Darkness has no understanding.
Wisdom brings light in the mercy of truth.
3. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)
“The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time. And can
the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their
only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of a people that these liberties
are of the Gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect
that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever.”
“When the government fears the people, there is liberty.
When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”
“That government is best which governs the least,
because its people discipline themselves.”
“Because religious belief, or non-belief, is such an important part of
every person’s life, freedom of religion affects every individual. Religious
institutions that use government power in support of themselves and force
their views on persons of other faiths, or of no faith, undermine all our civil
rights. Moreover, state support of an established religion tends to make
the clergy unresponsive to their own people, and leads to corruption within
religion itself. Erecting the “wall of separation between church and state,”
therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society.”
“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between
man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his
worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and
not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole
American people which declared that their legislature should "make no
law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.”
“I am for freedom of religion, & against all maneuvers to
bring about a legal ascendancy of one sect over another.”
“Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law.”
“The clergy converted the simple teachings of Jesus into an engine
for enslaving mankind and adulterated by artificial constructions into
a contrivance to filch wealth and power themselves … these clergy,
in fact, constitute the real Anti-Christ.”
Religious Authority is declared by God, Not man
Into:
● An engine for enslaving mankind
● Adulterated / atificial constructions
● A contrivance to filch wealth & power
Clergy = The real Anti-Christ
"...those who live by mystery & charlatanerie, fearing you would render
them useless by simplifying the Christian philosophy, the most sublime
& benevolent, but most perverted system that ever shone on man,
endeavored to crush your well earnt, & well deserved fame."
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. ~ 2nd Corinthians 11:3
“Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact,
every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a god;
because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason,
than that of blindfolded fear."
Without intellectual maturity, within the common knowledge of God,
enabling wisdom to flourish, society reduces to
a chasm of swelling paranoias. - Ron Bert
... Test all things; ... ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:19-22
“Sir, no nation has ever yet existed or been governed without religion.
Nor can be. The Christian religion is the best religion that has been
given to man, and I as chief magistrate of this nation am bound
to give it the sanction of my example.”
“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.”
“It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read.”
“Tranquility is the old man's milk.”
The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness. ~ Proverbs 16:31
... peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization,
it expects what never was and never will be. If we are to guard
against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility
of every American to be informed."
As good wise men try to rise, it is made more difficult through shrewd
devious scoundrels seeking out their own interests, over the welfare or
concern of the whole, for the betterment of civilization. Nobility is truly a
rare commodity of the spirit, in times of selfish conceit. - Ron Bert
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. ~ Proverbs 29:2
Tall men are often envied by men of shorter stature.
Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice. ... ~ Isaiah 32:1-4
Surely, spiritual nobility touches even the least
of all faithful bringing wisdoms’ clarity of thought.
To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, ... ~ Proverbs 1:2-8
Leadership is a responsibility to hold respect for all.
Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation. ... ~ Psalms 85:7-9
The Glory of a people is found in their respect for God.
Working together for the better brings the fruit of our children’s blessings.
Arrogance destroys al that is civil.
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. ~ Hebrews 13:7
Ignorance is an infection of the immoral where deception is desired
over enlightenment. Society is best served when citizens are
courageous enough to be watchful rather than complacent.
Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble? ... ~ Psalms 10:1-4
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, ... And from such people turn away! ~ 2nd Timothy 3:2-5
God watches as man chooses more folly in
his escape from a life of reverent homage to Him.
... Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD! ~ Psalms 150:1-6
Praising the Lord acknowledges the Lord.
God Rules over the follies of man
● All liberties are of the Gift of God
● When the people fear government, there is tyranny
● Best governing least / people discipline themselves
● Civil rights involve freedom of religious choice
● Religion is a matter between man and his God
● No one religion should rule over another
● Clergy is used more as deceptive business of thieves
● False pious leaders favor your belief in lies over truth
● God expects careful reason over impulsive fear
● The Christian religion = best religion given to man
● Wisdom cannot be had without honesty
● The actions of our lives reflect our religious values
● Knowledge/key to a soul’s freedom & such, societies
Because of the corruption within the villainous Christian empire,
free men were willing to reject self-seeking religious domination,
of man over man, to find the truer God.
In darkness there is nothing revealed.
Many are called but few are chosen, shown by their willingness
to pursue His truth over that of the impulsiveness of flesh.
It is God that declares morality.
... " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great ..." ~ Matthew 22:37-38
Dedication to God heals the heart
● All your heart
● All your soul
● All your mind
The thoughts of the bottom of one’s heart discloses true desire
and or the ability to control it. It can be a challenge to allow His truth
to enlighten ones heart if one does not wish to hear.
"... second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." ~ Matthew 22:39-40
As sand blows upon the dunes of life, our encounters in flesh
expose a greater call to spirit over that which decays before us all.
The Word reveals that our highest quality is to love life, and
with those that would share in cherishing this, blessings come.
"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." ~ Matthew 7:12
The Golden Rule renders a clean heart
Want men to do to you
→ Do also to them
=
Law and the Prophets
Without others we are nothing.
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." ~ John 15:12
We were created to enjoy what God designed; love for,
and of, one another. To the shame of our hearts we all fall short.
To be in the circle of love more often than not reveals blessings over
the curse where hate consumes the soul.
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ~ Philippians 2:3
In caring for others is where life can fullest be seen. Only in compassion
for others divulges the true height of love. Selfishness and or contempt
is an empty box of no returns leaving the heart alone and lonely.
He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. ... ~ 1st John 2:9-11
Hate and despising others is what devours a soul in the darkness of heart.
... He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer ... ~ 1st John 3:14-16
Hate inspires one to remain alone
Hates his brother = Murderer
It is love that lifts a soul higher than life itself. Love is greater
than we can know, where heaven generously sprinkles its’ gifts.
... "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, ..." ~ Mark 7:20-23
Fighting words often condemn one in a merciless reprisal.
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 5:1-2
Without punishment for actions, lawlessness can become the rule of
disorder. Morality is a set of righteous principles handed down by God
Himself. All liars are immoral. It is an instruction to shun the unrepentful.
... punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 2:5-8
A true repenting soul should be welcomed over the haughty hearts of
rejection. Grudges serve no one. It is punishment for sin that exposes
a soul to repentance or not. Sin should not be treated as casual.
Angels rejoice in the face of repentance.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. ~ Proverbs 8:13
Without mercy in heart, the arrogant see not God but their own
anger buries them. The house of God is all about us in all of our travels.
All cursing defiles His holiness.
... this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. ~ 1st John 4:20-21
For His truth to shine upon a heart, His ways must be observed,
otherwise the deception of excuses accept sin without recourse.
There will be no notes from mommy excusing the guilty.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, ... ~ Romans 12:9-11
True love makes no excuse and holds no guilt.
In pursuit of Him, all are lifted higher.
... in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech ... ~ Titus 2:7-8
In wisdom the heart refines that true character of brilliant godliness,
and this is what we all struggle to achieve.
Character reflects one’s image
Pattern of good works:
→ In doctrine
● showing integrity
● reverence
● incorruptibility
● sound speech
→ cannot be condemned
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. ~ 1st Peter 2:17
His Word is plain without exception.
It is man that diverges from the holiness He calls for.
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you." ~ Exodus 20:12
Honor is a trait best observed opening the wells of love and respect.
'You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD.' ~ Leviticus 19:32
The experience of time, if endured, delivers the exceptional.
... let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience ... ~ Hebrews 10:19-22
All open hearted examine the truth of His Words
were His own sacrifice seals our salvation.
We see God because we see Jesus
Boldness to enter the Holiest
⭨ by the blood of Jesus
by a new and living way
┗► which He consecrated for us
┗► through the veil
┗► His flesh
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, ... ~ Hebrews 10:23-25
Attachment to God has no separation
in encouraging one another as we rise back to Him.
There is an urgency as all are limited in our time together.
... if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ... ~ Hebrews 10:26-27
His water is that of life, and where there is no repentance, the
desert of darkness drowns the faithless. A guilty heart can be a sign of
repentance otherwise a seared conscience ignores any kind of decency.
A true heart is the highest of all appreciations life can deliver.
... trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ~ Hebrews 10:28-29
Truth is offended when ignored
Trampled the Son of God
The blood of the covenant
→ A common thing
Insulted the Spirit of grace
By not exalting His glorious act, offering salvation to all, dismissing His
love denies the love for all. Woe to us if we dismiss love for each other,
especially the brethren. Grumbling is an act of defiance in the dark.
... "The LORD will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ~ Hebrews 10:30-31
It will be the Lord that will shine His truth on all of our actions.
His is a realm where only the righteous dwell.
Love is the pattern God looks for
● Do unto others as you would have them do to you
● Laws: Love the Lord with your all & neighbor as self
● On these 2 laws hang all the Law and the Prophets
● Esteem others better than self
● Whoever hates his brother is a murderer / no eternal life
● What comes out of one is what defiles one
● Shun the immoral
unless repentance turns then forgive
● Law: he who loves God must love his brother also
● Let love be without hypocrisy serving the Lord
● Show yourself to be a pattern of good works free of guilt
● Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.
● Draw near to God w/true heart in full assurance
● Willfully sinning after knowing His truth condemns
Life is in God over contempt for others.
Darkness holds the emptiness of all that cannot be found.
Darkness resides where bottomless pits dwell.
Light inspires life to climb ever higher.
4. James Madison (1809-1817)
“We have staked the whole future of American civilization
not on the power of government, far from it. We have staked
the whole of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for
self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern
ourselves according to the commandments of God. The future
and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the
laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded.”
"... sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." ~ Genesis 4:7
“Religion is the basis and foundation of Government”
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:16
“It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage ...
Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society,
he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe...”
“We hold it for a fundamental and undeniable truth, that Religion or the
duty which we owe to our Creator and the Manner of discharging it, can
be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence.”
“The Religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and
conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise
it as these may dictate. This right is in its nature an unalienable right.
It is unalienable; because the opinions of men, depending only on
the evidence contemplated by their own minds, cannot follow the
dictates of other men: It is unalienable also; because what is
here a right towards men, is a duty towards the Creator. ”
... he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ~ Hebrews 11:6
It is sweeter to find God over being told about God. ~ Ron Bert
“Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.”
“Whilst we assert for ourselves a freedom to embrace, to profess and
observe the Religion which we believe to be of divine origin, we cannot
deny equal freedom to those whose minds have not yet yielded to the
evidence which has convinced us. If this freedom be abused, it is an
offense against God, not against man: To God, therefore,
not to man, must an account of it be rendered. ”
Christianity is the only Religion based on evidence
“Religion and government will both exist in greater purity,
the less they are mixed together.”
The civil rights of none, shall be abridged on account of
religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be
established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience
be in any manner, or on any pretext infringed.”
“No religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification
to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
“That liberal catholic and equitable way of thinking as to the rights of
Conscience, which is one of the Characteristics of a free people and so
strongly marks the People of your province is but little known among the
Zealous adherents to our Hierarchy. We have it is true some persons in
the Legislature of generous Principles both in Religion & Politicks but
number, not merit, you know, is necessary to carry points there. Besides,
the Clergy are a numerous and powerful body, have great influence at
home by reason of their connection with & dependence on the Bishops
and Crown and will naturally employ all their art & Interest to depress their
rising Adversaries; for such they must consider dissenters who rob them
of the good will of the people and may in time endanger their livings &
security. … Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and
unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect.”
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ~ James 3:13
... where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ~ James 3:14-16
... the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, ... ~ James 3:17-18
... above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, ... ~ Colossians 3:12-15
... "We ought to obey God rather than men." ~ Acts 5:29
A Soul is known by its’ characteristics
Put ON:
● Tender Mercies
● Kindness
● Humility
● Meekness
● Longsuffering
● Bearing with one another
● Forgiving one another
● Love
● Peace of God
● Thankfulness
“During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity
been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places,
pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in
the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry, and persecution.”
Weakness of Flesh Shunts Nobility
Christianity on trial:
Clergy = Pride and Indolence
Laity = Ignorance and Sevility
But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! ~ Galatians 5:15
“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep
forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has
soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries.”
“Who does not see that the same authority which can establish
Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish
with the same ease any particular sect of Christians,
in exclusion of all other Sects?”
The belief in a God All Powerful wise and good, is so essential
to the moral order of the world and to the happiness of man, that
arguments which enforce it cannot be drawn from too many sources
nor adapted with too much solicitude to the different characters
and capacities impressed with it. ”
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, ... ~ 1st Timothy 1:5
... draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, ... ~ Hebrews 10:22-25
False hearts hide in the shadows of their fears
Draw near with a True Heart
● In Faith
● From an Evil Conscience
● Bodies washed with Pure Water
● Hold Fast our Hope
● Consider one another in Love & Good Work
● Not Forsaking the Assembling of ourselves
● Exhorting one another
“We are free today substantially, but the day will come when
our Republic will be an impossibility. It will be an impossibility
because wealth will be concentrated in the hands of a few. A
Republic cannot stand upon bayonets, and when the day comes
when the wealth of the nation will be in the hands of a few, then
we must rely upon the wisdom of the best elements in the country
to readjust the laws of the nations to the changed conditions.”
“History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse,
intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control
over governments by controlling money and it's issuance.”
“If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land,
it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.”
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”
“Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.”
... do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ... ~ 1st John 4:1-3
... There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. ~ 1st Corinthians 15:42-44
... we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ... ~ 1st Corinthians 15:51-54
... when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, ... ~ 1st John 3:2-3
One man can make a difference if his words echo the light of
eternity’s truth. The bond of unity across the ages has always been
loyalty to that which is greater than the single, toward the benefit of
all; regardless of person for the good of it. Tested spirits know how
short time is to influence, for the better, the wicked ways of the world.
In darkness, time holds no truth. ~ Ron Bert
God carries His own past the failures of man
● Souls following the commandments of God = Citizens
● Religion is the basis and foundation of Government
● Duty to God is what makes a Civil Society
● Each person is responsible for their own religion
● Cursed is teachings contrary to the cross of Christ
● It is a right and obligation for man to account to God
● No religious test shall be instituted for public service
● Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind
● Separation/church/state is to stop religious carnage
● Christianity is at risk of splitting into separate Sects
● Belief in a God is essential to moral order & happiness
● Coming is when the rich few will abolish the republic
● Good leaders will not always lead us
Knowledge is key to understanding as God is to humble hearts.
Darkness has no depth of distance.
Our Lord God calls for the return of His children.
... all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 10:1-4
There are various types of baptism. The baptism of Moses through
the Red Sea. John’s baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
The baptism of suffering Christ and His apostles endured. The great
commission water baptism remains and has come as a command of God.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit, as God finalized His anointing upon
the earth where men live, has blessed us all in the knowledge of Him.
A fire baptism cleansing the evils of creation is yet to occur as all rise
back to His Spirit. There can be no substitute for an individuals
accountability directly to God, and the dead rise no more,
making it impossible for choices, made or not made, to be
altered or changed once mortal death has occurred.
God desires our immersion into Him
● Baptism of Moses ● Baptism of John ↳ Baptism of Jesus by John ● Baptism of Suffering ● Great Commission Water Baptism ↳ Baptism into His death/life ● Baptism of the Holy Spirit ● Baptism of Fire ● Baptism ø for the Dead
It is the truth of Christ that washes us clean.
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. ~ Mark 1:4
John prepared the way for Christ’s arrival.
... all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. ~ Mark 1:5
Many took heed to the truth John announced
being baptized in the Jordan river.
... all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. ~ Matthew 3:5-6
Countless disciples came to the call of John.
And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, ... ~ Luke 3:3
John traveled throughout the region to preach
the message he was ordained to present.
... when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you ..." ~ Matthew 3:7
There were those elite who wanted forgiveness in secret or privately
where John rebuked them. Many were angered and turned from
repentance enraged in their own scorn. Standing in the light
of God is not something done reclusely.
... "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" ... ~ John 1:25-26
The pride of the Jewish elite refused to believe John had the authority
to cause such a uproarish happening that he had created. John humbly
and boastfully proclaimed the coming of the Great One was at hand.
"I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'" ~ John 1:33
John, as many who have followed, are obedient servants
of God Almighty, though not directly seeing Him, obey His call.
... "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" ~ John 1:27-29
It came that John saw Jesus for who He truly was.
... And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" ~ Matthew 3:13-14
John fell before his Great God and Savior pleading for mercy.
... baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, ... ~ Matthew 3:16
John was witness to the blessing God Himself wrought upon the earth.
... And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him." ~ John 1:30-32
John proclaimed Jesus’ superiority, to his preaching,
as Jesus was set to establish what God had planned
before time began, in the plan of salvation for man.
It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ~ Mark 1:9
It has occurred as it is.
After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. ... ~ John 3:22-24
After the baptism of Jesus, the advance of baptisms overtook the land.
... the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. ~ John 4:1-3
The Pharisees, seeing the loss of influence and power, sought
to belittle this baptism movement, seeking for Jesus Himself.
"From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior -- Jesus -- after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel." ~ Acts 13:23-24
God reaches down to lift us all
↓
Holy Spirit
Raised
↑
Crucified |
⭨ |
Buried
Through John’s ministry, Jesus rose to prominence.
Our faith is all about the life, death, and resurrection
of Christ and how God wants us to know Him.
... Apollos ... fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. ~ Acts 18:24-25
As the church of Christ settled, the baptism of John was only meant
to be a prelude, to introduce our now famous baptism into Jesus.
... When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. ~ Acts 18:26
The early church made it clear Jesus was our Savior, and
John’s baptism was replaced by baptism into Jesus Himself.
... "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized ..." ~ Acts 19:4-5
In Christ is the fulfilment of all things God would have us to know.
Baptism is not just an act of obedience or casual fulfilment
to the word, but an act of genuine belief.
"... began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed ..." ~ Acts 10:37-38
It is in fact that God takes precedence.
Baptism reveals immersion into His Salvation
● All passed through the sea / baptized into Moses
● John spoke baptism of repentance/remission of sins
● Jerusalem, all Judea, etc.,
were baptized by John
● John baptized with water in view of Christ’s coming
● Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan
● John saw Spirit descending from heaven on Christ
● Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit
● After Christ baptized/John & Jesus' disciples baptize
● Jesus' disciples then baptized more than John
● As promised, God raised up for Israel a Savior--Jesus
● Baptism in Christ supersedes John’s baptism
● John said we should believe on Christ after him
● God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit & power
Baptism is a cleansing of a soul from all previous sin.
Darkness has only the clarity of nothing.
BaptismAM2.mp3 (41m 16s)
Baptism is the answer of a good conscience to His call.
"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, ..." ~ Isaiah 1:16
It is God who calls us to cease from evil and
wash ourselves in the truth of His light.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. ..." ~ Matthew 23:25-26
One can only find spiritual cleanness from the inside
where the heart dwells. The outside mask more often
conceals hidden agendas of self seeking.
... But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. ~ 1st Corinthians 6:11
It is a call to be transparent purging the hypocrisy that blinds a soul in lies.
Obedience Creates Relationship
● Washed
● Sanctified
● Justified
"I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." ~ Mark 1:8
It is through Jesus that we received the blessings,
showered upon us all, by the Holy Spirit. To be immersed in
the Holy Spirt is to be open to the very truth of God Himself.
"... He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." ~ Matthew 3:11
It is through Jesus that salvation is offered
with the definite expectation of judgment.
... "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." ~ Acts 1:5
Jesus Himself told the Apostles of the coming
of His kingdom through the Holy Spirit of truth.
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, ... ~ Acts 2:1-2
On the Day of Pentecost, Jesus ascended and the Holy Spirit descended
upon those present as they became immersed in Him, His Spirit.
The truth of God touches all
Day of Pentecost
● Sound From Heaven
● Rushing Mighty Wind
● Filled the Whole House
... And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ~ Acts 2:3-4
Miraculous happens occurred as
the Holy Spirit moved the mere flesh of man.
... astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. ~ Acts 10:44-45
The Holy Spirit continued to be poured out upon the Gentiles,
as God’s call to all is now abundantly clear.
... "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" ~ Acts 10:46-47
To believe truth or not is the question of God
1) Received Holy Spirit
2) Not be baptized? ⭳
God refuses none who come asking for His mercy
and grace, if in accordance with His will.
"And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning." ~ Acts 11:15
The blessing of the Holy Spirit is to reveal the power in truth.
"... He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." ~ Matthew 3:11-12
In view of the Holy Spirit of truth now being upon us all,
judgment is a warning call to all as well.
"'... "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'" ~ Matthew 13:30
God has a plan and those that do not abide in His ways will be discarded.
... each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test ... ~ 1st Corinthians 3:13-14
It will be the brightness of God Himself that will burn away all
pretentiousness revealing the naked soul. Our works will divulge
our character either be they godly or demonic.
If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. ... ~ 1st Corinthians 3:15-17
Only through assimilating in His Spirit, and the calling of His ways, will
bring a spirit into the presence and fullness of His commanding light.
... that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ... ~ 1st Peter 1:7
Each one will either awake in glory or dread upon His coming.
There is no inbetween.
... the day of the Lord will come ... the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. ~ 2nd Peter 3:10
A washing of all material is coming whereby
only the spirits of goodness will survive.
... in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 2nd Thessalonians 1:8
God has declared for all to know, and for those that refuse to hear
the significance of His coming, and announced commands,
only damnation awaits for the disobedient.
... cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. ~ Revelation 20:14-15
There is no cry to be heard in Hell
Lake of Fire = Second Death
⭨
Cast into → Absence from God
The lake of fire is synonymous with destruction. It is again
where the fire burns all evil away from His presence.
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. ... ~ Hebrews 9:27-28
Reincarnation is not part of God’s eternal plan. Reincarnation is a
coward’s excuse for giving sin precedence over obedience to God. Once
dead, and then resurrection to final judgment is what He has announced.
... who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? ~ 1st Corinthians 15:29
One cannot substitute for the real thing. No one can be baptized
for another. The dead who await judgment are sealed in the fate
of their own works, and by His fiery breath, of truth, all will bare all.
... leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, ... ~ Hebrews 6:1-2
Contention has no place where love takes precedence.
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, ... ~ Titus 3:3-4
To rise past our sin we must first acknowledge our sin.
In view of our sin, we can then be humbled by the mercy of His love.
... He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ ... ~ Titus 3:5-7
Be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, for those obedient to
the faith, once delivered. One cannot argue with what God has done.
Acceptance is part of salvation.
Baptism is elementary to a higher conduct call
● God calls for us to cease to do evil
● Jesus says only an inner cleanness makes one clean
● John said Jesus would baptize / Holy Spirit and fire
● Pentecost / Holy Spirit miraculously filled disciples
● Holy Spirit fell upon Gentiles in Joppa as at the start
● Individuals are called to be holy as temples of God
● Fire reveals our praise, honor, & glory at His coming
● Earth and the works that are in it will be burned up
● Fire of vengeance on who do not know God or obey
● Not written in the Book of Life is cast into lake of fire
● Christ comes 2nd, apart from sin, for salvation
● One cannot be baptized for the dead or another
● Decree/not to ponder various doctrines of baptisms
Beyond the tangible God remains eternal.
Darkness hides in the emptiness of itself.
BaptismAM3.mp3 (35m 08s)
Baptism is to be immersed in all that one is.
"... and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!" ~ Luke 12:49-50
Jesus ignited a battle of wills between that of God,
and the arrogance of man.
They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory." ~ Mark 10:37
It is by the will of God who He chooses to remain and where.
The Apostles falsely assumed Jesus would conquer the Roman
Empire and dominate by force the physical kingdoms of man.
God is interested in souls more than kingdoms.
... "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" ... ~ Mark 10:38-39
Jesus knew the pain He was to suffer and He felt it prior
to it actually occurring. The Apostles could hardly know what
was to befall them in such a wicked world where the venomous
nature of man rules over the smallest of compassion.
Baptism is surely an immersion into that which is total.
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." ~ Mark 16:16
The Power of God is retrieving souls
Believes + Baptized = Saved
Not Believe = Condemned
There should be no doubt as to what Jesus Himself has said. Arguing
semantics will not absolve one from the simple command He demands.
Simplicity is best found in compliance.
Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." ~ John 3:5
Again, Jesus undeniably states the importance of obedience
as well as a fervent spirit to achieve final salvation.
... all baptized into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free - and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. ~ 1st Corinthians 12:13
There is no division in God, and He calls for unity in Him.
His is not a Spirit that can be divided as He calls for us
to be in the oneness of His proclaimed faith.
... one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ... ~ Ephesians 4:5
Currently, there is only the Great Water Baptism
that God waits on souls to embrace.
... an antitype which now saves us - baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ... ~ 1st Peter 3:21
It is written that baptism is a requirement unto salvation.
It is an essential ingredient of a heart's continuing commitment to God.
Clear Instructions Given
Baptism Saves Us:
● Not Removal of Filth of the Flesh
● Answer of a Good Conscience/God
⭨
Through Resurection of Christ
... with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ~ Romans 10:9-10
And it is by wholehearted open confession in belief that salvation is had.
... brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, ... ~ Hebrews 10:19-21
We now have a direct connection to God through Christ Jesus our Savior.
... let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, ... our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope ... ~ Hebrews 10:22-23
Baptism is just a beginning of plunging into God.
Growth in all aspects of improvement, learning and loving, reaching for,
and honing spiritual discernment, climbs the ladder to heaven.
It is recognizing the removal of the veil between man and God.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ~ Galatians 3:27
It is rising into the character of Christ that we are made whole.
... buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him ... ~ Colossians 2:12-13
The symbolism is undeniable that
through baptism we rise to be alive in Him. It is written that it is
a working of God, as per His promise, to bring salvation to man.
God’s plan entreats the return of souls
Buried with Him in Baptism
↳ In Raised with Him through Faith
↳ In the Working of God
↳ Dead in Your Trespasses
↳ Alive Together with Him
↳ Forgiven you All Trespasses
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ..." ~ Matthew 28:19
As instructed, God calls for His children to take part
in the great retrieval of souls, in returning to His truth, in Spirit.
... "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." ~ Acts 2:38
No friend can offer what God gives
1) Repent
2) Baptized
⮡ Remission of Sins + Holy Spirit Gift
↓
Eternal life
It can be made no clearer than in Acts 2:38. The gift is the promise
of eternal life to all those remaining faithful until the end.
... those who gladly received his word were baptized; ... ~ Acts 2:41
The church of Christ began as many were baptized
upon hearing the command.
... when they believed ... the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. ~ Acts 8:12-13
The message went out and touched the curious of heart,
seekers in the ways of God. One can only wonder of the
amazements witnessed by those first century Christians.
... And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." ... ~ Acts 8:35-37
In full knowledge of God’s plan of salvation, a rational decision can be
made. It is to either want God with one’s all or not. To hesitate is to hold
doubt in one’s heart with other possible extraneous agendas.
... And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. ... ~ Acts 8:38-39
Surely, only rejoicing comes in total submission to God.
'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' ~ Acts 22:16
Only a fool denies what God has requested and commanded.
... many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. ~ Acts 18:8
Upon believing what has been told to us by God Himself, no other
decision can be made but to obey. It is a choice each of us has
to make, or deny. Our actions in accordance to His word
will declare where our motives lie.
Processing Faith
Hearing
⭨
Believed
⭨
Baptized
... we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ~ Romans 6:3-4
God’s plan reveals retrieval
Dead Resurrected
in Sin to New Life
⭨ ⭧
Buried with Christ Jesus
Baptism is not a casual or flippant event. To treat it as such nullifies the
significance of its importance. Many have suggested that infant baptism
is a valid means of salvation. This does not hold up as infants do not have
the cognitive power to realize the magnitude of the event itself. As the
living can not be baptized for the dead, so infant baptism cannot sooth
the conscience of any parent or family member fooled into its worthiness.
To know or not to know reveals the truth.
Baptism is a refreshing of the spirit’s cleansing
● Jesus bore a baptism of suffering
as did His Apostles
● He who believes and is baptized will be saved
● Unless one is born of water & the Spirit, no entry
● By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body
● … one Lord, one faith, one baptism ...
● Antitype / now saves us — baptism through Christ
● Confess/mouth & believe in heart God raised Him
● Baptized into Christ has put on Christ
● Make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
● Repent & be baptized in Christ for/remission of sins
● Knowing His sacrifice, don’t put off His offered gift
● Be baptized and wash away your sins
● Baptized / Christ / His death - rise in newness of life
Salvation calls from the rising waters of baptism.
Darkness searches for what it cannot find.
Encouragement has always been the juice propelling advancement.
5. James Monroe (1817-1825)
“The best form of government is that which is
most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil.”
There is a price tag on human liberty. That price is the willingness
to assume the responsibilities of being free men. Payment
of this price is a personal matter with each of us.”
... you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? ~ Romans 6:15-16
“Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society,
he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe.
And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift we
are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as
well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land.”
“During the darkest days of the Revolutionary War,
the Continental Congress and George Washington - I call him
the first George W. - (laughter and applause) - urged citizens
to pray and to give thanks and to ask for God's protection.”
Remember how short my time is; For what futility have You created all the children of men? ... ~ Psalms 89:47-48
Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, ... ~ Ecclesiastes 12:6
Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, ... ~ Isaiah 46:9
"Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. ..." ~ Revelation 3:3
The test of all civilizations is whether they remember those events
occurring both distant and near in the magnitudes of time and space.
Apathy and indifference lead to weakened citizens subjugated by the
broken ties where love’s strength evaporates upon social despair.
6. John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)
“The highest glory of the American Revolution was this:
it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of
civil government with the principles of Christianity.”
“Is it not that in the chain of human events, the birthday of a nation
is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a
leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that
the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on
the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth? That it laid the
cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?”
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. ~ Proverbs 14:34
“The first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention is the
Bible. I speak as a man of the world to men of the world; and I say to you,
Search the Scriptures! The Bible is the book of all others, to be read at all
ages, and in all conditions of human life; not to be read once or twice
or thrice through, and then laid aside, but to be read in small
portions of one or two chapters every day, and never to be
intermitted, unless by some overruling necessity.”
... they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. ~ Acts 17:11
“The Bible contains the revelation of the will of God.
It contains the history of the creation of the world, and of mankind.”
“The Sermon on the Mount commands me to lay up for myself
treasures, not upon earth, but in Heaven. My hopes of a
future life are all founded upon the Gospel of Christ.”
“There are three points of doctrine the belief of which forms the
foundation of all morality. The first is the existence of God; the second
is the immortality of the human soul; and the third is a future state of
rewards and punishments. Suppose it possible for a man to disbelieve
either of these three articles of faith and that man will have no conscience,
he will have no other law than that of the tiger or the shark. The
laws of man may bind him in chains or may put him to death,
but they never can make him wise, virtuous, or happy.”
Harmony can only be found from within
→ The foundation of all morality
1) The existence of God
2) The immortality of the human soul
3) A future state of rewards & punishments
Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." ~ 1st Corinthians 15:33
“THE Gospel of Christ not only differs from all other systems of religion in
the superior excellence of the truths it reveals, but also in the directions it
gives for the propagation of its doctrines. Other systems seek to advance
themselves by invoking the aid of the secular power, and by forcing men,
against their convictions, to accept a theory repugnant to their views.
They have thus succeeded in thronging their temples with hypocritical
worshippers, bound to their altars through fear and slavish dread. These
systems, in order to maintain themselves, find it necessary to proscribe
and persecute all who differ from them, either in their articles of belief
or mode of worship. But the Gospel of Christ, though it is the infallible
truth of God, expressly prohibits a resort to any such measures for its
advancement. It not only teaches its adherents to utterly abandon the
use of carnal weapons for its propagation, but it also charges them not
to proscribe those who may differ in their views or mode of worship. This
principle is directly expressed in the text and its connection. The teaching
of the Savior has been violated, however, even by his professed followers;
and, in the name of the meek and lowly Jesus, men have gone forth with
proscription, oppression, and persecution, to advance their own opinions,
and crush out that liberty of thought, and those rights of conscience
vouchsafed to man by his Maker, and the free exercise of which is
alone compatible with his personal accountability.”
... we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. ... ~ Galatians 1:8-9
“...he [Muhammad] declared undistinguishing and exterminating war,
as a part of his religion, against all the rest of mankind ...
The precept of the Koran is, perpetual war against all
who deny, that Mahomet is the prophet of God.”
“Of all persecuted sects, the Baptists stand forth as most prominent,
simply and only because they aim at a more complete and thorough
reform than any others ever attempted. They teach that Christ's
kingdom is not of this world; that the church is not a national,
political, or provincial establishment; but a congregation of holy
men, separated from the world by the receiving of the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. ... ~ John 18:36
... "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." ~ Acts 2:38
God's Plan redeems through Christ
Receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit
↓
Repent
——————————
baptized in the name
of Jesus Christ
=
Remission of sins
“Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views
beyond the comprehension of the weak, and that it is doing
God’s service when it is violating all His laws.”
“They taught that the church of which Jesus is the Head, was a spiritual
organization, composed not of those who came into it by hereditary
descent, but of those who were born of the Spirit. But, there has been a
departure from these principles; and organizations now exist, under the
designation of Christian churches, which aim to unite the church and the
world, and introduce the impious, and ungodly, and profane, into Christ's
kingdom – thus reversing his declaration, that his "kingdom is not of this
world." Against this innovation Baptists strenuously protest. We announce,
then, as the Second Feature of the reform in which Baptists are engaged,
THE RESTORATION OF THE SPIRITUALITY OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM.”
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ~ Colossians 2:8
... by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged. ~ Proverbs 28:1-2
“The Lord saw fit to lead me some time by simple faith—a childlike
dependence on the Word of God. And then, when I was emptied of self, I
was filled with glory and with God. For the first time in my life, my soul was
continually satisfied. My need was all supplied. Oh, the fullness of Jesus!
I was saved, fully saved from sin. Years have passed since I received
from the Lord the blessing I sought of him—entire sanctification. During
that time, oh, what a change has taken place in me. I am no longer the
desponding, unhappy creature I was. I do not now grow weary of life. I
love to have the will of God done; and as long as he sees fit to keep me
here, I am willing to stay. Surely, I am a wonderful “miracle of grace.” The
Lord has indeed done great things for me, whereof I am glad. I have often
thought I was a poor, unworthy creature, but I have never known my
unworthiness as I know it now. Oh, how I have been led to loathe myself;
and how I have sunk in self-abasement at the foot of the cross, completely
overwhelmed with a view of self. And oh, how sweet to have Jesus take
me, and wash me in his own precious blood, and realize that I am
cleansed. Oh, how fully Jesus does save. My greatest desire now, is to
live for Jesus; to glorify him by my looks, my actions, my walk, and even
the tones of my voice. I am led to see my own weakness more and more
each day, and this leads me to look to Jesus each moment. And when, in
view of my vileness, I am led to exclaim: “Every moment, Lord, I need,
The merit of Thy death,” I can, by divine grace, triumphantly add :
“Every moment, Lord, I have The merit of Thy death.” I am, indeed,
A poor sinner, and nothing at all, But Jesus Christ is my all in all.”
... but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ~ Galatians 2:20
“Heaven has given to every human being the power of
controlling his passions, and if he neglects or loses it,
the fault is his own, and he must be answerable for it.”
“Whenever vanity and gaiety, a love of pomp and dress, furniture,
equipage, buildings, great company, expensive diversions, and
elegant entertainments get the better of the principles and judgments
of men and women, there is no knowing where they will stop, nor
into what evils, natural, moral, or political, they will lead us.”
... God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. ~ 1st Corinthians 10:13
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more,
do more and become more, you are a leader.”
“It was the special purpose of Christ's appearance
upon earth to bring immortality to light.”
... by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 1:10
In times of uncertainty common sense can at best be elusive.
As warring factions move on deceptions hide sought after truths.
Decency has always been a hope stolen, by oppressive power
mongers, afflicting the meek. Privilege among God shines with
His loyal angels and obedient saints who share in declared
noble given gifts and or qualities, no matter the
condition created by man’s failings.
Emotions alone cannot defend against truth
● Liberty involves responsibility over careless mayhem
● All pray & give thanks & ask for God's protection
● The Bible is the best book for the revival of humanity
● Morality is set up by God’s existence and immortality
● Coming judgment of good and bad tempers decency
● False religion employs the secular to enforce tyranny
● Opinions of man violate God’s call for godly morality
● God’s congregation = those receiving the Holy Spirit
● Power blinds those from seeing the meek’s wisdom
● Christ’s kingdom holds those born of spirit
● Ultimate devotion yields to the love of Jesus
● Self-Control is heaven’s test all must answer to
● Salvation from sin comes by following Jesus
Darkness is like a bad tooth rotting from the inside out.
If we abandon principles in truth, we condemn all that precedes after us.
7. Andrew Jackson (1829-1837)
“That book [Bible], sir, is the Rock on which our Republic rests.”
“As long as our government is administered for the good of the people,
and is regulated by their will; as long as it secures to us the rights of
person and property, liberty of conscience, and of the press,
it will be worth defending.”
Freedom has risen out of ages of oppression
Worth Defending:
● Rights of Person and Property
● Liberty of conscience
↳ and of press
“From the earliest ages of history to the present day there have never
been thirteen millions of people associated in one political body who
enjoyed so much freedom and happiness as the people of these United
States. You have no longer any cause to fear dangers from abroad
... It is from within, among yourselves - from cupidity, from corruption,
from disappointed ambition and inordinate thirst for power
- that factions will be formed and liberty endangered ...”
Freedom is only free when concern for others is the Bond
Endangered liberty is from within:
● Cupidity (Greedy Meanness)
● Corruption
● Disappointed ambition
● Inordinate thirst for power
"What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. ..." ~ Mark 7:20-23
Freedom is in the power of heart to overcome.
“Every man is equally entitled to protection by law. But when the laws
undertake to add... artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and
exclusive privileges—to make the rich richer and the potent more
powerful— the humble members of society—the farmers, mechanics,
and laborers, who have neither the time nor the means of securing
like favors to themselves, have a right to complain
of the injusticeof their government.”
“But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance
by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price
if you wish to secure the blessing.”
“I am one of those who do not believe that a national debt is
a national blessing, but rather a curse to a republic; inasmuch as
it is calculated to raise around the administration a moneyed
aristocracy dangerous to the liberties of the country.”
“The bold effort the present (central) bank had made to control
the government ... are but premonitions of the fate that await the
American people should they be deluded into a perpetuation of
this institution or the establishment of another like it.”
“You are a den of vipers. I intend to rout you out and by the Eternal God
I will rout you out. If the people only understood the rank injustice of our
money and banking system, there would be a revolution before morning.”
“I weep for the liberty of my country when I see at this early day
of its successful experiment that corruption has been imputed to
many members of the House of Representatives, and the rights
of the people have been bartered for promises of office.”
“It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend
the acts of government to their own selfish purposes.”
“Finally, it is my most fervent prayer to that Almighty Being
before whom I now stand, and who has kept us in His hands
from the infancy of our Republic unto the present day, that He
will so overrule all my intentions and actions and inspire the hearts
of my fellow-citizens that we may be preserved from dangers
of all kinds and continue forever a united and happy people.”
... The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ~ James 5:16
“Go to the Scriptures... the joyful promises it contains
will be a balsam to all your troubles.”
"The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. ..." ~ Matthew 13:38-42
... when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." ~ Matthew 13:43-46
By desire a soul declares its’ own destiny. Rather would
one have the world’s substance on an empty plate, or should
an intoxicating heavenly wonder fill the spirit from beyond?
The path to freedom is found in the miracles of God.
8. Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)
"There is a power in public opinion in this country - and I thank God for it:
for it is the most honest and best of all powers - which will not tolerate
an incompetent or unworthy man to hold in his weak or wicked hands
the lives and fortunes of his fellow-citizens."
“The less government interferes with private pursuits,
the better for general prosperity.”
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ~ James 4:7
Free people can only remain free if morally responsible.
Immorality increases corruption and enslaves all to
servitude under despair, as the ages have told.
Citizens relinquish their unity to being powerless subjects.
"All forms of religion have united for the first time to diffuse charity
and piety, because for the first time in the history of nations all have
been totally untrammeled and absolutely free."
Railroad carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of fifteen miles
per hour by engines which, in addition to endangering life and limb of
passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire
to the crops, scaring the livestock, and frightening women and children.
The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel
at such break-neck speed.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, ... ~ 2nd Peter 3:9
“I only look to the gracious protection of the Divine Being whose
strengthening support I humbly solicit, and whom I fervently pray to look
down upon us all. May it be among the dispensations of His Providence to
bless our beloved country with honors and with length of days; may her
ways beways of pleasantness, and all her paths be peace.”
“It affords me sincere pleasure to be able to apprise you
of the entire removal of the Cherokee Nation of Indians
to their new homes west of the Mississippi.”
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ~ 1st Peter 5:8
“The atonement of Jesus Christ is the only remedy and rest for my soul.”
"To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him." ~ Daniel 9:9
Though men warn men of impending perils, fathers to sons,
they heed not. God’s call goes out, and for those that refuse to hear
will have their very lives to pay, as retribution will have her justice.
The plagues of man’s failings endanger those freedoms hard sought
for, throughout the ages, where all desire for life. History can stage
various views depending upon the ideals of those reporting. It is
said that history is written by the victors. That which is obvious
paints many unknown corridors left to the shadows of the past,
where God alone will judge the merits of a soul.
Every day at almost all moments hearts cry out for freedom
from bondage. A hope where sanctuaries would prevail over the
collapsing chaos of fear and widespread derision. Surely, peace is
taken from a people when their disgust blinds them from feeling
those things most important in expressing whole spiritual family
lives; God, family, and country. Unspeakable sadness comes when
desperation utterly befalls a land; broken hearts littering a selfishly
dominated realm hiding from the love that has driven souls to
achieve more. Unity embraces purposes of heart. Strength of truth
and or spiritual fortitude is not something that remains isolated
among those chasms of confusion where anger thrusts in the
oblivion that destroys us. Love lost is a person and or people most
pitiful. Honesty is the amazement of love. A nation cannot survive
on less. Do our monuments look forward or are they frozen in times
past, swept into the illusions of prior grandeur? When graves beset
what is gone, the church is on the horizon as the last victory residing
in all faithful that adhere to those higher true ways of God.
Civilizations that reach out climbing for morally more define the
depth and riches bequeathed to the inheritance of what their
cherished children hold dear.~ Ron Bert
"Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted." ~ Matthew 5:4
Who mourns for all those sons gone before forgotten by man?
God Almighty hands out grace to all
● The Bible holds values that built America’s Republic
● Civil rights & liberty of conscious is worth defending
● In-house corruption & abuse of power defeats all
● Pompous elitists steal social tranquility
● National debt imprisons liberty to servitude
● Federal banking shackles honest business
● Bribes and scheming politicians sour nobility
● Pray God He protects us uniting our rejoicing hearts
● It is scripture that frees a soul from troubles
● Public opinion impacts accountability on who govern
● Traditions and opinions can blur clear truth
● Ignorance and bigotry embrace mortal mistakes
● Atonement in Christ is a soul’s only real rest
Darkness sinks endlessly.
Life is a fight to see the business of living.
9. William Henry Harrison (1841)
"We admit of no government by divine right, believing that so far as power
is concerned the Beneficent Creator has made no distinction amongst
men; that all are upon an equality, and that the only legitimate right
to govern is an express grant of power from the governed."
"I deem the present occasion sufficiently important and solemn to justify
me in expressing to my fellow-citizens a profound reverence for the
Christian religion and a thorough conviction that sound morals,
religious liberty, and a just sense of religious responsibility are
essentially connected with all true and lasting happiness; ….”
Clear how to obtain peace beyond understanding
True and lasting happiness
● Sound Morals
● Religious Liberty
● Sense of Religious Responsibility
"… and to that good Being who has blessed us by the gifts of civil
and religious freedom, who watched over and prospered the labors of
our fathers and has hitherto preserved to us institutions far exceeding
in excellence those of any other people, let us unite in fervently
commending every interest of our beloved country in all future time."
... I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ... ~ 1st Timothy 2:1-4
“I believe and I say it is true Democratic feeling,
that all the measures of the Government are directed to
the purpose of making the rich richer and the poor poorer.”
“There is nothing more corrupting, nothing more destructive of the noblest
and finest feelings of our nature, than the exercise of unlimited power.”
“Conscience, that vicegerent of God in the human heart,
whose "still small voice" the loudest revelry cannot drown.”
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," ... ~ Isaiah 30:21
“I contend that the strongest of all governments is that which is most free.”
10. John Tyler (1841-1845)
“Let it be henceforth proclaimed to the world that man's conscience was
created free; that he is no longer accountable to his fellow man for his
religious opinions, being responsible therefore only to his God.”
“The United States have adventured upon a great and noble experiment,
which is believed to have been hazarded in the absence of all
previous precedent - that of total separation of Church and State.
No religious establishment by law exists among us.
The conscience is left free from all restraint and each is
permitted to worship his Maker after his own judgement.”
“. . . The offices of the Government are open alike to all.
No tithes are levied to support an established Hierarchy, nor is the
fallible judgment of man set up as the sure and infallible creed of faith.
... Such is the great experiment which we have tried, and ... our
system of free government would be imperfect without it.”
“Our form of government can no longer be considered an experiment in
politics. Crowned with success, it stands forth an example to the world
and exhibits the proudest triumph of reason and philosophy.”
“If we find ourselves increasing beyond example in numbers, in strength,
in wealth, in knowledge, in everything which promotes human and social
happiness, let us ever remember our dependence for all these on the
protection and merciful dispensations of Divine Providence.”
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ~ Romans 8:28
11. James K. Polk (1845-1849)
“Under the blessings of Divine Providence ...
It becomes us in humility to make our devout acknowledgments
to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for the inestimable civil
and religious blessings with which we are favored.”
“Under the benignant providence of Almighty God the representatives
of the States and of the people are again brought together to deliberate
for the public good. The gratitude of the nation to the sovereign arbiter
of all human events should be commensurate with the boundless
blessings which we enjoy. Peace, plenty, and contentment reign
throughout our borders, and our beloved country presents
a sublime moral spectacle to the world.”
“Thank God, under our Constitution there was no connection between
Church and State, and that in my action as President of the United States
I recognized no distinction of creeds in my appointments office.”
“There are four great measures for my administration
- a reduction of tariff, an independent treasury, settlement of
the Oregon boundary and acquisition of California.”
“There is more selfishness and less principle among
members of Congress than I had any conception of,
before I became President of the U.S.”
“The passion for office among members of Congress is very great,
if not absolutely disreputable, and greatly embarrasses
the operations of the Government. They create offices by
their own votes and then seek to fill them themselves.”
"Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered." ~ Luke 11:52
It is not easy to climb out of the pits of mortal suffering, but it must
be accomplished if joy in Him is to be had over the mundane on
goings of mankind. Our foundation is the light heaven gives. - Ron Bert
Those who stand in God endure the fires of life
● No earthly government is of a divine right
● Happiness = by sound morals/religious liberty & duty
● Let us eagerly praise our unity under God’s blessings
● Governments/man selectively enhance the rich few
● Unlimited power often corrupts one’s noblest nature
● Conscience, God regarded, differentiates good & bad
● Freedoms highest responsibility is to God
● No United States laws establish religious preference
● The USA is founded on reason and philosophy
● Never forget merciful blessings of Divine Providence
● Keep devout acknowledgement of God’s blessings
● Working together as one people exposes godliness
● Thirst for power & selfish vices invade the noble
Governments without regard for God exalt criminality.
Darkness finds all that is lost in hurt.
Across the meadows of life He holds time together.
... "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." ~ John 1:51
Unique to the book of John, “Most Assuredly” is translated from AMEN, AMEN.
"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from tshe law till all is fulfilled." ~ Matthew 5:18
His control stretches into the vastness of all that is.
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." ~ John 3:3
To be born again is God calling us back to know Him.
Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." ~ John 3:5
The Bible is clear on condition God calls out for one to obey His word in Spirit and truth.
"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." ~ Mark 10:15
Innocence of heart is a pure heart. God calls one to gain a pure heart upon our waiting for time’s end.
... "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." ~ Matthew 18:3
Definitely a call to convert to a faithful heart in full trust is the call into His kingdom.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness." ~ John 3:11
Many do not care to hear the truth God has delivered for all to know.
... "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." ~ John 5:19
While on earth Jesus proclaim His divinity.
God does not hide from Himself.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, ..." ~ John 5:24
A glorious call to rise from death into life.
"... assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear ..." ~ Matthew 13:15-17
Coming to God reveals true heart
☞ See with eyes
☊ Hear with ears ☊
Understand with their hearts
Turn, so that I should heal them
↓
∴ Blessed ∵
Your eyes for they see
Your ears for they hear
It is a call to see and hear what He has proclaimed Himself
along with His chosen Apostles, all meant for us to understand
the blessing set forth for all.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live." ~ John 5:25
There is an underlying fabric to the truth that touches us all. Hearing the
divine call brings that blessing that makes life’s purpose clearer; to live!
... "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." ~ John 6:26
If one desires for God to give, and expects it, the true spiritual
value of loving Him for what He has already done goes missed.
... "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven." ~ John 6:32
God is showing us that we need Him to survive,
and it is more than the mere physical.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life." ~ John 6:47
It is a process of knowing the destination.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." ~ John 6:53
Jesus is the source of all life.
Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin." ~ John 8:34
To turn from that which is truth, in all its goodness,
divides all reason for why the light of creation exists,
keeping it foreign from the depths of a sinning soul.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death." ~ John 8:51
The flesh is in a continual cycle of death, and there is only one way
to rejuvenate what plants true life; The word He has spoken to us all.
Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." ~ John 8:58
Jesus has proclaimed His divinity and
His authority can not be superseded.
"... assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." ~ John 10:1
Jesus has set the standard for our approach
and return to what God expects of us.
Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep." ~ John 10:7
To follow Him is to find eternal life in the peace of His love, offered
freely to all, through His magnanimous example of self-sacrifice.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; ... ~ John 12:24
In an age of ages where most hold the
despair of death, He calls us to live!
"Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him." ~ John 13:16
In His service, and absolute acts of kindness, He came
to reveal truth to our hearts. He waits to see that part of us
that understands His call to service one another.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me." ~ John 13:20
Most in life do not receive others deluded in their selfish struggles to
overcome self-inflicted loneliness’s trapped in chasms of anger. Rejection
of His holy truths bears greater gravity than the mere rejection of men and
their dominating doctrines. What God has sent forth is to save us, from
not just ourselves but from all those deceptions the world would
snare one with, and we are commanded to hear this word.
... "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." ~ John 13:21
It is troubling that so many of us are against one another.
"... Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times." ~ John 13:38
His call is a challenge to all that is noble in one, to turn from
that wicked bone of cowardice that succumbs to the weakness of fear.
That fear which flies all about and around tearing tranquility from
the peace of our homes and families to the detriment of all.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, ..." ~ John 14:12
Works of heart and love is what leads a soul to salvation and
draws the light of God Himself to shine refuge upon true believers.
"Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, ..." ~ John 16:20
We will not escape the sufferings mortal life presents to all, but in
His bosom we find the joy of His love in the truth of why and who He is.
"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you." ~ John 16:23
To accept Him and expect nothing is when true love
for Him and His gifts becomes more than apparent.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, ..." ~ John 21:18-19
Many have been called to make sacrifices in the face of man’s
wrath for man. Again, with an eye on the eternal destination,
there can be no regret for Love of God and His truth.
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ John 10:27
It comes down to His call, do you hear, and if you do, it is a walk and
a talk one can not abandon Him and reap the rewards of His promises.
Following His word brings Light to life
● The angels remain with the Son of Man
● One must be born again to see the kingdom of God
● One must receive the kingdom of God
● One must be converted as a child of God
● The Word is what turns hearts back to God
● Those who hear and believe Jesus will live
● Only entirely embracing Christ’s sacrifice saves
● Sin can trap one as a confined slave
● One who keeps God’s word will never see death
● Jesus is the only door one must enter through
● Great works of faith come by belief in Jesus
● Joy in God rises past the sufferings of man
● Heaven can only be entered through God’s plan
Without Jesus, we would not know God’s will for us.
Darkness offers all that cannot be found.
Desire for God should never subside with every breath.
... as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, ... ~ 1st Peter 2:2
... 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' ... ~ Matthew 22:37-38
"... the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." ~ John 4:14
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. ~ 1st John 1:7
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 6:23
"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ..." ~ Acts 17:30
"He must increase, but I must decrease." ~ 1st John 3:30
... Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." ~ Joshua 1:9
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." ~ Matthew 11:28
He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. ~ Psalms 147:3
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1st John 1:9
"Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. ~ Ephesians 4:26-27
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. ~ Psalms 34:17
"... Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." ~ John 14:27
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid ..." ~ Deuteronomy 31:6
... casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. ~ 1st Peter 5:7
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! ~ Psalms 27:14
... Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. ~ Psalms 42:5
... they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. ~ 2nd Timothy 4:3-4
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." ~ John 14:6
God is the best medicine for spiritual health
● Desire the pure word as it nurtures the soul
● Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind
● His quenching living water swells into everlasting life
● Walking in His light brings fellowship /clean from all sin
● God’s gift is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
● God now commands all men everywhere to repent
● I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
● He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds
● Do not let the sun go down on your wrath
● Let the peace of God settle your heart
● Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you
● Beware of man’s rules that sway away from God
● Jesus the way, the truth, and the life
Darkness has no care for light.
Diligence helps open a soul’s abilities.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder ... ~ Hebrews 11:6
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ~ Romans 10:17
Faith is established by the Word of God
FAITH ↔ HEARING
HEARING ↔ WORD OF GOD
FAITH ↔ HEARING ↔ WORD OF GOD
FAITH ↔ WORD OF GOD
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen. ~ Hebrews 11:1
Without faith the hopeless crumble
FAITH = HOPE
For we walk by faith, not by sight. ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:7
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ~ Romans 10:10
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." ~ John 14:1
... "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." ~ John 6:35
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ~ 2nd Timothy 2:15
I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. ~ Proverbs 8:17
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. ~ Proverbs 4:23
You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. ~ Psalms 119:4
"Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart ..." ~ Deuteronomy 4:9
Clear instructions for the faithful
Heart
Take Heed
Diligently Keep Yourself
→ Lest You
Forget
Depart
→ Teach
Your Children
Grandchildren
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. ~ Proverbs 21:5
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds; ~ Proverbs 27:23
... to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ... ~ Romans 12:10-12
... each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, ... ~ Hebrews 6:11-12
... giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, ... ~ 2nd Peter 1:5-7
... be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; ... ~ 2nd Peter 1:10-11
... be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; ~ 2nd Peter 3:14
... since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked, but grow ... ~ 2nd Peter 3:17-18
Many if not most chose to ignore the word of God in pursuit of worldly
pleasures. Societies more often are built on the lusts of heart rather than
the reasoning’s of God. God extends patience to all who live in the
confines of this egg He calls flesh. As we hatch in life it is a choice and a
decision to do it with purpose, or one weakly succumbs to the random
haphazard encounters, allowing those occurrences to control one’s life.
Either one diligently masters control of heart or the free reign of evils face
engulfs those righteous and just freedoms God offers. To angrily blame
God for human failings is to deny God. He calls us to soberly strengthen
ourselves in diligent service with our lives, which is our reasonable
service. Love of God and country rises higher than self,
and if not, oblivion and tortures unknown unfold.
In pursuit of God one finds true life
● To please God, one must believe that He is
● He rewards those that diligently seek Him
● Faith is hope of what cannot be seen
● For we walk by faith, not by sight
● From the heart one believes as confessions save
● Rightly dividing the word finds God’s approval
● Love of God drives a diligent heart to find Him
● A diligent heart flourishes upon the issues of life
● Be diligent & forget not but teach what you know
● Diligence prepares one to live a more secure life
● Do not lag in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving God
● Be diligent, not sluggish, with faith and patience
● Diligently unceasingly add virtues to your character
Darkness has no notice.
Respect for God regards His notice to be upright.
... Says the Lord. "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word." ~ Isaiah 66:1-2
The Lord looks to see who fears Him as it is a sign of honoring Him.
Fearing His Word is a sign of respect in accepting Him as true.
... cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, ... ~ Proverbs 2:1-3
A mortal lifetime is shy in coming to all that we can be.
It is however a ground level that we all must rise from. Will the
luster of our soul come to understand a living brilliance through God?
We all reach out for wisdom and thereby insecurities are purged. Fear lies
in the bed of the blind. Wisdom is not readily retrieved from searching
through outside knowledge, it is naturally known from within.
True wisdom is written by God on a pleading heart.
... search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. ... ~ Proverbs 2:4-6
The Lord is there for each of us, if we gain understanding, in what He has
given. Relationship comes by diligently seeking Him through His Word in
prayer. This fear of God in intermingled with great awe and unending
love which stretches timelessly across the heart of one’s devotion.
God tells us to understand fear through knowledge which will
deliver His generous wisdom and shield of strength.
"... God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin." ~ Exodus 20:20
Respect for the Lord is a test to see if we will commit, and to
admit, that He is. He is attempting to teach us to not ignore Him,
over preferring instead rebellious sinful ways.
... fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, ... ~ Joshua 24:14
He looks for hearts of sincerity, in truth, regarding Him and His
pronounced Word. In life one battles either serving self or God. May our
extremes draw us closer to Him rather than excusing the sins we battle.
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him. ~ Psalms 89:7
God is Holy and should be regarded as such with every breath.
'Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the LORD your God.' ~ Leviticus 25:17
Mankind’s desire for possessions and others has
led him away from the Holy ordinances of decency.
... but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart ... ~ Deuteronomy 10:12-13
As the Lord’s people He requires us to be loyal to His ways. He
commands for us to keep, to the best of our abilities, those things He has
declared, in the ways we should be. Sacrifice is a sign of obedience over
the selfish desires swelling from the heart of man. Mercy dwells among
all mature. To excuse sin is to deny God. Though God has the power to
destroy us, His love is greater hoping we embrace His shield of grace.
Submitting to God is what all need TO do.
God's TO DO Requirements for faithful
● To fear the LORD your God
● To walk in all His ways
● To love Him
● To serve the LORD with your all
● To keep His commandments
"Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you." ~ 1st Samuel 12:24
In view of His majesty how can one not openly serve Him?
He is offering each of us salvation into the goodness that He is.
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. ~ Psalms 112:1
Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. ~ Psalms 128:1
Blessings come from acknowledging Him and following His ways.
If you want a blessing, come to the LORD and He will heal your heart.
The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. ~ Psalms 147:11
And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. ~ Luke 1:50
Mercy is a high ideal offered to all those who love Him.
Hope for mercy co-mingles with our fear of God.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, ... ~ Psalms 103:17-18
Mercy is conditional in that He expects one
to follow His will imaging the goodness He has shown us,
and keeping to His Word. Do we choose to purposely forget what
we do not want to know? Civilizations have done this throughout time.
When His knowledge is forgotten, destruction looms over the horizon.
... let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, ... ~ 2nd Chronicles 19:7
It is a command of God that fear of His greatness be upon us.
Respect has the quality of honoring that which is reverenced.
The Lord is Pure and Holy and waits for our response
to His call, to acknowledge Him and humbly return.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; ... ~ Psalms 19:9
By the visible great power of God, in His creation alone, demands
tremendous regard beyond measure. If one chooses not to believe
in God, do not lie against the truth in what has come to be,
as Jesus said, believe because of the works done,
which are miraculous by any standard.
Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. ~ Psalms 33:8
Many people are just in to the earth and what it can offer,
disregarding the Lord who holds all. This world is His staging
ground for harvesting seeds that blossom in to His kingdom of glory.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, ... ~ Psalms 33:18
God is not telling us just to fear Him but to include hope as
part of our salvation thoughts of heart. Fear and regard for Him
is only part of the depth He offers for souls that love Him.
A deepening spirit rises to touch eternity.
You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. ~ Psalms 115:11
The Bible is more a medical book than anything else.
It instructs us what to be “in” to so as to achieve peace inside spiritual
fulfillment, and the healing calm from the outside tortures of the flesh.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. ~ Proverbs 1:7
One may not realize it but consciousness is a gift of God. Through our
awakening from the infant state, knowledge is given by God, and by
understanding His presence, life in His kingdom is established.
Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, ... ~ Proverbs 1:29
... Yet they say to God, 'Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways.' ~ Job 21:13-14
... it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, ... ~ Proverbs 19:2
For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. ~ Ecclesiastes 1:18
One has to wonder if the world is not just filled with so many
stumbling fools. Ignorance is bliss is not what the Bible tells us.
We are told wisdom increases sorrows and who welcomes this?
Knowledge is an unavoidable purse whose weight increases over
time. It is declared that grief (pain) is an escalator in mortal life.
Under this curse, without God, how can one bear up?
We are told to pursue knowledge and that in this pursuit, suffering will
most certainly ensue. It is easier to avoid the responsibility of acquiring
knowledge with the already stated natural effects. Strong spirits are called
for in this empire of despair. No matter, knowledge refines the sharpness
of thought. The weak do not welcome the suffering that makes one
stronger. No one genuinely wants grief but for by it, the heart is humbled,
and healed from falling from His grace, if patience is employed for love’s
sake. Better to leave the world crippled than to stand proud as oblivion
consumes life. Grief is a prelude to death, a warning call from God.
The purpose of grief is to draw us closer to God.
"And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.' " ~ Job 28:28
Choices define character. Many have chosen to dismiss His will,
declaring birth defects or deviant attributes as an excuse, absolving
one from accountability to Him. We are all told not to be deceived, and
the immoral have no regard for His will as they reject His knowledge
brazenly, in the face of His judgment to come. His repeated message
is to turn back to Him, and His ways over the flesh, and it is a test in
desire for Him over self. One cannot truly obtain the wealth of
wisdom if sin is not reckoned as evil and purposely purged.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. ~ Proverbs 3:7
When we see only ourselves we miss the greatness of all else. How
short the shallow when they stand higher than God. Emphasis on self
as a finite mortal lord lacks humble awareness of His eternal presence.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. ~ Proverbs 8:13
God calls us to not only depart from evil but to hate its’ very existence.
Evil is the misery we all endure as we wait to arrive at eternities door.
Even for those that believe in God, if there is not fear or regard for His
ways, one’s faith is void of the works He calls out for in us, in loving
dedication to Him. Fearfully we all fall short requiring the gift of His grace.
In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. ~ Proverbs 16:6
Christ bore the burden of all of our iniquities so as to be able to
present us back to God redeemed. This redemption is found, and had,
in abiding in what God has called us out to be in, in Him. One should
fear that sins are not forgiven, with death as the final result, without His
conditional mercy offered through grace. It remains conditional for us in
that He demands we come humbly and repentfuly to Him seeking His
ways. In this reconciliation, we should hold Jesus as more valuable
than gold, for the life He sacrificed, so we might ably live.
Who but God has the Power of Creation?
● God looks for the contrite who tremble at His word
● In wisdom one understands the fear of the LORD
● Fear of God is a test in not sinning
● Fear the LORD serving Him in sincerity and in truth
● Fear the LORD, to walk in all His ways & to love Him
● Blessed are who fear the LORD & walk in His ways
● Fearing Him and hoping in His mercy pleases God
● Let the fear of the LORD be upon you
● The fear of the LORD is clean
when trust is applied
● The eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him
● The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge
● The fear of the LORD is to hate evil
● By the fear of the LORD one departs from evil
Peace is upon those who trust God in fear.
Darkness holds no shadow of doubt.
FearOfGodAM2.mp3 (31m 27s)
Fearing the Lord is to regard Him as a Father.
... I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. ... ~ Jeremiah 32:38-40
In the depths of Godly fear comes the highest love.
The fear of the LORD prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. ~ Proverbs 10:27
Time is not a luxury for the mortal. Without exercising knowledge in Him,
empty voids fill the loneliness as the years evaporate to meaningless.
If one’s anchor is found in the earth, it only leaves a taste of dust.
Fear is a result of being trapped in time.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; ... ~ Psalms 111:10
Competence in all aspects of life depends on a keen understanding
of the ways of God. One cannot be wise without the
ordinances of God buried in one’s bosom.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ~ Proverbs 9:10
By not believing in God denies one access to all higher order
conditions of existence, including spiritual illumination in the
current state. The fear of the Lord gives us something truly
larger than life, the substance of life itself.
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. ~ Proverbs 15:33
For understanding to be had in its’ fullest realization,
truth must be incorporated as the essential foundation.
Lies lead to ditches where the blind claim sight. We are all
blind and only by His insights are we able to spiritually stand.
In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. ~ Proverbs 14:26
It is the fear of God that makes us safe,
not our surrounding situations or conditions.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. ~ Proverbs 14:27
By the fear of the Lord life overcomes death to those who believe
and act on their faith. Holy belief is not something one shamefully
hides in a closet. The shameless pervert His true calling, to enter
through Him, adhering to the temporary mask of fleshliness.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. ~ Proverbs 15:16
Coughing on the flesh, and consumption of things, cannot compare to the
release the Spirit gives in salvations promise. Without the fear of the Lord
one can only spin on troubles. The benefits the Lord delivers has no
comparison. The entire wealth of God’s treasuries opens to all faithful.
The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. ~ Proverbs 19:23
The bond in connecting with God draws a depth
of peace surpassing the confines of this world.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. ~ Psalms 145:19
Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. ~ Psalms 34:9
A great blessing to be satisfied in the Lord
through fear of His awesomeness.
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. ~ Psalms 25:14
The Lord holds the floodgates of wisdom, reserved for those thirsty
for Him. He fills those who fearfully regard His reservoir of forever.
By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life. ~ Proverbs 22:4
Honor and riches rise from within where true life is had.
Love of God, family, and country are noble qualities that diminish,
to the detriment of all, as civilizations fall away from God.
Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; ~ Proverbs 23:17
The fear of God is extremely healthy, refreshing the spirit with a focus on
all things higher. The fear and or regard for His Word brings one in to the
best mental state one can achieve. Do not envy, be thankful. Applying
these God given principles is a quest spanning an entire lifetime.
Fear is an intricate part of a larger set of values. His desire is
that we find a deepest peace in love where we are.
The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. ~ Proverbs 29:25
Sadness afflicts all mankind and only by trusting in
God are we able to shed these oppressive shackles.
... let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. ~ 2nd Corinthians 7:1
In view of the promise He has made upon our return,
is it so much to follow what He asks of us?
... walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. ~ Acts 9:31
In fear of Him we are comforted by the notion we are in service to Him.
May it be so when we see Him for who He is.
But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. ~ Acts 10:35
God is looking for righteousness over despicableness and fits of anger.
Peace is a byproduct of true belief in God.
"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." ~ Matthew 10:28
Proper regard is to be doubly fearful of not achieving
heaven bound graces. To ignore the fear of God, in His great glory,
denies eternal life and renders hell’s abyss.
... if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, ... ~ Hebrews 10:26-27
Fury has no equal in its’ rising heat of heart.
Denying one’s love and devotion back to God is devastating.
His fury brews for those rejecting His Fatherly love.
... let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. ~ Hebrews 12:28-29
One needs to find, and secure, service in regard
to His nature, having compassion on all.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ~ Hebrews 10:31
The Bible is instructing us to be wise and prepare for that moment
of rejoicing over regret for not being ready. To gain that key opening
eternity, one has to accept His given word and apply these numerous
noble values, to the best of ones abilities, with whatever powers
one might have. We are all prisoners with no excuse as He offers
to unlock us from bondage. God does not debate as He waits.
... conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; ... ~ 1st Peter 1:17
Fear of God is commitment to God by which true ageless
understanding comes. In fear of Him our conduct grows
for the better and our heart’s love enlarges.
... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ... ~ Philippians 2:12
Our relationship is one most personal and individual.
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. ~ 1st Peter 2:17
Without His truth, even the simplest of eternal pleasures are made
impossible. His sacrifice has set us free to know God and ourselves; in
the mirror of creation He reflects these truths to those that would have
Him. Blessed are those that have the true character of God in their spirit.
Fear, love, and honor, this is what hones all of His saints.
Acknowledgement for God yields reverent hearts
● The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
● The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom
● In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence
● The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life
● The fear of the LORD leads to life
prolonging days
● Whom fear God, He will show them His covenant
● The fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life
● Seeing His promises we must perfect holiness in fear
● Walk in the fear of the Lord comforted by the Holy Spirit
● Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body
● Willfully sinning = a fearful expectation of judgment
● Serve God acceptably with reverence & godly fear
● Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling
Darkness slides without direction.
Not keeping God’s divine truths destroys cultures.
12. Zachary Taylor (1849-1850)
“The Bible is the best of books, and I wish it were in the hands of every
one. It is indispensable to the safety and permanence of our institutions.
A free government can not exist without religion and morals, and there
cannot be morals without religion. Especially should the Bible be placed in
the hands of the young. It is the best school book in the world. I would that
all our people were brought up under the influence of that holy book.”
Without Faith in God Societies Crumble
Bible is the best books
Religion ↔ Morals
↓
Safety
↓
Permanence of our Institutions
⭩ ⭨
Best School Book Free Government
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, ... ~ Hebrews 4:12
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:16
He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. ~ Proverbs 15:32
“A strong reputation is like a good bonfire. When you have one kindled it's
easy to keep the flame burning, even if someone comes along and tries to
piss on it. But if you fall asleep and neglect it...You'll wake up with ashes.”
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved." ~ Matthew 24:13
“The only ground of hope for the continuance of our free institutions is in
the proper moral and religious training of the children, that they may be
prepared to discharge aright the duties of men and citizens.”
“For more than half a century, during which kingdoms and empires
have fallen, this Union has stood unshaken. The patriots who formed
it have long since descended to the grave; yet still it remains,
the proudest monument to their memory. ...”
“In conclusion I congratulate you, my fellow-citizens,
upon the high state of prosperity to which the goodness of
Divine Providence has conducted our common country. Let us
invoke a continuance of the same protecting care which has led
us from small beginnings to the eminence we this day occupy.”
13. Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)
“May God save the country, for it is evident that the people will not.”
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. ~ Proverbs 14:12
“Let us remember that revolutions do not always establish freedom.
Our own free institutions were not the offspring of our revolution.
They existed before.”
Man's desire to be free is intrinsic to God’s own image - Ron Bert
“God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil, for which we are
not responsible, and we must endure it, till we can get rid of it without
destroying the last hope of free government in the world.”
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ~ Galatians 5:1
“The Masonic fraternity tramples upon our rights,
defeats the administration of justice, and bids defiance
to every government which it cannot control.”
“I am tolerant of all creeds. Yet if any sect suffered itself to be used
for political objects I would meet it by political opposition. In my view
church and state should be separate, not only in form, but fact.
Religion and politics should not be mingled.”
“The law is the only sure protection of the weak,
and the only efficient restraint upon the strong.”
The weakest link holds all the hidden truths that bear down on it.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ~ Romans 12:9
It is the Laws of God that draw us to heaven.
PresidentialQuotesPM7.mp3 (30m 20s)
14. Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)
“But let not the foundation of our hope rest upon man's wisdom.
It will not be sufficient that sectional prejudices find no place in the
public deliberations. It will not be sufficient that the rash counsels of
human passion are rejected. It must be felt that there is no national
security but in the nation's humble, acknowledged dependence
upon God and His overruling providence.”
Real Security is given by God
His Overruling Providence
↓
Foundation of Our Hope
↕
National Security
↑
Humble Dependence upon God
“The dangers of a concentration of all power in the general government
of a confederacy so vast as ours are too obvious to be disregarded.”
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." ~ Acts 2:40
“In expressing briefly my views upon an important subject which
has recently agitated the nation..., I fervently hope that the question
is at rest and that no sectional or ambitious or fanatical excitement
may again threaten the durability of our institutions.”
The selfish blindly and conveniently call lies truth where
truth in fact enrages their ignorant retaliatory frenzy.
Wise politicians attempt to soften the divide.
“I can express no better hope for my country than that the kind
Providence which smiled upon our fathers may enable their
children to preserve the blessings they have inherited.”
... who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ~ 1st Timothy 2:4
“The constitutionality and propriety of the Federal Government
assuming to enter into a novel and vast field of legislation, namely,
that of providing for the care and support of all those ... who by any
form of calamity become fit objects of public philanthropy. ... READILY
and, I trust, feelingly acknowledge the duty incumbent on us all ... to
provide for those who, in the mysterious order of Providence, are
subject to want and to disease of body or mind; but I cannot find any
authority in the Constitution for making the Federal Government
the great almoner of public charity throughout the United States.
To do so would, in my judgment, be contrary to the letter and
spirit of the Constitution and subversive of the whole theory
upon which the Union of these States is founded.”
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. ~ James 1:27
“The founders of the Republic dealt with things as they were presented to
them, in a spirit of self sacrificing Patriotism and as time has proved, with
a comprehensive wisdom which it will always be safe for us to consult”
“Of all knaves the religious knave is the worst.”
"... a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side." ~ Luke 10:30-31
15. James Buchanan (1857-1861)
“The Government of the United States possesses
no power whatever over the question of religion.”
... the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. ~ Acts 2:46-47
“There is nothing stable but Heaven and the Constitution.”
“The course of events is so rapidly hastening forward that the
emergency may soon arise when you may be called upon to decide
the momentous question whether you possess the power by force
of arms to compel a State to remain in the Union.”
“The storm of frenzy and faction must inevitably dash itself
in vain against the unshaken rock of the Constitution.”
... the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. ... ~ Matthew 7:24-27
“Our union rests upon public opinion, and can never
be cemented by the blood of its citizens shed in civil war.”
“Liberty must be allowed to work out its natural results;
and these will, ere long, astonish the world.”
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. ~ 2nd Peter 2:19
“I am the last President of the United States!”
When fears overwhelm hope, torture tears the soul.
God’s word builds characters that protect freedom
● Bible is vital to the safety & stability of our institutions
● There cannot be morals without religion
● The Bible is the best school book in the world
● Integrity must vigilantly be maintained lest one fall
● Moral & religious training of children protects freedom
● In unity under one God comes common blessings
● When religion tries to rule individual rights suffer
● National security comes by reliance on God’s grace
● The winds of war lie in diametrically opposed ideals
● Slavery is the bind freedom intends to break
● Government should not be a conduit for charity
● Duty of individuals is to care for those deserving
● In truth wisdom remains through the tests of time
Security is found in the bosom of His Word.
Only God’s Word can save a people from damning self-destruction.
Darkness excludes all that is real.
There is the way of God which calls for all sinners to return.
Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. ~ Psalms 25:8
God has given His truth for us to know.
... "I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. ~ Isaiah 48:17
The Lord has given this Holy knowledge for our spiritual recovery.
I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. ~ Proverbs 4:11
So you may walk in the way of goodness, And keep to the paths of righteousness. ~ Proverbs 2:20
His knowledge remains.
"Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways." ~ Proverbs 8:32
... Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD! ~ Psalms 119:1
His call includes warnings not to fall away from His truth.
Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works. ~ Psalms 119:27
... Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. ~ Psalms 119:33
To remain in His truth, it must be a soul’s desire to endure temptations and pursue Him and His ways.
... Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. ~ Psalms 143:8
It is a choice to hear His word.
Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously. ~ Psalms 119:29
Many lie ignoring His ways preferring the ways of man.
"... love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul." ~ Joshua 22:5
Dedication to God reveals the nature of a soul.
For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, ... ~ Proverbs 6:23
He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. ~ Proverbs 10:17
His word can be harsh for sinners reluctant to turn to His ways.
Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way. ~ Proverbs 23:19
I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. ~ Psalms 119:30
Wisdom in truth brings one to the feet of God.
"... wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." ~ Matthew 7:13-14
One needs to remain diligent as it is a matter of life over death.
... "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. ..." ~ Jeremiah 6:16
His knowledge has endured throughout the generations
relieving spiritual deprivation.
Yet they say to God, 'Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways.' ~ Job 21:14
The stubborn of heart refuse to know of His ways.
One chooses the light or remains in the darkness.
My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. ~ Proverbs 1:15-16
Warnings run all through the Bible to abstain from the ways of the wicked.
Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. ~ Proverbs 4:14
It is a command to stay away from the evil ways
as expressed in His word.
O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. ~ Jeremiah 10:23
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. ~ Proverbs 14:12
In all the expressions of God, He declares guidance
over the miscalculations of man.
"... 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death." ' " ~ Jeremiah 21:8
God has given each of us the blessing of freedom and it is then
up to us to choose life over death. His plan of salvation has been
once delivered for those choosing life over death.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. ~ Psalms 1:6
In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death. ~ Proverbs 12:28
Nothing is hidden from the Lord and judgment will be based
upon the truth of His given word.
For when a few years are finished, I shall go the way of no return. ~ Job 16:22
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, ... ~ Hebrews 9:27
Death into life is inevitable for all mortal. Our actions and relations are
what the Lord closely watches. The vapor of life approaches us all with
one final call. Our response declares who we will become, in Him or not.
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die. ~ Proverbs 19:16
Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. ~ Proverbs 15:10
There is consequences for those that ignore or turn
from His ways and it is the way of death. Many are irritated
by the mere mention they may need godly improvement.
Patience is possessed by those that thirst for His ways.
And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. ~ Psalms 139:24
Repentance is acknowledging the sin inside oneself
and responding to His call.
He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. ~ Proverbs 2:8
... by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ... ~ Hebrews 10:20
God protects those that love Him in ways not tangible but
inherently internal such as peace of mind and strength of heart.
The Path
Leads /
Directs /
All Knowing
↓
Sinners ⭩
⭨
Death or Life
WIDE /
Death
Lying
Refuses Correction
Refusal to be Good
Do not desire God
Limited Time
NARROW /
Life
Wisdom /
Right /
Guidance
Instruction /
Understanding
Goodness /
Righteousness
Thankful Trusting Praise
Just Protection for saints
Judgment ⭩
⭨
Harsh Discipline
Keeps to His ways
Wisdom incorporates knowledgeable obedience
● The LORD teaches sinners in the way
they should go
● Call to walk in the way of goodness in righteousness
● Blessed are those who keep God’s ways
● Hearing and trusting God allows one to know the way
● God calls one in the way not to practice lying
● Serve God with all your heart and with all your soul
● Reproofs of instruction are the way of life
● Keeping instruction is in the way of life
● Narrow the gate & difficult the way leading to life
● Wicked do not desire the knowledge of God’s ways
● All have a choice in the way of life or the way of death
● One careless of his ways
& hates correction will die
● God preserves the way of His saints
The Way to life is in God.
Darkness is desperate to find anything.
TheWayAM2.mp3 (35m 19s)
There is only one way and God controls what is all.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. ~ Proverbs 12:15
The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. ~ Proverbs 4:19
Lack of understanding, or the desire for it, more often runs on impulse.
The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. ~ Proverbs 12:26
Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." ~ 1st Corinthians 15:33
Many choose company and associations that lead them further in to sin.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness. ~ Proverbs 15:9
God is calling souls to be righteous and it is His test to see if
one will respond to His call or fall in the rejection of His Holy ways.
Apply your heart to instruction, And give your ears to words of knowledge. ~ Proverbs 23:12
To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, ... ~ Proverbs 2:12
One way to insure a steadfast faith is to remain immersed in His word.
The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway. ~ Proverbs 15:19
It takes courage and fortitude to remain upright in His ways.
A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead. ~ Proverbs 21:16
Carelessness leads to death and for all those that
choose to ignore the higher morals given by God.
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked. ~ Proverbs 29:27
Evil despises good as good despises evil.
"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?" ~ Ezekiel 18:25
Justice originates within God
The Way of the Lord = Fair
Our ways = Not Fair
No amount of blaming God can rectify
the certain atrocities of man against man.
"... 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. ...'" ~ Ezekiel 33:11
God does not desire wickedness only that it turn
back to His goodness and ways of the Holy Spirit.
Character declares destiny
ALMIGHTY GOD
⭧
⭨
Not Fair
Fool
Wicked /
Darkness
Speaks perversely
Lazy /
Wanders away
Fair
Heeds counsel
Chooses friends wisely
Applies ♥ to words of knowledge
Appalled by unrighteousness
One Chooses to be with God or not
"But you have departed from the way; You have caused many to stumble at the law. ... ~ Malachi 2:8
Departing from the Lord perverts justice and all that is Holy.
"Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, ..." ~ Malachi 3:1
God long announced He had a plan of salvation
to those who would desire hearing Him.
"... spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.'" ~ Matthew 3:3
Scripture proclaims the fulfillment of the messenger
proclaiming the coming of the Lord through John the Baptist.
... "For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; ..." ~ Matthew 21:32
Even with the coming of Christ, still there are
those in denial rejecting His coming.
"To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace." ~ Luke 1:79
Christ’s calling is to bring us back to God.
... "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." ~ John 14:5-6
It is through Jesus that we see the light of God in the ways of His truth.
... so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ~ Acts 9:2
As the way of Jesus was known about in the first century,
persecution came to those initial believers.
... "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." ~ Acts 16:17
Many original Christians were relentlessly pursued.
This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. ~ Acts 18:25
There is the way of God and in whole it is the truth. To only embrace part,
or to practice that which has past, is not in the call in Christ.
... Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. ~ Acts 18:26
Faithful Christians are called to clarify the way
of Christ as it has come to be.
And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. ~ Acts 19:23
"And the way of peace they have not known." ~ Romans 3:17
For man, his quest for power, disavows the message Christ has
brought to the world. Augmentative posturing defeats His call for unity.
And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. ~ 2nd Peter 2:2
Many have no intension of returning to God or finding out His ways.
... forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. ~ 2nd Peter 2:15
There are those who would worship evil in their lust for more.
... it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. ~ 2nd Peter 2:21
Having the knowledge of God and turning from it
seeds a deeper condemnation, for no excuse may be had.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, ... ~ 1st Peter 1:13-16
To remain steadfast to the end receives the prize of eternal life.
One needs to take up the sword of truth that cuts through the air.
Dreams are the maps that write upon our hearts. All dream for a
better way and God delivers this in His hope for our return to Him.
God's Plan
Light upon shadow of death
↘ Peace
Ignorance
Partial knowledge
Commotions
Unrest
Destructive ways
Forsake the right way
Jesus Christ
The way of God
Holy Commandment
Sober hope upon grace
Obedient self-control
Holiness
In God is the Light of Love
God Calls for all to Come to Him
● The way of the wicked is like darkness
● The way of the wicked can lead the righteous astray
● The way of the wicked is an abomination to God
● Leaving the way of understanding results in death
● Claims of God not fair, but, His is the way of fairness
● GOD / no pleasure / death of wicked / stop evil ways
● John came/the way of righteousness
- to show peace
● Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life
● The way of / Most High God - is the way of salvation
● Opinions of men create commotion about the Way
● Many followed destructive ways void of / way of truth
● Forsaking right way for the love of unrighteousness
● Be as obedient children holy in all your conduct
In life we all bear the weights of living; sometimes feathers of laughter
while at other times, boulders of troubles. These are the ways of mortality.
Pleading hearts indicate an endurance in suffering. Not all grasp clear
answers able to heal the crying humble or to pacify the screaming proud.
Unity is where no division causes twisting hearts to fall from the surety of
knowing. Knowledge in truth remains declaring love delivers one from
what is unspeakable or unforgettable. Stubborn cowards roam where
caustic winds may blow torn sails without rising spouts of faith.
The way to peace comes in believing in more than one is
and looking to that which is greater.
Darkness has no vision.
Godly souls inspire children to be more.
16. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) Part 1
“The Bible is not my book and Christianity is not my religion. I could never
give assent to the long complicated statements of Christian dogma.”
“I have never united myself to any church because I found difficulty in
giving my assent without mental reservation to the long, complicated
statements of Christian doctrine which characterize the articles
of belief and the usual confession of faith.”
“That I am not a member of any Christian Church, is true;
but I have never denied the truth of the Scriptures; and I have
never spoken with intentional disrespect of religion in general,
or of any denomination of Christians in particular.”
“When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad.
That’s my religion.”
“When any church will inscribe over its altar, as its sole qualification
for membership, the Savior's condensed statement of the substance
of both law and Gospel, 'Thou shalt love the lord thy God with all
thy heart, and with all thy soul and thy neighbor as thyself'
that church will I join with all my heart and all my soul.”
“The highest art is always the most religious, and
the greatest artist is always a devout person.”
“I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down
upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how
a man could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.”
"Is not God in the height of heaven? And see the highest stars, how lofty they are!" ~ Job 22:12
“Surely God would not have created such a being as man,
with an ability to grasp the infinite, to exist only for a day!
No, no, man was made for immortality.”
“I am for liberty of conscience in its noblest, broadest, and highest sense.
But I cannot give liberty of conscience to the pope and his followers, the
papists, so long as they tell me, through all their councils, theologians,
and canon laws that their conscience orders them to burn my wife,
strangle my children, and cut my throat when they find their opportunity.”
“If the American people could learn what I know of the fierce hatred
of the priests of Rome against our institutions, our schools,
our most sacred rights, and our so dearly bought liberties,
they would drive them out as traitors!”
“I see a very dark cloud on America's horizon,
and that cloud is coming from Rome.”
“I know there is a God, and that He hates injustice and slavery.
I see the storm coming, and I know that his hand is in it. If He has
a place and work for me - and I think He has - I believe I am ready.”
“We live in the midst of alarms; anxiety beclouds the future;
we expect some new disaster with each newspaper we read.”
“It is a sin to be silent when it is your duty to protest.”
“He who sees cruelty and does nothing about it is himself cruel.”
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. ~ James 4:17
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~ Romans 12:21
“Let none falter who thinks he is right, and we may succeed. But if,
after all, we shall fail, be it so: we still shall have the proud consolation
of saying to our consciences, and to the departed shade of our
country's freedom, that the cause approved of our judgment
and adored of our hearts, in disaster, in chains, in torture,
in death, we never faltered in defending.”
... sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,... ~ 1st Peter 3:15
"... hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.l and evil." ~ Luke 6:27-28
PresidentialQuotesPM8.5.mp3 (22m 44s)
“Near eighty years ago we began by declaring that all men are
created equal; but now from that beginning we have run down to
the other declaration, that for SOME men to enslave OTHERS is a
"sacred right of self-government." These principles cannot stand
together. They are as opposite as God and mammon; and
whoever holds to the one, must despise the other.”
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. ..." ~ Mat. 6:24
“As a nation, we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal.'
We now practically read it 'all men are created equal, except negroes.'
When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created
equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes
to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no
pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism
can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”
Character is under the test for all
Statesmen or Despots?
Loving Liberty or Base of Hypocricy?
“In 1841 you and I had together a tedious low-water trip,
on a Steam Boat from Louisville to St. Louis. You may remember,
as I well do, that from Louisville to the mouth of the Ohio there were,
on board, ten or a dozen slaves, shackled together with irons.
That sight was a continual torment to me; and I see something
like it every time I touch the Ohio, or any other slave-border.”
“The Bible says somewhere that we are desperately selfish.
I think we would have discovered that fact without the Bible.”
"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; who can know it?" ~ Jeremiah 17:9
“Our progress in degeneracy appears to me to be pretty rapid.”
“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we
have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have
grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown.
But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which
preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us,
and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all
these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of
our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-
sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace,
too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us, then,
to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our
national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”
“I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right.
But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and
this nation should be on the Lord's side.”
“Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest
concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”
“I do not boast that God is on my side,
I humbly pray that I am on God's side.”
“Don't pray that God's on our side, pray that we're on his side.”
"For he who is not against us is on our side." ~ Mark 9:40
“Faith is not believing that God can, but that God will.”
"Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven." ~ Matthew 6:10
“Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought.”
“Freedom is the natural condition of
the human race, in which the Almighty intended men to live.
Those who fight the purpose of the Almighty will not succeed.
They always have been, they always will be beaten.”
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ~ Romans 8:31
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ~ Galatians 5:1
“The only assurance of our nation's safety is
to lay our foundation in morality and religion.”
Darkness Remains without the Light
Our Nation's Safety
=
Foundation in Morality & Religion
“Let us diligently apply the means, never doubting that a just God,
in his own good time, will give us the rightful result.”
Conviction of a soul reveals the character of heart
● The truest religion holds love of God; neighbor / self
● Heaven shows the sure sight of God
● Man was created for immortality
● Roman Catholic church subverted the USA’s unity
● It is a sin not to dutifully pursue goodness
● Hypocrisy has no honor of another’s freedom
● Mankind is desperately selfish advancing degeneracy
● Forgetting God leads to the demise of a people
● God is always right
● Faith is knowing God will
● Freedom / innate to our creation by God’s own image
● Who deny others freedom goes against God’s will
● Only morality & religion insures national safety
The times will always be troubled with all the heresies of the
modern world. To find security, faith in God must reign supreme.
No one can take what has been freely given by God. When
people join in strength of character, God is glorified in
the fulfillment of His intensions for independent life.
Darkness yields up no notice.
Doubt plagues all hearts it touches.
... He has put eternity in their hearts, ... ~ Ecclesiastes 3:11
Eternity blazes before all as He wishes for us to simply remember Him.
... ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ... ~ James 1:5-8
True understanding rises past the curse of confusion.
... he who doubts is condemned ... ~ Romans 14:22-23
Doubt leads to the pits of darkness
Happy = Not condemn Himself
He who doubts = Condemned
Not from faith = Sin
Peace of heart comes in satisfied relations with conscience.
... "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin." ~ John 8:34
One’s baseline with sin defines whether one reaches for godliness or not.
... Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ... ~ Hebrews 3:12-13
One’s choice to deny God is convicting
Evil heart of unbelief
┗► Departing from the living God
Hardened
┗► Through deceitfulness of sin
The world is scattered with mistrust filled with indecisions
leading to departing belief in God through the deceitfulness
of sin consumed in hate of heart.
I desire therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; ... ~ 1st Timothy 2:8
God hopes faithful everywhere find love in His desire for peace within.
Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied. ~ Proverbs 27:20
All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing. ~ Ecclesiastes 1:8
In all the expressions life displays, His gifts are unending.
The world of things can never yield up contentment of heart, that
must be seized in the spirit one walks in from moment to moment.
"Your life shall hang in doubt before you; ..." ~ Deuteronomy 28:66-67
There is no doubt that life is filled with challenges. Challenges
of strength and weakness, sorrows upon joys, life upon death.
"... no man is sure of life. He gives them security, and they rely on it; Yet His eyes are on their ways." ~ Job 24:22-24
Are your eyes on the wheat or the weeds?
... do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; ... ~ Isaiah 6:9-10
To be healed one can only surrender to that which made us, in faith His
glory is to come releasing us from such bondage the flesh confines us in.
"... Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them." ~ John 12:39-40
Stones of heart throw life into the wind
unable to lift the lightest of thoughts.
Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!" ~ Luke 24:25
The mask of deception is a hard nut to crack
freeing one to see truth above self.
"... Master, we are perishing!" Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. ~ Luke 8:24
Fear inhibits all to see through the fog of darkness
illuminating His calm resolve.
... "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" ... ~ Mark 4:39-41
God is greater than any storm willing that
all come to His reservoir of peace.
... "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?" ~ Luke 24:36-38
It is doubt that steals what He has freely given; eternal life.
... And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. ... ~ Luke 24:45-47
Keen understanding is for those that truly believe clearly how
He draws us to His light in the goodness that He is.
... gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 4:3-4
God holds no partiality while we remain under the test of choices.
Darkness unfolds before us all, and how we respond to desires
of self declares how He will receive us.
And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. ... ~ 2nd Thessalonians 2:11-12
Many delusions lure souls from acknowledging the truth of His words.
... Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? ... ~ 1st Corinthians 1:20-21
Patience is godliness under the pressures of not having. Faith is belief in
that which rises beyond the nothingness as death unfolds before us all.
... Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 6:14-15
The unchanging colors of truth do not fade as darkness holds no light.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~ 2nd Timothy 1:7
Courage in His truths defeat all doubts of man.
Indecision shallows the depths of His love
● God has put eternity upon the hearts of man
● Doubt prevents the blessings God offers
● True faith rises above the passions of sin
● Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin
● Unbelief is an evil against our living God
● Sufferings bound in faithless wrath drive despair
● Life’s purpose is the question God gives to all
● Spiritual healing comes to those hearts who believe
● No storm can steal the blessings God has promised
● Regret & duty receives the gift of remission of sins
● God will not stop delusions lusting liars believe
● God’s lessons rise from a deepest nature of true life
● Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers
Darkness has a heart of isolation.
To receive what God has given fully demands humble obedience.
... if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart ... ~ Proverbs 2:1-5
Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, ... ~ Proverbs 8:10-11
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. ... ~ Proverbs 19:20-21
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; ..." ~ Acts 1:8
"... be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." ~ Acts 2:38
"... through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive the remission of sins." ~ Acts 10:43
... "It is more blessed to give than to receive." ~ Acts 20:35
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." ~ Romans 8:15
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 2:14
... if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 11:3-4
Tolerating Doctrines outside Christ’s is profane
WARNING = Do Not Receive A Different Spirit
... in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. ~ Galatians 3:13-14
... with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, ... ~ Ephesians 6:6-8
... those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. ~ Hebrews 9:15
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ... ~ Hebrews 10:26
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: ... ~ Hebrews 10:36
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. ... ~ Hebrews 11:8
And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, ... ~ Hebrews 11:39
... we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably ... ~ Hebrews 12:28
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. ~ James 4:3
... who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. ~ James 1:12
... lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. ~ James 1:21
What one believes reaps due consequences
Receive the Word = Save your Souls
... He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him ... ~ 2nd John 1:9-11
... "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues." ~ Revelation 18:4
For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ~ James 1:5-7
One must be open to receiving what the Lord has offered.
Faith Yields to the Will of God
Genuine Faith
● Praises
● Honors
● Glories with Joy
┗► of Love in Jesus Christ
... believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith - the salvation of your souls. ~ 1st Peter 1:6-9
Strength is found by understanding our faith
What Must We Receive?
What Are We Receiving?
His words/knowledge
His instructions
A spirit of giving
A spirit of non-expectations
A spirit of service from / heart
Endurance under temptation
Unwavering love of Him
One another
Power of the Holy Spirit
Remission of sins
A spirit of adoption
Redemption through faith
Promise/eternal inheritance
Salvation of our souls
Crown of life
His kingdom
Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. ~ Romans 15:7
... seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:10
If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ~ 1st Corinthians 3:14
When God gave us Himself it was for His desire for us to know how
to live. Life’s quality is so often stolen by the squirming quagmire of
mankind’s bickering and lust for power. It is not so much a struggle for
freedom when we reduce to a system of domination. People have little to
fight for who feel defeated where the innocent are trampled upon, and
subjugation resides as the norm. Many have heard of the philosophy of
“Dumb them down,” where manipulations are made easier for the ruling
classes. Evil displays little mercy unless hidden behind a scheming
advantage to establish further control. In an avalanche of horror, the
earth displays itself; how man has failed man. God gave us the call
to a better way, to show true freedom of heart, and love of life,
regardless of social conditions that would condemn or bless one.
Vibrant ethical morals are abandoned when a people adjust to living
under the clout of fear out of complacency and apathy. Status quo injects
insecurities of losing material comforts where selfishness and greed have
destroyed the decency of many. The poor are despised and pounded as
cattle. The war is in the crux of who we have become; hidden in the fears
of our own demise. Anger drives decisions to satisfy cravings of blind
revenge. How powerful have we become? What do we receive from the
hierarchy of man? Children scream and are not heard. Leadership then
reduces to cowardly decisions that fragment the unity no school can
repair. Pray God helps us all, as we fall from His Grace, in hopes
of a day where His Glories of Truth guide those who remain.
Knowledge of love opens a heart to suffer
● Treasure His word that commands life
● No value can be placed on proper instructions
● The Holy Spirit delivers the heart of truth
● Baptism’s seal is for the remission of sins
● Gift of the Holy Spirt is the grace of forgiveness
● He calls for giving hearts
in loving submission
● Only a humble keen spirit receives God’s truths
● Through faith Christ frees us from the curse of death
● Goodwill in His service to Him pleases Him
● He calls to rise from sin
to an eternal inheritance
● Serve God in the grace He has given
● Exercising the implanted word is able to save a soul
● Expect nothing if doubting
but be thankful in faith
Embrace the freedom He delivers to those that love Him.
Darkness denies the truth of light.
Bondage from the flesh is set free in the Spirit.
16. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) Part 2
“My friends I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return,
with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington.
Without the assistance of that Divine Being, who ever attended him,
I cannot succeed. With that assistance, I cannot fail.”
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ~ Romans 8:31
“May the Almighty grant that the cause of truth, justice,
and humanity, shall in no wise suffer at my hands.”
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this
continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated
to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
“When we were the political slaves of King George, and wanted to be free,
we called the maxim that "all men are created equal" a self-evident truth;
but now when we have grown fat, and have lost all dread of being slaves
ourselves, we have become so greedy to be masters that we call the
same maxim "a self-evident lie" The fourth of July has not quite
dwindled away; it is still a great day-for burning fire-crackers!!!”
Souls are given spirit under the test of God
All Men Created Equal = A Self-Evident Truth
All human souls have an equal value upon the fingerprint of life.
Each of us has a surprising quality uniquely given
to exemplify His Glory in mercy upon Grace.
“It is to deny, what the history of the world tells us is true, to suppose that
men of ambition and talents will not continue to spring up amongst us.
And, when they do, they will as naturally seek the gratification of
their ruling passion, as others have so done before them.”
Where a humble heart reigns over an arrogant one,
true leadership is found holding wisdom in the heights of love.
Decadence follows the greedy in the carnage they breed.
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! ~ Isaiah 5:21
“It is the eternal struggle between these two principles - right and wrong.
They are the two principles that have stood face to face from the
beginning of time and will ever continue to struggle. It is the same
spirit that says, "You work and toil and earn bread, and I'll eat it."
“Now what is Judge Douglas Popular Sovereignty? It is, as a principle, no
other than that, if one man chooses to make a slave of another man,
neither that other man nor anybody else has a right to object.”
"He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death." ~ Exodus 21:16
“One section of our country believes slavery is right, and
ought to be extended, while the other believes it is wrong,
and ought not to be extended.”
“Repeal the Missouri Compromise (1820) - repeal all compromises -
repeal the Declaration of Independence (1776) - repeal all past history,
you still cannot repeal human nature. It still will be the abundance of
man's heart, that slavery extension is wrong; and out of the abundance
of his heart, his mouth will continue to speak.”
... "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, ..." ~ John 8:34-36
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. ..." ~ Luke 6:45
The house of God is the freedom of all His son’s.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government
cannot endure permanently half-slave and half-free. I do not expect the
Union to be dissolved - I do not expect the house to fall - but I do expect
it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other."
"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." ~ Mark 3:24-25
“He [Stephen Douglas] is blowing out the moral lights around us, when he
contends that whoever wants slaves has a right to hold them; that he is
penetrating, so far as lies in his power, the human soul, and eradicating
the light of reason and the love of liberty, when he is in every possible
way preparing the public mind, by his vast influence, for making
the institution of slavery perpetual and national.”
Souls fall when passions negate compassions
Light of Reason
Love of Liberty
≠
Immoral Institutions
“Senator [Stephen] Douglas is of world-wide renown. All the anxious
politicians of his party, or who have been of his party for years past, have
been looking upon him as certainly, at no distant day, to be the President
of the United States. They have seen in his round, jolly, fruitful face,
post offices, land offices, marshalships, and cabinet appointments,
chargeships and foreign missions, bursting and sprouting out in wonderful
exuberance ready to be laid hold of by their greedy hands.”
Slavery comes by those that oppress the populous through
unfair earnings exchanges or the denial of said such payments.
It is not voluntary when one is forced to work for free or rewarded
with a pittance return. Our shame blazes as modern-day interest
charges are levied on money that has never existed, forcing
servitude to the main body of peoples. The rich feast upon the poor,
especially when said people abandon their own sense of fairness,
under a responsible and reasonable fear of accountability, to the
Supreme Being, Creator of all, which thereby destroys civilizations.
The age-old quest to love, or not to love, is played out before us all
on the heavenless follies mankind stumbles murderously into.
“I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong.
I cannot remember when I did not so think, and feel. And yet I have
never understood that the Presidency conferred upon me an
unrestricted right to act officially upon this judgment and feeling.”
"... Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" ~ Esther 4:14
The providence of God places souls in times where
they are needed most. Through His will, souls
find enlightenment with certain purpose.
“One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed
generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern part of it.
These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All
knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war.”
“We must settle this question now -- whether in a free government the
minority have the right to break it up whenever they choose. If we fail, it
will go far to prove the incapability of the people to govern themselves.”
“No state, upon its own mere motion, can lawfully get out of the Union.
Plainly, the central idea of secession, is the essence of anarchy.”
“I would rather be assassinated than see
a single star removed from the American flag.”
“I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate and aid this effort to
maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our National Union,
and the perpetuity of popular government; and to redress wrongs
already long enough endured.”
The heart of all truth is undeniable
Free Society
=
Citizens maintaining honor and integrity
“Our political problem now is "Can we, as a nation, continue together
permanently forever--half slave, and half free?" The problem is too
mighty for me. May God, in his mercy, superintend the solution.”
... humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. ~ 1st Peter 5:6-7
“We want, and must have, a national policy, as to slavery,
which deals with it as being wrong.”
... there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ~ Galatians 3:28
PresidentialQuotesAM9.5.mp3 (46m 50s)
“That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any
state or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then
be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then,
thence forward, and forever free...”
“Relying, as I do, upon the Almighty Power, and encouraged as
I am by these resolutions which you have just read, with the support
which I receive from Christian men, I shall not hesitate to use all the
means at my control to secure the termination of this rebellion,
and will hope for success.”
“And upon this act [Emancipation Proclamation]
... I invoke ...the gracious favor of Almighty God.”
“You dislike the emancipation proclamation; and, perhaps, would
have it retracted. You say it is unconstitutional - I think differently.”
“We seek not to overthrow the constitution,
but to overthrow those who would pervert it.”
... all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:12-13
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation,
or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.
“We have, as all will agree, a free Government, where every man
has a right to be equal with every other man. In this great struggle,
this form of Government and every form of human right
is endangered if our enemies succeed.”
“Let all Americans - let all lovers of liberty everywhere
- join in the great and good work. If we do this, we shall not only
have saved the Union; but we shall have so saved it, as to make,
and to keep it, forever worthy of the saving.”
“We shall meanly lose or nobly save the last hope of earth.”
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, ... ~ Ephesians 4:31-32
... the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; ... ~ 1st Corinthians 12:25-26
“My dream is of a place and a time where America will
once again be seen as the last best hope of earth.”
... and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. ~ Jeremiah 29:11-13
But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, ... ~ Isaiah 40:31
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, ... ~ Romans 12:9-12
Commitment in hope renders joys of heart
● Let love be without hypocrisy
● Abhor what is evil
● Cling to what is good
● Be kindly affectionate to one another
● Giving preference to one another
● Not lagging in diligence
● Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord
● Rejoicing in hope
● Patient in tribulation
● Continuing steadfastly in prayer
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13
“I will either be America's greatest president or its last.”
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. ... ~ Hosea 4:6
... the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; ... ~ Isaiah 40:15
A time comes where the call must be answered
● Without God’s assistance, all is lost
● All men created equal should be a self-evident truth
● Talent and power can mix toward a bad outcome
● Slavery of others denies service in God
● No mortal home can stand where slaves are made of
● Greed is the seed spawning corruption in all that it is
● Human bondage darkens the light of all to be free
● Undivided justice is found in the unity truth brings
● Pray as we might to have peace in God’s will for man
● In rebellion, men selfishly turn to lust of the flesh
● Regard for people is God’s call to respect Him
● Evil long desires the bondage of men with no hope
● Freedom is worth saving where there is love of God
It is only by individual spiritual accountability that a nation is made great.
Darkness has nothing to offer.
Time refines a heart to see truth or one remains oblivious to its revealing.
Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, ... ~ Psalms 96:8-9
┏► Obedience is the highest calling of God. ... Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, ... ~ 1st Samuel 15:22
"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" Says the LORD. ..." ~ Isaiah 1:11
Without knowing the will of God how can one be in Him? ◄┓ For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. ~ Hosea 6:6
To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. ~ Proverbs 21:3
┗► God looks for sacrifices of heart.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD. ~ Psalms 4:5
... The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise. ~ Psalms 51:16-17
... what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? ~ Micah 6:8
┏► A relationship with God means understanding His will. "But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. ..." ~ Matthew 9:13
... "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." ~ Mark 8:34
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. ... ~ Mark 8:35-37
"Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, ..." ~ Matthew 3:8
"And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." ~ Mark 12:33
... though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. ~ 1st Corinthians 13:3
┗► Loving is key to freeing a heart from the depths of misery.
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ..." ~ John 15:13-15
... by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ... ~ Romans 12:1-2
And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in ... ~ Galatians 5:24-26 The fullest life rises to touch the heavens. ◄┛
God's Call is Clear for all to Know
Walk in the Spirit:
● Not become conceited
● Not provoking one another
● Not envying one another
... never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. ~ Hebrews 10:1
... But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. ... ~ Hebrews 10:2-4
... In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. ... ~ Hebrews 10:5-7
... He takes away the first that He may establish the second. ~ Hebrews 10:8-9
... every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ~ Hebrews 10:10-11
But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, ... ~ Hebrews 10:12-14
... as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, ... offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ~ 1st Peter 2:5
┗► Actions of heart turn the ear of God.
Sacrifices pleasing to God
● To obey
● Repentance
● Righteousness and justice
● A broken and contrite heart
● Mercy and knowledge of God
● To do justly, love mercy, walk humbly
● Love God and neighbor
● Praise to God of our lips
● Giving thanks to His name
● Do good and share
... let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. ... ~ Hebrews 13:15-16
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. ~ Ephesians 5:2
Sweetest sounds are what God gives us to hear.
● One needs to make offerings in worship of the Lord
● The Lord has no pleasure in insincere sacrifices
● The Lord looks for mercy,
righteousness, and justice
● The Lord accepts a broken and contrite heart
● God expects - do justly, love mercy, & walk humbly
● All called to follow in pursuit of the ways of Jesus
● Destiny is declared by desire for God or the world
● A life without love leaves no sacrifice
● Reasonable service is to our life as a living sacrifice
● Control passions & desires free of conceit & envy
● Sacrifice of Jesus sanctifies all who believe & obey
● God wants spiritual sacrifices through Jesus Christ
● Vocally praising God & doing good pleases God
God has sacrificed that we might have eternal salvation.
Darkness is the answer to all that is fear.
In His light He comes forth to claim the truth of Himself.
... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ... ~ Romans 3:23
... Who can forgive sins but God alone?" ~ Mark 2:7
Most religions on earth are religions of guilt.
The religion of Jesus is redemption.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1st John 1:9
If your trying to get to God (He) through a mere exalted man or woman, one
is gravely mistaken. One must fall humbly before Him and His loving ways
... you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, ... ~ Ephesians 2:1-3
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ~ Ephesians 2:13
... once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ... ~ Ephesians 5:6-11
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ... ~ Titus 3:3
... who once were alienated and enimies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, ... ~ Colossians 1:21-23
Focus on truth delivers a soul
Continue in the faith:
┗ Grounded and steadfast
● Not moved away from hope
of the gospel ⮜┛
For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ~ Romans 6:10
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh ... ~ 1st Peter 3:18
By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ~ Hebrews 10:10
... this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, ... ~ Hebrews 10:11-14
... the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance; ~ Hebrews 9:7
"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ..." ~ Acts 17:30
... but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. ~ Hebrews 9:11-12
... not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another -- ~ Hebrews 9:24-25
... so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. ... ~ Hebrews 9:26-28
... for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. ~ Hebrews 7:26-27
... contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. ~ Jude 1:3
It Has Been Declared
Sanctification comes by Christ’s offering
One sacrifice for sins forever
His was the last sacrifice for sins returning to Heaven
His sacrifice entered the Most Holy Place
He died to sin once for all
Faith delivered
ONCE FOR ALL
Confession Heals
Offered Himself as the final sacrifice
Once in darkness
Offered once to bear the sins of many
He suffered once for sins
All have fallen
Once far away
... have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, ... ~ Hebrews 6:4-6
... be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth ... ~ Romans 15:5-6
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ~ 2nd Timothy 4:7
Hope creates faith to witness God Himself
● All have sinned and fall short
● Confession purges sins in pursuit of righteousness
● Once far off we are now close through Christ
● Do not be deceived with empty words of darkness
● One is reconciled if remaining in the faith
● Jesus died once for all and now lives to God
● We are sanctified once for all by Christ’s sacrifice
● Priests sacrificed once/year for sins of ignorance
● Christ has risen once for all for eternal redemption
● Christ does not have to re-offer Himself for sins
● It is appointed for men to die once
● Christ offered Himself once for the sins of many
● Faith was once for all delivered to the saints
Darkness pulls all hope away.
Honesty is often attacked with defamation of character and false claims stemming from unjustified fears and or jealousies.
16. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) Part 3
“Our popular government has often been called an experiment. Two
points in it our people have already settled, the successful establishing
and the successful administering of it. One still remains, its successful
maintenance against a formidable internal attempt to overthrow it.”
... on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. ~ Luke 8:11-15
All successful enterprises involve dedication past cost. – Ron Bert
“I am struggling to maintain the government, not to overthrow it.
I am struggling especially to prevent others from overthrowing it.”
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter
and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”
“Nations do not die from invasion; they die from internal rottenness.”
A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. ~ Proverbs 14:30
“If this country is ever demoralized, it will
come from trying to live without work.”
... we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. ~ 2nd Thessalonians 3:10-11
“Free labor has the inspiration of hope; pure slavery has no hope.”
Labor flourishes where wages are fair
Free Labor = Hope
Pure Slavery = No Hope
“You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's
initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently
by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.”
Cultures spiral on perpetual poverty without equitable prospects
(
Character Courage
=
Initiative + Independence
)
>
Undeserved aid
“Any society that takes away from those most capable and gives to the least will perish.”
“You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.”
In our hyper-critical times, all are made small. – Ron Bert
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”
See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ~ Ephesians 5:15-16
“You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.”
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it ..." ~ Luke 14:28-30
“I am in favor of a national bank...in favor of the
internal improvements system and a high protective tariff.”
“In the early days of the world, the Almighty said to the first of our race
"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread"; and since then, if we
accept the light and the air of heaven, no good thing has been,
or can be enjoyed by us, without having first cost labor.”
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, ... ~ Genesis 3:19
“I think that if anything can be proved by natural theology,
it is that slavery is morally wrong. God gave man a mouth to
receive bread, hands to feed it, and his hand has a right
to carry bread to his mouth without controversy.”
“No country can sustain, in idleness, more than a small percentage of
its numbers. The great majority must labor at something productive.”
Without souls of purpose, social depression becomes catastrophic.
“In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free.”
“I intend no modification of my oft-expressed wish
that all men everywhere could be free.”
... have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. ~ Ephesians 5:9-11
“Our reliance is in the love of liberty
which God has planted in our bosoms.”
... where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ~ 2nd Corinthians 3:17
... some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. ~ 1st Timothy 6:6-11
PresidentialQuotesPM10.5.mp3 (34m 46s)
“Cling to liberty and right; battle for them; lead for them;
die for them, if need be; and have confidence in God.”
... "We ought to obey God rather than men." ~ Acts 5:29
“I will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States. It is not the Constitution as I would
like to have it, but as it is, that is to be defended. The Constitution will not
be preserved & defended until it is enforced & obeyed in every part of
every one of the United States. It must be so respected, obeyed,
enforced and defended, and let the grass grow where it may.”
... , to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. ~ 1st Samuel 15:22
“I trust that as He shall further open the way, I will be ready to walk
therein, relying on His help and trusting in His goodness and wisdom.”
“I think that God means that we shall do more than we have yet done
in furtherance of His plans and He will open the way for our doing it.”
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, ... ~ Colossians 1:13
“Of our political revolution of '76, we all are justly proud.
It has given us a degree of political freedom, far exceeding that of
any other nation of the earth. In it the world has found a solution of the
long-mooted problem, as to the capability of man to govern himself.
In it was the germ which has vegetated, and still is to grow
and expand into the universal liberty of mankind.”
“I believe the declaration that ‘all men are created equal’ is the
great fundamental principle upon which our free institutions rest.”
... neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ~ Galatians 3:28
“I have never had a feeling, politically, that did not spring from the
Declaration of Independence that all should have an equal chance.
This is the sentiment embodied in the Declaration of Independence,
I would rather be assassinated on this spot than surrender it.”
“Do not destroy that immortal emblem of humanity,
the Declaration of Independence.”
“Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must
be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.”
Freedom is the juice that drives true human inspiration.
The wider the base of freedom, the greater excellence possible.
Only a moral people may find the heights open to His truths offered.
Excellence has always been challenged by the selfish.
“Study the Constitution. Let it be preached from the pulpit,
proclaimed in legislatures, and enforced in courts of justice.”
“Its authors meant it to be... a stumbling block to those who in after times
might seek to turn a free people back into the hateful paths of despotism.
They knew the proneness of prosperity to breed tyrants, and they meant
when such should re-appear in this fair land and commence their vocation
they should find left for them at least one hard nut to crack.”
“Should my administration prove to be a very wicked one ...
or a very foolish one, if you, the people, are true to yourselves
and the Constitution, there is little harm I can do, thank God.”
“It is most cheering and encouraging for me to know that in the efforts
which I have made and am making for the restoration of a righteous
peace to our country, I am upheld and sustained by the good wishes
and prayers of God's people. No one is more deeply than myself
aware that without His favor our highest wisdom is but as
foolishness and that our most strenuous efforts would
avail nothing in the shadow of His displeasure.”
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. ... ~ 1st Corinthians 3:19
“If all men were just, there still would be some,
though not so much, need of government.”
“If I had had my way, this war would never have been commenced; If I
had been allowed my way this war would have ended before this, but we
find it still continues; and we must believe that He permits it for some wise
purpose of his own, mysterious and unknown to us; and though with our
limited understandings we may not be able to comprehend it, yet we
cannot but believe, that he who made the world still governs it.”
He does great things past finding out, Yes, wonders without number. ~ Job 9:10
"... So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." ~ Isaiah 55:9
Despots controlling the masses stunt genuine persons of self-will
● A government by free men is a timeless revolution
● Free men are destroyed through excessive opulence
● Labor is crucial if social slavery is to be averted
● Greatness is built by the great helping the poor
● Forcing the rich to pay for the poor magnifies apathy
● People that spend more than earned defeat legacies
● Eating of your own labors is God’s condition on man
● Unrelenting domination of others is wrong
● Freedom is worth all that it takes to live free
● Declaration of Independence is a beacon to freedom
● Wealth in the hands of a few breads tyrants
● The constitution protects a return to tyranny
● Beyond our ignorance, God’s wisdom will prevail
Disrespectfulness is the sign of social collapse.
Suffering is enduring never-ending needles that drain a heart.
The test of God is to examine our strength during our weakness.
Balance is a fine line holding the edge of reality.
Darkness fills the void where there is no love.
Scripture delivers all to the truth of life.
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. ... ~ 1st Peter 4:11
"... I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. ..." ~ Daniel 10:21
"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." ~ John 4:24
For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." ~ Romans 10:11
And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures ~ Luke 24:45
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." ~ John 5:39
"... to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), ..." ~ John 10:35
For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. ~ John 20:9
... for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. ... ~ Acts 18:28
... which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, ... ~ Romans 1:2
... written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. ~ Romans 15:4
... by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, ... ~ Romans 16:26
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:16
Words of God bring truth to life
Scripture says about itself:
● Is Truth
● Substance of Faith
● Is Comprehensible
● Is Searchable
● Cannot be Broken
● Is Knowable
● States Jesus is the Christ
● Is Holy
● Gives Hope
● Is for all Nations
● Is God Breathed
Warnings have been issued.
... they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 4:3
By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; ... ~ 2nd Peter 2:3
But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. ~ 2nd Timothy 2:16
It is the Word that must be heard for salvation to be had.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:16-17
... when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, ... ~ Acts 2:37
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; ... ~ Psalms 19:7
... give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life ... ~ Proverbs 4:20-23
To "do" is an action.
This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. ~ Psalms 119:50
I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. ~ Psalms 119:30
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. ~ Psalms 119:105
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." ~ John 8:32
Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth. ~ John 17:17
"You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you." ~ John 15:3
For the word of God is living and powerful, ... ~ Hebrews 4:12
In a world of confusion God orders reality
How Scripture helps us:
● Good for reproof, correction, instruction
● Convicts
● Converts
● Gives Life
● Gives Understanding
● Enlightens
● Sets One Free
● Sanctifies
● Cleanses
● Cuts to the heart
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ~ Romans 10:17
... hold fast that word which I preached to you -- unless you believed in vain. ~ 1st Corinthians 15:2
... has committed to us the word of reconciliation. ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:19-20
It is the power of the word that restores souls
● God wants us to consider His word before we speak
● Scripture is truth
& contains the substance of faith
● Scripture is knowable,
searchable,
and not broken
● Scripture reveals Jesus is the Christ
& gives us hope
● Scripture is Holy
& for all nations
- of God’s making
● False teachers will validate ungodly doctrines
● Greed will drive an exploiter’s deceptive words
● Unbridled words will only increase ungodliness
● Study is good for reproof, correction, & instruction
● Study convicts,
converts,
gives life,
& understanding
● Study enlightens,
sets free,
sanctifies,
& cleanses
● True Faith
holds fast to hearing
His piercing word
● God is reconciling us through Jesus with His word
Darkness is numb to light.
Drinking alcohol is the main reason for selfishness and destroyed relationships.
Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. ~ Proverbs 20:1
Verbal looseness and cruel outbursts are inflamed by drunken
arrogant stupors. Strong drink does not add to one’s peace of mind.
Depression follows intoxication. To be wise is to pay attention to how
God teaches us concerning drinking and its uses and or consequences.
Wisdom does not search for an escape as much as a solution and
wise are those who have learned to control infantile outbursts.
Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, ... ~ Proverbs 23:20-21
Blurred vision shuts down the sensible nature one must have to
be responsible. What a bleak outcome to only remain in a dizzy.
... Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. ~ Proverbs 23:29-30
Desire for alcohol as a pain numbing agent is the most common reason
for drinking. People want to escape from the toils of living. Drinking
actually perpetuates the cycle of afflictions in supporting continuing woes.
... wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, ... ~ Proverbs 23:31-33
The imagination of covering suffering with the magical powers
of swirling wine deceptively lures one to the curse it delivers.
"... They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?" ~ Proverbs 23:34-35
Drinkers seek to not feel the life they dread as deathfulness is
the wish that leads to that next drink. I just want to disappear or go away;
many suicides have high intoxication levels and it is common among
the famous; lonely overdose - Without relying on God tragedies ensue.
... It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted. ... ~ Proverbs 31:4-7
The Word of God is clear that wine is to be used for medicinal purposes
and as a sympathetic anesthetic for the terminally impoverished as the
end knocks. Its’ excessive intake is not meant for those healthy filled with
life, and certainly not for ones in leadership positions. Why or how could a
poison killing substance be condoned by any rational sentient creatures?
To escape the pains of living? Better anesthetics have been developed
in our times so alcohol has become superfluous from its original
ancient intent. We are controlled by what we desire.
No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities. ~ 1st Timothy 5:23
Fruit of the vine comes in various forms. The fruit of olive trees
pressed in winepresses have long been known for healing powers.
Everything created by God is evidence for the benefit of man and not
intended to advance his demise. One does not jump into a fire to get
warm. The Bible does not advocate casual and habitual social drinking as
a form of spiritual and or physical healing for the healthy. What has been
created for moderate use as medicine has too often transferred to that of
vices for those escapists from reality. Today, psychotic drugs abound.
God’s call is not one to escape from living, but to endure through its’
becoming, while acknowledging His glory for the greater good of all.
... And your princes feast at the proper time - For strength and not for drunkenness! ~ Ecclesiastes 10:17
Blessings come through strength of sobriety and the lack of drunkenness.
Woe to those who rise early in the morning, That they may follow intoxicating drink; Who continue until night, till wine inflames them! ... ~ Isaiah 5:11-13
Drinking alcohol is a dead thirst. To break the cycle of woe, love for the
Lord must be found and maintained. Love for family and others helps
remove one from the isolation drinking produces. Steadfast saints are
among those thirsting His living water where it rises from the heart.
Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, ... ~ Isaiah 5:22
There is nothing to be proud of in “out drinking” fools in the pool.
... to err in all her work, As a drunken man staggers in his vomit. ~ Isaiah 19:14
As a drunken man staggers where is the glory, for God or self?
All can testify that vomit is a wrenching experience best left as a memory.
For the boozer, it is a recycling event.
... Eating meat and drinking wine: "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!" ~ Isaiah 22:12-13
God has always instructed mankind to repent of, or turn from, wrong
doings. More often man, head over heels, jumps into the very thing
he should be repenting of. Revelry without regard is carelessness.
Seeing only the temporary is a limited experience.
To see God is to extend one’s heart to touch His eternal Love.
Woe to the crown of pride, ... To those who are overcome with wine!... ~ Isaiah 28:1
With all the symptoms of drunkenness, and being overcome by it,
it reduces to a vegetative state of despicable sloths; dreary existence.
The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, Will be trampled underfoot; ~ Isaiah 28:3
There is no saving grace for the dazed.
... But they also have erred through wine, And through intoxicating drink are out of the way; ... ~ Isaiah 28:7
No good results come from the effects of one in a drunken stupor.
... they are greedy dogs Which never have enough. ... ~ Isaiah 56:11-12
Many drinkers see no end to the pleasures they indulge in condemning
those that would prefer to remain sober. Unbeknownst is what the Bible
makes clear, in that drinkers are inherently self centered and selfish,
along with being purposely oblivious; denial. There are those that
while the day is the day, they desire to drink with no end.
Often drinks are used to loose passions of lust.
"Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart." ~ Hosea 4:11
We are prisoners to the desires of our heart. To unlock the window to true
love one must soar past those afflictions that keep that window closed.
External desires cannot surpass the upwelling inspirations love delivers to
those who possess it. Inward peace cannot be obtained by outward vices.
Those enslaved are not free but weighted down with woes. The Bible
makes a clear distinction between wine and new wine as separate.
... says the LORD: "As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, 'Do not destroy it, For a blessing is in it,' ... ~ Isaiah 65:8
Clearly new wine is the sweetness found in freshly squeezed fruit
of the vine. Both unfermented and fermented wine was available in the
first century, as it is also today. Todays production methods, and alcohol
content, is certainly higher than in previous times. There is an avalanche
of sinful mind bending juice. For myself, I love grape juice, but I know if
I drink too much at one setting it will make me ill and or nauseous.
Even water can kill you if taken in excessive amounts. Moderation
in all things is the balance God calls out for in the wise.
"... But new wine must be put into new wineskins." ~ Mark 2:22
Again, unfermented new wine has yet to be fermented into fully
intoxicating wine. Jesus came to save sinners, not to extricate those vices
of sin where man had errored from understanding the will, and or intent, of
God. Indulgence often dismisses wisdom. Knowledge, or lost knowledge
is what destroys a people. There is a way that seems right to man but its
end is in death. Excuses for irresponsibility have never revealed truth.
"Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, Pressing him to your bottle, Even to make him drunk, ... ~ Habakkuk 2:15-16
As they say, misery loves company. If one does not drink, when forcibly
offered, rejection and or scorn is part of the return offering from the
arrogant defensive soul’s - who contain deeper masked insecurities.
Sober people are, I believe, envied, and therefore attacked and or just
ignored and trivialized. Alcoholics find it easy to throw people away.
... beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, ... ~ Luke 12:45-46
To ignore the warnings and consequences of drinking given to us
through His Word, angry souls mired in their own grief
will have no excuse as God casts them off.
Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? ~ Ecclesiastes 7:17
One has to gain the courage to overcome weaknesses to enjoy the
powers God offers to those who embrace His ways, over that of mans.
One must rise to desire life over death to overcome that deadly disease,
called by any vice, a fools escape. The power of God reinvigorates a soul.
"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, ..." ~ Luke 21:34
Many have become self absorbed couch game playing drinking
fools stumbling from one stupor to the next. Potato chips help grease
the channel changer to the station of no where. His warning stands in
the face of mans foibles. Dangerous are the times in they attempt to
deceive with false pleasures. Any physical habitual vice pulls from
peace with God. In God is the highest one can obtain.
Excessive drinking invites lawlessness
● Alcohol is a mocker, brawler, & not wise
● Don’t mix with alcoholics led to poverty/drowsiness
● Bingers wallow in woes, contentions, false injuries
● Drunks will see strange things & utter perversities
● Alcoholics don’t feel physical pain - waking for more
● Give strong drink to those perishing abating misery
● Use a little wine for frequent infirmities
● Blessed are you when the leaders are not drunkards
● Drinkers do not regard the work of the LORD
● Alcohol swallows one in err both vision & judgment
● Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart
● Giving alcohol to a neighbor is to one’s shame
● Beware and avoid revelries causing harsh judgment
Only the sober can fully realize His truths.
Darkness's anthem is silence.
DrinkingAM2.mp3 (35m 13s)
Drinking is glamorized by venture capitalists
as guaranteed to lighten hearts in the unity of joy.
A lie always remains a lie no matter how many believe it.
... those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, ... ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:5-8
To remain in darkness can only define those spiritually blind. Elements of
God’s word instruct us how to live soberly in the hope of His eventual
coming. How can one be watchful if darkness commands?
Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, ... ~ Romans 13:12-14
We are told to remain in the light of spiritual adeptness, not in
the quagmire of passion’s desperation where sin flourishes. Lust is
the curse of a heart and the thief of peace. Many if not most have been
deterred from decency when the heated heart of passion’s moment
is loosed. To live life to one's fullest potential, one must be
a master over lust, and the evils it inspires.
... no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. ~ 1st Peter 4:1-2
God commands us to put on those qualities He reflects in the
goodness that He is. What fills a heart declares the character one sings.
He wants us to shed desires and lusts to honestly and humbly
love one another without expectations - pure love’s road widens.
Lust is unrestrained desire which all of us have battled if we
choose to climb that challenging ladder of righteousness.
... when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. ... ~ 1st Peter 4:3-4
Is your lust in the bottle of despair?
If you have been a drinker, now emancipated from its’ control,
those who remain ensnarled in its’ domination will belittle you.
The pattern most lustful souls have is to change those that they ‘possess’
- unaware God’s will is for us to just accept one another, for who we are,
and wish for the greatest we can be, in His truth. In evaluating self, over
condemning others, this allows love to rise. We were created to encourage
one another in our climb back to Him. To beat the demons from within,
one must find a way to shine the light of love on that deepest darkness,
which holds one under, in the shackles of hopelessness. The greatest
light comes not from ourselves, but from He who gave life life.
The greatest blessings from within come from Him.
Thankfulness joins with His given gifts.
... For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but of the world. ... ~ 1st John 2:15-17
How high can one get before realizing God is above all?
His will is for us to be as we are, humbly, without portentousness.
To artificially induce a high will never achieve the heights He intended
for those that love Him where simplicity rides upon the clouds.
The stars shine below heavens glory.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. ~ Romans 6:12
If one has no control over the vice that stimulates them, who would be
the master? Fleshly weakness is not where the spiritually strong reside.
A life with purpose has an agenda to climb over that of descending. To
overcome death, one must learn to live, and in Him is the life of all men.
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, ... ~ 1st Peter 2:11
Sin is the wickedness that lies underneath all that is decent.
It invades where it can craving to stumble those who hope for more.
Sin is a tortuous ladder rising out of the bowels of despair.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, ... envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; ... those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ~ Galatians 5:19-21
For all hearts in His light, no sinful flame is to cold
that it will not burn the coals of regret.
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, ... will inherit the kingdom of God. ~ 1st Corinthians 6:9-10
To be condemned under sin will tear one in half. Enough said.
... And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, ... ~ Ephesians 5:17-21
The Bible tells us not to be drunk.
I agree with one drink is to much and not enough. For that matter,
any pain numbing vice detracts from certain sober appreciation.
That measureless inner light can only ignite in His limitless truth.
The collision of drunkenness and God’s word are not compatible.
... I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, ... or a drunkard, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 5:11
People that excessively drink are not regarding the will of God, - who
says not to fall into its stupor. For those that struggle in desires
of quitting, fill yourself with the Spirit and help will come; pray;
→ associate with the spiritually minded.
I was an excessive drinker and it was His Word and a growing desire to
please Him that led to my sobriety. His Word is the ladder that lifts one out
of the hole of no return. No one can deny or reject that the Bible is the best
spiritual healing “medical” book ever written, offering salvation from social
collapse to all those that apply it, under the obedience it commands.
It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. ~ Romans 14:21
God wants us to consider others before ourselves. Empathy is a very high
and lofty godly quality. God looks for us to become stronger, not weaker.
... drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church ... ~ 1st Corinthians 10:31-32
If it is one’s desire to do all to the glory of God, this is the epitome of one’s faith, and declares friendship with God.
... speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, ... ~ Titus 2:1-2
God expects the wealth of wisdom to shine forth from older men.
A lifetime spent, from one stupor to another, shortens the value, one
could bestow, upon others as a legacy. Juice can flow uphill in reaching out for that living water.
A bishop then must be blameless, ... sober-minded, ... not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, ... ~ 1st Timothy 3:2-3
There is no doubt God calls for responsibility and compassion for others.
He astoundingly calls for our leaders to be sober-minded.
Recklessness is held in the bosom of fools.
Fools bring what is great down.
Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, ... ~ 1st Timothy 3:8
Greed and the desire for more consumes a soul in darkness.
... the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things - ~ Titus 2:3
Women are included in God’s call for goodness
in sober mindedness and speech; whereas feminine arrogance
demands respect, grace of heart is found where the humble earn it.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ... ~ 1st Peter 1:13
If God calls us to be sober, in His word, there can be no excuse,
for when using alcohol or any non-medical mind altering substance,
as one drink or escapist pill, will impair one away from His steadfast call.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ~ 1st Peter 5:8
Without employing all of one’s senses, one runs the risk of falling and or
catering to the lustful desires of the flesh. Satan’s desire is for our demise
into the darkness turning away from the light of God’s healing truths.
Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:21-22
A choice is at the crossroads everyday, and we must choose correctly
if we wish to honor His will. To His glory He has given us this ability of
choice. In putting alcohol to the test, it shows that it kills everything that
lives, and preserves everything that is dead. It is something that should
not be ingested unless subjected to an injurious medical condition.
Our social neurosis is to ignore the truth.
The courageous abstain from what offends God
● Walk properly not in revelry and drunkenness/lusts
● Do not love the world or the things in the world
● Do not let sin reign in you or obey it in its lusts
● Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against / soul
● Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God
● Do not be drunk but be filled with the Spirit
● Do not to keep company or dine with drunkards
● Curtail anything causing 1 to stumble or made weak
● Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God
● Speak things which are proper for sound doctrine
● Leaders and all wise should not be given to wine
● Be sober/vigilant resting hope fully on grace in God
● Test everything holding good abstaining from all sin
Darkness searches for colors it can not find.
There is no freedom where the creator of liberty is not present.
16. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) Part 4
“We, on our side, are praying to Him to give us victory, because we
believe we are right; but those on the other side pray to Him, look for
victory, believing they are right. What must He think of us?”
God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. ... ~ Psalms 53:2-3
God's horizon lifts all the son's of men
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“The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in
accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong.
God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.
In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose
is something different from the purpose of either party - and
yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do,
are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose.”
"... who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God." ~ Luke 16:13-15
“Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes
His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare
to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of
other men's faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers
of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully.”
For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. ~ 1st Corinthians 11:31
“The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep for which the sheep
thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him
for the same act as the destroyer of liberty. Plainly, the sheep
and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of liberty.”
“The war, the American Civil War of 1861-1865, would never
have been possible without the sinister influence of the Jesuits.”
The wicked prowl on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men. ~ Psalms 12:8
“My earlier views of the unsoundness of the Christian scheme of
salvation and the human origin of the scriptures have become
clearer and stronger with advancing years, and I see no
reason for thinking I shall ever change them.”
... fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; ... ~ Hebrews 12:14-15
Lincoln's rejection of Christian doctrine was based
upon institutional hypocrites twisting the truth of what
God Himself once delivered for all men to know.
“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming
conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and
that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.”
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. ~ Proverbs 14:12
“If there is a worse place than Hell, I am in it.”
“I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were felt by the
whole human race, there would not be one cheerful face left on earth.”
The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy. ~ Proverbs 14:10
“Weakness is what keeps driving us to God, by the overwhelming
conviction that there just isn't anywhere else to go.”
... "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 12:9
“In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and, to the young,
it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unaware.”
“Nevertheless, amid the greatest difficulties of my Administration, when
I could not see any other resort, I would place my whole reliance on God,
knowing that all would go well, and that He would decide for the right.”
“If it were not for my firm belief in an overruling Providence,
it would be difficult for me, in the midst of such complications of affairs,
to keep my reason on its seat. But I am confident that the Almighty
has His plans, and will work them out; and, whether we see it
or not, they will be the best for us.”
Faith is unyielding confidence in God.
“We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible war long before this;
but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise. We shall yet
acknowledge His wisdom and our own error therein.”
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? ... ~ James 4:1-4
“And while it has not pleased the Almighty to bless us with a return of
peace, we can but press on, guided by the best light He gives, trusting
that in His own good time, and wise way, all will yet be well.”
For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ~ 1st Peter 3:17
... reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:13-14
PresidentialQuotesPM11.5.mp3 (37m 07s)
“We must work earnestly in the best light He gives us.”
“The purposes of the Almighty are perfect, and must prevail, though
we erring mortals may fail to accurately perceive them in advance.”
... His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. ~ Deuteronomy 32:3-4
The truth remains that it is.
“I do not doubt that our country will finally come through safe and
undivided. But do not misunderstand me... I do not rely on the patriotism
of our people... the bravery and devotion of the boys in blue... (or) the
loyalty and skill of our generals... But the God of our fathers, Who raised
up this country to be the refuge and asylum of the oppressed and
downtrodden of all nations, will not let it perish now. I may not live to
see it ... I do not expect to see it, but God will bring us through safe.”
"... 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.'" ~ 2nd Chronicles 20:15
“I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your
bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved
and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid
so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.”
“We must remember that the people of all the States are entitled to all the
privileges and immunities of the citizen of the several States. We should
bear this in mind, and act in such a way as to say nothing insulting or
irritating. I would inculcate this idea, so that we may not, like Pharisees,
set ourselves up to be better than other people.”
"... Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed." ~ 1st Samuel 2:3
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace ... ~ Ephesians 4:29
“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.”
“Such will be a great lesson of peace: teaching men that what
they cannot take by an election, neither can they take it by war.”
“Violence begins where knowledge ends.”
“Whereas the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the
supreme authority and just government of Almighty God in all the affairs
of men and of nations, has by a resolution requested the President to
designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation; and
Whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their
dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and
transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine
repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime
truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history,
that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord;”
“Let the people know the truth and the country is safe.”
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. ... He also will hear their cry and save them. ... ~ Psalms 145:18-20
“I never encourage deceit, and falsehood, especially if you have got
a bad memory, is the worst enemy a fellow can have. The fact is
truth is your truest friend, no matter what the circumstances are.”
“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth,
they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis.
The great point is to bring them the real facts.”
In a land where the free wish to remain free the truth must be made
available or destruction is assured. A nation that does not proclaim
sober godly truths, rather exalting lies, shall perish from the earth.
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." ~ John 8:32
“The legalized liquor business is the tragedy of our civilization. Alcohol is
the greatest and most blighting curse of our modern civilization. The
liquor seller is simply and only a privileged malefactor - a criminal.”
“You must remember that some things legally right are not morally right.”
“Whether or not the world would be vastly benefited by a total
banishment from it of all intoxicating drinks seems not now an open
question. Three-fourths of mankind confess the affirmative with their
tongues, and I believe all the rest acknowledge it in their hearts.”
“The one victory we can ever call complete will be
that one which proclaims that there is not one slave
or one drunkard on the face of God's green earth.”
“But fight we must; and conquer we shall; in the end.”
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved." ~ Matthew 24:13
“Let’s have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us,
to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.”
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~ 2nd Timothy 1:7
Desperation plows the brink of chaos without hope
● Man’s beliefs not always abide in the ways God
● Liberty is a two-edged sword defined by desire
● Sinister Jesuits enabled the American Civil war
● Despair comes by a lack of faith and trust in Him
● Weakness reveals one’s true strength
● Faith is relying on God to bring about fair outcomes
● Providence is God’s plan to gain the greatest good
● Purpose is the light given by God that fills a soul
● Only by God’s favor a people survive evil’s onslaught
● Seasoned speech heals all who are humbled by it
● Without guiding truths, society reduces to futility
● Some things legally right are not morally right
● Enduring dutiful faith glorifies God & uplifts people
Without God’s guidance mankind ceaselessly fails
Hearts ache for the light taken from our children to see truth.
Darkness has no hint of color.
Darkness can only suffer to see.
In the vast expanse our God supplies all.
Authority is unimpeded actions under the constraints given by God.
Authority is a condition of freedom; the ability to act exists within given
liberties. God’s authority is supreme over all creation as He delegates
various degrees of authority to man and or His creations in relation to their
appointments in life exacted unto the physical and spiritual realms.
Authority reaches out from God Himself to the smallest speck of dust.
All reality has authority to be. By God’s power He sets all ordinances.
As the ultimate authority and creator of all autonomous life in His image,
our authoritative choices proclaim which eternal outcome will be received,
in accordance with His said inspirations. It is God’s will that man exercise
authority over the self, i.e., control of spirit ordered by His declarations
and beneficially inspired commandments given to all mankind.
Just words, and one may ask if authority is from above or below
when evil seems to overwhelm good. It is by this authors vision
that authority originates as a precious beacon from above guiding
our paths back to the source of our creation. Our own spirit
declares the authority we hold, be it gracious or despicable.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is meant to bring us to God. The question is, is authority
over stated, and is the Bible teachings that of generalizations, with letters
specific to ancient congregations, and not intended for the greater whole?
Many claim verses are to legalistic and that we are not subject to the
hard line that it draws. - As long as we have a spirit for God, this
would and should be sufficient, and this is the faith of many
current religions, or vicariously stated political movements.
And so man would argue with God instructing Him as to what salvation is?
It is God that has authority over man and not the reverse. One must decide
and know the Bible is wholly the word of God, and to dismiss parts of it is
to invalidate God Himself. God is not a liar nor an author of confusion. Our
God is straight forward. It is an all or nothing deal and we have been told
what happens to the lukewarm as they will be spewn from His presence.
Brutal but sobering. We are taught exactly what authority is through
His word. Without trusting the authority of the word, it reduces to
a work of fiction. To be a man of God one cannot ignore or avoid
what God has delivered for us to know, unless one chooses
to be a man of man, atheist, negating God.
God has spoken His word for us to bond in Him
→ Scripture is profitable for:
● Doctrine
● Reproof
● Correction
● Instruction in righteousness
... since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ... ~ Romans 1:18-20
... Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. ... ~ Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Man tends to reject the will of God if it is too inconvenient.
The subtleties of living are all expressions of God’s eternal call;
moment of love, truth, compassion, and knowledge of therein.
The humble acknowledge and appreciate the gift of His graciousness.
Straight to the conclusion of all matters is to fear God and keep His
commandments. As all things will come into His judgment, and by
His decree it will be; this is the ultimate unadulterated authority.
As He created us in His image to witness His glory, He allows us to
reach out and sense eternity both in time and spirit. To fall away from
God is to fall from life itself to a self inflicted chasm of death. To see
and consider death is His lesson to teach us of life in Him, or without Him.
His word announces all required to know His will and hope for our return
to living in Him by Him. All have been shown His untouchable expanse
in order to humble true hearts to know the unknowable.
... there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ... ~ Romans 13:1-3
The Bible is clear that at the top of the authority chain is God Himself,
ruler and judge over all. Many of us have felt the intimidation of authority
when those flashing lights of law enforcement have pulled us over.
Magnify this feeling a gazillionfold as we come to bow at His feet
exposed under His light. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as one,
need no patrol car to see our every action from the womb forward.
You can run but you can’t hide. The ordinance of God is to respect
authority within the bounds of obeying and respecting God. It is in fact
obeying authority, when not seen, that has the greatest worth, both to
God and self. Respect for authority strengthens the unity of a people.
Hopes of the meek to find peace are often dashed or crushed under
manipulative scheming uncaring liars who terrified by their own anger
cannot see. Regretfully, man’s authority is more often enmeshed
in corruption filtering immorality to all those under its’
oppressive dictates and false promises.
Without respect for God, man does little for his fellow man.
For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. ~ Psalms 47:7-8
God reigns over all nations and times from His exalted heavenly throne.
Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; ... ~ Isaiah 40:15
To appreciate the grandness of God we need the
perspective of something so much vaster than all of us.
Larger than all time and or spaces involving decaying finite
measurements counted as momentary grains, His infinite expanse
dwells above that unapproachable light beyond our physical ability to
simply observe.
But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. ... ~ Jeremiah 10:10
God is true, living, and everlasting, surpassing all the trivialities of the earth.
... In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land. ... ~ Psalms 95:3-7
The Lord God is King over all. In Him we are greater than if not as
He adds to those that love Him; a pulse of eternities touch. Woe to those
who miss the love of God. As He sees all, we will come to Him baring all.
He is the silver and gold of all creation. For all deepness knowable,
how high is high, - and those depths past knowing are all His.
... of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. ~ Romans 11:33-36
Indubitably, God is past finding out as all is of Him, through Him,
and to Him; glory untold! The Lord is simply unquantifiable by any
of our meager means. Mankind does not have the ability to penetrate
through those barrier secret’s of His light. Nothing tops God.
... "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." ~ Isaiah 55:8-9
Untold glory cannot be expressed by the limited mind of man. The Lord
has authority over so much more than we can ever know or comprehend.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. ~ Psalms 147:5
Inasmuch as there is none like You, O LORD (You are great, and Your name is great in might), ... ~ Jeremiah 10:6
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. ~ Psalms 33:6
As much as we are, it is simply unfathomable to consider
all that He is. His is of authority beyond our grasp.
In His image, He shares His essence.
Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, ... ~ Isaiah 55:6-7
Lives are brought back into the balance when God is chosen as supreme.
His ways are the ways of justice for the righteous
as the upright await His appearance.
Peace belongs as His gift.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. ~ Proverbs 15:3
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He ponders all his paths. ~ Proverbs 5:21
Evil foolishly remains oblivious to His presence as it seeks its’ own.
This is the reason for all nations and or peoples that collapse into discord,
disregarding Him, as they lose respect for the Lord, and consequentially,
each other. No blinking light district is hidden darkened from His view.
It is the absolute truth that the Lord possesses, and with this authority
of plain truth, we will all humbly come before Him. His crown is
above all crowns. Knowing He sees opens a soul’s eyes to see.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. ~ Hebrews 4:13
However insignificant, the power of the LORD’s vision is there.
We all start in a mindless state where as we grow to become conscious,
we need His direction to set our conscience, if in fact eternal life is
our goal and desire. Death is where laughter is heard no more.
Laughter is where love resides and it is in His truth.
O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. ~ Jeremiah 10:23
We miss the magnificence of God if we do not recognize His greatness.
By recognizing the true nature of God, and that we need to submit to Him,
for who He is, allows for our nature to become more God like, in our
feeble approach to His eternal glory. We need His overall guidance
to become the fullest illuminated life possible, all offered by Him.
As the Creator of all, He is the beacon we all must reference to.
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. ~ Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. ~ Proverbs 16:25
There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the LORD'S counsel-that will stand. ~ Proverbs 19:21
It is when one assumes power over God as a self determining soul,
independent of His ordinances, that the calamity of death attacks.
"Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other." ~ Isaiah 45:22
Looking up to God adds something greater than ourselves to
our fundamental being. It is where glory rises and love flourishes.
To miss the delicacies God offers, is truly, the sheer travesty of a
soul; to miss such an expanse of eternal life’s wonderment itself.
His Authority is in all of His Light
● All Scripture is given by inspiration of God
● Fear God /keep His commandments/ this is man's all
● God will bring every work into judgment
● There is no authority except from God
● God reigns over the nations/ sits on His holy throne
● God lifts up reality as a simple thing
● For the LORD is the great God and King above all
● For of Him & through Him & to Him are all things
● God is mighty in power; His understanding is infinite
● By the word/breath of God the heavens were made
● Return to God & His mercy will abundantly pardon
● God sees all - whom we must account;
follow Him
● Forsake evil; Look to God & be saved - no other way
Darkness is everywhere light is not.
The color of time cannot be expressed in human terms.
God sees all in that timeless moment where He waits for souls committed
in heart to His ways. To find our place in the authority chain is to realize
we have little to none. God is the supreme authority and He has
given us His word to understand this, instructing us in what
He exactly expects, and who we must answer to.
AuthorityAM2.mp3 (33m 18s)
Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth. ~ John 17:17
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ... . ~ Proverbs 3:5
It is His word that sanctifies us. He is giving us the keys of His desires
to be in His truth. Trusting in Him is a matter of spirit. The spirit is like
a propeller, and we must pursue forward in our climb to reach the top,
where the truth strengthens the depth of our soul. There is no height
below heaven that can cause a faithful soul to crash. Homeward
bound absent of evil is where our true citizenship remains.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ~ Proverbs 9:10
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ~ Ephesians 5:17
... finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. ~ Ephesians 5:10
One has to dig to find the treasures within His word, and He instructs
us to do just that. We are heartfelt miners filling our bags with precious
jewels that cannot be taken away, unless we choose to throw them away
for the dark stones of desire, in and of an oblivious world. As mere
pieces of His Spirit, no man is a planet unto himself.
False doctrines lead to the deluded fables of man.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, ... ~ Hebrews 4:12
God’s word is a gauge in relation to who we are and what we choose
to think. God is asking if we consider His goodness, which He has revealed
to the world, and has written on the consciousness of all those who would
want to be good. We take innate godly characteristics for granted as
bestowed upon us in the gift of His image. Do we consider and or
allow the word of God to have authority in our thoughts?
... Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ... ~ Ephesians 1:17
By incorporating knowledge of Christ within the wisdom that
pours forth from His word - this is what develops keen understanding.
What divides us as a people? Ignorance in confusion leading to outbursts
of wrath is not what enlightens anyone. The peace of God can only be had
by digesting His truths into the bosom of one’s heart.
To find out why we are alive in life comes from God
Revelation+
Spirit of Wisdom
=
Understanding Enlightened
━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Knowledge of Him
... by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ ... ~ Ephesians 3:4-5
God has told us that by reading His word we will find Him and His
revelations to mankind. For our spirit to touch His, it comes by reading
His word or at least by its’ audible ring. This Spirit that was revealed to
the apostles and prophets comes by acquiring the knowledge delivered
by the Bible and then allowing understanding to filter into our lives.
... knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, ... ~ 2nd Peter 1:20-21
No insight of Scripture is in need of any secretive clarification.
His word is, and it does not involve scheming's of man, but it
is a revealing of God. Scripture is that it is, no more, no less.
The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those who proclaimed it: ... ~ Psalms 68:11
- For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. ~ Galatians 1:12
It is given to man to know God though
His presence which goes beyond understanding.
... the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, ... ~ 1st Thessalonians 2:13
To reach a consensus concerning Biblical authority,
it starts with acknowledging that the word is absolute in disclosing
the truth of God and our relationship under His purposed design. Only
a true believer can obtain the fruits of His blessings. One has to ask,
what is in you? To acquire His word, and live by it, it has to be something
pursued. Many miss His truth as fruitless desires blur the pure knowledge
He wants all to have, in and of His creation. So how about you,
does the word charge the very essence of your life? How
wondrous when it does, when one's hairs rise to Him.
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. ~ 1st Corinthians 14:37
To deny what the Bible teaches is to deny God.
The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. ~ Psalms 119:160
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 14:33
Not only does the word proclaim authority, it claims credibility.
Bitter hearts will always reject the message of peace through
Him, yet it remains for those that will have it.
It is in realizing that God has given each of us life that the truth of His Spirit
is revealed. Jesus has sealed the terms of our salvation for all those that
would fully accept Him. Repent and be immersed in Him. Stand as a
breathing living individual in God’s creation, knowing that His plan has
eternal purpose. He is in fact the one that carries us all. We are of the
rising dust of the earth; the mustard seed of life. We indubitably owe our
lives to God; praise Him our Lord Jesus Christ, and blessings untold will
unfold. God’s plan is much larger than the dust that consumes us.
You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. ~ Deuteronomy 4:2
Moses proclaims the excellence of God’s word in keeping to it exactly
as it is. It is a warning, like a stop sign; do not add or take away from
what has been given by God. It is the LORD God who has ordained this.
"Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." ~ Deuteronomy 12:32
We are instructed to carefully observe those things delivered without
deviating from His commands. His Words are given for our admonition and
edification, and all meant to bring us closer to God in our understanding of
Him. He does not want His given word to be shortened or added to as it is
complete for His purposes. The Word is written with God’s own Life Force.
He has sealed it with His own Blood and patient love.
... anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; ... ~ Revelation 22:18
... and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, ... ~ Revelation 22:19
He is plain in directing us to carefully observe all that has been delivered,
and not to discard any of it, nor add supplements to blur its clarity. Man
does not set the order, it is up to him to observe it. It is a sheer illusion
when gray lines of tolerance become the molding light to His truth. Is the
Bible the key to truth or is something more required; or something less,
as claims are made it does not apply to modern culture? It has been
repeatedly shown that to disregard or forget God’s word brings
damnation upon the people. My people are destroyed for lack
of knowledge, and acting against what He has commanded.
... I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. ... ~ Numbers 22:18
True believers in God know that to go beyond what He has instructed
invites fearful consequences. For both intentions of good and or bad,
God does not want His word diluted by either of these types of additions.
We see how the secular world has nonchalantly crept into the church,
in both good and bad ways, i.e., ice cream parlors, sports centers,
gift shops, all seem good, and immoral behaviors deemed acceptable
are counter to what God has announced. God wants us to worship Him
from the inside where our thoughts focus on Him, and not on the outside
where substitutions, good and bad, take place superseding His simple
call to come clean, pure, and undefiled, naked in spirit before Him.
The times may have changed but His condemnation of human
preference over His ways will end as it always has, in the
death of those disobedient. The wise hear and obey.
... observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, ... ~ Joshua 1:7
God does not want His people (children) to be weak but to draw
strength from His presence (word). Instructions to observe what
He has proclaimed is made abundantly clear throughout His word.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, ... ~ Romans 15:4
The entire Bible must be taken into consideration in order to understand
the will of God. Many gruesome events are described in the wanderings of
of man, which expose the nature of man, and what God is trying to achieve
in saving men (souls) from destruction through these various sinful
pursuits. The whole gambit of emotions and situations spreads across
these unfolding words revealing the highest and lowest of all truths.
God is not hiding what He wants us to know, that is something man
attempts to do in his scheming manipulations deceiving the innocent
into questioning the validity of God. Some claim man as the apex of
intelligence, which is by definition arrogance, and a foolhardy claim.
... offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. ... ~ Leviticus 10:1-3
God does not want alterations in what He asks of us.
To regard God as casual is to negate Him as Holy.
... earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. ... ~ Numbers 16:31-33
He does not want man to overrule what He has established.
... put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, ... Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there ... ~ 2nd Samuel 6:3-7
"... our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order." ~ 1st Chronicles 15:13-14
To forget or ignore His called out commands has dire consequences
as shown to us through His word. God has made it repeatedly known
that He wants His instructions and or proclamations to be carefully
considered and implemented without deviation.
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, those do, and the God of peace will be with you. ~ Philippians 4:9
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ~ 2nd Timothy 1:13
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. ~ Philippians 3:17
God wants us to follow the patterns He has set forth in word and doctrine.
When one follows, he is led, and it is not he that leads, but God.
... remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. ~ 1st Corinthians 11:2
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. ~ 2nd Thessalonians 2:15
His word was delivered not to be altered but
understood by those who received it.
It is the Word of God that teaches us
● Understand the will of,
what is acceptable to God
● God’s word is living & powerful
working in believers
● No insight of Scripture is of any secretive awareness
● His Holy Spirit gave the word to those who told it
● Admit what is written to you is His commandments
● Sum of God’s word is truth/
not author of confusion
● You shall not add to or take from the word of God
● Do not turn from His word, to the right or to the left
● Things written before were written for our learning
● Nadab & Abihu died for not obeying God’s orders
● Korah & houses all destroyed by turning in rebellion
● Uzzah died as the Lord’s word (Ark) was disobeyed
● Hold to traditions taught either by word or epistle
Darkness is living on the edge of death.
AuthorityAM3.mp3 (37m 01s)
Christ’s authority has no equal. Through Him He has delegated
His church by His chosen Apostles. The ongoing appointment of
Apostles by man is the greatest farce of our times. As man attempts
to exalt himself, God remains impartial prior to judgment.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on the earth." ~ Matthew 28:18
By His own words, Jesus has all authority. He watches and will judge
over all the waves that time, and more, has produced. Actions, be
they righteous or despicable, will find there cost at His feet.
"... not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. ..." ~ John 12:49-50
God calls for us to hear
His Command = Everlasting Life
It is a humbling realization that God would
come to speak with us in the flesh.
"For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. ..." ~ John 3:34-36
His word is plain if taken as it is. God did not withhold what
He wanted us, as individuals upon all lands and times, to know.
The Word of God Delivers
Believes in the Son = Evelasting Life
Not Believe the Son = Not see Life
"For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, ... ~ John 17:8
Christ Himself announced the completion
of what God wanted us to receive.
"He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." ~ John 12:48
It is clear that observing what Scripture presents
is an integral part towards our individual salvation.
... as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him ... ~ 2nd Peter 1:3
We are told that His word is sufficient in order to come to the fullness
that is in Him through His word. It is by knowledge in Christ that
God calls to each heart, and He calls us to life in godliness.
A most personal call to come to a presence esteeming
glory in virtue which is what makes one holy.
By the workings of God salvation comes
His Divine Power
Glory and Virtue calls
Through the Knowledge of Him
↓
Life
Godliness
... "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed." ~ John 8:31
Jesus boldly states that following and obeying His words is what
makes one His disciple. Are we to be disciples of man or God?
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. ... ~ 2nd John 1:9
It is the doctrine of Christ that dictates both salvation and or damnation.
... in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 2nd Thessalonians 1:7-9
If everlasting destruction is for those that do not obey the gospel,
should we not do our best to do what has been commanded by God,
over excuses absolving one from observing His delivered truth?
"But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" ~ Luke 6:46
Jesus Himself wants to know why we acknowledge Him, and then do not
adhere to the teachings He has brought to us. He wants us to do all the
things He has instructed for us in His word. Are you a servant of the Lord
or is there a schism in your thinking? There is no doubt in service to Him.
... "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. ~ John 8:28
Reiterated several times is Jesus being through the Father.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ~ 1st Corinthians 1:18
God sends His Son to die on the cross to save man, and this just sounds
foolish to the rational mind. However, through God’s own sacrifice, His
divine call rings out most powerful. One either comes to God or leaves
Him. His kingdom has no tolerance for the ambiguity of the insincere.
... "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." ... ~ 1st Corinthians 1:19-20
God brought His own truth by example in the flesh. Concern and love in
the face of wickedness. To hold a forgiving heart over a condemning one.
... it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. ... ~ 1st Corinthians 1:21-22
Inhumane is why Jesus came to earth to wake those sinning with no
knowledge of eternal hope. He came in the stealthy shell of a man.
... Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ... ~ 1st Corinthians 1:23-25
No greater act has had the redemptive power than the crucifixion of
Jesus exposing the foolishness of man and the righteousness of God.
... learn in us not to think beyond what is written, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 4:6
The Bible tells us not to go beyond what is written.
The worship of God is not a competition.
A clear warning comes from God not to establish new churches in
the name of man, for it puts the wickedness of man at the forefront
rather than reverence for God and what He has brought forth. The
sufficiency of the word screams out not to exceed the doctrinal
borders it has drawn. As individuals His call waits to see how
we respond in creation to His endowing us to His image.
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, ... ~ Galatians 1:6-8
... if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. ~ Galatians 1:9
It is more than abundantly clear that God does not want
us to add amendments to His delivered word.
... by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 11:3-4
Even in the first century the warning came forth not to tolerate
different ways other than what Christ through His Apostles had delivered.
Does one really want to follow that which is contrary to the word of God?
In works and or beliefs, one can deny God if it goes against
His doctrine preferring something else concocted of man.
... that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, ... ~ 1st Timothy 1:3-4
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, ... ~ 1st Timothy 6:3-5
The warnings to stay with the delivered doctrine are to numerous to
just ignore or flippantly reject. His word was created timeless upon its’
conception. To often men of selfish pursuits pollute the message God
would have us to have. There is a trend that sexuality is the fulfillment of
spirituality - that Christ loves you for who you choose to be no matter
orientation, one way or another, even if preference is for both sexes in
one’s call to satisfy innate desires. LGBTQ. Are we to accept animal
relations next, orgies at every corner? Blatant sexual freedoms abandon
true spiritual wisdom. Devotion to self or God does draw a defining line.
Tolerance taken to the extreme allows hypocrites, counter to God, to rule.
They scream they're godly but deny Him in works of the flesh. Read the
word. The flesh is a test exposing either weakness of character or not.
It is not anything goes and God calls for responsibility to His word and
repentance, not tolerance. This is why so many hate God, and not
faithful Christian recipients who carry His truth – “They don’t hate
you, as they hated Me first.” People are drawn to the flash and
what caters to their desires and so God’s ways are ignored.
... note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. ... ~ Romans 16:17-18
Plenty of churches do not follow the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles.
Jim Jones claimed to be the incarnation of Christ as he sexually abused
his flock and led them to suicide. These self seeking ravenous wolves
stand for the lusts of man rather than the love of God. The young, and
especially lonely, fall victim to false doctrines all to easily, as it is the innate
nature of the soul to desire others. Our social structure is wounded at its’
very core with parents that hate their children abandoning them to feasting
predators. We are a nation, world, challenged in loving one another. It is
how we desire that God watches closely. Desperation and fear can blur
the better judgement of common sense when being lured into the snatch
of man. It is Jesus Christ that has brought the light of truth into the world.
We need to follow Christ and not the whims of selfish men enmeshed
in earthly desires. In Him there is no deception.
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. ... ~ 1st Peter 4:11
By meekly incorporating the word of God one grows.
It is a personal relationship He wills for each of us.
He commands that we spiritually mature.
Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. ~ Titus 2:15
Through knowledge we are empowered with the calmness of real truth.
His Word has Authority over all
● Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth
● Jesus spoke by the Father’s authority what to say
● Jesus was sent to speak the words of God
● Rejecting His words is that which judges one
● Sinning & not abiding in Christ’s laws rejects God
● Not knowing or obeying God in Christ condemns
● Jesus asks why we do not do the things He says
● Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God
● Hear by Apostles not to think beyond written word
● Anyone talks another gospel let him be accursed
● Be careful not to tolerate different gospels
● Withdraw from who do not follow the words of Christ
● Speak as the oracles of God with the ability He gives
Darkness holds one word: Empty.
It is by the power of God that we are.
"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." ~ John 4:24
True to God’s own nature, we too must
reflect truth from the core of our essence.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. ~ Romans 8:2
Life is what God has given and He offers it eternally to those that
overcome temptation; to those loyal carrying forth the burdens of living
here on the earth. It is the Spirit of Christ that we follow. We are currently
all under the authority of Christ and His Law in the Spirit of Life. He is what
will decide our fate in eternity. He welcomes all who will come but will
emphatically reject those that have rejected Him and His ways.
... we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. ... ~ 1st Corinthians 2:10-13
God has revealed what He wants us to know
and it is up to us to receive it or not.
... till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, ... ~ Ephesians 4:11-13
Jesus Himself set up His church edifying various workers
to bring us closer to His truth in the fullness of Himself.
It is God that measures the hearts of man.
... He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, ... ~ Matthew 10:1
Jesus had the power to do as He willed on earth.
He commissioned His Apostles to have special and
extraordinary authority over the material realm.
"... he who receives whomever I send receives Me; ..." ~ John 13:20
Jesus delegated authority to the Apostles to further His wishes
and or objectives. This did not include the continuation of man
appointing subsequent men to have the same authority
as Christ’s original appointments.
God touches mankind
FATHER
↓
JESUS
↓
APOSTLES
⭩ ↓ ⭨
ONE BODY
"... if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." ~ John 16:7
Jesus proclaimed that the Helper would come after His physical departure.
"... I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me." ~ John 15:26
This Helper would be a Spirit of truth sent forth
from the Father as Christ’s advocational witness.
God’s purposed plan for us to know Him has come.
"... the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." ~ John 14:26
The Holy Spirit came to Christ’s Apostles giving them special abilities
to remember exactly what God wanted to convey to mankind.
"... when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; ..." ~ John 16:13
The Holy Spirit speaks directly from the Father who has full authority.
For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. ~ 1st John 5:7
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. ~ John 1:14
The Word is synonymous with Jesus Christ Himself. In Him is the unity of
the Father and eternal Spirit. Christ is not just a prophet as minimizers
would have it; He is God manifested in the flesh as it is written.
Above our comprehension, God is One
Holy Spirit = Father = Christ = One
... Jesus ... sayings, ... astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. ~ Matthew 7:28-29
And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. ~ Luke 4:32
... "What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." ~ Luke 4:36
Jesus maintains a Spirit of truth in all that He is. If one dismisses
statements and or instructions of Christ, it is a blatant case of denial which
will be more than condemning upon judgment. His word is the final word.
No excusing word created by man will replace His truth.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, ... ~ Colossians 1:16-19
Since all is made through and by Him, our return is inevitable.
For those fortunate enough to maintain loyal hearts, may He find us
under the shield of His grace. With all that has been written, His
authority is undeniable for all those studying His revelations.
"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ..." ~ Acts 17:30
Repentance and turning from unacceptable ways is key to anyone's
salvation. Works will not save us, but by a lack of them or a blatant
disregard to His call for good works will certainly be met with His wrath.
It is a fearful moment to ignore what He has commanded.
... "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." ~ Acts 2:38
Without the remission of sins the death of a sentient soul is assured.
For a spiritual rebirth into His kingdom, adherence to abiding in Him
is plainly stated. Will you come to the call with a steadfast spirit?
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. ~ 2nd Corinthians 7:10
"Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. ..." ~ Revelation 3:3
Our time is limited and to forget such grave Godly
knowledge can only lead to a detrimental outcome.
... Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. ~ 1st Corinthians 15:22-25
To neglect the call to come will have dire consequences.
For eternal life to be seized, life in Him must be pursued. Will you
come to Christ? He will reign until time ends, and that is when the door
will close with defiant souls left behind from His presence, without Him.
We need to think and ask, why would God's authority not be necessary
where those alive would want to embrace His grace? The path
is narrow and not a carte-blanche for all types of worship.
Come, and wholly in thankful praise, believe to His word.
"... And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." ~ Revelation 1:18
Having the keys to judge all, and power over death,
is the most extreme definitive authority.
And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. ~ 1st Corinthians 6:14
By His authority we will live! If we turn from such
a great salvation there will be no excuse for eternal regret.
"... as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him." ~ John 17:2
"For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will." ~ John 5:21
The master waits at the gates to eternity to welcome His children home.
It is Jesus who will judge us as to the sincerity of our hearts, and all in His
apparent absence from our immediate view. He will have mercy on whom
He will. Welcome will trumpet sure for all those who rise in Him. A new life
is coming for all, and the question is, are you preparing for His final arrival?
His arrival cannot be avoided even though discarded.
Salvation comes by God’s Authority over all.
● The law of the Spirit of life in Christ makes one free
● God has revealed truth to us through His Spirit
● God calls for the unity of the faith measured in Him
● His message is delivered to man to be received
● The Spirit of truth proceeds from the Father
● Holy Spirit taught & reminded the Apostles of Christ
● The Spirit of truth is a guide into all truth
● The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit are one
● With authority and power Jesus commanded on earth
● Christ is the head of the body, the church
● God now commands all men everywhere to repent
● Do not forget that received & heard else ruin come
● He has authority over all flesh & to give eternal life
Celebrate for God is Here!
Along the long and winding paths, God has delivered knowledge which enables wisdom to flourish for those that would have Him.
Darkness has nothing to come together with.
Darkness has no breath to live.
Darkness runs in the shadow of fear.
Growing faith comes by a rising love for God.
16. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) Part 5
“When I left Springfield [to become President] I asked the people
to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the
severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to
Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers,
I then and there consecrated myself to Christ.”
In the course of time, either a soul deepens in heartfelt departure
from sin, or ignores its unavoidable reckoning approach, mired in
ungodly behaviors. In good’s truest form is the desire to mount
higher for those following as well as leaders ahead. The Christian
religion is an individual relationship opening one’s heart to trust
God, and to obey His will with one’s all as a pleasure and honor.
As the universe expands, so too the consciousness of man will open
to divine revelations; awakenings both conventional and uncanny.
“Young man, if God gives me four years more to rule this country,
I believe it will become what it ought to be - what its Divine Author
intended it to be - no longer one vast plantation for breeding human
beings for the purpose of lust and bondage. But it will become a new
Valley of Jehoshaphat, where all the nations of the earth will assemble
together under one flag, worshipping a common God, and they
will celebrate the resurrection of human freedom.”
"... Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down." ~ Mark 13:1-2
To be in God is timeless honor past
any monument’s decaying shadow.
For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but of the world. ~ 1st John 2:16
"Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; ..." ~ Joel 3:12
A spiritual victory is coming for all those
choosing God over desires of flesh.
“And having thus chosen our course, without guile,
and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God,
and go forward without fear, and with manly hearts.”
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~ 2nd Timothy 1:7
“But I must add that the U.S. government must not, as by this order,
undertake to run the churches. When an individual, in a church or out of it,
becomes dangerous to the public interest, he must be checked; but let the
churches, as such take care of themselves. It will not do for the U.S. to
appoint Trustees, Supervisors, or other agents for the churches.”
Lincoln was more apt to say that government should not
interfere with churches than to remove churches from influencing
government, to the contrary, that churches should influence the
goodness to be had in government. With contemporary delusions
we have lost sight that it was churches government was to protect
for the betterment of government. Lincoln would summarize wisdom
proclaiming that we need faith more than government, and if there
was something to be removed from social presence, it would be
government and not the courageous outspoken faithful. Without
the calls of truth being louder than the scheming of many big little
godless politicians, freedom is devoured in the shadow of lies.
Separation of church and state was to put church above
government, not below it, to be outlawed by the immoral.
“God bless the Methodist Church - bless all the churches - and
blessed be God, Who, in this our great trial, giveth us the churches.”
“The written word may be man's greatest invention. It allows
us to converse with the dead, the absent, and the unborn.”
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. ~ Psalms 119:105
... by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), ... ~ Ephesians 3:4
“I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible.
Take all of this Book upon reason that you can, and
the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man
(When a skeptic expressed surprise to see him reading a Bible).”
“If we believe the Bible, we must accept the fact that, in the old days,
God and his angels came to humans in their sleep and
made themselves known in dreams.”
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ... ~ Hebrews 1:1
“In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift
God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world
was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know
right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare,
here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it. ”
“All things desirable to men are contained in the Bible.”
“The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.”
... The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. ~ Psalms 19:9
“The good old maxims of the Bible are applicable, and truly applicable to
human affairs, and in this as in other things, we may say here that he who
is not for us is against us; he would gathereth not with us scattereth.”
"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad." ~ Matthew 12:30
"For he who is not against us is on our side." ~ Mark 9:40
... in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. ... ~ 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9
“If there is anything that links the human to the divine, it is the
courage to stand by a principle when everybody else rejects it.”
Truly, he who is against Christian principles
goes against the will of God Himself.
“I can only say that I have acted upon my best convictions,
without selfishness or malice, and that by the help of God
I shall continue to do so.”
... I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:13-14
Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. ~ Proverbs 16:3
Abraham Lincoln left an indelible stamp on the cloudy shores
of our times. Let us awake to his call to stand in the courage
of fortunate belief in a true and faithful God.
PresidentialQuotesPM12.5.mp3 (40m 53s)
Many human ideals transcend the ages of time for the shear
humanity of it. All desire peace from fear and life in love. There is
no national border on hearts as God gazes upon all souls tortured
in the flesh. It is the common ground revealing character of intent
either be they pursuits of nobility or wicked actions. Tests continue
upon all in the shadow vapors of our lives. Absent of God’s presence
brings about no good outcome more than evident where lives’ live in
the midst of socially collapsing despair mired in confusion lacking
purpose. God has graciously ordained His word for man to know,
and when people rise to honor and glorify His truths, sanctuaries
are established. Men of good will disclose these universal truths
enabling souls to rise, or at least delivering commonsense to
the thirsty. May hope lift hearts to the stars of enlightenment
bosomed in faith where the timeless call to return remains.
“I have had so many evidences of [God's] direction, so many
instances when I have been controlled by some other power than
my own will, that I cannot doubt that this power comes from above.”
... as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, ... ~ 2nd Peter 1:3
“No man ever got lost on a straight road.”
“Teach hope to all, despair to none.”
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13
“Allow me to assure you, that suspicion and jealousy
never did help any man in any situation.”
A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. ~ Proverbs 14:30
“I desire to see the time when education, and
by its means, morality, sobriety, enterprise and industry
shall become much more general than at present.”
... my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge; ... ~ Isaiah 5:13
Knowledge calms all souls
No Knowledge = People Famished Dried up with Thirst
Freedom can only remain free if nurtured by widespread
reverent knowledge, with multitudes of noble wise councilors;
too often tyrants spoil the unity of the meek to be free.
“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.
It's the life in your years.”
... you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." ~ James 4:14-15
“Don't kneel to me, that is not right. You must kneel to God only,
and thank Him for the liberty you will hereafter enjoy.”
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! ... ~ Revelation 19:10
“Life may not always be a bed of roses. All of us are aware of this fact.
There are numerous times in life when we have to face disappointments.
These quotes and sayings surely do inspire and help us to look forward
and enjoy the new pathways coming our way. These quotes also lend a
different perspective to life, which makes moving forward not a very
difficult task. I hope to stand firm enough to not go backward, and
yet not go forward fast enough to wreck the country's cause.”
“The evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond, and the surrender
of the principal insurgent army, give hope of a righteous and speedy
peace whose joyous expression cannot be restrained. In the midst of this,
however, He, from Whom all blessings flow, must not be forgotten.
A call for a national thanksgiving is being prepared,
and will be duly promulgated.”
Challenges are a condition of nature
❁❀❁✿⛐☘❁❀
“While we are grateful to all the brave men and officers
for the events of the past few days, we should, above all,
be very grateful to Almighty God, who gives us victory.”
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1st Corinthians 15:57
“We can succeed only by concert. It is not 'can any
of us imagine better?, but 'can we all do better?”
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; ... ~ 1st Peter 3:8
Common truths bond a people marvelously past lies.
“From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for
which they gave the last full measure of devotion. That we here highly
resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. That this nation, under
God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the
people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
“If God now wills the removal of a great wrong, and wills also that we
of the North as well as you of the South, shall pay fairly for our complicity
in that wrong, impartial history will find therein new cause to attest
and revere the justice and goodness of God.”
“I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens . . . to set apart and
observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving
and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”
... in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:18
"Let us believe that the power is on the side of truth,
and let this faith help us to fulfill our duty."
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." ~ John 3:19
As in human events, a struggle for wisdom lingers
● Death invokes an impetus to ignite faith
● Greatness comes by a resolve of fearless integrity
● Government should not oversee church organization
● The power of the word can influence generations
● Digesting the Bible increases the value of living
● The Bible is God’s best gift to man
● Those for God’s ways are not against Him
● Courage of principle is derived of the divine
● Hope should always be our anchor unto eternity
● Despair, suspicion, & jealousy defeats true character
● Living to appreciate the moment deepens life
● All just victories are ordained by God
● God’s providence wills the best of all outcomes
Death brings us to the brink of considering life.
Laughter springs from the rooftop of heaven where hearts have no end.
Arriving at the mercy of God appropriately humbles a soul.
Darkness has nothing to hope for.
In simple pleasure, one breath is the best yet conceived.
16. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) Part 6
“The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.”
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." ~ Matthew 6:34
“Surely He intends some great good to follow this mighty convulsion
which no mortal could make, and no mortal could stay.”
... since then you would need to go out of the world. ... ~ 1st Corinthians 5:9-11
Submitted to the Sec. of War. On principle I dislike an oath
which requires a man to swear he has not done wrong. It rejects
the Christian principle of forgiveness on terms of repentance.
I think it is enough if the man does no wrong hereafter.
"... Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." ~ John 5:14
“The Union is much older than the Constitution.
It was formed in fact, by the Articles of Association in 1774. It was
matured and continued by the Declaration of Independence in 1776.”
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. ... ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
The declaration of independence and decency goes far back before
recorded history, when men befriended one another in common
goals of uplifting families assuring both communities alike.
“Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." ~ Romans 12:20
"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.
Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of
affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field,
and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearth-stone, all over this
broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched,
as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
“I do the very best I can, I mean to keep going. If the end brings me
out all right, then what is said against me won't matter. If I'm wrong,
ten angels swearing I was right won't make a difference.”
Judgment waits for all
⭣ ⭨⭩ ⭦⮁⭧ ⮀⛹⮂
“With the fearful strain that is on me night and day,
if I did not laugh I should die.”
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. ~ Proverbs 17:22
Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief. ~ Proverbs 14:13
Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:3
For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. ~ Ecclesiastes 1:18
“In this sad world of ours sorrow comes to all and it often comes with
bitter agony. Perfect relief is not possible except with time. You cannot
now believe that you will ever feel better. But this is not true. You are
sure to be happy again. Knowing this, truly believing it will make you less
miserable now. I have had enough experience to make this statement.”
“In order to win a man to your cause, you must first
reach his heart, the great high road to his reason.”
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. ~ Proverbs 21:2
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, ... ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
... out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 4:6
... God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, ... ~ 1st Peter 3:15
... "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." ~ John 3:3
Unless one sees through the lens of Jesus, and His ways,
worldliness remains devoid of true intended godliness.
“He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.”
“Here in my heart, my happiness, my house. Here inside the lighted
window is my love, my hope, my life. Peace is my companion on the
pathway winding to the threshold. Inside this portal dwells new strength in
the security, serenity, and radiance of those I love above life itself. Here
two will build new dreams -- dreams that tomorrow will come true. The
world over, these are the thoughts at eventide when footsteps turn ever
homeward. In the haven of the hearthside is rest and peace and comfort.”
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, ..." ~ Revelation 3:20
Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; ... ~ Proverbs 24:3-4
PresidentialQuotesPM13.5.mp3 (51m 04s)
“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow.
The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”
A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth; ~ Ecclesiastes 7:1
"... a tree is known by its fruit." ~ Matthew 12:33
... in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ~ James 1:23-24
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the LORD'S counsel-that will stand. ~ Proverbs 19:20-21
It is the word of God that helps us to stand again when we fall.
“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people
all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”
Some men's sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. ~ 1st Timothy 5:24
“I could write shorter sermons but when I get started I'm too lazy to stop.”
❤
Abraham Lincoln holds cherished ideals of freedom
in honorable spirits to be better than we are. Each of us
should continue to strive to be better tomorrow than we are today.
Societies descend into the abyss when we grow callous
of one another, and despising of neighbors rages.
17. Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)
“I have been almost overwhelmed by the announcement of the sad
event [Lincoln's assassination] which has so recently occurred. I feel
incompetent to perform duties so important and responsible as those
which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me.”
"If I am shot at, I want no man to be in the way of the bullet."
“Let us look forward to the time when we can take the flag of
our country and nail it below the Cross, and there let it wave as it
waved in the olden times, and let us gather around it and inscribed
for our motto: 'Liberty and Union, one and inseparable, now and
forever,' and exclaim, 'Christ first, our country next!'”
“The life of a republic lies certainly in the energy,
virtue, and intelligence of its citizens.”
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. ... ~ Romans 14:22-23
"My right side is paralyzed. I need no doctor.
I can overcome my own troubles."
Strength of noble character blesses all who would encounter it.
... "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 12:9
It is finding courage through adversity that brings strength to a soul.
“There are some who lack confidence in the integrity and capacity of the
people to govern themselves. To all who entertain such fears I will most
respectfully say that I entertain none . . . If man is not capable, and is not
to be trusted with the government of himself, is he to be trusted with the
government of others . . . Who, then, will govern? The answer must be,
Man for we have no angels in the shape of men, as yet, who are
willing to take charge of our political affairs.”
“It is our sacred duty to transmit unimpaired to our posterity the blessings
of liberty which were bequeathed to us by the founders of the Republic.”
“Tyranny and despotism can be exercised by many,
more rigorously, more vigorously, and more severely, than by one.”
If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked. ~ Proverbs 29:12
"Slavery exists. It is black in the South, and white in the North."
"Let them impeach and be damned."
“I have performed my duty to my God, my country, and my family.
I have nothing to fear in approaching death. To me it is the mere
shadow of God's protecting wing . . . Here I will rest in quiet and peace
beyond the reach of calumny's poisoned shaft, the influence of
envy and jealous enemies, where treason and traitors or State
backsliders and hypocrites in church can have no peace.”
"... because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved." ~ Matthew 24:10-13
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ~ Colossians 3:15
... and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:7
When it comes to the end of the day most find the tortures, and
blessings, of living alone. Slavery is captured in the bondage of
flesh, both physical and mental. In death life is found. Courage must
find its muster for salvations glorious path to flourish in the open.
Dreadfully, the onslaught of hate gasps upon all, with the hidden
frenzies of mankind, deception and scheming lurking at every turn,
stealing the truth children hope to have. Wickedness shines as the
darkest beacon in man’s halls of so called justice where anger
shouts louder than the blown back compassionate. Our petty raging
has chewed us to pieces, crippling long held goals of settled God
regarded freedoms. Nasty children dominate the adults where God’s
callings evaporate to nothing. Destiny of the suicidal oppressed;
bickering and self-denial have reduced all our magnificence to
sheets of disgust littered upon the ages. Legacies are devoured by
the few towering greedy showering lies upon the innocent. Is all
that we are for the shame of us? Fallen in our own chambers of
opulence, will perchance our children rise in a spiritual upheaval
declaring and reclaiming the glories heaven would want all to have?
Awaken citizens of God. If America is to be blessed, we must turn
back to God where all decency comes forth. Dear Lord, forgive us,
bless us, keep us. Many noble men have risen that we might remain
as free as we can be. Thank you, Lord, for the freedom given that
this great nation may find our guiding godly purpose, extending
out to all this world’s desperate prisoners. The fact is God delivers
freedom to those that embrace Him and His ways. May His
protection and enlightenment bring us back to good sensibilities.
Passionate souls in isolation search for the light of truth
● Living one day at a time enhances endurance
● Once recognized, one should flea habitual sinfulness
● Sympathy for enemies increases godliness
● Each of us is accountable to God for who we are
● Laughter cuts the piercing pains of living
● Sorrow deepens sober understanding
● Only hearts open to God can reach higher truths
● Owning lifelong instruction bolsters elderly wisdom
● When Christ comes first all else will follow
● Tranquil lives call for common virtuous knowledge
● Only men of noble character are able to lead
● Ongoing slavery comes by those unjustly dominating
● Peace through thankfulness draws one to the divine
There comes a point where rules bury common sense.
Darkness steals the light of life.
Those things that gouge a heart can tear one away from God’s truth.
For wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one. ~ Job 5:2
They wander up and down for food, And howl if they are not satisfied. ~ Psalms 59:15
... feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ~ Psalms 73:2-3
A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. ~ Proverbs 14:30
Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; ... ~ Proverbs 23:17-19
Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; ... ~ Proverbs 24:1-2
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. ~ James 1:26
... they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ... ~ Romans 1:28
God tests us in the flesh to expose our strength over it, not to
succumb to our weakness of reckless desires, and to submit to its’
carnal indulgences. Absent of what God wants, uncontrolled desires
have the potential to unleash heinous uncaring empathetic results
causing grief among the meek. Anger has never rejoiced in peace.
... full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; ... ~ Romans 1:29–31
... knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, ... ~ Romans 1:32
... outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; ... ~ Galatians 5:19-21
... Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. ~ Galatians 5:22-26
... for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. ... ~ Ecclesiastes 4:4
Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry ... ~ Ecclesiastes 10:20
Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. ... ~ James 5:9
... if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ... ~ James 3:13-15
For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ... ~ James 3:16-17
Many live in the shadows of their own lies. There are visibly good
people holding hidden dark hearts. To come clean with God one
must rise to be honest with self, which then enables that
genuineness that assists all in the hope we live for.
... laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, ... ~ 1st Peter 2:1-5
For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? ... ~ 1st Corinthians 3:2-3
... The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, ... ~ Philippians 1:15-16
... not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, ... ~ Romans 13:13-14
People make the mistake of looking at creation’s temporary possessions
over the Creator of eternal life. Contemplations of what others possess
and desiring those things can distract one’s attention away from
godliness, peace of heart, and thankfulness that makes one whole.
... "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." ~ Luke 12:15
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. ~ Hebrews 13:5-6
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; ... ~ 1st Corinthians 13:4
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine ... ~ 1st Timothy 6:3
God delivers peace beyond understanding
Godliness with Contentment = Great Gain
... suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ~ 1st Timothy 6:4-6
When the weight of pain comes too hard to bear, a hope from afar calls
out in love. Steadfast in faith stands in the way of darkness though
surrounded by attackers who hate the light. Immersed in a world of
murderers, merciless is the curse to death within searing crumbling
facades claiming righteousness falsely while selfishly scheming
extinguishing the hopes of many. Social poverty consumes us. Evil
prowls on every corner where each soul must find the darkness within
to purge those things that defile peace of heart. Blessed are those who
compete not but find higher satisfaction in knowing what cannot be taken,
His redeeming eternal love. Relationship with God reaches out beyond
the tragic hearts that deny Him or hear not of His ways.
Desires can invade a holy relationship with God
● Envy tortures the inside heart of a simpleton
● Envy brings rottenness to the essence of life
● Do not envy but maintain zealousness for the Lord
● Forgetting God & practicing envy leads to death
● Do not provoke arguments envying one another
● Envy is earthly, sensual, and demonic
● Envy and self-seeking embrace confusion and evil
● Lay aside envy and seek out, build up in the pure word
● False preachers swell in selfish ambition, insincerity
● Walk not in envy and lust but in Jesus Christ
● Love does not envy
● In envy, slurs, evil suspicions, is argumentativeness
● Godliness with contentment is great gain
Envy fills the needles of greed piercing all peace of heart.
Darkness holds the death of light.
Upright are those fearless in His called for faith.
18. Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)
“Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties. Write its
precepts in your hearts, practice them in your lives.”
"Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. ..." ~ Revelation 3:3
“Hold fast to the Bible. To the influence of this Book
we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization
and to this we must look as our guide in the future.”
"To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace." ~ Luke 1:79
“As soon as slavery fired upon the flag it was felt, we all felt, even those
who did not object to slaves, that slavery must be destroyed. We felt that
it was a stain to the Union that men should be bought and sold like cattle.”
“If we are to have another contest in the near future of our
national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be Mason
and Dixon's but between patriotism and intelligence on the one side,
and superstition, ambition and ignorance on the other.”
A line between the Genuine and Phony
FREEDOM
PATRIOTISM
INTELLIGENCE
SUPERSTITION
IGNORANCE
AMBITION
... in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; ... ~ Ephesians 4:17-18
Truth of God does change its' color
No longer walk in:
● Futility of mind
● Understanding darkened
● Alienated from the life of God
┗► because of ignorance in them
┗► blindness of heart
“God gave us Lincoln and Liberty, let us fight for both.”
“Let us labor for the security of free thought, free speech,
pure morals, unfettered religious sentiments, and equal rights
and privileges for all men, irrespective of nationality, color, or religion;.
... leave the matter of religious teaching to the family altar, the church,
and the private school, supported entirely by private contribution.
Keep church and state forever separate.”
“Encourage free schools and resolve that not one dollar appropriated
for their support shall be appropriated to the support of any sectarian
schools. Resolve that neither the state nor nation, nor both combined,
shall support institutions of learning other than those sufficient to afford
every child growing up in the land of opportunity of a good common
school education, unmixed with sectarian, pagan, or atheistical dogmas.
Leave the matter of religion to the family altar, the church and the
private school supported entirely by private contributions.
Keep the church and state forever separate.”
“Labor disgraces no man; unfortunately,
you occasionally find men who disgrace labor.”
He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. ~ Proverbs 18:9
“Whatever there is of greatness in the United States, or indeed
in any other country, is due to labor. The laborer is the author
of all greatness and wealth. Without labor there would be
no government, no leading class, and nothing to preserve.”
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave ... ~ Ecclesiastes 9:10
“In 1850, I believe, the church property in the United States,
which paid no tax, amounted to $87 million. In 1900, without a check,
it is safe to say, this property will reach a sum exceeding $3 billion.
I would suggest the taxation of all property equally, whether church
or corporation, exempting only the last resting place of the dead
and possibly, with proper restrictions, church edifices.”
I’m not sure where all the laws apply or when the gray line is used to
benefit the individual over glorifying God. Looking at google maps shows
churches on every corner claimed by many residential households. The
extent of the den of thieves only God knows. Concerning separation of
state and government, it should remain established to protect true
worshippers from bondage to that which should rather uphold them.
Our government was established to protect religion, not to eliminate it.
Certainly it is a fine line when wolves use religion as a means to
establish human doctrine over that of practicing God’s word. Bad
apples and greedy self-seeking souls destroy the desire of many
to seek Him, in assemblies where He is truly worshipped. Pray
God He brings to our senses truth above what man has done.
“The most confident critics are generally those who know the least about the matter criticized.”
Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet. ~ Proverbs 19:2
“My failures have been errors in judgment, not of intent.”
“Two commanders on the same field are always one too many.”
"... And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant." ~ Matthew 23:9-11
The winds of time swirl upon the age of man.
19. Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)
PresidentialQuotesPM14.5.mp3 (54m 15s)
“Every age has its temptations, its weaknesses, its dangers.
Ours is in the line of the snobbish and the sordid.”
“Free government cannot long endure if property is largely
in a few hands, and large masses of people are unable
to earn homes, education, and a support in old age.”
“Crimes increase as education, opportunity, and property decrease.
Whatever spreads ignorance, poverty and, discontent causes crime.
... Criminals have their own responsibility, their own share of guilt,
but they are merely the hand.... Whoever interferes with equal
rights and equal opportunities is in some real degree,
responsible for the crimes committed in the community.”
Ignoring social inequalities increases public ills
EQUAL RIGHTS ⭣
⭡ CRIMES
OPPORTUNITY ⭣
⭡ DISCONTENT
PROPERTY ⭣
⭡ POVERTY
EDUCATION ⭣
⭡ IGNORANCE
"... 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.' " ~ Luke 18:11
... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ... ~ Romans 3:23
But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. ~ Galatians 3:22
“Abolish plutocracy if you would abolish poverty. As millionaires increase,
pauperism grows. The more millionaires, the more paupers.”
“Shall the railroads govern the country, or shall the people govern
the railroads? Shall the interest of railroad kings be chiefly regarded,
or shall the interest of the people be paramount?”
“Wars will remain while human nature remains.
I believe in my soul in cooperation, in arbitration; but the soldier's
occupation we cannot say is gone until human nature is gone.”
"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." ~ Matthew 24:6
“Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office-seeking.
Men of good character and impulses are betrayed
by it into all sorts of meanness.”
A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well. ~ Proverbs 25:26
“These semi-traitors [Union generals who were not hostile to slavery]
must be watched. -- Let us be careful who become army leaders in the
reorganized army at the end of this Rebellion. The man who thinks
that the perpetuity of slavery is essential to the existence of
the Union, is unfit to be trusted. The deadliest enemy
the Union has is slavery -- in fact, its only enemy.”
“It is now true that this is God's Country, if equal rights - a fair start
and an equal chance in the race of life are everywhere secured to all.”
“Conscience is the authentic voice of God to you.”
... being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, ... ~ John 8:7-9
... their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) ... ~ Romans 2:15
... having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, ... ~ 1st Timothy 1:19
... speaking lies in hypocricy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbididding to marry ... ~ 1st Timothy 4:2
... but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. ~ 2nd Corinthians 4:2
“We all agree that neither the Government nor political parties
ought to interfere with religious sects. It is equally true that
religious sects ought not to interfere with the Government or with
political parties. We believe that the cause of good government
and the cause of religion suffer by all such interference.”
“The religion of the Bible is the best in the world. I see the infinite
value of religion. Let it be always encouraged. A world of superstition
and folly have grown up around its forms and ceremonies. But the
truth in it is one of the deep sentiments in human nature.”
... things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. ~ 2nd Peter 3:15-16
“I hope you will be benefitted by your churchgoing. Where the habit
does not Christianize, it generally civilizes. That is reason enough
for supporting churches, if there were no higher.”
The larger scheme is God’s salvation for man
Christianize = Civilizes
“Have been reading "Genesis" several Sundays, not as a Christian
reads for "spiritual consolation," "instruction," etc., not as an infidel
reads to carp and quarrel and criticize, but as one who wishes to be
informed and furnished in the earliest and most wonderful of all literary
productions. The literature of the Bible should be studied as one studies
Shakespeare, for illustration and language, for its true pictures
of man and woman nature, for its early historical record.”
“The gloomy theology of the orthodox -- the Calvinists -- I do not,
I cannot believe. Many of the notions -- nay, most of the notions --
which orthodox people have of the divinity of the Bible, I disbelieve.
I am so nearly infidel in all my views, that too, in spite of my wishes,
that none but the most liberal doctrines can command my assent.”
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. ... ~ 2nd John 1:9-11
“The best religion the world has ever known is the
religion of the Bible. It builds up all that is good.”
“Partisanship should be kept out of the pulpit.... The blindest of partisans
are preachers. All politicians expect and find more candor, fairness, and
truth in politicians than in partisan preachers. They are not replied to
-- no chance to reply to them.... The balance wheel of free institutions
is free discussion. The pulpit allows no free discussion.”
... have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? ~ James 2:2-4
Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; ... ~ Proverbs 16:5
“As friends go it is less important to live.”
Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:2
“There is a great deal of strength in Garfield's life and struggles as a self-
made man.... From poverty and obscurity, by labor at all avocations, he
became a great scholar, a statesman, a major general, a Senator, a
Presidential candidate.... The truth is, no man ever started so low that
accomplished so much in all our history. Not Franklin or Lincoln even.”
In times of troubles all hearts are challenged. Despair or inspiration?
Creativity has always had a crazy twist plowing originality; who
can claim to know what is normal other than what is simplest?
All that is complex rises past most, and His omnipotent ways
reduce all to foolishness. Salt has its everlasting flavor for the
wise that understand simple eternal truths. What rises to heaven
is not contained in the mere substance that rots upon the earth.
In the broadest sense desires of unity dwell in the heart of man. Many
are torn in indecision when the flesh misleads true commitment to that
which has been freely given from above. Confusion becomes natural
where ignorance divides trust in differences between human ideals.
Hearsay religion is not the breath of God, and it is His deliverance of
the Bible that declares His warnings and blessing for man to know.
Maybe is not what God looks for in love that rises above passion in
submission to His will, and called out ways of living, contained in His
once delivered word. His judgment will be more than we can know as
individual hearts will have to account, but know men will mislead
where God will not. It is in His word that the divide is cleared
and truth arrives to the individual heart.
Freedom is a state of spirit where man can do nothing but
watch those embracing thankful emancipation, peace beyond
understanding. The depth of peace dwells in the tower of
thankfulness, the key to eternity. Peace has the redeeming
weapons of thankfulness and joy. Truth: this world is passing away,
moment to moment, and to attach to it can have condemning
consequences. Where your treasure is defines a cherished
sanctuary rising, or a dismal abyss descending. Loveless souls
quagmire into the lowest of selfish evils. The narrow path delivers
the prize Christ offers in His love, and our return to it. The natural
man cannot perceive those things spiritually discerned; where the
liberty we grasp elevates all who see. The psychic heart is higher
than the dying material, as a tiny grain of dust is to a galaxy’s
expansion. Time itself is the gate we wait to pass through. Don’t
miss the key that opens this door to eternal rewards where darkness
has no place. The world is not our judge. In His light we see.
Plunging into the depths is a heart’s bottom
● The Bible is the anchor and guide of true civilization
● Contrast lies amid cautious loyal & ignorant fanatics
● Free thought & religious duty builds our nation
● Let public education remain free of all bias
● Labor is the cement that builds a nations security
● Religious bodies should not remain tax exempt?
● Free government cannot exist under wealthy tyranny
● Crime avalanches where education suffers
● When rich dominate the poor, injustice screams out
● Natural human nature is selfishness promoting evils
● Conscience is the authentic voice of God to you
● Cause of government & religion is best served apart
● Bible exclusively expresses the infinite values of God
Darkness has no reviving power.
Hearts cry out to be healed of the afflictions death delivers.
... and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. ... ~ Psalms 34:14-16
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them ... ~ Psalms 34:17-19
... if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ~ 1st John 5:14
O God, You have taught me ... ~ Psalms 71:17-18
... revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth. ~ Psalms 71:19-20
... You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. ~ Psalms 86:14-15
God hears the calls for salvation
God full of:
● Compassion
● Gracious
● Longsuffering
● Abundant in mercy and truth
Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, ... ~ Psalms 86:16-17
... I called upon the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!" ~ Psalms 116:3-4
... Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD ... ~ Psalms 116:5-7
For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling. ... ~ Psalms 116:8-10
... What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? ... ~ Psalms 116:11-14
... I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, ... ~ Psalms 116:15-17
... Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy ... ~ Psalms 27:5-6
... You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. ~ Psalms 27:7-9
... The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; ... ~ Psalms 146:5-8
God’s character is all giving
God the LORD
● Made heaven and Earth
● Keeps truth forever
● Executes justice
● Gives food to the hungry
● Gives freedom to the prisoners
● Opens the eyes of the blind
● Raises those who are bowed down
● Loves the righteous
Everyone helped his neighbor, And said to his brother, "Be of good courage!" ... ~ Isaiah 41:6-7
Civilization is only civil when most help one another.
Decay comes when contempt overwhelms the whole.
He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, ... ~ Daniel 6:27
The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. ~ Nahum 1:7
"... I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. ..." ~ John 16:31-33
... beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. ~ 1st Corinthians 10:13
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory; ... ~ Psalms 149:4-5
Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand. ~ 2nd Corinthians 1:24
... "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" ~ Hebrews 13:5-6
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. ... ~ Romans 8:26-28
... this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. ~ 1st John 5:4
Kind of grim news, but we all need help.
The spiritual mountain confronting each of us is a climb into the strength
of spirit - while witnessing all the crying about us in life. Christians have
a higher vision mindful of much more than the earth’s confines in time.
Unsatisfied desires can leave one bitter, but know bitterness disturbs a
full content relationship with God. It has been said to look into yourself
to examine if one is in the faith He delivered or not. Believing in men
can delude one into a false sense of security. Only diligently
seeking out His word delivers the truth all seek to find.
Belief in God feeds the soul’s return to sense
● His eyes and ears realize cries of the righteous
● The Lord delivers the righteous from their troubles
● We need to ask for strength against souls who hate
● It is through striving that we return to peace in Him
● In contempt we become cynically untrusting
● Sacrifices of thanksgiving
& joy is healing He gives
● Freedom in vision comes to who love the Lord
● Success in life is only achieved through helping
● God knows who puts their trust in Him
● Each of us alone must overcome temptations
● Temptations are overcome when trust is in Him
● It is by faith that a person can stand for joy of God
● With content confidence in God, what can man do?
Darkness holds the despair of loss.
Thoughts merge in the ocean of time where hearts unfold.
... with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. ... ~ 1st Chronicles 28:9
For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? ... ~ 1st Corinthians 2:11-12
"... My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." ~ Isaiah 55:8-9
O LORD, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. ~ Psalms 92:5
... thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; ... ~ Psalms 139:17-18
... Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; ... ~ Psalms 40:5
Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. ~ Proverbs 16:3
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ... ~ Proverbs 3:5
"I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings." ~ Jeremiah 17:10
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11
... the word of God ... is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ~ Hebrews 4:12
... do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good ... ~ Romans 12:1-2
The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts. ~ Psalms 10:4
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, But the words of the pure are pleasant. ~ Proverbs 15:26
Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; ... ~ Isaiah 55:7
... live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of Spirit. ... ~ Romans 8:5-6
Choices of thought govern How He finds us
Carnally minded = Death
Spiritually Minded = Life
"... For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." ~ Luke 6:45
... "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, ..." ~ Mark 7:20-23
... truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man ... ~ Ephesians 4:20-24
His Word instructs us to achieve the best thoughts
Truth is in Jesus:
● Put off your former conduct
⮡ The old man in deceitful lusts
● Be renewed in the spirit
⮡ Of your mind
● Put on the new man
⮡ Created according to God
⮡ In true righteousness and holiness
... written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing ... ~ Romans 2:13-15
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~ 2nd Timothy 1:7
... seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ~ Colossians 3:1-2
... bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 10:4-6
"... Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" ~ Matthew 6:25
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ... ~ Philippians 4:6-7
... humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares ... ~ 1st Peter 5:6-7
... of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ... ~ 1st Peter 1:13
... whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. ~ Philippians 4:8
Meditations of Heart declare character
Whatever things are:
→ True
→ Noble
→ Just
→ Pure
→ Lovely
→ Of Good Report
→ Any Virtue
→ Anything Praiseworthy
With eyes wide open one can never know the whole glory of God.
In exalting our own thoughts above His drives all the miseries that have
come from countless centuries before. Unknowingly and or knowingly,
many have fallen to the chasm of self-exultation where condemnation
of others plagues the peace of heart intended for creation by God.
As a universal example of what can happen in the absence of
acknowledging His giving presence, earth displays across
the cosmos exposing the detrimental consequences.
An open heart undeniably finds God
● God can be found if one seeks Him
● Man is isolated by the spirit given of God
● God’s thoughts are higher than we can know
● Committing to God establishes one’s thoughts
● Trust in God and not one’s own understanding
● God tests the minds of all examining hearts
● God’s Word discerns thoughts and intents of heart
● If the wicked turns, He will abundantly pardon
● The abundance of the heart speaks one’s mind
● Truth is in Jesus to put off one’s former conduct
● Bring every thought into captivity in Christ
● Prayer guards one’s heart and mind through Christ
● Cast all your cares upon God’s care
- seek above
Darkness has no face to see.
Clouds rise to glitter upon another sky where the noble travel.
20. James A. Garfield (1881)
“Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their
Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the
people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent,
brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to
represent them in the national legislature. . . . If the next centennial does
not find us a great nation . . . it will be because those who represent
the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation
do not aid in controlling the political forces.”
Few men truly rise to the occasion to courageously stand in the face
of adversity. Unique is when wisdom meets in a strong humble heart.
Character is established by how a soul helps build all those
in his or her presence. Short is the time we all have with
those who would be the greatest in service for all.
... While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. ~ 2nd Peter 2:17-19
“There are men and women who make the world better just by being
the kind of people they are. They have the gift of kindness or courage
or loyalty or integrity. It really matters very little whether they are
behind the wheel of a truck or running a business or bringing
up a family. The teach the truth by living it.”
... who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, ... ~ Romans 2:14-15
“The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.”
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." ~ John 8:32
“Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without
which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.”
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. ... ~ Hosea 4:6
“If there is one thing upon this earth that mankind love and admire
better than another, it is a brave man, - it is the man who dares
to look the devil in the face and tell him he is a devil.”
... "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, ... ~ 1st Samuel 17:45
“I believe in God, and I trust myself in His hands.”
... O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them. ~ Psalms 17:7
“Men are tending to materialism. Houses, lands, and worldly goods
attract their attention, and as a mirage lure them on to death. Christianity,
on the other hand leads only the natural body to death, and for the spirit,
it points out a house not built with hands, eternal in the heavens ... Let
me urge you to follow Him, not as the Nazarene, the Man of Galilee, the
carpenter's son, but as the ever living spiritual person, full of love and
compassion, who will stand by you in life and death and eternity.”
What one falls for declares depth of character
Christianity = leads to eternal life
Materialism = lure to death
"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ..." ~ John 14:2-3
“The return to solid values is always hard... Distress, panic, and
hard times have marked our pathway in returning to solid values.”
... "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." ~ Luke 12:15
“The divorce between Church and State ought to be absolute.
It ought to be so absolute that no Church property anywhere, in any
state or in the nation, should be exempt from equal taxation; for if
you exempt the property of any church organization, to that
extent you impose a tax upon the whole community.”
“The sin of slavery is one of which it may be said that
without the shedding of blood there is no remission.”
... and without shedding of blood there is no remission. ... ~ Hebrews 9:22-24
“There are times in the history of men and nations, when they stand
so near the vale that separates mortals from the immortals, time from
eternity, and men from their God, that they can almost hear the beatings,
and feel the pulsations of the heart of the Infinite.”
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. ... ~ James 4:8
... "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): ... ~ Romans 10:8
“Most human organizations that fall short of their goals do so
not because of stupidity or faulty doctrines, but because of
internal decay and rigidification.”
“We are apt to be deluded into false security by political
catch-words, devised to flatter rather than instruct.”
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:1-4
“Coercion is the basis of every law in the universe, -- human or divine.
A law is not law without coercion behind it.”
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ~ Genesis 1:1
PresidentialQuotesPM15.5.mp3 (32m 10s)
“The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation
is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains have been pealing along
down the centuries, and though there have been mingled the discords of
warring cannon and dying men, yet to the Christian philosopher and
historian - the humble listener - there has been a Divine melody running
through the song which speaks of hope and halcyon days to come.”
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. ~ Isaiah 26:3
“It would be unjust to our people and dangerous to our institutions
to apply any portion of revenues of the nation or of the States
to the support of sectarian schools.”
“Science is the literature of God written on the stars - the trees - the rocks
- and more important because of its marked utilitarian character.”
... His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, ... ~ Romans 1:20
“God reigns, and the Government at Washington still lives!”
God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. ~ Psalms 47:8
“A nation is not worthy to be saved if, in the hour of its fate,
it will not gather up all its jewels of manhood and life, and go down
into the conflict however bloody and doubtful, resolved
on measureless ruin or complete success.”
“Whatever I may believe in theology, I do not believe
in the doctrine of vicarious atonement in politics.”
“History is but the unrolled scroll of prophecy.”
“But for we could not know right from wrong. All things most
desirable for man's welfare... are to be found portrayed in it.”
... Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. ... ~ Romans 7:7
“I am receiving what I suppose to be the usual number of threatening
letters on the subject. Assassination can be no more guarded against
than death by lightning; it is best not to worry about either.”
"... do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." ~ Matthew 6:34
"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." ~ Matthew 10:28
“If wrinkles must be written on our brows, let them not be
written upon the heart. The spirit should never grow old.”
How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. ~ Psalms 119:9
My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways. ~ Proverbs 23:26
... pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ... ~ 2nd Timothy 2:22-23
What one pursues declares one’s calling
Pursue:
● Rightreousness
● Faith
● Love
● Peace
―► With a pure heart call
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: ~ Hebrews 12:14
"... I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." ~ Matthew 18:1-3
"... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." ~ Matthew 6:20
Often men of greatest talent have the deepest of laughter for the truth
is their anchor of heart. Without truth, joy is all but elusive, but with it
comes naked exposure for ridicule as well as praise. Heaven holds
what is denied for man to know. Purely love rains where storms rage.
Nobility faces adversity with honesty
● Quality of our leaders reflects the public’s senses
● Kindness is what makes the world better
● Truth is not always easy to digest as one finds it
● Education is crucial to maintain freedom and justice
● Bravery is what encourages people in the face of evil
● To follow God is to find Life over death in Christ
● A return to solid values causes social hardships
● Closeness to God enlightens intimacy with decency
● Who listens to God hears His songs of hope & peace
● All that God has made has inborn utilitarian value
● Nations lacking devoted courage fall to those who do
● Right and wrong reveals what is best in living
● A child’s heart maintains a spirit of innocence
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