Titus 2 Men And Women

This July we celebrated our 226^th year as a nation! We who know God by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, are aware that we have continued as a nation by the Will of God. It is by His Grace that we continue today to enjoy the blessings of freedom.

The following was taken from an e-mail that I received from the Presidential Prayer Team ministry recently. It reminds us of our Godly heritage and that our independence tomorrow will be through dependence on Him!

The Meaning of the Declaration of Independence

 It was a bold move that the framers of the Declaration chose to make. But they were convinced that it was the sole choice that remained for them. Thomas Jefferson was appointed to draft the document, and it was his task to express the convictions in the minds and hearts of the American people after many years of frustration and oppression. Because they believed that the British Crown had no right to tax them so brutally, the "self evident truths" of which Jefferson spoke were born out of the religious views of the Founding Fathers---that God is the giver of our human rights, not a king, and that it is His intent that people enjoy those rights, including the right to self government and taxation as well as religious freedom. In signing the Declaration of Independence, they were genuinely putting their lives at stake, for any of them could have been captured and tried for treason. But this did not hold them back from declaring their allegiance to this just cause. John Hancock is said to have signed his name in such large letters that the King could read without his spectacles. Steven Hopkins of Rhode Island is said to have guided his right hand with his left, due to a nerve disorder. His words as he signed: "My hand trembles, but my heart does not."

The Faith of Our Founding Fathers

On this, the 226^th anniversary of our nation, it is appropriate to consider the forces that led to the cataclysmic break of the colonies from Britain. Our Founding Fathers were among the finest leaders on the continent. They were merchants, farmers, attorneys and ministers. They were men of great energy and passion seeking to develop a classic system for governing the colonies. But above all, they were dedicated to building the nation on a foundation of biblical faith with honesty and humility.

Consider Benjamin Franklin. An ardent advocate of public education for all, urged that the schools teach "the necessity of a public religion...and the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern." He was also one of the chief advocates for a paid, permanent chaplain of...Congress, and when he helped found the college named for him, he insisted that it be built "on Christ the Corner Stone."

George Washington openly promoted and relied upon his Christian faith. He, too, affirmed the importance of children learning "above all...the religion of Jesus Christ." His reliance on prayer is well documented, as illustrated in the quote below. Consider also these words of his: "Almighty God: We make our earnest prayer that thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large."

Thomas Jefferson invoked the blessing of God and cited Scripture in many instances. Remember it was he who wrote the immortal words pledging of the citizens on the young nation that they are "endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights..." By acknowledging God as the Giver of Rights and the Author of Life, he expresses the reliance he and his compatriots had in God. Let us give thanks to God for His continued longsuffering, mercy, grace, and blessing upon America.

Let us remember the injunction in Scripture to pray for national leaders and rejoice in our freedom to continue to preach the gospel freely. 1Timothy 2:1-6 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen." 2 Thessalonians 3:18

Brother Wayne

This page has been displayed 10 times this month, 24 times since October 11, 2008.