Wrapping it all up!
Proverbs 14:34
Last Sunday night, at the end of Choir practice, the discussion was all about how the service would go. Who, what, when and where in the service, then suddenly Robin says. Then Tom will wrap it all up by saying something….. with a devotional.
No pressure, No problem right?
Our young people have blessed us with a few reminders of things to be thankful for as Americans. We have sung patriotic song as recognized our veterans. We have done thins within the context of a religious gathering another thing to be thankful for.
Folks, our freedom as Americans is something that we take for granted. Most of us don’t understand how really good we have it.
In fact we go one step farther, we view all we have and all we can do as RIGHTS. We are a people of privilege.
But, we might not take seriously the cost of what we have. Most young people fail to understand the cost of living under their parent’s roof and the availability of meals and transportation.
That usually changes with time, especially when they move out and make a living and setup a home for themselves. It is then that most of us realized how good we had it even with the rules and limitations.
Since most of us here have always lived in freedom and relative comfort, I believe that most of us fail to understand that all we have and enjoy is a gift from God.
Calvin Coolidge once said, “To live under the American constitution is the greatest political privilege God ever gave to mankind.”
Privilege…not right…
This week I spent a considerable amount of time looking at the faith of many of our founding fathers.
I read letters and the declaration of independence. I reinforced my opinion that our founding fathers had no concept of splitting Christian faith and values from the operation and work of government.
It is documented time and time again that when important decisions were to be made, Congress dropped to their knees before the votes seeking divine guidance. Chaplains for the army were paid with government funds. Churches were built and supported by the federal government. Bibles were purchased and distributed at the direction of the government. In the first 100 and 40 years of our nation, the understanding that what we have is a gift form God was pretty much the norm.
John Adams said, "The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity". Adams went on to say that in observing the 4th of July, “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty."
We can’t take our freedom for granted. We are still making payments in human terms.
The problem is that we take for granted the foundation on which our way of life is founded. We are allowing the foundation to be eroded by a minority that fail to see that without common morals, unified standards that our nation will collapse.
If we fail to understand that what we have is a gift from God and we just let the foundations be ignored and slowly ripped out we are taking the gift for granted.
Preserving American liberty depends first upon our understanding the foundations on which this great country was built and then preserving the principles on which it was founded.
Folks, The separation of Church and State is a limiting phrase that has been twisted to the opposite meaning that was intended by Thomas Jefferson. Our courts have takes a phrase out of context and used the words to breach the protection intended for religion and have crossed the line to oppression.
The gift of freedom is being abused by a small number of people and taken for granted by the majority of people.
Proverbs 14:34
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
Our nation would not exist except for the morals and faith of righteous people. It will eventually disappear if righteous people fail to stand up and participate in the political process.
I take a lot of pride in our country. I enjoy my rights and protections.
I am in debt to our forefathers and our veterans for acting to create and for preserving this gift of freedom.
I am proud my son and the many other young Americans that fight in hot, dangerous, distant place so that I can worship in safety on Sunday morning, Sleep in cool comfort and allow me gripe about how our government is doing business.
It is totally correct to be proud to be an American even though we inherited most of the rights and freedoms because of where we were born… even though most of the physical cost was paid by other people.
But I hope you will never take the gift for granted, that you will be active in preserving, and improving what we have and are to the best of your ability.
I hope that you will take a similar pride and responsibility in your citizenship in heaven. That you will acknowledge the price paid and the enormous value of what is offered.
Our dual citizenship is an enormous privilege and carries with it the responsibility to be involved, to share our values and faith and knowledge of right and wrong. It means relying on God for guidance and strength and persevering in what we believe.
In the long run I don’t believe that our world will ever be united and enjoy the freedoms that are taken for granted. I would love the believe that mankind could become enlightened and compassionate and unite to do away with suffering, oppression, hunger, war, and so many other situations.
Don’t miss understand me, I know it is possible and it will happen but, it will never be the actions of a man, or a court or a government. It will only happen when this unrighteous world reaches of the righteousness of God that the gift will be expanded and made perfect.
Take earthly pride in our good works and in those that helped in the creation and preservation of what we enjoy today. But, place your confidence in a righteous God that has provided the gift in the first place.
All Glory be to God!
May God Bless America
