PLUS

I Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

As we close out this year and bring an end to a celebration of our nation’s 240^th year, I hope that a few looks back at 1776 during 2016 have reminded you of the importance of faith, prayer, perseverance and humble reliance on the Lord during our nation’s founding.  As David McCullough says in the great work entitled 1776, this nation was formed because of God’s miraculous touch:

“The year 1776, celebrated as the birth year of the nation and for the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was for those who carried the fight for independence forward a year of all-too-few victories, or sustained suffering, disease, hunger, desertion, cowardice, disillusionment, defeat, terrible discouragement, and fear, and they would never forget, but also of phenomenal courage and bedrock devotion to country, and that, too, they would never forget.

Especially for those who had been with Washington and who knew what a close call it was at the beginning – how often circumstance, storms, contrary winds, the oddities or strengths of individual character had made the difference – the outcome seemed little short of a miracle.”

As we sometimes feel like we face all-too-few victories, may we look to God for our victory in 2017 as our founders did in 1776.    PLEASE PRAY FOR PHENOMENAL COURAGE AND BEDROCK DEVOTION TO COUNTRY IN THE NEW YEAR.  Not only was our founding little short of a miracle, but our sustainment as a nation over 240 years and through the turbulent last year is little short of a miracle as well.

Joshua 6:20 “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets:  and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.”

At daybreak on December 26^th, 1776, General Washington led the Continental Army on a bold surprise attack of Trenton, New Jersey to “rouse the spirits of the people.”  After a Christmas night crossing of the icy Delaware River, the Revolutionary Army successful attacked the British stronghold with almost no losses.  It was described by Yale President Ezra Stiles as a “heaven inspired” move to break the trend of defeats.  The strategic impact of this battle was massive.  The ability of the young nation to continue to strive for independence was “sealed and confirmed by God Almighty in the victory of General Washington at Trenton.” (Stiles)

This and other victories not only magnify the power of God and His hand on this nation, but it also brings with it a substantial responsibility.  The deliverance, salvation, peace, and glory that come with our sovereignty cause us to be “under peculiar obligations to become a holy people unto the Lord our God.” (Stiles)

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO LIVE UP TO OUR GOD-GIVEN RESPONSIBILITIES.  Living for God is the least we should do to make good on our peculiar obligations.

For a related though, please see:  https://prayatlunch.us/heaven-inspired/

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.