
4. The Holy Spirit is helping us in our praying. Our Helper.

John 16:13. To lead into all truth.
1 Chron 28:9. The Lord looks into the heart to see the motive. The Spirit wants us to have the right motive to receive the prayer request.
1 Sam 16:7. The Lord looks at the heart. For out of the heart comes forth the reality. Heart-Spirit-Life.