MEMORIAL DAY

“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.” -John F. Kennedy

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16

Today, in America, we honor those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Many, that right out of High School took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, those that trained for eight to thirteen weeks that came out as Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Guardsmen, those that traveled to foreign lands to defend the weak and defeat their enemies, those that moved dirt and built schools to put towns back together, those that came home in a flag draped casket. Today, we honor the Soldier that has given their life in order for every American to live free.

President Harry S. Truman said it best when he said, “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

Will you take a moment and honor those that gave you the freedoms we enjoy every day?

HONORING THE FALLEN

I only regret I have but one life to lose for my country. — Nathan Hale

John 15:13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

            Today, in the United States of America, we celebrate the men and women who have laid down their lives for freedom. Husbands and Wives, Fathers and Mothers, Son and Daughters, Nieces and Nephews, maybe even a Grandpa or Grandma who have sacrificed their lives for freedom! Specifically, some of these freedoms include: the right to assemble to worship, the right of free speech, the right to carry a gun, and the right to vote.

            So yes, I will honor the lives of those who have given their lives to secure our freedom! Will you join me?

MISSIONS- THE HEART BEAT OF THE CHURCH

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. –Spurgeon

 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16

            When I visit other churches I often find myself looking at the Missionaries they support. Some have pictures of their Missionaries along the walls, some have Missionary displays, and I went to one church that had a digital photo frame with pictures of the Missionaries it supported scrolling on the screen. I thought, “WOW, what a way to honor those that give so much!”

            Today, we start our 2019 Faith Promise Mission’s Conference at Calvary. Our goal this week is to challenge our people with this thought, “How am I winning souls for Jesus Christ?” What and how am I being effective in seeing someone come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Some people can’t get around too well so they pray for those that can, some knock on doors, some surrender to the Missionary Call from the Lord, some give to Missions, and some do it all! One thing is for sure, if you’re saved you will be doing something in the area of Missions! The greatest thing we can do is tell someone about Jesus and what He has done for you!

WHY DO YOU SERVE JESUS?

There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things. –Moody

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

Some serve the Lord for fame and fortune. Some serve out of duty. Some serve because it has become an obligation. Some serve because they feel indebted to Him for what He has done for them. Some serve just because they love the Lord.

What’s your reason for serving? Jesus said in John 14:15, ‘If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Above all else, Jesus said our motivation to serve should be our love toward Him!

TOO BUSY TO VOTE?

It’s our duty to elect the officials best representing God’s way and not our own. 

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Many a men and women have sacrificed their lives for the rights we have in America. One of the greatest things we can do to honor their memory is by casting our vote on election day or one of the early voting days. What a great way to see our rights being employed by each one of us GETTING UP, GETTING READY, and GOING TO VOTE for the person you see as the best candidate for the office they are running for!

I’VE GOT SO MUCH TO DO!

Being busy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing anything for the Lord.

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42

So often we find ourselves spinning our wheels trying to get something finished up. We get so busy we go in circles not really getting anything done. I don’t know about you I often feel that way while at work. One fella says do it this way, another says that way. One guy says turn left, the other turn right. Before you know it we are right back where we started and haven’t gotten anything done! We were busy…busy doing nothing!

Child of God, make sure you are in the will of God. Being in the Will of God doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in full time service. It could be you are a bus worker, choir member, or Deacon. It may mean you are a Pastor, pastor’s wife, or a Missionary. Whatever it is, make sure you don’t get ahead of God and that may even mean you have to sit a while at His feet to listen!

HONORING VETERANS TODAY!

It Is the Veteran

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,

who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,

who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus [or community] organizer,

who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician,

Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag,

Who serves under the Flag.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Romans 13:7

In honoring veterans, I am reminded of the oath they took to defend the Constitution of United States of America. Here is this oath in its entirety:

     "I, (state name of enlistee), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

In this oath I see a few key things each veteran will do:

1.         Take an oath to defend their country.       

2.         To remain true to their country.

3.         A rendering of their will to our president and                    those officers appointed over them.

4.         To live by a standard. “UCMJ”

5.         Seals the oath. “So help me God”

 

      We as Christians need to live by a similar oath as the American Soldier. We need to stand up for God and be a witness for Him. We need to remain true, no matter what comes our way. We need to render our will to God’s will and obey the authorities He has placed over us. We need to live to the standards of God’s Word. We need to seal this oath by faith in Christ Alone.

            As you look at your life could one look at it and call you a Spiritual Veteran?