PLUS

I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Thomas Jefferson’s gravestone (see previous post) demonstrated a desire to pour his life into those things that would last. He wanted to live a life that left a legacy. He didn’t want his work to be in vain, but wanted it to continue beyond his death.

Missionary Charles Thomas Studd wrote the following poem entitled “Only One Life, Will Soon Be Past”:

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

How are we spending our time so that our lives are not in vain? Are we living for the temporal or the eternal? What are we doing today that will last? Are we living for today, or to leave a legacy?

PLEASE LIVE A LIFE THAT FOCUSES ON WHAT WE CAN DO FOR CHRIST. We must focus on a life lived to produce a legacy. After all, our life will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.

II Corinthians 5:9-10 “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

In accordance with Jefferson’s specific instructions, the following is written on Thomas Jefferson’s gravestone:

“Here was buried
Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of American Independence
of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom
& Father of the University of Virginia”

He wished to be remembered “by these as testimonials that I have lived.”

Interestingly, there is one obvious omission from this impressive list – President of the United States. While Jefferson never explained this omission, it is reasonable that Jefferson was selflessly most proud of his creation of lasting institutions rather than his possession of fleeting positions. In the three listed institutions, Jefferson highlights independence, liberty (notably religious liberty), and education.

What institutions are American Christians building today while the mainstays of society are crumbling around us? What are we doing to support the notions of independence, liberty (notably religious liberty), and education? Are we selflessly striving towards the creation and strengthening of lasting institutions rather than the possession of fleeting positions? Jefferson didn’t sit idly by and watch with concern as problems arose in early America. He tackled them, with passion, vision, and selflessness. By these testimonials, he wished to be remembered. What have we done?

PLEASE PRAY FOR CONVICTION TO FALL UPON AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO SELFLESSLY STAND FOR GODLY INSTITUTIONS. May we be remembered by these testimonials that we have lived.

SET YOUR ALARM: If you’re alarmed (that maybe the best America deserves are two deeply-flawed candidates for President), set your alarm (to pray for our nation)!
SET YOUR ALARM: If you’re alarmed (at massive federal overreach and a clear violation of the Tenth Amendment), set your alarm (to pray for our nation)!

Please see the following posts for thoughts on Thomas Jefferson:
https://prayatlunch.us/principled-principal-men/
https://prayatlunch.us/inalienable/
https://prayatlunch.us/removing-a-conviction/
https://prayatlunch.us/trembling/
https://prayatlunch.us/tyranny-over-the-mind-of-man/
https://prayatlunch.us/moral-authority/

Colossians 2:15 “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

On May 10^th, the Continental Congress appointed John Adams, Richard Henry Lee, and Edward Rutledge to write a preamble to their resolution. On May 15^th, the following was combined with the previous resolution and published:

“Whereas his Britannic Majesty, in conjunction with the lords and commons of Great Britain, has, by a late act of Parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these United Colonies from the protection of his crown; And whereas, no answer, whatever, to the humble petitions of the colonies for redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great Britain, has been or is likely to be given; but, the whole force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruction of the good people of these colonies; And whereas, it appears absolutely irreconcilable to reason and good Conscience, for the people of these colonies now to take the oaths and affirmations necessary for the support of any government under the crown of Great Britain, and it is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under the said crown should be totally suppressed, and all the powers of the government exerted, under the authority of the people of the colonies, for the preservation of internal peace, virtue, and good order, as well as for the defence of their lives, liberties, and properties, against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of their enemies; therefore, resolved, etc.”

The British had failed in their responsibility to provide adequate protection and security. They had failed to properly redress grievances. Their relationship with the colonists had become irreconcilable. Based on its deviation from God, the British authority had been spoiled. God “made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

In many ways today, our government has failed to provide adequate protection and security. It has failed to properly redress grievances. Its relationship with population groups, including Christians, is becoming irreconcilable. Based on its deviation from God, the government’s authority has become spoiled. We risk God making a shew of us openly, allowing others to triumph over us.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR AMERICAN GOVERNMENT TO RETURN TO ITS GOD-GIVEN AUTHORITY. We must do so before we become a spoiled principality.

SET YOUR ALARM: If you’re alarmed (at Monday’s ultimatum and the federal extortion of North Carolina), set your alarm (to pray for Governor McCrory and North Carolina)!

SET YOUR ALARM: If you’re ENCOURAGED (by the courageous stand of Governor McCrory and NC), set your alarm (to pray for the governor and his state)!

Nehemiah 2:6-7 “And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah”

In many ways, America’s independence began in May 1776 based on wisdom, courage, and diligence. On May 10^th, the Continental Congress passed the following:

“Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective assemblies and conventions of the United Colonies, where no government sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs have been hitherto established, to adopt such government as shall, in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular, and America in general.”

This single act of bravery by the unified Continental Congress set the stage for subsequent acts of bravery. This resolution formally triggered a period of preparation for independence. It laid the foundation for success.

Nehemiah had such a time that laid the foundation for his success. His request to the king formally triggered his period of preparation. After praying “to the God of heaven” (v5) Nehemiah boldly proclaimed his God-given mission and pursued the practical preparation that would allow him to succeed.

Until we step out by faith while practically preparing for the God-given missions in our lives, then we will never succeed. PLEASE PRAY FOR WISDOM, COURAGE, AND DILIGENCE IN PLANNING OUR FUTURE ROLES FOR GOD. If we fail to rely upon God for all three characteristics, then we will never be conveyed into Judah.

SET YOUR ALARM: If you’re alarmed (that the best America has to offer are two deeply-flawed candidates for President), set your alarm (to pray for our nation)!

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”

The 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed with overwhelming majorities. The House Bill passed without a single objection, and was sponsored by Democrat Chuck Schumer and Republican Chris Cox. The Senate Bill passed by a vote of 97-3, and was sponsored by Democrat Ted Kennedy and Republican Orrin Hatch. Yes, the bill was not just supported but sponsored by Representative Schumer from Brooklyn, New York and Senator Kennedy from Massachusetts. Of the bipartisan nature of this effort, President Clinton commented:

“I’m told that, as many of the people in the coalition worked together across ideological and religious lines, some new friendships were formed and some new trust was established, which shows, I suppose, that the power of God is such that even in the legislative process miracles can happen.”

Society has changed drastically in the past two decades, but God has not. As representatives of Christ, neither should we.   Christ is the same yesterday, today and for ever. While society shifts all around us, we must remain firmly affixed on the foundation of an unchanging God. PLEASE PRAY FOR RESOLVE TO BE UNCHANGING IN DOCTRINE AND VALUES REGARDLESS OF SOCIETAL PRESSURES. God remains the same throughout time, so should we.