Friday, June 27, 2008

Declaration of Dependence

This July 4th we will be celebrating our 232nd Independence Day. Many of us will celebrate with cookouts and fireworks. Some of us might take time to think about what it means. Some of us will brag about family members who had a part in our fight for independence. My Great great great great grandfather Robert McCreight fought with Francis Marion's Guerrillas. Sorry couldn't resist. A very small number of the population will understand how this day should be celebrated for Christians. In our politically correct society, it is improper to be a Christian. It is even worse to claim we were a nation formed as a Christian nation. We as Christian parents and grandparents need to educate our children on the truth. We need to stop letting TV and public schools be the only education our children get. Just because a teacher or the History channel said it; doesn’t mean it’s accurate. Or, as Paul Harvey says, “The rest of the story.
On July 4th 1776 our nation declared independence from Brittan. In the first sentence of our Declaration of Independence God is mentioned. In the second sentence Man’s Creator is mentioned. In the last sentence it mentions “with a firm Reliance on the Protection of DIVINE PROVIDENCE”. Our founding fathers did not have a problem asking God for protection. After the Revolutionary War in 1789, both Houses of Congress at the urging of Elias Boudinot, asked our first president to make a recommendation to the people of the United States “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a Constitution of government for their safety and happiness." Our Christian congress even used biblical precedents to make this decision. The Virginia assembly went so far as to have a chaplain preach a sermon in the Capitol before the General Assembly. In George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation he stated “Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be--That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war…” I recommend every American read and encourage their children to read George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation. Also I encourage reading George Washington’s Farewell Address where he said “Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.” Also the often quoted “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” is a paraphrase of "And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. .., reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."which is in the Farewell Address.
It sure looks like our first president saw us as a Christian nation. Let’s jump ahead a hundred years to 1892. The church of the Holy Trinity vs. United States, 143 U.S. 457 (1892) Justice David Josiah Brewer gave the opinion of the court and said “no purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this is a religious people. This is historically true. From the discovery of this continent to the present hour…” (start reading around U.S 465) Mr. Brewer then goes on to give examples all the way from the day of Columbus up to the Day of this decision. “If we examine the constitutions of the various states, we find in them a constant recognition of religious obligations. Every Constitution of every one of the forty-four states contains language which, either directly or by clear implication, recognizes a profound reverence for religion, and an assumption that its influence in all human affairs is essential to the wellbeing of the community.” It is not a coincidence that we have In God We Trust on our money or one nation under God in our pledge. Let us once again become a nation that is proud of our Christian Heritage. Let us return to God so that our nation may once again become a nation blessed.
MSW

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD
Psalm 33:12

I would like to point out some of these state constitutions.

  • Illinois - We, the People of the State of Illinois - grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors
  • Maryland - Art. 36. That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, ...nor shall any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness, or juror, on account of his religious belief; provided, he believes in the existence of God, ...Nothing shall prohibit or require the making reference to belief in, reliance upon, or invoking the aid of God or a Supreme Being in any governmental or public document, proceeding, activity, ceremony, school, institution, or place.
  • Massachusetts - Article II. It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe....Article III. [As the happiness of a people, and the good order and preservation of civil government, essentially depend upon piety, religion and morality; and as these cannot be generally diffused through a community, but by the institution of the public worship of God,...
Here is a link to where you can read any of these constitutions.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Guilt

Before I start writing I want to talk about 2 Corinthians chapter 12. Paul’s thorn is such an interesting chapter. It tells us so much about God’s relationship with man. Yet there is so much mystery behind what Paul’s thorn was. I believe God intentionally kept what it was from us so that it could be something to fit everyone’s situation. There are so many ways this chapter can be preached and talked about. When I write, God gives me the verses to use. During one essay he gave me Paul’s thorn. I always study any verse I use to make sure the theology is correct. Well the bible does not explain what Paul’s thorn was. So I started studying commentaries and books about Paul. If you ever have lots of time on your hands and want to study some fascinating theories. I recommend Paul’s thorn. Every theory has verses that will support it. All of them have some wonderful lessons that can apply to this verse. Again I say, I believe God did this intentionally so that when we read this verse it will apply to our own personal needs and situation. Some possible suggestions are that Paul suffered from chronic malaria, migraines, poor eyesight, anger, temptation, and guilt. Keep in mind that when the word thorn is used in the bible it is either a barb on a vine or a stumbling block to keep us away from God.
Guilt
We all feel guilty at some time. We insulted a coworker or got rude with a clerk in a store. Maybe we said something hateful to a loved one. This guilt passes. Sometimes we may have to apologize to someone, but after we’ve thought about what we've done it passes. Sometimes there is something in our past. Some horrible secret Satan keeps bringing up to torment us and keep us from believing we deserve forgiveness. If you have confessed to God and asked for forgiveness. You should never worry about your past. You should never let guilt keep you from worshipping God. If someone points a finger at you and brings up your past. Look at them and say, “Yeah, me and God talked about that.” Acts 7:54-Acts 8:1 The first time we meet Paul he is a young man named Saul. He is holding the coats of the witnesses that are stoning another young man named Stephen. I can just picture him standing over Stephen’s bloody body and thinking “that’s what you deserve.” Saul went to the high priest and asked permission to go after all Christians. Next Jesus strikes him blind and he is converted Acts 9:1-19. He becomes one of the most passionate preachers around. Now imagine the guilt he felt when he realized the God he thought he was serving by persecuting Christians was the same God he was persecuting. (1 Corinthians 15:9-10) For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Imagine preaching to a crowd knowing that you had beaten and thrown in jail some that may be in this same crowd. God granted Paul grace and forgiveness. He grants us that same grace and forgiveness. While he might not take away the memory that leads to our guilt, He has forgiven us.
MSW
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.2 Corinthians 12:9

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Spiritual Zombies


A few Sunday’s ago our pastor was preaching from Revelations chapter 3 about the church at Sardis. One line in the first verse jumped out at me. You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Dr Huggins referred to these as spiritual zombies. Unfortunately I believe there are many spiritual zombies in the churches today. Jesus tells us in verse two; Wake up! Strengthen what is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. There are so many Christians who go through the week without God. As Christians we are to be like God (Ephesians 4:24). We are to live as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8) As we go through our daily lives those around us should see Christ in us. We should have that fire in our eyes and joy in our heart that makes others want to know what makes us so alive. Instead many Christians are lukewarm. Revelations 3:16 You are neither cold nor hot.” Jesus says I wish you were either one or the other!” Why would Jesus prefer us to be cold rather than lukewarm? If we were cold our fire could be lit if we are lukewarm we have let the fire of the Spirit go out (I Thessalonians 5:19) When people who are not Christians look at us and see someone who is a Christian but do nothing to outwardly show it. They ask themselves “why should I become a Christian? They are living just as I do." When they look at us and we are on fire with the spirit, they want to know what we have. Solomon tells us to be Zealous for the fear of our Lord. Peter tells us Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. Let us not become spiritual zombies

(Ephesians 5:14) Wake up sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
MSW