Trusting Americans

Uncertainty seems to be the definition of America today.  Many citizens are pressed with anxieties and questions of the future.  Nevertheless, we can be sure of this: as children of God we are delivered from the bond of corruption into glorious liberty. The liberty being described here is spiritual, but it is from this spiritual liberty that men and women choose what they will do physically. We are commanded to stand fast in this liberty in which Christ has made us free, and to do so we live trusting God in every thing.  

Take a penny from your change and hold it in your palm.

It has a rather insignificant value, but there is a message on it from patriots who prayed that it would be every American's source of freedom.  They needed us to remember that America's liberty is only through her trust in God. Is your dependence on God the source of your freedom or is it something which man has done?  There is a one man on the penny.  It is a memorial of a sinful citizen (like you and I), who had a forceful impact in America for his faithfulness in trusting in God. He had questions as you and I do now, but he was not bound by them; for he had liberty in trusting God.

"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go.  My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for that day." Abraham Lincoln 

The burden of all our uncertainties diminish in the light of a higher calling.  At the foot of the cross we find an answer in the sacrifice which Christ made for our debt of sin.  The cost which America paid for liberty from earthy powers was dependence in God, Who is of heavenly powers, and obedience to His Word. Christians denied themselves and gave their lives that their children might  live with the freedom of a choice to worship God.

Are you paying God with your trust? He will set up an authority for America of His own judgment. "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another, (Psalm 75:6;7)."  He will provide for those that depend on Him as children. "Trust in the LORD and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed, (Psalm 37:3)." When in this position of trust, we are in the position of greatest influence to our family, church, and any other individual for liberty in Christ.

 Trust God in any occasion to doubt, for He has promised to bless. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance, (Psalm 33:12)." We no longer wait in agony for the future, but peacefully commit our ways to God in this present day. 

"Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD, (Lamentations 3:40)."

"For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion  to the flesh, but by love serve one another, (Galatians 5:13)." 

"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ, (Philippians 4:19)."

"...That is Nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom." Abraham Lincoln 

God bless trusting Americans!

High Maintenance Christian

"Keep thy  h e a r t  with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

This is simple, common verse, yet many Christians' lives appear to be running by one cylinder. Unplanned situations arise proving us to a worried, frustrated, and discouraged people. Read by itself, this verse always gave me the thought that I needed to create more confidence and strength for myself. But I could never fulfill this duty....

The word issues is defined as outgoings in original script. All the outgoings of our lives can be backtracked to the state of our hearts. The uncontrolled words that were spilled, the compassion felt towards a needy person, and one's self-pitying thoughts are just a few symptoms that proceed from the heart. What is the heart, that is such a vital organ in our lives? The heart --the center of our being-- consists of feelings, will, and intellect. These are the parts that need high maintenance care and protection. Now we come to the question: how do we keep our heart?

Answer: Study the rest of the passage. =)

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Our body as a whole comes into play. The ears, eyes, mouth, lips, brain, and finally the feet are essentials in this duty. These parts of our body branch from the heart, sensing the world around us. If we apply biblical authority (standards) to these parts, our heart will be able to function as it should. Likewise, if we turn our head to lust, the heart is left unguarded-- and many times wounded. 

Carefully consider each command for the different body parts. E s t a b l i s h all your ways. Be disciplined, and consecrate your eyes, ears, mouth, etc. to the Lord's use. While we might not always be able to control what comes in our path, if we are hourly pondering our path --God's path-- we will not want to r e a c h out for anything besides God's best. When each of our body parts are spiritually congruent, THEN our feelings, will, and mind are prepared for God's own use. 

Keep your heart in high maintenance care; for it determines who you will be.