PLUS

John 11:25-26 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:  he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.  Believest thou this?”

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

President Washington passed into eternity on December 14^th, 1799.  He had gotten sick from riding his horse on a cold and rainy day on his Mount Vernon estate, and his ailment progressed beyond his ability to arrest it.

Among his final words, Washington resolutely proclaimed: “I am not afraid to go” and he closed his life with the phrase “Tis Well.”  He was able to speak so boldly because he understood the words from John 11 which he had inscribed on his tomb:

“I am the resurrection and the life; sayeth the Lord.  He that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live.  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”

It is through this truth that Washington gained boldness.  He boldly lived and he boldly died.

PLEASE PRAY AND LIVE BOLDLY THROUGH THE TRUTHS OF GOD’S PROMISES.  We can come boldly to Him, and should live boldly for Him.  No matter the situation, for the child of God – Tis Well!

I Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:  and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”

Today is the iconic annual Army-Navy football game (Go Navy! Beat Army! – my wife teaches at the Naval Academy so please excuse the bias).  While the quality of football varies year-to-year, there are few more impressive spectacles in the world of sports.

Earlier this year, a very rare thing happened in college football.  At the Naval Academy’s first game, they pulled their fourth string quarterback from the stands to play in the game.  Midshipmen Malcom Perry started the game in his dress white uniform in the stands, not dressing because he had been sick that week.  Due to a string of injuries and suspensions, the coach tracked down Perry in the stands after the game had begun and had someone run to the campus to get his uniform and his pads.  By the end of the third quarter, Perry was in the game and leading the team on a 90-yard drive ending in a touchdown.  What a rapid change of circumstances for the freshman, who seized the opportunity that he was unexpectedly given.  He transitioned well from the stands to the game.

Christians need to be ready for opportunities that come our way to make an impact for the Lord.  We need to pray for such opportunities.  We need to be always ready.

PLEASE PRAY FOR CHRISTIAN OPPORTUNITIES TO TURN SURPRISES INTO SUCCESSES.  We never know when something unexpected will come our way.  We must be always ready to transition from the stands to the game.

I Samuel 12:23 “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you:  but I will teach you the good and the right way”

I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

Make no mistake about our responsibility to pray.  It is a command of God.  There is no wiggle room.  There is no way out.  He has clearly spelled out our responsibilities.  He has given us our marching orders.  We are to pray ceaselessly.

We are to pray for our friends.  We are to pray for our families.  We are to pray for our communities.  We are to pray for our churches.  We are to pray for our Pastors.  We are to pray for our teachers.  We are to pray for our bosses.  We are to pray for our leaders.  We are to pray for our governments.  We are to pray “for all men.”  We are to pray “for kings, and for all that are in authority.”

Our friends, our families, our communities, our churches, our Pastors, our teachers, our bosses, our leaders, and our governments need us to do so.  God has directed us to do so.  Failing to do so is wrong.  Failing to do so is faithless.  Failing to do so is sin!

PLEASE PRAY FAITHFULLY AS WE FOLLOW THE COMMANDS OF GOD.  Praying ceaselessly is our God-given duty and responsibility.  God forbid that we should sin against the Lord by failing to do so.

I Kings 17:16 “And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.”

There are plenty of ways to get discouraged by the world.  Thus, we shouldn’t look to the world to uplift us.  We shouldn’t look to the government to solve our problems.  We shouldn’t look for hope in man’s institutions.  Instead, we should look towards God and God’s people to be our ultimate sources of encouragement.

There are times when an article comes along as a massive source of encouragement, as if it were delivered by God Himself.  The following article on fallen aviator Troy Gilbert, who crashed in an F-16 in Iraq on November 27, 2006, provides just such a source of encouragement.  Please especially linger on the wonderful, Godly quotes from his widow Ginger Gilbert Ravella (referred to in the link as Gilbert Ravella), that were thankfully included in the article from the Air Force News Service.  They will undoubtedly encourage you:  http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/965011/remains-of-fighter-pilot-hero-return-home-after-10-years.aspx

Ginger’s profound words should ring in our ears as poignantly as the most powerful sermon.  God is forever faithful.  He is good regardless of the circumstances.  We are to praise Him for His infinite mercies.  We are to have a passionate love for Jesus Christ.  We are to pray.

PLEASE PRAY FOR A STRONG FAITH, ENCOURAGED BY A HOPE THAT ONLY COMES FROM GOD.

Romans 1:21 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Have a great Thanksgiving week, and please reflect on the many things that we have for which to be thankful.  Thanksgiving proclamations from presidents throughout our history, even in the darkest of days, are great reminders our historical, national spirit of humble thankfulness.  Though our national spirit has changed much over the years, our positive and hopeful spirit as Christians must stay unchanged.

Please take time during this holiday week to review some of these proclamations and be reminded of our Christian heritage: http://www.pilgrimhallmuseum.org/thanksgiving_proclamations.htm

Like our predecessors, we must glorify the Lord as God and be thankful.  We must not become vain in our imaginations, and darkened in our hearts.  We must never allow our focus to be distracted from the fact that this day is Thanksgiving Day.  It is not Turkey Day.  It is not Football Day.  It is day of remembrance that we are to be overwhelmed by a spirit of humble thankfulness.

PLEASE PRAY AND BE THANKFUL DURING THIS IMPORTANT HOLIDAY WEEK.  It is an important part of our lives and an important part of our history.