Sunday in the U.S.A.

Sundays Excepted

Did the Founders of American civilization believe in the God of the Bible? More specifically, did the vast majority of them embrace the Christian worldview? Even though they advocated freedom of worship, and opposed any persecution instigated against those who sought to practice divergent religious views, did they, themselves, approach life from the perspective of the Christian religion? A mountain of evidence exists to prove that they did. Consider just one.

Sunday

Sunday Is the Day to Assemble and Worship God.

Though the Founders intentionally omitted an extensive treatment of religion in the federal Constitution, since they intended for the federal government to stay out of the religious arena and leave such matters to the States and local communities, they nevertheless implied their religious orientation in that seminal document. Article 1, Section 7 of the Constitution reads:

If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law (Constitution of the United…, emp. added).

“Sundays excepted”? Indeed, to this day, the U.S. government shuts down and does not transact business on Sunday? Why? If this provision had been made in respect of Jews, the Constitution would have read “Saturdays excepted.” If provision had been made for Muslims, the Constitution would have read “Fridays excepted.” If the Founders had intended to encourage a day of inactivity for the government without regard to any particular religion, they could have chosen Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Instead, the federal Constitution reads “Sundays excepted”—proving that America was Christian in its orientation, that the Framers themselves shared the Christian worldview, and that they were determined to give political recognition to and accommodation of that fact by making allowance for the Christian day of worship. Their decision reflects a respect for Bible teaching on the matter (Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10).

This respect for the Christian worship of God on Sunday has been perpetuated throughout American history. The vanishing “Blue Laws” verify this fact. For example, in the 1846 South Carolina court case City Council of Charleston v. Benjamin, the court declared:

The Lord’s day, the day of the Resurrection, is to us, who are called Christians, the day of rest after finishing a new creation. It is the day of the first visible triumph over death, hell and the grave! It was the birth day of the believer in Christ, to whom and through whom it opened up the way which, by repentance and faith, leads unto everlasting life and eternal happiness! On that day we rest, and to us it is the Sabbath of the Lord—its decent observance, in a Christian community, is that which ought to be expected (2 Strob. L. 508 [S. C. 1846], emp. added).

Many other examples exist (cf. Miller, 2006). America was founded on Christian principles. The future of the Republic is endangered in direct proportion as those principles are abandoned. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).

REFERENCES

City Council of Charleston v. Benjamin (1846), 2 Strob. L. 508 (S. C. 1846).

Constitution of the United States, [On-line], URL: http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/ constitution.html.

Miller, Dave (2006), “America, Christianity, and the Culture War (Part I),” Reason & Revelation, June 2006 – 26[6]41-47, [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2942.

Dave Miller – Apologetics Press – http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=2405

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Greatness

Who is the Greatest?

In any aspect of life, whether occupations, rela­tionships or even spiritual lives, we want to be success­ful. There is certainly nothing wrong with this desire, as long as we harness such in alignment with the will of God. For example, the “hypocrites” during the days of Jesus were basing their greatness on the glory of men rather than the admiration of Almighty God (Matt. 6:1-8). The heathen Gentiles determined success simply by material wealth (cf. Matt. 6:32). These are but a few examples of misaligned success. Yet, in three chapters of Matthew specifically, this particular inspired biog­rapher provides some principles from Jesus of how we can achieve greatness; he bookends this magnificent section of scripture with a discussion to answer the question, “Who is the greatest?”

greatness

There are Principles to Follow for Greatness.

First, we achieve greatness through the qual­ity of humility (Matt. 18:1-6; 19:13-15; 20:20-29). The disciples of Jesus were interested in the subject of greatness, and using a physical illustration of a small child, He teaches that one gains greatness though hu­mility. Later in Matthew 19, some tried to bring chil­dren to Jesus through the crowd so that He could bless them, and the disciples rebuked such an action. How­ever, Jesus pointed out again that the nature of humil­ity in children is a key to greatness in the kingdom of heaven. As if they still had not learned the lesson, the mother of James and John requested a political move to Jesus on behalf of her sons, which created a negative ripple through the other apostles. Thus, Jesus teaches again the need for humility based upon His own humil­ity. Therefore, not only is it a quality that we need to stress, but we recognize that it is difficult to grasp.

Second, we achieve greatness though the de­sire to remove sin from our lives (Matt. 18:7-9). Jesus makes similar statements in the great Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:27-30. The essence of what Je­sus conveys is that we must develop the quality to be ready to remove whatever temptation and sin there is in our lives. As children of God, we do this through repentance and confession (1 John 1:9). Harboring sin creates a calloused heart.

Third, we achieve greatness when we refrain from offending at all costs (Matt. 18:10-20). Because we are human and “fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), we will offend others in our lifetime (cf. Matt. 18:7). However, how do we react when such oc­curs? We had better be willing to make it a priority of resolving quickly, even going before the congregation if the situation warrants such.

Fourth, we achieve greatness when we dis­play forgiveness (Matt. 18:21-35). After answering the question of forgiveness that Peter asked, Jesus gives a parable to demonstrate the need for forgiveness in our lives. When we think about how much God has for­given us, how can we not display the same quality to a much lesser degree to our brethren?

Fifth, we achieve greatness when we achieve the divine standard of marital success (Matt. 19:1-12). Jesus resolves some issues about divorce in the Law of Moses and stresses the divine pattern for success in marriage. When we consider the amount of conflict in marriages today, we need to exemplify this quality our­selves and establish a beautiful pattern for our world.

Sixth, we achieve greatness when we are not materialistic (Matt. 19:16-26). Jesus met a materialistic man who was unwilling to part with his possessions. We cannot be such today.

Seventh, we achieve greatness when we fol­low Jesus without reservation from the very time we obey the gospel (Matt. 19:27-20:19). After discussing the need of possibly even forsaking all for Christ, He teaches a parable about those who would respond to the gospel at a later time. Nevertheless, at whatever point one responds, from that moment forward, he should serve God without reservation.

Eighth, we achieve greatness when we follow the example from our Lord of displaying compassion (Matt. 20:30-34). Just as He was compassionate to two blind men, we are to be compassionate to those in need.

I promise you that if you will study these chap­ters in Matthew from this light, it can change your life! Who is the greatest? Jesus answers this question by providing eight principles that guarantee success in His eyes.

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Don’t Live Too Long

Don’t Live Too Long

I clearly remember hearing my grandmother say, “Getting old ain’t what it’s cracked up to be.” When I mentioned this to Fran Reynolds (older members will know who she was), she said, “No it’s not. It is all cracks.” There are many wonderful blessings about aging, and there are many hard adjustments to be made. However, it might help us to consider that sometimes we can live too long.

live

Don’t live too long.

The seventy years preceding the reforms made by Josiah were the worst period in the history of Judah. While Hezekiah had been one of the great kings of the Jews, his son, Manasseh, led Israel in a downward spiral of spiritual depravity which lasted nearly seven decades. There were only two courts in the temple which Solomon built, and in both of them this evil king built altars to worship pagan gods. God described his reign in these words, “Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations had done whom the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel” (2 Kgs. 21:9).

At the end of his life, he repented and tried to bring the nation back to God, but it was too late. His son, Amon, led the nation even farther away from God. Just two generations removed from the spiritual heights brought by Hezekiah, the Jews reached the depths of depravity. How did this happen?

It might not have happened had Hezekiah died sooner and Manasseh had not been born. He almost did die! God sent Isaiah to tell righteous Hezekiah, “Set your house in order for you shall die; you shall not recover” (2 Kgs. 20:1). As the prophet left, the king begged God to extend his life, and God heard him. Before Isaiah left the palace, God told him to return and tell the king his life had been extended fifteen years. It was during these fifteen years that Manasseh was born.

Wonder what would have happened had another son replaced Hezekiah? It is hard to imagine that it would have been worse. It would have been far better had Hezekiah accepted the first message of Isaiah and prepared everything for his death. The obvious conclusion is that Hezekiah lived too long.

One of the most tragic things I have ever observed is Christians living too long and in the last years of their lives destroying much of the good they have done earlier. I have seen preachers and elders whose behavior in their last years brought havoc to the church. I have seen parents destroy the righteous influence they had on their family by ungodly actions as they aged. I have watched Christians characterized by kindness become bitter with age and lose their influence for righteousness.

Let each of us live faithful to the very end! God help us to never outlive our righteousness. Do not live too long!

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The Source of Our Suffering

It Begins with Me

Life can be very difficult at times, that’s for sure.  Our days may be filled with many joys and a certain measure of happiness, but lurking somewhere in the shadows is disappointment, discouragement, or perhaps even despair.  Bad news happens.  Sickness happens.  A sprained ankle happens.  Sometimes things just happen.  We may not be able to control the negative things that happen in our lives, but we have full control over how we respond to them.

complaining

Suffering or Just Complaining?

Sometimes Christians suffer because of their association with Christ.  In Acts 5:41 the apostles had already been warned that they were not to be preaching or teaching in the name of Jesus anymore.  Verse 40 says that the council called the apostles in and they flogged them.  (Imagine the agony that those men felt, to have the skin stripped off their backs, flayed open).  They flogged them and then they released them.  Verse 41 says, “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”  That’s the proper way to react to suffering; but that’s not the way we always react, is it?

Now do you believe that these disciples would have prospered, or that the Lord would have comforted them, or that the Lord would have blessed them if when they left there they said, “I’ll tell you what, I am so sick of being a Christian and being kicked around in this town!  All we have done is gotten hauled up before the council every time we speak.  I’ll tell you, if it weren’t so hard to be a Christian, it’d be a nice existence!  And if I didn’t want to go to heaven so bad, I wouldn’t put up with this junk!  I’m tired of being a Christian!”  Do you think that there would have been a blessing in it for them?  There wouldn’t have been.  Would the Lord have comforted them?  Would there be any joy among the disciples if they had reacted that way?  How does the Lord feel when if something doesn’t go right for us, or somebody gives us a hard time for being Christians, then we complain and grumble and talk about how tough it is to be a Christian; and how sometimes we wish we weren’t, and if we didn’t want to go to heaven so bad we wouldn’t put up with all of this?  Friends, it cannot help in our suffering, if we suffer for the wrong things.

We also need to recognize that some of our suffering may be self-inflicted to some degree.  For example, a person may suffer in their relationship with other people; but who is at fault?  Some have a rocky relationship with their spouse.  Some have an on-again-off-again relationship with their friends.  Some parents are out of touch with their children.  Some Christians struggle in their existence with other Christians.  While there may be a lot of blame to go around, the key to making the most out of difficult situations is to stop blaming everyone else and start examining ourselves.  Maybe we are the problem (or at least part of it).  We need to adopt this policy: “A better friendship begins with me.”  “A better marriage begins with me.”  “A better family begins with me.”  “A better church begins with me” – etc.  Jesus said, “…first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also” (Matt. 23:26).  If we would all follow this rule, imagine how truly wonderful this life could be.

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Real Men and Politics

Real Men and Politics

Because I totally reject the idea that politics and religion are separate, I want to address the topic of “ Real Men ” in Politics from a Biblical standpoint. Sure I will be glad to point out the oft used definition of Politicians – “many blood sucking parasites”. How does a “ Real Man ” relate to this? He twists the parasites out and pops off their heads. He doesn’t stand by and do nothing, he crushes the life taker. He has a moral code that says “I won’t coexist with the little leaches”. He has a vision of freedom from the bloodsuckers. He acknowledges he made a mistake by letting the parasite get a hold of him in the first place and is vigilant to not let it happen again.

So often I hear how every politician is a liar and just in politics for the buck or for themselves. My father was involved in the political process since I was a little boy. I had the great opportunity to be around politicians. I flat out reject that every politician is a liar, out for only the buck and themselves. Many folks are good, kind, honest, and concerned about the good of their country, friends, and family. Are there some crud balls out there? Yes. These are not “ Real Men ”. Do some of these good people make mistakes? Oh ya! If they were “Real Men” to begin with, the mistakes will be proclaimed loudly and proudly by their critics. Do these good people sometimes change? Yes, sadly sometimes they do. Sometimes the parasite killer becomes the parasite. When that happens, they must be treated the same. Pluck them out and crush them.

Who are the “Real Men” of politics?
First, they are men and women of all races who pop the heads off of parasitic problems. OK, What??? Women can be “ Real Men ”? When this article talks about “ Real Men ”, we are talking about a set of characteristics that represents solid honor worthy character. So for the sake of argument in this article, women can be “ Real Men ” too. Let me give you an example of a female “ Real Man ”.

2 Samuel 20 tells of a treasonous thug by the name of Sheba. Sheba revolted against the authority of King David. The kings’ general, Joab, took mighty men and pursued Sheba. Eventually they chased him into the town of Abel. They put siege to the city and began to work at knocking down its walls. At this point, a woman of the city asked Joab why he would do such a thing. He told her he wanted the parasite traitor. The woman got it. She knew what she must do to save her city, family, and friends. She talked to the city, they chopped off Sheba’s head, and threw it out to Joab. End of problem. “ Real Men ” don’t put up with blood suckers. They pop off their heads. This woman was a “ Real Man ”.

Second, “ Real Men ” don’t stand by and do nothing when the life is being sucked out of their country, family, and friends. James 4:17“To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin”. There was a man who observed this principle in the Bible. His name was Abram. His nephew was a man by the name of Lot. Lot and his family were kidnapped and had their possessions seized by evil men in Genesis 14. Abram could have not gotten involved. He could have seen generations of his family lose their lives and inheritance. He could have seen them become slaves under the thumb of oppression. Instead, he took “ Real Men ” and they went and crushed the parasites. Abram was a “Real Man”.

Third, “ Real Men ” live by a moral code. Three “ Real Men ” in the book of Daniel lived by a moral code. Their names were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. They lived during the time of the Babylonian empire. The king was Nebuchadnezzar. He was quite narcissistic. He had a giant golden image created and demanded everyone bow down to it. The men lived by a moral code given by God. It called for them never to worship an image. They could not coexist with two different codes. So they refused the Narcissistic king. He threatened to throw them into a pit of fire. They still refused the king. So they King threw them into the flames. Now, the outcome was that they survived without even smelling of smoke, however, consider what they said before they were thrown in the pit:

Dan 3:17-18 – If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

These men lived by a code such that the consequences did not matter to them. They were going to do what was right, because it was right. They did not let threats and intimidation detour them. The efforts of the parasite to gain control were rejected.

Fourth,  “Real Men ” have a vision of success for all. When Israel came and spied out the land of Canaan, it was full of many enemies. Twelve men went into spy out the land, only two came back with a positive report. These were “ Real Men ”. They had a vision. They saw a land of milk and honey, a land full of great blessings with freedom for them all. One of the men, Caleb, stated in Numbers 13, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it”. He didn’t whine about how hard it would be. He had a vision of success that they all could achieve and he shared it. He didn’t sow seeds of doubt among the people. He didn’t shame them for their past actions. He said, they could be free from the bloodsuckers of the land.

Finally, a “ Real Man ” acknowledges when he has made a mistake. He sees where he went wrong and then determines not to do that same thing again. In Luke 15, there is a parable about a young man who was sucked in by the false promises of a freeloading life. He demanded his inheritance and off he went into the world to party on what he didn’t earn. There came a day of reckoning. He looked around and saw everything had come to ruin. He had nothing. He was ashamed. He realized he had made a mistake. So he owned up to it, determined to get back to work and do things right. It takes a “ Real Man ” to do this. “Real Men” can and do make mistakes. It’s not just the realization of a mistake that makes them what they are, it is the actions to make things right afterward that sets them apart.

So in examining “ Real Men ”, we have 5 key characteristics:
1) They take action to pop the head off of problems.
2) They don’t stand by and do nothing.
3) They live by a moral code given by God.
4) They have a vision of success.
5) They acknowledge their mistakes and determine not to make them again.

Let’s put this in a more direct political perspective and approach these characteristics in reverse.

America, we have made a big mistake in allowing the folks now in control to obtain the positions they are in. They are bloodsucking parasites. They are destroying our country, family, and friends. They are ruining our lives. They are enslaving us. They promised “HOPE and CHANGE” and I HOPE we soon get a CHANGE. Sadly, many folks bought into the false promises. They demanded “pay our mortgages, take care of us, let us sit back and watch.” These folks now have their reward, 2 Thessalonians 3:10“If any will not work, neither let him eat”. Jobs have been taken away, blessings have been removed. We have an administration that has turned its back on God and views itself as God. We are a Christian nation! It’s time we determine not to make the mistake of following the Godless again. It’s time we determine ourselves to be “ Real Men ”.

We need a vision of success, one that sees a free market, where man enjoys the fruit of his labor and is not punished for it. 1 Timothy 5:18“For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire.” Why should a man who has through his own initiative be taxed more than any other? That is tyranny. Let us envision an environment where men are rewarded by enjoying the fruits of their success. Their efforts help all of society. They provide jobs. They aid families. Let us envision an America strong and able to help the needy of the world through voluntary means by loving hearts. America has great people who can do great things if they are allowed to do so. It’s time we see things like “ Real Men ”.

The founding fathers of America believed in God. They set the country on a foundation of God. They even purchased Bibles for the citizenship so that the morality of God would not be forsaken. Currently, we have leaches in power who have and are cheating law which God endorses – Acts 5:29“We must obey God rather than men.”. They have no qualms about lying – Colossians 3:9“Lie not to one another…” They approve of homosexuality – 1 Corinthians 6:9“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” They approve of the murder of unborn children – Romans 13:9 “…You shall not murder…”. There are so many sinful things that demonstrate the current administration is one without a moral code. It’s time for the standard of “ Real Men ” to be followed.

Europe was nearly taken by its enemies in the 20th century because men were standing aside and not acting. Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”. How many atrocities will take place if America does not stand up now and do something? How many children will be brainwashed? How many Christians will be persecuted? How many families will be broken? How many people will suffer? When you have men who worship at the feet of communists, you do not have to look far into history to see the hundreds of millions of lives lost. Is America going to give into such a threat? Will it bow to Islamic violence and oppression? Or will it stand up and say, “As for me and my family, we will follow the Lord”. The time has come for ” Real Men ” to do something.

The storied history of America shows a people who hate oppression. We have rushed to the aid of countries all over the world. We have given them their peace back. We have rebuilt their homes. We have extended the hand of friendship. Now, at a time when America is being belittled by a marxist in the white house, when its borders are being invaded with no response, when it is being morally reconstructed from within, when its poor stewardship is running its financial stability into the ground, we must chop the head off the beast. We must stand up and rid ourselves of the problem. We must remove all who would subscribe to such villainous behavior as to destroy our country at its heart. We must act in peace and act as one and through the power given to the people – vote the politics out. Stand up to defend our country. It is time for “ Real Men ” to pop the heads off the parasites who would suck our God given freedoms away.

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