July 24, 2011 A Sure Foundation! -Part 5: America's Cornerstone

The Foundation of our society and our government rest so much on the teaching of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be universal in our country.  

30^th President of our Country, Calvin Coolidge

   

Today’s final Message of a “Sure Foundation,” deals with what I call, America’s Cornerstone. We will look at and consider the United States Capitol Building. As I studied and researched I found that the US Capitol is filled with religious imagery and inscriptions.  Perhaps you recall that on September 12, 2001, 200 members of Congress gathered on its steps to sing “God Bless America.” In a similar scene in June of 2002, members of the House of Representatives gathered on these same steps to recite the Pledge of Allegiance after the Ninth Circuit Court ruling that it was unconstitutional to describe our nation as “Under God,” which, of course, was the exact way President Washington described our nation in July 1776 and also President Lincoln at Gettysburg in 1863.  Today the House and the Senate both open their daily sessions with the Pledge of Allegiance. Thus on a daily basis as they enter the sessions, God is glorified! This is marvelous considering that more and more we are beginning to see an outward onslaught against God, as I showed you from the newspaper last week, and as we here, in our town have experienced such slogans as, “There is no God, etc.”  In the Cox Corridor in the House wing of the Capitol, there is a line from “America the Beautiful” carved in the wall:  “America! God shed His Grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!” America has a Cornerstone, it is the most prominent structure in the District of Columbia and the signs of a God fearing people are set within and without as you venture throughout its sacred halls. The signs of time are in this structure and they bear the knowledge that America was founded on God and His Grace.  So it is with the Christian, we have a Cornerstone; He is a Living Stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, “A tried Stone, a Precious Corner Stone, a Sure Foundation.” He is Jesus Christ our Lord & Savior!  Giving thanks for Him, and loving you, Pastor

July 17, 2011 A Sure Foundation, Part 4, Liberty Came by Prayer

Sometimes we take for granted the Liberty of our country, and the Liberty of our Salvation. Our country was rescued from tyranny, as was our soul.  Jesus rescued our soul with His Own Life.  Quite a few of you have sat here in this house for the many years that I have been the Pastor.  The Message never changes; it is an ongoing Biblical Path leading us through the pages of God’s Holy Word.  Could it be that when we have walked a path many times, we tend to not notice the beauty of the flowers along the way nor the sweet smalls that come from the honeysuckle or dog wood trees.  It has become a familiar path and one might say I could walk this path with my eyes shut. This is where Christianity is today, walking along the path to Eternal Life, but not noticing the pitfalls, the changing terrain, just quietly ambling along. Our country was salvaged by Prayer. Prayer & God’s Word are the elements that breed a “Sure Foundation.”  It is well noted that our Forefathers read the Bible, they prayed. There was a Thanksgiving Proclamation October 3, 1789, President Washington declared, “It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor.” Our country as walked the path of righteousness in its origin, but today it does not notice its need for Almighty God.  In our spiritual life, the Word & Prayer paved the way for our Eternal Life.  Jesus, being the Word of God incarnate, knelt in the Garden of Gathesme and Praying until He sweat great drops of Blood. He is the only “Sure Foundation” that we have, and this Foundation was built on the Sacrifice of His Life.  America prays, even today, when there is a disaster!­ But with the Prayer comes Sacrifice.  America has moved away from Sacrifice, as the Word of God has warned, 2 Tim 3:1-5:  Perilous times shall come, men will be lovers of their own selves, blasphemers, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, traitors, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. We must maintain our “Sure Foundation” with the Word of God and Prayer.  Laboring with you in Love that we might be fruitful in these perilous times. Pastor

“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

“Liberty has its life in Christ, who has washed us in His precious Blood and put within us His Holy Spirit. Our Christianity is daily earned and refreshed in His Word and on our knees - else like the fig tree whose roots yielded no fruit, it withered and dried up.”  Loving you, Pastor

July 10, 2011: A Sure Foundation! #3 - Glorious Liberty!

“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the Glorious Liberty of the Children of God.” − Romans 8:21

In the month of July each year our Country celebrates its Liberty!  As we pass through this celebration, let us remember that Liberty is throughout the Word of God. In the Old Testament in Leviticus 25, we learn there was “a year of Jubilee declared, and at that time Liberty was to be proclaimed to all the inhabitants of the land. For this Jubilee shall be holy unto to you ­thou shalt fear thy God: for I Am the Lord your God.”  NOTE: a portion of Vs 10 is the famous quotation on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, PA. USA! It states Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: No wonder the Apostle Paul exclaims there is a Glorious Liberty to the Children of God! The above Scripture is unique in its setting: God was calling for His people to Hallow or set apart each 50^th year to proclaim Liberty to all people, and to start their business all over again as at the beginning. All mortgages were cancelled, all servants released, all bondages of men were annulled, debts were forgiven, and lands reverted to the original owners and in another 50 years there would be another such Jubilee!  The Psalmist refers to this in 119:44-45, “So shall I keep Thy Law continually forever and ever. And I will walk at Liberty: for I seek Thy Precepts.”  The Prophets talk about Liberty, ¨The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim Liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.”  Of course we know this is speaking of Jesus for He read this same Passage of Scripture in the temple [Luke 4:18-21] and then declared, “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.”  As God nudges us in this great month of our freedom, celebration it is well if we pursue the thoughts of Liberty in Scripture. In this moment in our history there are those who come privately to spy out our Liberty, that they may tempt us and bring us back into bondage. [Gal. 2:4] O saints remember: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed! This is the Liberty of the believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.   Loving you & giving thanks for our Precious & Glorious Liberty!   Pastor

A Sure Foundation! Part 2 ─ “America Founded on God!"

July 3, 2011: “If thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom …” − 1 Kings 9:4-5

As we come to the great celebration of our Independence as a nation, July 4^th -it is good to give all the glory to our Father God. I pray that you will read the column in today’s bulletin on The Declaration of Dependence on God.  Nothing is said about this in our generation, but none the less, it was a part of the “Founding of our Nation. America was founded upon God.  Today, it seems that we have moved quite a distance away from our Founding Fathers thoughts and desires for this Nation. Today in our society it seems there is a relentless effort to drive God out of America’s public square. There was a decision in 2002 by the Ninth Circuit Court Appeals that the phrase “under God” is unconstitutional and represents a fundamental assault on our American identity. We thank God that the Supreme Court overruled the Ninth Circuit Court and “One Nation Under God still stands.” It is interesting to note that “The Court itself begins each day with the proclamation, “God save the United States and this honorable Court.”  This phrase has been used for almost 200 years.  It was adopted in the 1820’s because they actually wanted to call on God to save the United States and the Court. 91 percent of America agreed that we are a Nation Under God. It is believed that most Americans believe the blessings of God are the basis of our liberty, prosperity, and survival as a unique Country.  Prayer is real, as we noted on 911 when everywhere we heard the call for prayer and from the government steps we heard them sing “God Bless America.” Wither one confesses their belief in God or rejects such precious thoughts, when disaster strikes, there is an inborn natural heartbeat that cries out for God! At present I am reading “Rediscovering God in America” and sharing thoughts from this book. It is a walk though our Nation’s Capital which proves God is the Foundation of our American History. Let the Church arise in prayer and Intercession for our Country and prayerfully we will defend our Nation’s Godly Foundation.  Loving you, Pastor

PS: [Comments are from Rediscovering “God in America,” ─ Reflections on the Role of Faith in our Nations’ History and Future.] By Newt Gingrich, Photography by Callista Gingrich. I highly recommend that every Christian read this Book regarding the “Godly” History of our Country.

 

A Sure Foundation, Part 1

June 26, 2011: “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: Isa. 28:16-17

We are living in a day when it feels like the foundation of our lives is being shaken.  As we look at our nation in the news, we see disaster on every hand. We have well noted that everything we purchase for our daily living has gone up in cost. And the rumors of war and wars loom on the horizon. In this moment in our history we need to be reminded of the “Foundation” on which we have built our life.  In these Messages we will consider the spiritual foundation, and the foundation of our country. It is the will of God that we be secure in our Christian life and that we remember He is in control of all things even the founding of our nation.  The Old Testament is all about His creation of a strong foundation ─ the physical temple that He commissioned Solomon to build, and the Spiritual foundation that He has set forth for us in our Salvation.  This is a time in our history that we need to be reminded on Awhat foundation are we built@ ─ as a Christian and as an American.  We talk about our hope and trust being in the Lord, yet there is a great fear in humanity as things escalate toward the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Yes, He is definitely coming! Scripture warns us of these days, but there is no fear in whose heart is the true belief in His Coming.  In this hour of our history we are called upon to stand strong, to practice our Christian beliefs and to encourage everyone around us of our strength in our Christian heritage.  We will inherit AEverlasting Life@ as we commit our lives to Jesus Christ.  This is something that we need to be mindful of each day as it begins.  Keep Christ in the center of everything, and our foundation will be firm and sure.  Let us take in His Word & commune in prayer daily that there may be spiritual growth in our lives and we will be able to stand strong in the face of these changes.  Working with you to build our faith and Loving you, Pastor

Gifts of Our Fathers

June 19, 2011: “… Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:” − Matthew 25:34 
This is the 50^th week since the Resurrection of Jesus.  It is also called Pentecost because on the 50^th Day the Promise of the Father was fulfilled.  As we come together today, we not only celebrate Pentecost, but we celebrate our Fathers.  My Message today is about “The Gifts of our Fathers.”  The founding Fathers of our Country, our Spiritual Fathers, and our earthly Fathers and most importantly the Gift of our Heavenly Father!  We have been gifted by the men whom God has chose to be in our lives.  I know there are cases where, when you mention a Father or a Mother it brings sad feelings, but when we look at what our Heavenly Father has created in us, we are blessed to know that His life is in us.  Even in an unbeliever, the breath of God sustains their life. Scripture tells us that our Father God is not willing that any should perish. The circumstances of our life will break us or make us.  But God is always present in our life, wither a believer or unbeliever.  There is no life without God. When we look at the Fathers of our country, we are mystified that our country has come so far away from the God that they served, from God who led them in establishing our great country.  There is a great need in our world today to “Rediscover God in America!”  Our lives have been formed by the liberties that our founding Fathers set forth under the guidance of Father God.  Our eartly Father has given God’s life to us.  Without a Father we would not be here. So today we come together in our Father’s House to give thanks for the Fathers He has given us, not only our physical Fathers, but the Founding Fathers of “One Nation under God!” It was a Founding Father of our nation that declared: all people “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”  Jefferson’s immortal words about  unalienable rights coming from our Creator echoed the thinking of so many of the Founding Fathers.  Our Creator loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus to die for us that we might have Eternal Life.  Today we thank our earthly Fathers for the Gift of life that they have given to us, that we might live in a free country and serve a Risen Saviour.  Giving Thanks, & Loving you, Pastor

The 40th Day, Ascension!” and “Ye shall be Witnesses!

June 12, 2011: “While they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”  − Acts 1:10-11
Last week was Ascension Sunday, but we had guests so we celebrate it this Sunday. Why, after hundreds of years, is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the Ascension still celebrated, still talked about, it is in the dictionary, and even on the Calendar??  WHY? Because there were “eye witnesses!”  These are Jesus own Words from Luke 24:48 ─ “Ye are witnesses of these things.”  Forty Days Jesus appeared leaving infallible proof that He came forth triumphant from the Grave! On the fortieth day Jesus took His disciples as far as Bethany and there He gave them this Prophetical Word:  “Wait for the Promise of the Father, … ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:4-5  As Jesus concluded this powerful statement of the “coming Holy Ghost, again He stated “ye shall be witnesses of me … and unto the uttermost part of the earth!” Vs8. Then the Ascension occurred, one more infallible proof … right before their eyes He was “taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” Angels attended this awesome event and declared to the amazed disciples as they gazed upward;  Vs11 “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”  O what a glorious Celebration! Jesus was “caught up” into the clouds into heaven to take His position at the Right Hand of the Father, where He would continue to intercede for us.  This is our Comfort, He will come again even as He left … Paul also relates:  “ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thes.4:16-1  − Loving you, Pastor

The Spiritual Vibrations are in Concert

June 5, 2011: “I will Worship toward thy Holy Temple, and Praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Truth: for thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name.”  − Ps 138:2
We welcomed the Spiritual Vibrations once more to our Church, it is a rare occasion as they came together in a precious reunion.  We are exceedingly blessed to have them.  We have set this day to just come into His presence and magnify His Holy Name.  Our Scripture Reading  is from the Psalms of David, the unique Psalmist of Israel!  May we enter into this precious time of song and celebration as the Praises go forth. David loved to go to the house of the Lord, it was joy to his soul and meat to his spirit. He talks much about the Lord’s house and there are multitudes of songs of praise in his writings.  He is truly nudged by the Holy Spirit of God and always ready to give forth a praise. We have been experiencing warfare in our city, there has been a campaign against God.  The billboards have declared there is no God, the marquee on the city buses have degreed the same message, but let us look at the Word of God for David writes under the unction of the Holy Spirit; “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works …”  −Psalm 14:1─ In Psalm 18 David sends a song to the chief musician,  a song of praise for deliverance from his enemies.  “I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the Horn of my Salvation, and my High Tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be Praised: so shall I be Saved from mine enemies.”  This is our song of Salvation for the Lord has truly delivered us! He is our Rock, our foundation and we will be strong in Him!  So let the anointed music fill you heart and release the joy of the Lord within, for no weapon formed against us will prosper!  He, our Lord is worthy of our praise! Worshipping & praising with you, And loving you, Pastor