RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PRAYER EXALT A NATION EVEN IF MANY DON'T AGREE

By His Mercies Alone, Daniel

For more great blogs as this one go to:  www.Mannsword.blogspot.com

Righteousness and Prayer Exalt a Nation even if many Don’t Agree

How far should our concept of “separation of church and state” take us? Should a president never mention anything about his personal faith? If so, then almost every politician has violated this principle. But should a president lead his nation in prayer? Evidently, the Ugandan president thinks that this is legitimate, even necessary: http://drudgegae.iavian.net/r?hop=http://www.wnd.com/?p=314155

• The Ugandan newssite New Vision reports President Yoweri Museveni celebrated Uganda’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain at the National Jubilee Prayers event by publicly repenting of his personal sin and the sins of the nation.

• “I stand here today to close the evil past, and especially in the last 50 years of our national leadership history and at the threshold of a new dispensation in the life of this nation. I stand here on my own behalf and on behalf of my predecessors to repent. We ask for your forgiveness,” Museveni prayed.

• “We confess these sins, which have greatly hampered our national cohesion and delayed our political, social and economic transformation. We confess sins of idolatry and witchcraft which are rampant in our land. We confess sins of shedding innocent blood, sins of political hypocrisy, dishonesty, intrigue and betrayal,” Museveni said.

• “Forgive us of sins of pride, tribalism and sectarianism; sins of laziness, indifference and irresponsibility; sins of corruption and bribery that have eroded our national resources; sins of sexual immorality, drunkenness and debauchery; sins of unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred and revenge; sins of injustice, oppression and exploitation; sins of rebellion, insubordination, strife and conflict,” Museveni prayed.

Admittedly, I find Museveni’s pray so utterly refreshing and needful. But doesn’t such a prayer represent the establishment of a national religion? Clearly not! President Obama didn’t think so. He had Pastor Rick Warren pray at his commencement. In fact, Congress has never made a move to remove congressional prayer!

But wouldn’t such a prayer marginalize some of Uganda’s citizens? I’m sure it would! However, feelings of marginalization aren’t always measures of truth. Nor should they become the supreme determinate of public policy! Besides, doesn’t every presidential proclamation marginalize someone? Isn’t someone going to feel offended or slighted? Of course!

I certainly felt very marginalized in High School, having to attend their assemblies and pep-rallies. I had felt that these “sacred” assemblies disaffirmed everything that I was about. I felt deeply offended – even before I could put it into the correct verbal form – having to mindlessly spout “Yea team,” when I didn’t care at all whether they won or lost.

Was the school wrong for coercing me to participate in behavior contrary to my honest inclinations? I see things differently now. Schools can only survive and fulfill their mandate if they have the authority to enforce a certain degree of conformity. Should the pep-rally have been part of this mandate? I don’t think so, but I must admit that if the school enforced the program of my choice – “Why Christianity should be Banned” (at least, that’s the way I felt at that time) – others would have been offended. Besides, this programming wouldn’t have helped the school fulfill its mandate.

Well then, how are nations to fulfill their mandate to serve their citizenry? As a Christian, I think that there can be no better example than Museveni’s pray. This is the best way to acknowledge our need for Divine help and to position ourselves to receive it. It’s also the best way to pursue the welfare of our countrymen, even those who would oppose such a prayer.

Not everyone will approve of Museveni’s pray; nor should we expect otherwise in a democratic society. However, Ugandans mustn’t say “He has no right to invoke his faith in national matters.” After all, faith and values govern almost all decisions. Instead, they have the ballot box, but before they cast their ballot, they should consider their own welfare – whether they have benefited under Museveni’s presidency.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THOSE WHO SEEK TO HURT YOU?

Today's promise: God is always ready to help us and expects us to help others

How do you respond to those who seek to hurt you?

"Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don't be concerned that they might not repay. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to the unthankful and to those who are wicked! You must be compassionate, just as the Father is compassionate."

Luke 6:35-36 NLT

The sign of a loving heart

Our enemies are out to hurt us. They want to steal from us, cheat us, and do evil against us. Yet Jesus says we are to be kind to them. What is His point? We reflect — or should reflect — God to the world, and God is kind — even to the unkind, the ungrateful, and those whom we consider to be "hopeless" cases. Kindness is based on the love we have for others, not the love others deserve.

Kindness is the sign of a loving heart, one of the greatest of all virtues. A kind person is pleasant, good, gracious — always appreciated. There's a lot of talk these days about "random acts of kindness." Maybe this is because we live in a society starved for good deeds. God is our model for kindness. The kindest act ever committed was God's sending His own Son, Jesus, to die for our sins so that we might live forever in heaven. God also showers us with kindness each day, sending sunshine and rain, food and friends, comfort and encouragement, boundless love and wisdom.

From the TouchPoint Bible commentaries by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers (Tyndale) pp 889, 1221-22

For more on this week's topic, check this Tyndale resource:

Holding Out for a Hero by Lisa Harper (Tyndale, 2005)

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

BOOKMOBILE

BOOKMOBILE

READ:
Philippians 3:7-14

That I may know Him and the
power of His resurrection, and
the fellowship of His sufferings,
being conformed to His death.
-Philippians 3:10

Before the electronic gadgets and distractions of today, the long summer days of my boyhood were brightened each week when the bookmobile arrived.  It was a bus lined with book-filled shelves that were transported from the regional library to neighborhoods so that those without transportation could access them.  Because of the bookmobile, I spent many a happy summer day reading books that would otherwise have been inaccessible.  To this day, I am thankful for the love of books that the bookmobile fostered in me.

Some Bible scholars say that the apostle Paul had a love of books and studied them till the end of his life.  He wrote in his final letter, "Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come-and the books, especially the parchments" (2 Timothy 4:13).  The books he was asking for could very well have been the Old Testament and/or some of his own writings.

I'm sure that Paul's pursuit of knowledge was more than intellectual curiosity or entertainment.  It was the pursuit of Christ that drove Paul.  His goal:  “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:10).  I pray that this same pursuit will drive us today.  -Bill Crowder

Heavenly Father, give me a passionate desire
to know You and Your Son.  Please stir my heart
for this, the greatest of all pursuits, so that I
might grow every closer to You.  Amen.
****************************************
To Know Christ is the greatest of all knowledge.

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace

WHAT IS YOUR CONCEPT OF HEAVEN?

Today's promise: God has great rewards for those who remain faithful

What is your concept of heaven?

"How happy are those who fear the Lord — all who follow His ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How happy you will be! How rich your life!"

Psalm 128:1-2 NLT

Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 NLT

He died for us so that we can live with Him forever, whether we are dead or alive at the time of His return.

1 Thessalonians 5:10 NLT

Made for another world

Most of us find it very difficult to want "Heaven" at all — except in so far as "Heaven" means meeting again our friends who have died. One reason for this difficulty is that we have not been trained: Our whole education tends to fix our minds on this world. Another reason is that when the real want for Heaven is present in us, we might not recognize it. Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

C.S. Lewis

From the The Quotable Lewis edited by Jerry Root and Wayne Martindale (Tyndale) pp 286-87

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

HOPE IN YOUR ETERNAL INHERITANCE

Today's promise: God has great rewards for those who remain faithful

Hope In Your Eternal Inheritance

"I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to His people.

I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who believe Him."

Ephesians 1:18-19 NLT

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians

While the believers in Ephesus enjoyed the luxuries and wealth of a cosmopolitan city located on major trade routes, Paul was confined to a small room in Rome, under the constant watch of a Roman guard. But who would ever guess from Paul's prayer that he was deprived of anything?

Paul's confident description of God's power does not betray a hint of hopelessness. Instead, Paul speaks of the rich inheritance and wonderful future he would have in heaven. Paul's future on earth was in the hands of Caesar. Yet Paul's ultimate hopes weren't set on this world; his hopes were set on heaven and eternity.

In your prayers, place your hopes on your eternal inheritance in heaven, just as Paul did. Pray that God might help you understand how powerful He is.

A prayer for today…

Dear Lord, help me understand the wonderful future You have promised me…

From The One Year® Book of Bible Prayers edited by Bruce Barton (Tyndale) entry for December 6

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

MORE AND MORE

MORE AND MORE

READ:
1 Thessalonians
3:12-4:10

A rallying cry often heard today in our economically challenged world is "Less and less."  Governments are called to balance their budgets.  People are urged to use less energy and decrease consumption of limited resources.  It is good advice that we should all heed.  In the realm of faith, however, there are no shortages of love and grace and strength.  Therefore, as followers of Christ, we are urged to demonstrate His love in our lives in ever-increasing measure.

In the apostle Paul's first letter to the believers in Thessalonica, he urged them to "abound more and more" in a lifestyle that pleases God (4:1).  He also commended them for their demonstration of love for each other, and called them to "increase more and more" in brotherly love (v.10).

That kind of ever-increasing love is possible only because it comes from God's limitless resources, not from our own dwindling supply.  Poet Annie Johnson Flint wrote:

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

The apostle Paul expressed his desire for the believers:  May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you" (1 Thessalonians 3:12).

How much should we love God and others?  More and more! - David McCasland
************************************
Our limited ability to love does not change
God's limitless power to love through us.

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace

THE ENDLESS SONG - THE SONG RESTORED: THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION

THE ENDLESS SONG

MUSIC AND WORSHIP IN THE CHURCH

BY:  KENNETH W. OSBECK

CHAPTER 7

THE SONG RESTORED:

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear…

                                                                                                                                        -Psalm 46:1, 2

The Renaissance – Reformation Period (Pages 68-69)

The Reformation occurred simultaneously with the Renaissance, and extended from A.D> 1400 to 1600.  The word “renaissance” literally means “rebirth.”  This was an awakening and flowering of culture, the arts, and learning such as the world had never before experienced.

The philosophy of the Renaissance was a kind of religious humanism – a spirit of individualism, self-confidence, and optimism.  They also taught that a person should use his intellect and energies to make himself the master of his environment.

Outstanding artists of the Renaissance were:  Leonardo da Vinci of Italy; Michelangelo of Italy; Raphael of Italy;  Titian, Italian/Venetian; Albrecht Durer of Germany; Jon Van Eyck of Belgium; El Greco of Spain.

These artists wanted to use the visual arts to depict beauty for its own sake, not merely as teaching aids for the church.  In many of these countries, the concern was not only for a rebirth of culture and the arts, but also the need for a reformed church.  This concern resulted in the 16^th century Protestant Reformation Movement.

Martin Luther (1483-1546) – [Pages 69-70]

Perhaps the most important day in Protestant history was October 31, 1517.  On that date a concerned Augustinian monk, Martin Luther, made his way to the doors of the Cathedral of Wittenberg, Germany and posted his famous 95 theses (complaints) against the teachings and

practices of the medieval Roman Church.  In 1520, Pope Leo X issued a Papal Bull condemning the 95 Theses, and Luther burned it.  During the years 1521-34, Luther translated the entire Bible into the German language.  In 1524, he published the first protestant hymnal, which contained eight hymns, four of them by Luther.

Basic Tenets of Evangelical Protestantism (Page 70)

The Protestant Reformation movement was built on three main tenets:

1.      The re-establishment of the Scriptures as sole and ultimate authority for all Christian doctrine and practice.

2.      Clarifying the means of salvation.  The reformers taught that persons are made right with God through a personal response of faith to Christ’s finished word, justification by faith alone, and not through the seven sacraments of the church or by one’s good works.

3.      The restoration of congregational singing.  Church leaders had decreed that if laymen were not to interpret the Scriptures for themselves, then they also were not to sing the songs of the church.  The praises of the lay people became the musical foundation for Protestant worship.  In addition, the reformers believed that every Christian, regardless of his vocation, is called to be a personal representative for God.

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

The primary vehicle for popularizing the Reformation was the hymn by Martin Luther referred to earlier, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

It is a paraphrase of Luther’s favorite psalm, the 46^th.  Luther saw congregational singing as one of the best ways to achieve his spiritual purposes.

Martin Luther encouraged congregational singing (thus restoring the church’s true song), and he followed Roman Catholic tradition by using the choir in the church service.

Luther had a high regard for the ministry of music.  He wrote:

“Next to the preaching of the Scriptures, I afford music the highest place in the church.  I want the Word of God to dwell in the hearts of believers by means of songs.

There is a root-like unity of music and theology.  Music is wrapped and locked in theology. l

I would allow no man to preach or teach God’s people who do not realize the power and use of sacred music. 

John Calvin (1509-1564) [Page 72]

He banned all choral music in the church.  He removed the stained glass windows, statues, and icons in the St. Peter’s church building.  The pulpit and Bible were moved to the forefront of the chancel, symbolizing that the reading and preaching of the Scripture were the focal points of worship, not the altar.

The Anglican Church in England taught that worship was to be congregational, not sacerdotal.

Other Concerned Groups:

Though the Separatist Movement contributed to the cause of Christ, the actions of the more radical factions within this movement will always be a dark blight on church history.  Because of the fervent reaction of this group to any semblance of a liturgical church, ancient cathedrals were demolished, stained glass windows broken, artistic ornaments torn down, libraries ransacked, and church organs were destroyed.

16^th Century Catholicism (Pages 73-74)

One of the primary missions of the Catholic church during the early 16^th century was the completion of two magnificent structures within the Vatican City, St. Peter’s Church and the Sistine Chapel.  The Sistine Chapel, the private chapel of the Pope late called the “exquisite jewel of the Renaissance,” was completed in 1481.

Michelangelo painted on the ceiling of this lovely structure nine panels representing the chief events in the story of man’s redemption, including the popular “The Creation of Man-Adam.”

THE ENDLESS SONG - THE SONG STILLED: THE MIDDLE AGES

THE ENDLESS SONG

MUSIC AND WORSHIP IN THE CHURCH

BY:  KENNETH W. OSBECK

CHAPTER 6

THE SONG STILLED: (Pages 57-67)

  THE MIDDLE AGES

We will sing with stringed instruments all the day s of our lives in the temple of the Lord.

                                                                                                                                      -Isaiah 38:20

In addition to first “searching the Scriptures,” a second necessary aspect of any serious religious study is surveying history.  We learn valuable lessons for the present from the events and experiences of the past.

The Middle Ages – A.D. 500-1400

The power and practice of the Medieval Roman Church-the church’s song (Congregational singing) silenced.

The Renaissance and Protestant Reformation – 1400-1600

The Bible rediscovered and the church’s song restored.

The Pietistic and Evangelical Movement – 1600-1800

The church’s song revitalized.

The Romantic Period and the American Gospel Hymn – 1800-1900

The era of the gospel song

The 20^th Century – 1900 – to present

Contemporary issues and tensions

This brief historical pilgrimage should confirm our conviction that our God is the ruler of the past as well as the Lord of the present and future.

The Medieval Roman Church (Pages 58-59)

The medieval Roman church became not only the absolute ruler over all spiritual matters, but also dominated the economic, political, social, artistic and cultural life in society as well.

The Church’s Liturgy:  The Mass (Pages 59-60)

Throughout the early middle ages, religious musical development was limited to a liturgical use in the mass.  The church’s true song-the singing by lay people-was discontinued.  When Latin became the official language of the church’s liturgy, and laymen were given almost no part in the service, the worship of the church became “sacerdotal,” which means it could only be led by the priesthood.

For many centuries, the mass inspired many of the choral compositions by master composers of both Catholic and Protestant faiths.

Intoned chants by the clergy, borrowed from the Old Testament, became the foundation of the liturgy of the Mass.

Scholasticism

This is the philosophy of the later middle ages.  This philosophical system sought to harmonize faith and reason on the basis of logic.  It organized all human knowledge into seven broad categories, and it systematized the church’s means for dispensing grace into seven sacraments:  provisions for gaining God’s grace:

1.      Baptism – the washing away of original sin.

2.      Confirmation – full admission into the church after instruction.

3.      Penance – the confession of repeated sins.

4.      Eucharist – receiving the body of Christ at the mass.

5.      Marriage – the establishment of a Christian home.

6.      Ordination – being set apart for the ministry of the church.

7.      Extreme Unction – a rite to bring God’s grace to the dying soul.

Sacred Motets (Pages 60-61)

Beginning in the 9^th century, church musicians began adding melodic parts to the chants.  The chant or main melody line became known as the cantus firmus.  This combining of additional melodic voices to the cantus firmus resulted in polyphonic music, the beginning of harmony. 

This led to a new form of church music:  sacred motets.  This important form of church music had a Latin text, was unaccompanied, was highly polyphonic in style, and was difficult to sing.

Pipe organs-The church’s Musical Instrument (Page 61)

Important Hymn writers of the Middle Ages (Pages 61-65)

Bernard of Clairvaux  (1091-1153) – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)- All Creatures of Our God and King

Important Churchmen of the Middle Ages (Page 65)

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274 )- was the most influential Catholic theologian of the Middle Ages.  Many of the church’s doctrines are based on his teachings.

John Wycliffe (1320-1384) – one of the first reformers to emphasize the supreme authority of the Bible.

John Hus (1369-1415) – he stressed that the Bible was man’s ultimate authority in all matters of faith and practice.

Summary (Pages 65-66)

Reflections (Page 67)

WHEN FEAR CREEPS IN

WHEN FEAR CREEPS IN

READ:
Psalm 56

Whenever I am afraid, I will
trust in [God].  -Psalm 56:3

When my daughter exclaimed, "Mommy, a bug!"  I looked where she was pointing and saw the largest spider I have ever encountered outside of a pet shop.   Both the spider and I knew that he would not be allowed to stay in our house.  And yet, as I faced him, I found I could not take one step closer to end the stand-off.  My pulse quickened.  I swallowed and gave myself a pep-talk.  Still, fear kept me frozen in place.

Fear is powerful; it can override logical thinking and produce irrational behavior.  Thankfully, Christians don't have to let fear of anything-people, situations, or even spiders-rule our actions.  We can declare, "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in [God]" (Psalm 56:3).

Taking this stand against fear is consistent with the Bible's instruction to "trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).  Our own understanding may lead us to overestimate the object of our fear and underestimate God's power.  When we are afraid, we can depend on God's understanding (Isaiah 40:28). and trust in His love for us that "casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). The next time fear creeps into your life, don't panic.  God can be trusted in the darkness. - Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Into His hands I lay the fears that haunt me,
The dread of future ills that may befall;
Into His hands I lay the doubts that taunt me,
And rest securely, trusting Him for all.  - Christiansen
********************************************
Trusting God's faithfulness dispels our fearfulness.

Have a blessed day and week ahead.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR REWARDS ON EARTH?

Today's promise: God has great rewards for those who remain faithful

Are you looking for rewards on earth?

"…we who are still alive and remain on earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever."

1 Thessalonians 4:17 NLT

Awaiting our day

The story is told of an old missionary couple returning to the States after many years of thankless service in Africa. They happened to be on the same ship to New York as President Theodore Roosevelt, who was returning from a big game hunt in Africa. As the ship pulled past the Statue of Liberty and into the dock, huge crowds were gathered to welcome him home. The press was out in full force, and thousands of people had come to get a glimpse of the president.

In the middle of the chaos, the aged missionary couple fought their way through the crowds with their large suitcases in tow. Silently they hailed a cab and made their way to a cheap hotel. The missionary sat on the bed and said to his wife, "It just doesn't seem right. We gave our lives to Christ to win souls for the Kingdom in Africa, and when we arrive home there is no one here to meet us. The president shoots a few animals and receives a royal welcome."

His wife sat beside him on the bed and said softly, "That's because we're not home yet, dear."

It may seem at times as if our work for Christ is going unnoticed. Faith doesn't bring a lot of praise on this earth. But that's only because our trip is not yet over.

Our day will come, you can be sure. And when it does, the ceremony will last for an eternity.

From Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins and Frank M. Martin (Tyndale) p 346

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

DO YOU EVER FEEL IT DOESN'T PAY TO LIVE A GODLY LIFE?

Today's promise: God has great rewards for those who remain faithful

Do you ever feel it doesn't pay to live a godly life?

"Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive a reward that lasts forever."

Psalm 37:18 NLT

God will honor your integrity

Maybe last month it was a relational disaster or an occupational trial. This week it might be a financial setback. Next week could bring a health crisis. After a while the unrelenting stream of tough times takes its toll.

"What's the use?" we cry. "I try to do right and for what? Life keeps beating me up! I can't get ahead! I'm not sure it pays to try to live a godly life. I struggle as much or more than my neighbors who couldn't care less about God!"

Troubles certainly have a way of wearing us down. And if we're not careful, they can erode even our bedrock convictions. The promise in Psalm 37 is a good reminder of why we must be vigilant about not taking moral or ethical shortcuts.

Those who maintain their integrity, those who continue to do right even when everything and everyone else is wrong will one day receive the ultimate reward.

Praying God's Promise:
Life doesn't seem fair at times, Lord, and integrity often doesn't seem to matter. But it does matter. You see everything. Nothing escapes your gaze. You promise to care for the pure and to reward the faithful. Give me the spiritual tenacity to hang in there. Remind me that the day is coming when you will exalt those who steadfastly trust in you.

From the Praying God's Promises in Tough Times by Len Wood (Tyndale) pp 204-5

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House