4 July 4

 

~ Wisdom for Today ~

“If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the Scriptures” (Daniel Webster).

“If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering; but if we neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity”  (Daniel Webster).

“Our Father and Our God, we praise You for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve.  Yet we know all is not right with America.  Convict us of sin.  Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith.  Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace.  We pray today for our nation's leaders.  Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it.  You have said, ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is Lord.’  May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord.  This we pray in Your holy name, Amen” (Billy Graham). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

A Prayer for the Fourth

~ Freedom from Sin is the Greatest Independence ~

George Washington wrote: 

“Oh, most glorious God, in Jesus Christ my merciful and loving Father, I acknowledge and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on Thee for pardon and forgiveness of sins…  Let me live according to those holy rules which Thou hast this day prescribed in Thy holy Word; make me to know what is acceptable in Thy sight, and therein to delight; open my eyes of understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. These weak petitions I humbly implore Thee to hear, accept, and answer to the true object, Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. These weak petitions I humbly implore Thee to hear, accept, and answer.”  

“It is impossible to rightly govern... without God and the Bible.” 

“I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in His holy protection; that He would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and  obedience to government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for brethren who have served in the field; and finally that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.”

Billy Graham wrote:

“Our Father and Our God, we praise You for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with America. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. We pray today for our nation's leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. You have said, ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is Lord.’ May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord. This we pray in Your holy name, Amen.”   

contemplate:  Freedom provides the opportunity to make decisions. Our character determines the ability to make right decisions!  

EXTRA: The Little Old Lady From Pasadena

~ Guest Blog from Greg Laurie ~

The Bible tells us that, one day, all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ. Don't let that frighten you, because this particular judgment happens in heaven, which means you made it!

The Bible says, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV).

It will be about how you lived your life and what you did with your time and resources.

Perhaps we can better understand this judgment if we compare it to an awards ceremony like the Oscars, Emmys, or Grammys. Rewards will be given out for faithfulness on this day.

We may expect that the great saints whom God has used over the years will reap all the awards—people like Corrie ten Boom, Jim Elliot, and Billy Graham.

But we may be surprised by the rewards won by "the little old lady from Pasadena!"

Yes, there really was one, and her name was Pearle Goode. When Billy was doing his crusade in Pasadena, he attributed the success of these events, going back 56 years, to prayer.

If the Graham team had anything close to a personal intercessor, it was Pearle Goode of Pasadena. For many years, she prayed in secret for Graham until he heard about her and made provision for her to attend his crusades so she could pray on-site.

Goode lived to be 90. At her funeral, Billy's wife, Ruth, paid her this tribute: "Here lie the mortal remains of much of the secret of Bill's ministry."

Pearle Goode wasn't a preacher, missionary, or author. She didn't have a hit song on Christian radio. But Pearle did her part, just as surely as Billy Graham did his.

While Billy was out preaching, Pearle was praying. While Billy was doing his part, Pearle was doing hers.

Don't worry about what God has called someone else to do. What has He called you to do?

We all have a part to play in getting the gospel out. Make sure you do yours.

Used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie, PO Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514