Fragile Freedoms!

In the familiar hymn America, there is a verse that reads, " Our fathers God to Thee Author of liberty, to Thee we sing, long may our land be bright with freedoms holy light, protect us by Thy might great God our King."  This verse captures a great truth that I think we have forgotten, and that is that the freedoms we enjoy today are not to be taken for granted.  Our liberty is dependent on the favor and blessing of God Who rules all things from heaven.  He has set in place certain immutable truths and absolutes that will, if followed, enhance the day to day life of that nation with courage and moral fiber enough to implement them.  Our history demonstrates that this is why America has become the greatest nation that has ever been.

But a dreadful thing is occurring today, before our very eyes. Our freedoms are being eroded and legislated away because of so-called political correctness.  We joke about political correctness and some of the language that we use with it but this is a real threat.  Political correctness tries to pressure people to do right. That is,  people are told what "right" actually is. The right way to think, to speak, to act, to set priorities and more, are established not by the moral precepts of a good and wise God, but by corrupt and weak government leaders. In some ways, according to Paul's letter to the Romans, government exists for the punishment of evil doers and the promoting of well doing.  The threat of political correctness is that we try to promote "good," without the Source of all goodness, God. God is being replaced by the state as the basis of our morality. When we forget God as we are doing, we are relinquishing the very freedoms that we think will always be ours.  The state will move in to the vacancy created when God is rejected, and our freedoms will perish. Our entire way of life will not be far behind.

Our way of life will only continue if citizens who live here, are morally sound, rich in faith, and are humbly acknowledging the good God Who created us all and sustains us. Freedoms are a great privilege, and one that has a corresponding responsibility to use our liberty not for unrighteousness and sin, but in doing what is right as defined by the Holy Scriptures, the Bible.

Another verse says, "America, America, God mend thine every flaw! Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law."  This is our prayer for our leaders, our nation and especially our churches.

It begins with each individual citizen. Trust Jesus Christ today for the forgiveness of sins. As He makes a difference in the lives of us all, one person at a time, perhaps He will turn the tide of the deterioration of our national character we see today. Pray for America!

The Great Enabler

Do you ever feel like you're not up to the task in front of you? If so you're not the only one. Sometimes we get an assignment or an opportunity that will lead us into unfamiliar territory. The more courageous among us will see it as a time of stretching, a learning experience. Even so that still doesn't ease the apprehension that is often there.

The Bible tells us of a man named Gideon. He and his people were suffering oppression at the hands of their enemies to the point that their land was all but ruined.  Food was scarce and Gideon was beating out the wheat he had hidden away for fear the enemy would come and take it from him.  As he was engaged in this task, the Bible tells us that an angel came to him with this greeting," The Lord is with you valiant warrior."  The angel went on to say that Gideon would lead Israel's army to throw off the oppressors and restore Israel to security.  

Now, Gideon felt like any thing but a valiant warrior. He didn't quite see this as a "learning experience," or a "time of stretching."  He hesitated and discussed back and forth with the angel as to the why and how of the situation, but finally God showed Gideon that He would enable him beyond his own ability for this task, and that he could be fully assured that God would be with him in all of it.  This promise to Gideon is a great promise to us as well.

God, in the Person of Jesus Christ, has also promised to be with us in all we do and wherever we may go.  He will forgive our sins and by His Holy Spirit take up residence within our very souls, giving us great assurance for all of life.
So when Gideon believed God and stepped in faith to obey Him, he became that valiant warrior that God had seen and determined to make out of him. He was able to accomplish the task God had called him to accomplish and God gave him great success, in spite of Gideon's initial hesitation.  We can do the same, because it is the same God Who enabled Gideon Who calls us to the task before us in our time. We must do what Gideon did, which is to believe God's word and step out in faithful obedience.

Trust Christ today, for the forgiveness of sins. His forgiving, comforting Presence will become your great enabler and constant companion.  You will be able to face the challenges life certainly brings with the assurance of being in the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.  This is not to say we will never experience hardship or sorrows, none of us are exempt from them, but Christ will enable us to do what we need to do, supplying all the power and grace we need to do it!