I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that "except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall be become a reproach and a bye word down to future age. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human Wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move -- that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service. Excerpt from an address* by Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention of 1787
In order for America to become great again, for which cause many Americans have cried out, America must find out the truth of what made it great in the first place. Its greatness is not found in its checkered history, nor its wealth and power, nor its political system and elected officials. America's greatness is found in the light that was brought to the whole world through its foundational principles. Never before had such hope and promise been offered to peoples and nations as was offered in the founding tenets of this nation. Other nations were so awed by those principles, that they copied the ideas into their own new constitutions and governments. Americans revere their foundational documents, but do they understand the divine inspiration and truth from which those documents were drawn, and the prayer that was necessary in order to bring many disparate views together into a national unity? Through all of the debate and divisive thoughts and opinions, the founders repeatedly returned to and clung to the one principle that unified them all- that God is the Creator and King over all, including the nation they were trying to establish.The greatness of this nation was begun in the Word of God, and in humble prayers of dependence upon Him, and the greatness of this nation will be found again only in the return to these same things. King David described it this way:
"The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion...
We will rejoice in Thy salvation, and in the name of our God, we will set up banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions...He will hear him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and stand upright. Save LORD..." Psalm 20 (excerpt)
Military might will not save a nation, nor define its greatness. America! - we tell you to trust in the name that can save, the name of the LORD our God. Battle banners are impressive, but it is the banner of the LORD's name that delivers from destruction. The return to greatness that American hearts are crying out for cannot be found in an election, or a political figure:
"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day, his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God. The LORD shall reign forever...unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD." Ps. 146 (excerpt)
Even when men have led America in good ways with good thoughts and plans, when they perish, that way perishes with them, and with their generation. However, what the LORD establishes and revives lives forever, because He lives forever, to ALL generations. Men aspire to do justice, but the LORD IS justice for all (v. 7-9).
The LORD, in His mercy, has brought many great spiritual revivals to this nation, and saved many through them. Those revivals have come through humble believers, who cried out to Him in prayer. One of the greatest revivals at Azusa Street, in 1906, became plagued by racism and division. White people broke away because they did not want to come under the authority of a black man, William Seymour, whose prayers and heartfelt desire for the face of God, birthed the revival that saved them. Revival and restoration to greatness starts in the heart of a believer. The Church is still crippled in racism, strife and division. The Church itself needs revival back to greatness in Christ, to the truth of God's Word. Are believers calling upon the name of the LORD for restoration of this nation, or are they trusting in the winner of an election, taking sides in the division of political "solutions"?
As America has come to a crossroads that will determine its future for generations, Dr. Stevenson has spent years preparing a book for just such a time as this. Each chapter deals with a key to restoring the true greatness of America. One of those keys lies in a challenge to a "world weary church" that has grown weary trying to conform to this world, trusting in this world, rather than being transformed into the image of Christ, and consequently transforming those around them:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Rom. 12:1-2
The restored greatness of America is lying in the true, humble, heart of a believer, who is seeking the face of God and His truth, for himself, and for his troubled nation, whose heart is grieved by what he sees, and is crying to God for His help. Trust in the LORD: our help comes from God.
A long ago generation left us a key to the way back to greatness for America. This key was established to help us if we, as a nation, lost our way. It is in the form of a monument established near Plymouth Rock, which is commonly considered to be the birthplace of America. To honor the Pilgrim forefathers who established this nation in faith, the monument is called, National Monument to the Forefathers**. This monument was also the subject of a documentary called, "Monumental"***, which is strongly recommended for your viewing. The four sides of the base of the monument represent Morality, Law, Education, and Liberty. Each side of the base has keys of spiritual knowledge pertaining to those four building blocks of this nation. For example, the north face features a representation of Morality, a woman holding a tablet bearing the beginning of the Ten Commandments, “I am the Lord thy God.” Rising far above, and in the midst of those four sides of the pedestal of the monument is the figure representing Faith, which is holding the Bible.
This is where the greatness of our nation began, and this is where we will find the way back to greatness.
*Benjamin Franklin's full address to the Constitutional Convention
**Information on the National Monument to the Forefathers
***"Monumental" Documentary
To Contact/Support/Submit Prayer Request/ Order the book, "NAZAH",
Also to hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10212286515379847&id=1287453776
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:
Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
"The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion...
We will rejoice in Thy salvation, and in the name of our God, we will set up banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions...He will hear him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and stand upright. Save LORD..." Psalm 20 (excerpt)
Military might will not save a nation, nor define its greatness. America! - we tell you to trust in the name that can save, the name of the LORD our God. Battle banners are impressive, but it is the banner of the LORD's name that delivers from destruction. The return to greatness that American hearts are crying out for cannot be found in an election, or a political figure:
"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day, his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God. The LORD shall reign forever...unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD." Ps. 146 (excerpt)
Even when men have led America in good ways with good thoughts and plans, when they perish, that way perishes with them, and with their generation. However, what the LORD establishes and revives lives forever, because He lives forever, to ALL generations. Men aspire to do justice, but the LORD IS justice for all (v. 7-9).
The LORD, in His mercy, has brought many great spiritual revivals to this nation, and saved many through them. Those revivals have come through humble believers, who cried out to Him in prayer. One of the greatest revivals at Azusa Street, in 1906, became plagued by racism and division. White people broke away because they did not want to come under the authority of a black man, William Seymour, whose prayers and heartfelt desire for the face of God, birthed the revival that saved them. Revival and restoration to greatness starts in the heart of a believer. The Church is still crippled in racism, strife and division. The Church itself needs revival back to greatness in Christ, to the truth of God's Word. Are believers calling upon the name of the LORD for restoration of this nation, or are they trusting in the winner of an election, taking sides in the division of political "solutions"?
As America has come to a crossroads that will determine its future for generations, Dr. Stevenson has spent years preparing a book for just such a time as this. Each chapter deals with a key to restoring the true greatness of America. One of those keys lies in a challenge to a "world weary church" that has grown weary trying to conform to this world, trusting in this world, rather than being transformed into the image of Christ, and consequently transforming those around them:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Rom. 12:1-2
The restored greatness of America is lying in the true, humble, heart of a believer, who is seeking the face of God and His truth, for himself, and for his troubled nation, whose heart is grieved by what he sees, and is crying to God for His help. Trust in the LORD: our help comes from God.
A long ago generation left us a key to the way back to greatness for America. This key was established to help us if we, as a nation, lost our way. It is in the form of a monument established near Plymouth Rock, which is commonly considered to be the birthplace of America. To honor the Pilgrim forefathers who established this nation in faith, the monument is called, National Monument to the Forefathers**. This monument was also the subject of a documentary called, "Monumental"***, which is strongly recommended for your viewing. The four sides of the base of the monument represent Morality, Law, Education, and Liberty. Each side of the base has keys of spiritual knowledge pertaining to those four building blocks of this nation. For example, the north face features a representation of Morality, a woman holding a tablet bearing the beginning of the Ten Commandments, “I am the Lord thy God.” Rising far above, and in the midst of those four sides of the pedestal of the monument is the figure representing Faith, which is holding the Bible.
This is where the greatness of our nation began, and this is where we will find the way back to greatness.
*Benjamin Franklin's full address to the Constitutional Convention
**Information on the National Monument to the Forefathers
***"Monumental" Documentary
To Contact/Support/Submit Prayer Request/ Order the book, "NAZAH",
Also to hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10212286515379847&id=1287453776
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:
Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment