Greetings!
Today, as we gather with family and friends to celebrate this 4th of July take this opportunity to read the document that birthed this nation:
The Declaration of Independence. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln spoke of the historical importance of this document in his Gettysburg Address:
"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."
This document holds thirty-five words that are central to this nation becoming the greatest nation on earth: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
Within the text of this document these men explained what caused them to take a stand and pledge their "...lives...fortunes and...sacred honor":
"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness..."
Just as a woman experiences the pain of labor, the ouside pressure of "...a Tyrant...unfit to be the ruler of a free people" contracted abuses upon this tiny nation and forcibly caused these men to take a stand that birthed a new nation to the glory of God. This nation was, and is, set apart on the principles of the Word of God, and has been created and chosen by God to be a beacon of light and hope to the world.
Today, some 232 years later, we stand on the precipice as another evil tyrant is determined to push back up in the birth canal and undo all the pain and struggle and bloodshed that gave life to this fledging nation. This time the oppressor is not pressuring us from outside our walls, he lives inside our walls, and we have allowed him in. He is the great enemy of God, Satan, who has come in like a slithering snake to strip this nation of its Life, of its safety and security, and of its Light.
We, as believers, gave him access. We allowed him to subtly creep in. We got caught up in the American dream just like the rest of the world. We allowed ourselves to enjoy the choice fruits of this promised land instead of giving the Lord our firstfruits. We allowed the seduction of this temperal world to tempt us to pitch our tents. We have become comfortable and complacent in a world that is not our home.
We are now beginning to waken from our sleep to realize that we don't recognize were we are at anymore. The land that once held promise now holds persecution, the land that once was a safe-haven for our children to play has become a mine field of destruction, and the land that was full of opportunity is now full of opposition.
What was it our founding fathers wrote?: "...but when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despostism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security..."
It is our Right, it is our Duty to uphold what our founding fathers have written in this document, and more importantly, what our Heavenly Father has purposed for this nation. That all men, including the unborn, have the right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. And that the rights of one does not incringe upon the safety of another.
This can only be accomplished by returning to the foundation that this nation was built upon - the foundation of Jesus Christ (reference 1 Corinthians 3:11). It was faith in the God of the Bible that caused these men to stand up against a towering Goliath and believe that they would have victory. We have been blessed because God's hand of favor has been upon us to accomplish His purposes in this world. However, Divine Sovereignty does not negate human responsibility. We have a responsibility to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). Apart from Him we can do nothing (reference John 15:5).
This week we have spent a few days in Washington, D.C. praying for our leaders, our representatives, our judges. Looking at the landscape that surrounds us the memorials rise up out of the ground like a beacon of hope and a constant reminder of our faithful God who has not left or forsaken us. What He began He will complete and He desires to use us, His children, to accomplish His plan: to bring light and life to this lost and fallen world (reference Matthew 5:16).
"When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm." (Psalm 75:3)
Scottish Minister and chaplain to the Senate, Peter Marshall said as he walked the streets of D.C., "With all that isn't quite right about it, think about all that is. You can feel it beating - the pulse of liberty for the world."
If you've ever had the opportunity to walk the streets of our nation's capital you would soon agree. You can feel it beating - like the heartbeat of God - a rhythm that opens your eyes to the realization that God is not done with us. He has a plan for us if we would just get our eyes off of our seemingly hopeless circumstances and fix our eyes upon Him, our great Hope:
"For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." (2 Chronicles 20:12)
When Joshua was asked what the twelve stones meant, that they had taken out of the Jordan River, he explained to them that it was to be a memorial for all future generations, "...so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God" (reference Joshua 4:21-24).
It is time to take a journey to the past and remember the stone from which we have been cut from (reference Isaiah 51:1). We have been built upon the foundation of truth and the sooner we get back to that truth and start teaching it to our children the stronger and more prepared we will be to face the battle that is in front of us (reference Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 2 Timothy 2:19).
We have four months leading up to the election of a new President, new leaders, and many important issues are hinging on this vote. Let us not lose hope or lose focus. What is before us in the next few months is not only about the election - it is about the elect - the elect of God who need to return to the Lord with all their heart - the Lord is waiting for our response! (reference Zechariah 1:3)
The traditional family is suffering a disasterous blow and breakdown, but let us not forget the family of God who has caused heartbreak to the Bridegroom because of our diviseness and adulterous behavior - we must repent of our waywardness and unite in the bond of peace! (reference Ephesians 4:2-6; Revelation 2:4-5)
Life has been the central issue from the beginning of Creation - we will be held accountable for the 50 million who have had their lives stolen from them from abortion - but will also be held accountable for not sharing the gift of eternal life with millions more each day - we must not hide our light! (reference Matthew 5:13-16; Luke 8:16)
"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the LORD is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
Today, the choice is before us and the trumpet is being sounded across this land for believers to take a stand against the evil tyrant. Will we allow him to drag us off to captivity while we slumber, or will we wake up and get back to being about our Heavenly Father's business and impact this nation for the Glory of God - no matter what the cost?(reference Proverbs 6:10-11; Matthew 24:45-47; 26:45-46). Do we fear man or God? May God gives us ears to hear, eyes to see, and strength to stand!
"When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the LORD your God and rescued from your enemies" (Numbers 10:9)
America, America God Shed His Grace on Thee!
God Bless You and God Bless America,
The Servants of Trumpet and Torch Ministries
