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