We've just installed some new windows in our home. The originals were 33 or so years old. They were double pane windows and many had lost their seal and were clouded from moisture between the panes.
This morning I was looking out our upstairs bedroom window and admiring the great colors on the trees in our yard. I had said to Delbra that I really loved the new windows because they were so clear and everything looks more beautiful through them. We do have a lovely back yard - a stream leading into a lake and woods sets behind us, so very pastoral scene in a sense. As I was looking, 2 Corinthians 3 came strongly to my mind. The last two verses are as follows; 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
I realized in a moment that a type of veil (the cloudiness between the panes) had been removed, and that exactly the same yard I've looked at for 25 years looked entirely different. I was looking at the same grass, trees and stream, but the (veil) had been removed. At that moment I knew that as we behold the Lord continually, we can see what perhaps we've looked at many a time with a completely new perspective. Clearer, sharper, brighter and displaying a beauty not noticed before.
Let's decide to do our part to remove the veils we have created / formed over the years and allow the Lord of all Glory to reveal Himself in brand new way. The preceding verses say that it is the hardness of ones heart that is the veil. Ask the Lord to reveal any hardness in your heart today. Make sure you are not carrying some un-forgiveness or bitterness hidden away over a period of time. Apply the Blood of Redemption afresh to your being and see if some old cloudiness (veil) disappears and you see even your own life and circumstances in a brand new light.
If God is for you, who / what can be against you? By the way, He is always for you.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
As A Citizen, Pursue Truth
As a youngster, like most, I said the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag every school day morning. I suspect most of you remember the last part which says “One Nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all”. I have been pondering that section, looking at the meanings of the words. I have noticed that much is happening in our great Nation that is contrary to those few words.
Are we “One Nation”, or are we a compilation of many cultures? It appears to me that we are increasingly separated by various cultural differences. Communities are ethnically divided. Some towns / cities are fully made up of and adhere to the wishes of certain minorities. International law is frequently referred to by our courts. Official U.S. documents even of everyday use are printed in many languages. Phone answering machines respond in two or more languages when called. Are we really “One Nation”?
Are we really operating “under God” as is implied? Increasingly legal cases are being won by those who are against anything of God, particularly prayer, scripture plaques, references to Christ, even saying the word “God” at a Military Funeral and more. The “God” referred to in our Pledge is the God of creation, the Father of our Redeemer Jesus Christ, and the releaser of Holy Spirit who reveals the Father and the Son. That “God” is not some man made idol; nor are all “gods” referred to by religious persons The One True God who is creator of heaven and earth. We continually violate His commands. We honor other gods before Him; we place idols (other gods) before Him- even worship them openly; His name is taken in vain regularly - even on public airways; the sabbath day is certainly not Holy to most; fathers and mothers are rarely honored and true parenthood as defined Scripturally is blasphemed and ridiculed; we do murder (abortion) and call it a choice; adulteries are committed regularly in every sector of life; thievery is common - even our identities are now stolen; blatant lies are accepted as truth; and covetousness certainly abounds. All of the above seem acceptable and participated in by far too many of our local, State and National leaders - in any field of endeavor, including the Church.
Are we “indivisible” or are we divided? Scripture says “a house divided shall not stand”. If we were as “One Nation under God”, we would not be divided as we are in so many arenas. The “Occupy” revolution taking place across our land is a display of divisiveness as a result of covetousness and more. Our political and often religious leaders seem to speak divisiveness regularly as one group is pitted against the other in jealousy and envy - even hatred revealed. Have we stood as “indivisible”? I think not.
Is “justice” equal for all? Justice is supposed to be blind, that is all treated the same. Laws are written that exclude certain sectors or persons of society from the same judgment as another. Examples abound - is treatment the same for one condemning Christianity as one condemning Islam? Is treatment the same for one espousing traditional marriage as one wanting same-sex marriage? Scores of examples of laws written and upheld highly favor one group over another.
Will the truth of “a Nation divided shall not stand” happen in America? Can we, created man, stand apart from our Creator and over rule His law? Certainly not! President John Adams is quoted saying “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the Government of any other”.
What shall we conclude. Can we stand against God and against the intent of our Constitution as written by our Founding Fathers? I think not. It is time for every person calling themselves Americans and Christians to arise and stand for truth once again. Educate yourself, see the history of those attempting to violate the laws of Almighty God as individuals and especially as Nations. Study our National Pledge of Allegiance through the eyes of Biblical Truth. Conclude that you will be one whom God and America can count on to be what you were intended to be, as a citizen of Heaven and a citizen of America. God bless you as you pursue Truth.
Are we “One Nation”, or are we a compilation of many cultures? It appears to me that we are increasingly separated by various cultural differences. Communities are ethnically divided. Some towns / cities are fully made up of and adhere to the wishes of certain minorities. International law is frequently referred to by our courts. Official U.S. documents even of everyday use are printed in many languages. Phone answering machines respond in two or more languages when called. Are we really “One Nation”?
Are we really operating “under God” as is implied? Increasingly legal cases are being won by those who are against anything of God, particularly prayer, scripture plaques, references to Christ, even saying the word “God” at a Military Funeral and more. The “God” referred to in our Pledge is the God of creation, the Father of our Redeemer Jesus Christ, and the releaser of Holy Spirit who reveals the Father and the Son. That “God” is not some man made idol; nor are all “gods” referred to by religious persons The One True God who is creator of heaven and earth. We continually violate His commands. We honor other gods before Him; we place idols (other gods) before Him- even worship them openly; His name is taken in vain regularly - even on public airways; the sabbath day is certainly not Holy to most; fathers and mothers are rarely honored and true parenthood as defined Scripturally is blasphemed and ridiculed; we do murder (abortion) and call it a choice; adulteries are committed regularly in every sector of life; thievery is common - even our identities are now stolen; blatant lies are accepted as truth; and covetousness certainly abounds. All of the above seem acceptable and participated in by far too many of our local, State and National leaders - in any field of endeavor, including the Church.
Are we “indivisible” or are we divided? Scripture says “a house divided shall not stand”. If we were as “One Nation under God”, we would not be divided as we are in so many arenas. The “Occupy” revolution taking place across our land is a display of divisiveness as a result of covetousness and more. Our political and often religious leaders seem to speak divisiveness regularly as one group is pitted against the other in jealousy and envy - even hatred revealed. Have we stood as “indivisible”? I think not.
Is “justice” equal for all? Justice is supposed to be blind, that is all treated the same. Laws are written that exclude certain sectors or persons of society from the same judgment as another. Examples abound - is treatment the same for one condemning Christianity as one condemning Islam? Is treatment the same for one espousing traditional marriage as one wanting same-sex marriage? Scores of examples of laws written and upheld highly favor one group over another.
Will the truth of “a Nation divided shall not stand” happen in America? Can we, created man, stand apart from our Creator and over rule His law? Certainly not! President John Adams is quoted saying “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the Government of any other”.
What shall we conclude. Can we stand against God and against the intent of our Constitution as written by our Founding Fathers? I think not. It is time for every person calling themselves Americans and Christians to arise and stand for truth once again. Educate yourself, see the history of those attempting to violate the laws of Almighty God as individuals and especially as Nations. Study our National Pledge of Allegiance through the eyes of Biblical Truth. Conclude that you will be one whom God and America can count on to be what you were intended to be, as a citizen of Heaven and a citizen of America. God bless you as you pursue Truth.
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