Standing on Truth

Make 2014 a year for sharing

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority.” – 1 Peter 2:13

“To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to laud the more distinguished character of Christian.” – George Washington

“No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States.” – George Washington

“Bless my family, kindred, friends and countrymen, be our God and guide this day and forever for His sake, who lay down in the grave and arose again from it, Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen” – George Washington

“It’s when people forget God, that tyrants forge their change.” – John Adams

“Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand." – John Adams

"We have no government armed in power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other." – John Adams

“Let them revere nothing, but religion, morality and liberty.” – John Adams to his wife about their sons

 “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.  It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp, parade, shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, illuminations in the air from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward, forever.” – John Adams

“My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!” – Thomas Jefferson

“This, then, is the state of the Union: Free and restless, growing and full of hope. So it was in the beginning. So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith” – Lyndon B. Johnson

The forefathers of this country and those before them have founded their strength, their success, their authority upon the Supreme Authority, the God of all mankind, the Creator.  Only 238 years ago we built a nation on the principles that God was Holy, Sovereign and had His hand on this Nation.  Now, we believe it is okay to rip a baby from it’s womb, Jesus name can be blasphemed on national TV, men can be with other men in unnatural acts, and the same with women with the justification that God made us this way, so it must be ok.

We kill one another, we cheat one another, we rob, steal and abuse one another in the name of individual rights.  We save trees, snakes, birds and wildlife from being harmed by society, and at the same time turn a blind eye to the atrocities taking place in abortion clinics all over the country, in the name of free choice.  This is not the love of God poured out upon His children, this is the pure evil of this world pushing God out, and few are willing to stand up and defend the sanctity and righteousness of our so-called beliefs.

I heard a quote last week that I cannot get out of my mind.  “I see a whole lot of Christians, but I see very little Christ.”  This is not me judging the society in which we live, I am just pointing out the obvious, that as a whole the world is in a state of degradation from a refusal to follow the call of the Lord on our lives.  Few of us want to stand for His word, in fear that others may feel offended and turn from His love.  Perhaps if we were more obvious with what His love provides for them, freedom from the mire of this world would become obvious before their eyes.

I press upon you, my fellow followers of Jesus Christ, to stand for righteousness in love and graciousness, for His sake.  Stand and be strong in your faith, for weakness’ is unbecoming of what we have been called to be.  If you observe Paul, Peter, John, Mark, Timothy, Phillip and the others – weakness was not in their character definition, nor should it be in yours.  The rules and guidelines established by our Savior are just as real today as they were 2000 years ago, we must simply accept and live by them.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
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Understanding our Roots

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“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”  – Galatians 5:13

On this the eve before our 236^th celebration of America’s Independence from Great Britain, I can think of no better words than the words of George Washington.  These words were spoken from the steps of the Federal Treasury building on April 30, 1789 in his Inaugural Address to Congress and the citizens of the United States of America as their first President.  He followed this action by leading a procession from the Federal building to the St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City, and once there led the nation in consecrating this great land to serve God Almighty.  From the beginning of our existence as a nation, we have been a nation built on the principals of our Heavenly Father.  St Pauls Chapel still stands to this very day, having survived several fires and the catrastrophic actions on 9-11-2001.  I view this small chapel as a symbol of God’s Blessing on this nation, when we are willing to humble ourselves and serve Him.

“…Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station; it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official Act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the People of the United States, a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes: and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow-citizens at large, less than either. No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency. And in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their United Government, the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities, from which the event has resulted, cannot be compared with the means by which most Governments have been established, without some return of pious gratitude along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage. These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me I trust in thinking, that there are none under the influence of which, the proceedings of a new and free Government can more auspiciously commence.”  - G. Washington, 1789

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Let your blessings continue to reign on the citizens of the United States of America.  We ask that you show us mercy in our weakness and provide us guidance in our prideful ways that we might humble ourselves and serve in the manner demonstrated by our Savior and Lord – Jesus Christ.  Help us to take a strong stand for righteousness and justice in this world, and to stand for Your Kingdom as our fore-fathers have done before us.  Let us learn from generations gone by the wonder and sovereignty of your ways, that we might be held closely to your bosom once again.  We long for your presence in our land – Amen.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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Prove It

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"He sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it." – Mark 8:12

Prove It!  Prove that Jesus Christ walked the earth.

Continuously, generation after generation, there are those that cannot or refuse to grasp the fact that God came to the world as a man and walked amongst us.  It is not new, this feeling of disbelief without proof, for it is centered around man’s fundamental weakness of free choice.  You see, I’ve never seen Abraham Lincoln or George Washington.  Have you?  The history books, and artists have painted portraits of these great men of history, but CNN wasn’t there to report on it, neither was FoxNews, the BBC or the Discovery Channel.  We’ve come to trust that they indeed were real because their claims to fame are within reason for a man.

Both were leaders, educated and strong in character.  Both took on enormous challenges and through judicious acts and sound principals changed the course of American history.  There are clear records of their lives documented in history books and memoirs that are taught in Elementary Schools all across America.  We honor them with Holidays and song and our children act out plays in school about their lives.  Why is it so easy to read and believe that these men lived, yet many have such a hard time believing in Jesus Christ?

Simply put, it comes down to the grandeur of His claim.  In that day, 2 millennia ago, people were looking for a Messiah.  The Lord had been quiet for over 400 years, since last sending a message, through a prophet, to the children of Israel.  Their faith was made strong by holding true to the teachings of Moses, Abraham and David; past on from generation to generation.  Many had come and gone, claiming to be the Messiah, and attempting to lead rebellions against the government on behalf of God’s children.  When Jesus came upon the scene, not seeking the fame and glory or recognition, but performing miracles and healing people it drew attention.

The natural reaction of the studied teachers and priests of the day would be to want proof of His divinity before committing to Him.  Therein lies the problem.  If they were not able to see and understand the presence of God in their midst, than their eyes were blind to Him and their hearts were hardened to His love.  For Jesus to acknowledge their request and prove through works that He indeed was the Messiah would have taken the glory away from God the Father and put the spotlight on Him.  Just as He told Satan in the Matthew 4:7, “"It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"  He refuses to do miraculous works to prove His divinity to the blind.  He asks that we believe by faith, not by sight.  There would come a time when He would be taken back to the Father and He did not want His ways to be abandoned after His death and resurrection. 

So here we are 2000 years later asking the same questions as the Pharisees did in Jerusalem in that day.  “Just show us a miracle, and we will believe.”  Blessed is he who believes and has not seen. (John 20:29)  It takes something beyond the natural thoughts and desire of mankind to recognize and give authority to someone who is not physically present.  Trusting in God the Father requires this humbling of one’s heart and mind to serve the unseen.  Praise be to the Father. 
 

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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