Heroes of 1776

 

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

This year we celebrate 250 years of our nation, but how much do we know?

I recently watched an interview with Trey Gowdy and Judge Neil Gorsuch. Judge Gorsuch has researched the men and women who were instrumental in writing our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. He wrote Heroes of 1776 for children so they might know, be encouraged, and have the courage to be citizens our founders would be proud of.

Judge Gorsuch declares that often people confuse the Declaration of Independence with the Constitution. They are two separate entities, each with a special purpose. The Declaration of Independence focuses on the aspirations of the declaration: inalienable rights, created equal, and the right to rule ourselves. The writers declared these were given by God, and among those rights were life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Constitution is the separation of powers between the state and the Federal Government.

As the men met in Philadelphia to discuss the Declaration, they discussed not only the contents but also who should write the document. John Adams went to Thomas Jefferson to ask him to write. Jefferson locked himself away in a rented room for two weeks, writing the challenge to our forefathers and to us to make a better life for ourselves and our families. That's the true pursuit of happiness. Though the document was agreed upon in July, the signing did not take place until August 2, 1776.

After the writing, the document needed to be published and distributed to all the colonies to gain the endorsement of the populace. A trusted publisher who always signed publications, M.K. Goddard, was asked to print the Declaration of Independence. At the bottom, she wrote, Mary Katherine Goddard. The publisher was a woman! She, along with the signers, was willing to risk her life. The signers knew this document could cost them, and their families their livelihoods, their fortunes, and their very lives.

Judge Gorsuch poses challenges and questions to his readers as we celebrate and reflect on our nation's 250th birthday. How will we protect and preserve what has been bequeathed to us? Only 40% of the colonists wanted independence. Another 20-30% were loyalists. The rest stood on the sideline and watched to see who would win. Judge Gorsuch's other question is, are we willing to pay the price for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Just what would that cost be? To listen to the full interview, visit: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/trey-gowdy/

I've visited many of the Revolutionary battlefields in my area, but there are many I have yet to view. Perhaps this summer, my vacation plans will reflect my patriotism in visiting and learning more about the country I love. 

Father God, please grant us the understanding of our need of personal repentance as well as national repentance. Forgive us Lord, for we have sinned greatly. Please restore us to Yourself and heal our land. In Jesus' name. Amen

Our War Rooms

 

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. ~Matthew 6:6 NKJV

How's your prayer life? In our busy, rushed world sometimes we forget that we can come before our heavenly Father and tell Him all about our lives, our troubles, and our fears. Our prayer life is our war room. This weekend, we give thanks for those who served and gave their lives to defend our freedoms. We recognize and honor them through various memorials and by visiting their graves. But do we neglect our personal battlefields? 

The battlefield of the mind, the necessity of entering that battlefield through prayer, that's the war where we can give all. I was recently studying for my Bible class and ran across a booklet, the name of which I have forgotten, that described prayer in an acrostic. It was a good reminder for me of things I need to include in my prayers. Perhaps they will help you as well.

• Praise- Praise is a great way to begin our prayers because God created us for love. He wanted to show love. He appreciates love in return. We were created to show love to our Creator through praise. Jesus rejoiced as He thanked the Father. 

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. Luke 10:21

• Repent - When we open our hearts to praise we also open them to the understanding of our sin. As we pray repentance is a key factor. 

And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ Luke 18:13

• Ask - Ask for the needs of others. True joy comes in putting Jesus first, then Others, before You. A true servant focuses on others first. 

Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. Luke 7:7

• Yielding - Finally, enter into God's counsel and carry out his purpose. Jesus withdrew Himself and asked counsel of the Father about the crucifixion. 

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:41,42

Heavenly Father, thank you for all the ways You care for us. Forgive us Father for neglecting to give You praise before others. Father, show us how we can meet the needs of others while giving them the message of Your salvation. Direct us as we war against principalities in high places of the spiritual realm. In Jesus' name we ask. Amen. 

Hey Kids:

Have you noticed how there is the message of the gospel hidden in almost all literature? It may seem a little strange to think about the Grinch here in the summer, but I think he's a good example of what I'm trying to say about the difference praise in our prayers can make.

• The Grinch's heart was two sizes too small. He was selfish and cared nothing for others. 
• He thought he could stop others' joy by taking all the things he thought made Christmas. 
• He found that Christmas was more than presents and decorations and feasting. 
• When he heard the praise his heart grew. It was opened to the truth.
• He realized he was wrong and gave back the presents. Kinda sounds like Zacchaeus.
• I think he may have asked to join the celebration or maybe he was asked to join. 
• Finally we see him serving, literally carving the roast beast.

Though the true Christmas story was never mentioned, we can still see message that can be used to tell others about God's love in sending His Son that first Christmas and the difference Christ makes in our lives. 

How can you show Jesus to those you meet? 

Rededicate250,Thoughts on Moving Forward

 

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

Many people have prayed, I among them, and agonized over the condition of our country. Many breathed a sigh of relief and felt the answer to those prayers after the last election, but friends, prayer warriors should not let down their guard. We cannot say, "Oh, the battle is over. We can relax now." On the contrary, there is yet much work to do and prayers to be prayed. 

One of the things the Lord has laid on my heart is a return to reading God's word—not just reading but studying it so that we know how to humble ourselves and pray for God's forgiveness and direction for our nation.

This week I offer a short reading on which you can easily expand, a thought and a prayer for each day.  This week may we truly rededicate our nation and ourselves, It's a great time to start reading and studying our Bibles, humbling ourselves and rededicating ourselves as well as our nation, thanking Him for all His blessings on our families and our nation and asking forgiveness of our transgressions that grieve His heart. 

As you study, make a few notes about the things God is revealing to you.

Monday Reading:
      Exodus 36:5,6 The people were so excited about the work of the Tabernacle that they brought in more than was needed. Moses had to give a command to stop bringing things for the Tabernacle.

What a wonderful situation to find ourselves in. When has the offering ever been too much? When has a congregation been so excited about God's work that they had to be told their gifts were enough?

Heavenly Father, at this time of rededication, may our thankfulness for all you have done be demonstrated in the enthusiasm we show in working for Your kingdom. May Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Tuesday Reading
       Exodus 37:1, 10, 25, 29 These verses demonstrate the responsibilities of Bezaleel. God chose him to do a mighty work but he is actually an unknown figure. His faithfulness to his calling has affected the understanding and worship of God for millions of people for thousands of years.

Can others look at my work and see my faithfulness to God's calling? How is my faithfulness or lack thereof affecting others? Surely everything we do affects others.

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me a work to do. Help me to be faithful to Your calling regardless of how much or how little credit I receive. You must increase and I must decrease. Be glorified, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday Reading:
      Exodus 38:8 The women brought their brass mirrors to make the brass laver, a place for the priests to wash their hands. Have you ever noticed women when they pass by a mirror, even in a store? We have to stop and check ourselves.  Beautiful hair, clothes, and make-up can all be a mess if a woman doesn't have a mirror to check herself. The women of Israel gave their most prized possession. They humbled themselves before God, putting aside their vanity for the building of the place of worship.

Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to the things I put before worship, before praise, before witnessing. Help me to humble myself for Your work. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Thursday Reading:
       Exodus 39: 18. The names of the tribes of Israel covered the priest's heart. His shoulders bore the weight.

Are God's people on my heart? Are the lost on my heart? Do I have a burden for people, or do I just complain about the situation?

Heavenly Father help me carry a burden for repentance among Your people and a burden to see the lost saved. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Friday Reading:
      Exodus 40:34. The people had followed God's directions. They had set up the tabernacle in God's order. He had descended on it. He guided their way day and night.

When our lives are clean God abides and directs our way. When we allow sin to enter in the Spirit departs until our lives are clean - forgiven. I John 1:9. We cannot do a work for God if we harbor sin.

Heavenly Father, direct my path that I might walk in Your way. May my life be pleasing unto You. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Saturday Review

    Pray. Review your notes. Is the Lord leading you in a specific direction? Has He revealed a work that needs strengthening or a new work to begin? Pray again. Choose a direction for next week's readings.

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 

Numbers 6: 24-26

In Jesus' name. Amen.