DAY 31 - DAILY HISTORY - AMERICAN MINUTE FOR JUNE 24, 2013

June 24

American Minute for June 24th:

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His travels were exceeded only by Lewis and Clark.

He led expeditions up the Missouri River with such characters as keelboatman Mike Fink.

He discovered the South Pass through the Rockies and the first land route to California.

He led settlers across the Santa Fe Trail, the Mojave Desert, the Sierra Nevadas and up the Oregon Coast.

His name was Jedediah Smith, born JUNE 24, 1798.

At the age of 22, Jedidiah Smith answered an add in the Missouri Gazette, place by Missouri's Lieutenant Governor, William H. Ashley, seeking: "enterprising young men...to ascend the river Missouri to its source...to be employed for...three years."

Smith was known to carry two books, the Bible and a copy of Lewis & Clark's Expedition. Smith, who never drank, never used tobacco, and never boasted, wrote in his Journal:

"Then let us come forward with faith, nothing doubting, and He will most unquestionably hear us."

Jedediah entered into a fur trapping partnership, "Smith, Jackson and Sublette," and in 1827 sold furs at a rendezvous near the Great Salt Lake.

When fellow trapper John Gardner died, Smith gave the eulogy, as recorded by expedition member Hugh Glass:

"Mr. Smith, a young man of our company made a powerful prayer which moved us all greatly and I am persuaded John died in peace."

As captain of his second expedition, Jedidiah Smith was attacked by a Grizzly bear, as Jim Clyman described:

"The Grissly did not hesitate a moment but sprang on the capt taking him by the head first pitching sprawling on the earth...breaking several of his ribs and cutting his head badly...the bear had taken nearly all his head in his capacious mouth close to his left eye on one side and close to his right ear on the other and laid the skull bare to near the crown of the head...one of his ears was torn from his head out to the outer rim..."

Smith had Jim Clyman sew his scalp back on, but the ear was too cut to save. Smith insisted he try, as Clyman wrote:

"I put my needle sticking it through and through and over and over laying the lacerated parts together as nice as I could with my hands."

After two weeks of rest, Smith resumed leading the expedition.

On December 24, 1829, from the Wind River on the east side of the Rocky Mountains, Jedediah Smith wrote to his parents in Ohio:

"It is a long time since I left home & many times I have been ready, to bring my business to a close & endeavor to come home; but have been hindered hitherto...

However I will endeavor, by the assistance of Divine Providence, to come home as soon as possible...but whether I shall ever be allowed the privilege, God only knows.

I feel the need of the watch & care of a Christian Church.

You may well suppose that our Society is of the roughest kind.

Men of good morals seldom enter into business of this kind-I hope you will remember me before the Throne of Grace...

May God in His infinite mercy allow me soon to join My Parents is the Prayer of your undutiful Son, Jedediah S. Smith."

In a letter to his brother, Ralph, December 24, 1829, Jedediah Smith wrote:

"Many Hostile tribes of Indians inhabit this Space...In August 1827, ten Men who were in company with me lost their lives by the Amuchabas Indians...In July 1828, fifteen men who were in company with me lost their lives by the Umpquah Indians...Many others have lost their lives in different parts...

My Brother...I have need of your Prayers...to bear me up before the Throne of Grace."

In 1830, Smith sold his shares in the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, retired, and bought a townhouse in St. Louis.

However, he had agreed to go on one last trip for the Sublette and Jackson Company, leaving in the spring of 1831.

On May 27, 1831, while looking for water along the Sante Fe Trail, Smith was ambushed by Comanche warriors and killed.

Just four months earlier, January 26, 1831, Jedediah Smith had written to his brother Ralph in Wayne County, Ohio:

"Some, who have made a profession of Christianity & have by their own negligence caused the Spirit to depart, think their day of grace is over; but where did they find Such doctrine?

I find our Saviour ever entreating & wooing us."


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DAY 30 - DAILY BIBLE VERSE (FIFTH COMMANDMENT) - JUNE 23, 2013

June 23

Exodus 20: 12

12 You are to honor your father and mother. If you do, you and your children will live long and well in the land the Eternal your God has promised to give you.

DAY 30 - DAILY DEVOTION - JUNE 23, 2013

June 23

Worship Is…
Posted on June 9, 2013 by katherine


Worship is NOT singing a pretty song, seeing how loud we can get the bass/drums, nor trying to get the perfect lighting or smoke/fog ambiance.

WORSHIP IS…

Abiding in the Vine- Letting Him live through You

Arising in Faith, Bearing good fruit, Breaking forth into Joy

Desiring more of Him, more than yesterday

Drawing nigh to Him, Delighting yourself in the Lord

Declaring who He is & what He has already done

Falling at His feet & crying, Worthy is the Lamb

Following Him all the days of your life

Forgiving because He forgave you

Gazing at His beauty, Praying one for another

Loving Him with all your heart, mind & soul

Glorifying the King,

Giving Him all your fears, worries, cares & concerns

Praising Him ahead of the miracle

Confessing His Word over your life everyday

Counting your blessings

Remembering His body that was beaten, bruised, crushed, pierced & wounded

Standing in faith when you don’t see the answer

Singing a new song to the Lord

Seeking Him while He may be found

Trusting the Lord with all your heart

Leaning not on your understanding but acknowledging Him

Letting His kingdom come & His Will be done in & through you

Opening your heart to Him

Passionately pursuing His presence

Putting all your Hope in Him

Protecting the anointing He has given you

Hanging tough when all others give up

Believing the Impossible & not backing down

Being a light in the darkness- let your little light shine

Stirring yourself up in your most holy Faith

Keeping your heart burning hard after the things of God

Guarding His presence & keeping it always before you

Making a decision to use every breath to sing His praises & honor Him in everything you do

Winning the lost at all costs and Walking faithfully & uprightly with God, till your last breath!

http://dailyliveworship.com/blog/435/

DAY 30 - DAILY PRAYER (HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER) - JUNE 23, 2013

June 23

A Prayer to Honor Our Parents
By Jazmin Wilson | December 11, 2012 | Weapons in Warfare


Heavenly Father,

Help us to love and honor our parents wholeheartedly and to always show them respect no matter the situation. There may be times where we may not see things on similar terms; however, we know that we should cherish them as our parents. Help us to show our love for our parents through respect. We pray that the relationships that we have with our parents continue to thrive. We should take pride in the relationship and I pray that it is be blessed with an abundances of growth. We know that as children, we need to nurture the relationships with our parents. When there is no one left, our parents will always be there for us. The bond that we share with our parents should be incomparable to the relationship that we have with others.

Lord, help us to understand that a parent’s job is to be harsh sometimes. Help us to know that respecting our parents is in your will, Lord, and with honor comes obedience. We may not always agree with our parent’s perspectives but it is our purpose to honor who they are in our lives. Lord, we know that our parents will always love, honor, and cherish us just the same.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

http://armedmagazine.com/2012/12/a-prayer-to-honor-our-parents/

DAY 30 - DAILY QUESTION ABOUT GOD'S WORD (WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER?)

June 23

Question: "What does it mean to honor my father and mother?"

Answer:Honoring your father and mother is being respectful in word and action and having an inward attitude of esteem for their position. The Greek word for honor means “to revere, prize, and value.” Honor is giving respect not only for merit but also for rank. For example, some Americans may disagree with the President’s decisions, but they should still respect his position as leader of their country. Similarly, children of all ages should honor their parents, regardless of whether or not their parents “deserve” honor.

God exhorts us to honor father and mother. He values honoring parents enough to include it in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12) and again in the New Testament: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3). Honoring parents is the only command in Scripture that promises long life as a reward. Those who honor their parents are blessed (Jeremiah 35:18-19). In contrast, those with a “depraved mind” and those who exhibit ungodliness in the last days are characterized by disobedience to parents (Romans 1:30;2 Timothy 3:2).

Solomon, the wisest man, urged children to respect their parents (Proverbs 1:8;13:1;30:17). Although we may no longer be directly under their authority, we cannot outgrow God’s command to honor our parents. Even Jesus, God the Son, submitted Himself to both His earthly parents (Luke 2:51) and His heavenly Father (Matthew 26:39). Following Christ’s example, we should treat our parents the way we would reverentially approach our heavenly Father (Hebrews 12:9;Malachi 1:6).

Obviously, we are commanded to honor our parents, but how? Honor them with both actions and attitudes (Mark 7:6). Honor their unspoken as well as spoken wishes. “A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke” (Proverbs 13:1). InMatthew 15:3-9, Jesus reminded the Pharisees of the command of God to honor their father and mother. They were obeying the letter of the law, but they had added their own traditions that essentially overruled it. While they honored their parents in word, their actions proved their real motive. Honor is more than lip service. The word “honor” in this passage is a verb and, as such, demands a right action.

We should seek to honor our parents in much the same way that we strive to bring glory to God—in our thoughts, words, and actions. For a young child, obeying parents goes hand in hand with honoring them. That includes listening, heeding, and submitting to their authority. After children mature, the obedience that they learned as children will serve them well in honoring other authorities such as government, police, and employers.

While we are required to honor parents, that doesn’t include imitating ungodly ones (Ezekiel 20:18-19). If a parent ever instructs a child to do something that clearly contradicts God’s commands, that child must obey God rather than his/her parents (Acts 5:29).

Honor begets honor. God will not honor those who will not obey His command to honor their parents. If we desire to please God and be blessed, we should honor our parents. Honoring is not easy, is not always fun, and certainly is not possible in our own strength. But honor is a certain path to our purpose in life—glorifying God. “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord” (Colossians 3:20).

Recommended Resources:Logos Bible SoftwareandYour Family God's Way by Wayne Mack.

While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/honor-father-mother.html#ixzz2X0dKPpoZ

DAY 30 - DAILY HISTORY - AMERICAN MINUTE FOR JUNE 23, 2013

June 23

American Minute for June 23rd:

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Indians along the Delaware River called themselves "Lenape," meaning in Algonquin "the people," and were in three clans: Turtle, Wolf and Turkey.

William Penn, called "Miquon" meaning quill, made a peace treaty with Tamanend, chief of the Turtle clan, on JUNE 23, 1683, under an elm tree in what was to become Philadelphia.

The Peace Treaty with the peaceful Quakers lasted over 70 years.

In 1697, Tamanend's last message before he died was:

"We and Christians of this river have always had a free roadway to one another, and though sometimes a tree has fallen cross the road, yet we have removed it again and kept the path clear."

During the French & Indian War, the Turkey clan attacked English settlers.

In 1778, Turtle clan Chief Gelelemend signed the first Indian treaty ever with the U.S. Government and later was converted to Christianity by German Moravian missionaries.

The Wolf clan converted, being called Christian Munsee, but were mistakenly confused with hostile Indians and tragically many were killed by vigilantes.

The Lenape Indians fled to Canada, Kansas and finally to Oklahoma, where in 1861, the great-grandson of Chief Gelelemend was born, John Henry Killbuck.

John attended the Moravian Seminary and in 1884 was one of the first Christian missionaries to the Yupik Indians in Alaska.

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DAY 29 - DAILY BIBLE VERSE (FOURTH COMMANDMENT) - JUNE 22, 2013

June 22

Exodus 20:8-11

8 You and your family are to remember the Sabbath Day; set it apart, and keep it holy. 9 You have six days to do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is to be different; it is the Sabbath of the Eternal your God. Keep it holy by not doing any work—not you, your sons, your daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, or any outsiders living among you. 11 For the Eternal made the heavens above, the earth below, the seas, and all the creatures in them in six days. Then, on the seventh day, He rested. That is why He blessed the Sabbath Day and made it sacred.

DAY 29 - DAILY DEVOTION - JUNE 22, 2013

June 22

Late Night Word..
Posted on July 31, 2012 by katherine

I honor & respect all these athletes & really enjoy watching the Olympics, but let’s not get too caught up in it & loose focus on what’s really important:
The Kingdom of God

How many medals are you going to have in Heaven for winning souls to Him, keeping the Sabbath Holy, and raising up a generation of Worshipers?

http://dailyliveworship.com/blog/late-night-word/

DAY 29 - DAILY PRAYER (REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY) - JUNE 22, 2013

June 22

Holy and Supreme Father,

We honor You today in our time of prayer and reflection upon Your holiness. You alone are worthy of our honor and praise, as You alone created the heavens and the earth. Your holy word tells us that You toiled for six days on Your creation, and on the seventh day rested. As You are in us, and we are in You, we must also give ourselves unto Your great example. We must also work diligently throughout the week, and then take a day of rest from the work of our hands as You did. We are compelled to honor You on this day of rest, as it allows us to fully devote our hearts, mind, and spirit to a time of thanksgiving and worship with You alone. Help us to faithfully rest once a week, and reflect upon Your perfect example of work followed by rest. Help us to offer our day of rest to You in thanks for the grace and blessings we have received throughout the week. We love You and honor You beautiful Father God. And we long to be more and more like You with each passing day...a work that was begun by You alone, and will be perfect when completed by You alone.

We pray in Jesus' name. Amen!

Wally Ziolo

Founder - 40DAYPRAYER4USA

Lancaster, Ohio USA

DAY 29 - DAILY QUESTION ABOUT GOD'S WORD (WHAT IS THE SABBATH DAY?)

June 22

Question: "What is the Sabbath day?"

Answer:At first glance, the question “What is the Sabbath day?” seems fairly simple. According toExodus 20:8-11, the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, on which we are to rest, in remembrance that God created the universe in six days and then “rested” on the seventh day. However, due to the misunderstanding and misinterpretation of some Christian groups, the meaning of the Sabbath day rest has been confused.

Some Christian groups, such as theSeventh Day Adventists, view the Sabbath as the day of worship, the day on which Christians should attend church / worship services. While these groups typically also teach that no work is to be done on the Sabbath, the concept of the “day of worship” is sometimes more emphasized than the “day of rest.” The problem with this is that the Bible nowhere commands that the Sabbath be the day of worship. InExodus 20:8-11, “keeping the Sabbath holy” is defined as not working on the Sabbath. Nowhere in this passage is the Sabbath described as a day especially set aside for worship. Similarly, other Scriptures command against working on the Sabbath, but say nothing of the Sabbath being the ordained day for worship (Exodus 16:23-29;31:14-16;35:2-3;Deuteronomy 5:12-15;Nehemiah 13:15-22;Jeremiah 17:21-27). In the Old Covenant, there was not one day set aside for worship. Sacrifices were made daily at the tabernacle / temple. The “worship” was continual. The idea that the Sabbath day is the God-ordained day of corporate worship is not biblical.

Now that is not to say the Sabbath was not set apart for worship. The New Testament records Jews and converts to Judaism meeting in the synagogues on the Sabbath (Mark 6:2;Luke 4:31;Luke 13:10-16;Acts 13:14,27,42-44;15:21;16:13;17:2;18:4). Obviously, with no work being done on the Sabbath day, the Sabbath day would be the ideal day to have organized worship services. However, again, the Bible does not command that the Sabbath day be the day of worship. The Bible describes worship on the Sabbath, but does not prescribe organized corporate worship on the Sabbath.

Further, once the New Covenant was established by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Bible nowhere describes Christians setting aside the Sabbath day as the day of worship. The only Scriptures that describe Christians in any sense meeting on the Sabbath are in fact pointing to evangelistic efforts at Jewish synagogues, which met on the Sabbath day.Acts 3:2records the early Christians meeting every day. The Bereans studied the Scriptures every day (Acts 17:11).Acts 20:7and1 Corinthians 16:2both mention Christians meeting on the first day of the week. There is no evidence in the New Testament that the Apostles or the early Christians in any sense observed the Sabbath day as the prescribed day of worship.

Traditionally, Christians have held their primary corporate worship services on Sundays, the first day of the week, in celebration of Christ’s resurrection, which occurred on a Sunday (Matthew 28:1;Mark 16:2;Luke 24:1;John 20:1). It is important to understand, though, that Sunday is not the commanded day of corporate worship either. There is no explicit biblical command that either Saturday or Sunday be the day of worship. Scriptures such asRomans 14:5-6andColossians 2:16give Christians freedom to observe a special day, or to observe every day as special. God’s desire is that we worship and serve Him continually, every day, not just on Saturday or Sunday. Please read our other articles on theSabbath dayandSabbath keepingto explore this issue further.

It is our contention that the Sabbath command, which, biblically speaking, is to rest on the seventh day of the week, is not binding on Christians, but is rather a matter of grace. However, even if the Sabbath command does apply to New Covenant believers in Christ, the command would be to observe the Sabbath as the day of rest, not necessarily to set aside the Sabbath day as the weekly day of corporate worship.

Recommended Resources:Logos Bible SoftwareandThe End of the Law: Mosaic Covenant in Pauline Theology by Jason Meyer.

While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/Sabbath-day-rest.html#ixzz2Wv0WI3TT

DAY 29 - DAILY HISTORY - AMERICAN MINUTE FOR JUNE 22, 2013

June 29

American Minute for June 22nd:

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In Medieval Europe, most countries had only one person vote - the king.

In colonial America only landowners voted, then those owning a certain amount of personal property.

After the Revolution, States gradually let those without land vote if they paid taxes, but many States continued religious and literacy tests.

In 1870, the 15th Amendment let former slaves vote.

In 1920, the 19th Amendment let women vote.

In 1924, American Indians could vote in Federal Elections.

In 1961, the 23rd Amendment let District of Columbia residents vote in Federal Elections.

In 1964, the 24th Amendment let vote those who could not pay a poll tax.

In 1965, the Voting Rights Act removed literacy tests.

On JUNE 22, 1970, President Nixon extended the Voting Rights Act to let 18-year-olds vote.

The Supreme Court, in Oregon v Mitchell, limited this right so the 26th Amendment was passed in 1971 to confirm it.

President Nixon stated March 24, 1970:

"In other areas, too, there were long struggles to eliminate discrimination...Property and even religious qualifications for voting persisted well into the 19th century - and not until 1920 were women finally guaranteed the right to vote."

On August 24, 1972, Nixon said:

"For the first time in the 195 year history of this country, men and women 18 to 21 years of age will have the chance to vote."

In 1832, Noah Webster wrote in his History of the United States:

"When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers 'just men who will rule in the fear of God.'

The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty.

If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted;

laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes;

corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws;

the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men;

and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded.

If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws."


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DAY 28 - DAILY BIBLE VERSE (THIRD COMMANDMENT) - JUNE 21, 2013

June 21 

Exodus 20:7

7 You are not to use My name for your own idle purposes, for the Eternal will punish anyone who treats His name as anything less than sacred.

DAY 28 - DAILY DEVOTION - JUNE 21, 2013

June 21

What Are You Tripping Over
Posted on February 7, 2013 by katherine

When my oldest daughter Alyssa was about 18 months, we were at church on the front row and Bryan was leading Worship. We were standing there looking all-nice & put together, until Alyssa took off running towards the platform. As I was trying to grab her, I was just out of reach of her when I tripped over something and broke one of the heels off my shoe. I’m sure it was a sight to see..

What are you tripping over this morning? I encourage you to use the Word of God as your weapon to trip the devil up, instead of him tripping you up!

“You are the body of Christ & satan hath no power over you, and greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world. 1 Cor.12:27, Rom.12:21, 1 John 4:4

Devil, we look at you & laugh because you thought you were going to trip us up this morning, but we say, “God is on our side today & we can’t be defeated. His favor surrounds us as a shield. We expect favor in our home, job, business, ministry, finances, & every deal we are involved in today.” Psalm 5:12

Let’s conquer this day, and make the devil scared we woke up this morning!

http://dailyliveworship.com/blog/what-are-you-tripping-over/

DAY 28 - DAILY PRAYER (THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE LORD'S NAME IN VAIN) - JUNE 21, 2013

June 21

Forgive Me

Father,

There are no words to express how filthy I feel every time I break Your heart. The guilt and the shame are overwhelming! Lord, I need Your touch right now. I am so sick of being “born again” and still doing the things I hate doing. Like Paul, I am conflicted. “For I do not do what I want, but do the very thing that I hate.” (Romans 7:15) I am so sorry! Father, I ask for Your forgiveness right now. I am shocked that my life has come to a point where even some sins don’t affect me at all. Father, I have some hard layers on my heart that need peeling. Please give me a 100% heart of flesh. The hardness is a barrier between us that I can’t stand! I love You and I am so regrettably sorry for my selfish actions. Thank You for Your forgiveness, Lord. Without forgiveness I am nothing. With Your forgiveness I am whole again. I praise Your Name! Amen


Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/7-prayers-for-forgiveness-and-repentance-2/#ixzz2WuJy7844

DAY 28 - DAILY QUESTION ABOUT GOD'S WORD (IS SAYING OMG OR WORDS LIKE 'GEEZ' STILL TAKING THE LORD'S NAME IN VAIN?)

June 21

Question: "Is saying OMG or words like ‘geez’ still taking the Lord's name in vain?"

Answer:The idea of “taking the Lord’s name in vain” is first found in Exodus 20 when Moses receives the Ten Commandments. The third commandment states, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). What does this mean? How does it apply to terms likeOMGandgeez?

Taking the Lord’s name in vain is to speak of God with irreverence or disrespect. Many have traditionally understood the exclamation “Oh my God!” to be sinful, because it has nothing to do with a proper, reverent use of God’s name.

The same principle is true when a person uses an acronym such as OMG or a word likegeez(the first syllable of Jesus’ name) orgosh(a modified form ofGod). If the intended meaning is to be disrespectful toward God and His name, the word should not be used. However, some people useOMGwithout any thought of its connection to God’s name, and that’s what makes this question difficult.

We could all use the reminder that our words carry meaning. As people who follow Christ, we care deeply about helping others and honoring God. We must ask ourselves, “Do these words help others and honor God?” If we are honest, we will probably admit that words such asgoshdo not. It may not be easy to change a long-standing habit, but we must seek to speak words that build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and honor the Lord.

James 3:9-10speaks of the tongue as a powerful part of the body: “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” Our goal is to be consistent in our use of words, so they would serve as a blessing to God and to others.

Paul wrote, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). This stands as our basis for evaluating terms such asOMGandgeez. Does using these words give “thanks to God the Father”? If not, begin working to remove these words from your conversations and texts in order to honor God “in word and deed.”

Recommended Resources:Logos Bible Softwareand30 Days to Taming the Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues.

While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/OMG.html#ixzz2WuH3Rq6J

DAY 28 - DAILY HISTORY - AMERICAN MINUTE FOR JUNE 21, 2013

June 21

American Minute for June 21st:

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New Hampshire Governor John Langdon called for a Day of Fasting, February 21, 1786, to pray for the new government of the United States:

"That He would be pleased to bless the great Council of the United States of America and direct their deliberations...

that he would rain down righteousness upon the earth, revive religion, and spread abroad the knowledge of the true God, the Saviour of man."

When New Hampshire became the 9th State to ratify the U.S. Constitution, JUNE 21, 1788, it officially went into effect.

The 55 writers of the U.S. Constitution were:

26 Episcopalian Christians
11 Presbyterian Christians
7 Congregationalist Christians
2 Lutheran Christians
2 Dutch Reformed Christians
2 Methodist Christians
2 Quaker Christians
2 Roman Catholics
and Dr. Franklin, who called for prayer at the Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787, stating:

"In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection.- Our prayers, Sir, were heard and they were graciously answered.

All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending providence in our favor...

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?..."

Franklin continued:

"We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.'... I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel...

I therefore beg leave to move-that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business."

The Constitution went into effect June 21, 1788, when 2/3's of the States ratified it:

DELAWARE - 1st to ratify the U.S. Constitution, stated in its 1776 State Constitution:

"Every person...appointed to any office...shall...subscribe...

'I...profess faith in GOD THE FATHER, and in JESUS CHRIST His only Son, and in the HOLY GHOST, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine inspiration.'"

PENNSYLVANIA - 2nd to ratify the U.S. Constitution, stated in its 1776 State Constitution, signed by Ben Franklin:

"Each member, before he takes his seat, shall...subscribe...

'I do believe in one GOD, the Creator and Governor of the Universe, the Rewarder of the good and the Punisher of the wicked. And I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine Inspiration.'"

NEW JERSEY - 3rd to ratify the U.S. Constitution, stated in its 1776 State Constitution:

"All persons, professing a belief in the faith of any PROTESTANT sect, who shall demean themselves peaceably under the government...shall be capable of being elected."

GEORGIA - 4th to ratify the U.S. Constitution, stated in its 1777 State Constitution:

"Representatives shall be chosen out of the residents in each county...and they shall be of the PROTESTANT religion."

CONNECTICUT - 5th to ratify the U.S. Constitution, retained its 1662 Colonial Constitution, which was established PROTESTANT CONGREGATIONAL, till 1818:

"By the Providence of GOD...having from their ancestors derived a free and excellent Constitution...whereby the legislature depends on the free and annual election...The free fruition of such liberties and privileges as humanity, civility and CHRISTIANITY call for."

MASSACHUSETTS - 6th to ratify the U.S. Constitution, stated in its 1780 State Constitution, written by John Adams:

"Any person...before he...execute the duties of his...office...[shall] subscribe...'I...declare, that I believe the CHRISTIAN religion, and have a firm persuasion of its truth'...

The legislature shall...authorize the support and maintenance of public PROTESTANT teachers of piety, religion and morality."

MARYLAND - 7th to ratify the U.S. Constitution, stated in its 1776 State Constitution:

"No other test...ought to be required, on admission to any office...than such oath of support and fidelity to this State...and a declaration of a belief in the CHRISTIAN religion."

SOUTH CAROLINA - 8th to ratify the U.S. Constitution, stated in its 1778 State Constitution:

"No person shall be eligible to a seat...unless he be of the PROTESTANT religion...The CHRISTIAN PROTESTANT religion shall be deemed...the established religion of this State."

NEW HAMPSHIRE - 9th to ratify the U.S. Constitution, stated in its 1784 State Constitution:

"No person shall be capable of being elected...who is not of the PROTESTANT religion."

VIRGINIA - 10th to ratify the U.S. Constitution, stated in its 1776 State Constitution, Bill of Rights, written with the help of James Madison and George Mason:

"It is the mutual duty of all to practice CHRISTIAN forbearance, love, and charity towards each other."

NEW YORK - 11th to ratify the U.S. Constitution, stated in its 1777 State Constitution:

"The United American States...declare...

'Laws of nature and of NATURE'S GOD...All men are created equal; that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain unalienable rights...Appealing to the SUPREME JUDGE of the world...A firm reliance on the protection of DIVINE PROVIDENCE'...

People of this State, ordain...the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination...

Provided, That the liberty of conscience, hereby granted, shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness."

NORTH CAROLINA - 12th to ratify the U.S. Constitution, stated in its 1776 State Constitution:

"No person, who shall deny the being of GOD or the truth of the PROTESTANT religion, or the Divine authority either of the Old or New Testaments, or who shall hold religious principles incompatible with the freedom and safety of the State, shall be capable of holding...office."

RHODE ISLAND - 13th to ratify the U.S. Constitution, retained its 1663 Colonial Constitution till 1843, which stated:

"By the blessing of God...a full liberty in religious concernements...rightly grounded upon GOSPEL principles, will give the best and greatest security...in the true CHRISTIAN faith and worship of God...They may...defend themselves, in their just rights and liberties against all the enemies of the CHRISTIAN faith."

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Lafayette Black wrote in Engel v. Vitale, 1962:

"As late as the time of the Revolutionary War, there were established Churches in at least 8 of the 13 former colonies and established religions in at least 4 of the other 5."

John K. Wilson wrote in Religion Under the State Constitutions 1776-1800 (Journal of Church and State, Volume 32, Autumn 1990, Number 4, pp. 754):

"An establishment of religion, in terms of direct tax aid to Churches, was the situation in 9 of the 13 colonies on the eve of the American revolution."

The Journal of the U.S. House recorded that on March 27, 1854, the 33rd Congress voted unanimously to print Rep. James Meacham's report, which stated:

"At the adoption of the Constitution, we believe every State - certainly 10 of the 13 - provided as regularly for the support of the Church as for the support of the Government...

Down to the Revolution, every colony did sustain religion in some form. It was deemed peculiarly proper that the religion of liberty should be upheld by a free people...

Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle."

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DAY 27 - DAILY BIBLE VERSE (SECOND COMMANDMENT) - JUNE 20, 2013

June 20

Exodus 20: 4-6 (The Voice Bible)

4 You are not to make any idol or image of other gods. In fact, you are not to make an image of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. 5 You are not to bow down and serve any image, for I, the Eternal your God, am a jealous God. As for those who are not loyal to Me, their children will endure the consequences of their sins for three or four generations. 6 But for those who love Me and keep My directives, their children will experience My loyal love for a thousand generations.

http://www.hearthevoice.com/

DAY 27 - DAILY DEVOTION - JUNE 20, 2013

June 20

Hearts of Worship
Posted on February 13, 2012 by katherine


Exodus 32- Briefly, Moses was up on the mountain with God. Down below, the people were getting tired of waiting for Moses to come back. They wanted to make gods to worship, so they melted their jewelry into golden idols.

Are you tired of waiting on God? Are you tempted to take the situation into your own hands? Or, maybe you are thinking about turning away from God? There are so many things of the world that pull at us each and every day that want our worship. Don’t let anyone or anything take you away from your worship to God. False Idol Worship will kill you, your family, and others around you. That’s what happened in Exodus to the people who worshiped false gods. In verses 27-28, about 3,000 people died from one end of the camp to the other including brothers, friends, and neighbors.

Lord, we pray that all the things that are tearing us apart from you would be broken away right now. Forgive us for worshiping other things. We cast down idols and vain imaginations that would try to separate us from You. We take authority over lust of eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. We take up our place in the Kingdom of God, and worship you in Spirit and in Truth. We cry out to you Jesus. You are all we need, for no one else will do. Thank you Lord for giving us a heart of worship. Let this song be your hearts cry today: Heart of Worship by Matt Redman

When the music fades

And all is stripped away

And I simply come

Longing just to bring

Something that’s of worth

That will bless your heart

I’ll bring You more than a song

For a song in itself

Is not what You have required

You search much deeper within

Through the ways things appear

You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship

And it’s all about You

All about You, Jesus

I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it

When it’s all about You

It’s all about You Jesus



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DAY 27 - DAILY PRAYER (NO IDOLS BEFORE YOU) - JUNE 20, 2013

June 20


Not unto us, O Lord of Heav’n,

But unto Thee be glory given;

In love and truth Thou dost fulfill

The counsels of Thy sovereign will;



Though nations fail Thy pow’r to own,

Yet Thou dost reign, and Thou alone.

The idol gods of heathen lands

Are but the work of human hands;



They cannot see, they cannot speak,

Their ears are deaf, their hands are weak;

Like them shall be all those who hold

To gods of silver and of gold.



Let Israel trust in God alone,

The Lord Whose grace and pow’r are known;

To Him your full allegiance yield,

And He will be your Help and Shield;



All those who fear Him God will bless,

His saints have proved His faithfulness.

http://sermons.logos.com/submissions/90687-7-Glorifying-God-in-our-Prayer-Ps-115-1-#content=/submissions/90687

DAY 27 - DAILY QUESTION ABOUT GOD'S WORD (WHAT IS A GRAVEN IMAGE?)

June 20

Question: "What is a graven image?"

Answer:The phrase “graven image” comes from theKing James Versionand is first found inExodus 20:4in the first of theTen Commandments. The Hebrew word translated “graven image” means literally an idol. A graven image is an image carved out of stone, wood, or metal. It could be a statue of a person or animal, or a relief carving in a wall or pole. It is differentiated from a molten image which is melted metal poured into a cast. Abstract Asherah poles, carved wooden Ba’als covered in gold leaf, and etchings of gods accompanying Egyptian hieroglyphics are all graven images.

The progression of idolatry in a pagan religion generally starts with the acknowledgement of a power that controls natural forces. The presence of the force is then thought to indwell an object, like a stone, or a place, like a mountain. The next step is altering a naturally-occurring object, like a standing stone, a deliberately planted tree, or a carved Asherah pole, and asking the force to indwell it. When the idolatrous culture has had time to contemplate the personality of the god, they then make corresponding physical images—a statue that looks like a woman or a relief carving that looks like an animal. Graven images can be either of the last two steps.

The spiritual progression is similar. People start with wanting something (Ephesians 5:5;Colossians 3:5), often children or prosperity or good crops. They observe the circumstances (circumstances some acknowledge are God-ordained, and others think are independent) that lead to these things and begin to ascribe the causal forces using human characteristics—thus creating gods. Places are set aside to commune with these false gods. For convenience sake, smaller items, thought to hold the power or the communication line of the gods, are brought into homes. Before long, the people are ensnared by the compulsion to give homage to a thing of their own definition instead of the God of the universe.

The second commandment, recorded inExodus 20:4-5, reads, “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them…” Likely, this refers back to the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before Me,” and specifically forbids the creation of idols. But it is equally dangerous to create an image of God Himself. God has given us reminders enough of His power and glory (Romans 1:20) without man attempting to use created things to represent the Creator.

Functionally, there is no difference between a “graven” image (Deuteronomy 4:16) and a “molten” image (Exodus 34:17). Both are man’s attempt to define and confine the power of God who works over creation. Both are the result of greed and covetousness, along with the fear that God does not have the worshipers’ best interests at heart. Graven images, whether an idol, a crystal, or a charm, are attempts to limit the power of God and reduce it to a small package which we can control. As with any kind of worship, the object of adoration inevitably controls us.

Recommended Resources:Logos Bible SoftwareandBasic Theology by Charles Ryrie.



While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.


Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/graven-image.html#ixzz2WicHptAm

DAY 27 - DAILY HISTORY - AMERICAN MINUTE FOR JUNE 20, 2013

Day 27

American Minute for June 20th:

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JUNE 20, 1632, King Charles I of England granted a charter for the Colony of Maryland, named for his CATHOLIC wife, Queen Henrietta Maria, stating:

"Charles, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith...

Whereas our well beloved...subject Cecilius Calvert, Baron of Baltimore, in our Kingdom of Ireland...being animated with a laudable, and pious zeal for extending the CHRISTIAN RELIGION...hath humbly besought leave of us that he may transport, by his own...expense, a numerous colony of the English Nation, to certain...parts of America...partly occupied by savages, having no knowledge of the Divine Being...

With the increasing worship and RELIGION OF CHRIST within said region...shall...be built...Churches, Chapels, and Places of Worship."

Lord Baltimore Cecilius Calvert, a CATHOLIC, sent two ships, the Ark and the Dove, to settle the colony of Maryland. He gave instructions to his brother, Leonard Calvert, the Governor of the expedition, 1634:

"To preserve peace and unity amongst all the passengers...treat the PROTESTANTS with as much mildness and favor as justice will require.”

Buying land from the Indians, they founded the St. Mary's City, considered the birthplace of religious tolerance in the United States.

In 1649, they extended liberty to PROTESTANTS by issuing the Maryland Toleration Act, which stated:

"That no person...within this province...professing to believe in JESUS CHRIST shall...from henceforth be any ways troubled or molested...in respect of his or her religion."

When the neighboring colony of Virginia drove out anyone who was not an ANGLICAN, settlers who were PURITAN fled to Maryland because of the Maryland Toleration Act.

Meanwhile, back in England, a Civil War broke out between PURITANS and ANGLICANS. The PURITANS won and chopped off the head of ANGLICAN King Charles I in 1649.

At this time, an ANGLICAN named John Washington emigrated to Virginia. His great-grandson was George Washington.

In Maryland, PURITANS took over the colony in 1650 and passed laws against CATHOLICS, such as the Act Concerning Religion, October 20, 1654:

"That such as profess Faith in GOD by JESUS CHRIST, though differing in Judgment from from the Doctrine, Worship or Discipline...should not be restrained but protected in the Profession of the Faith and Exercise of their Religion...PROVIDED SUCH LIBERTY WAS NOT EXTENDED TO POPERY...That none who profess and exercise the PAPISTIC, commonly known as the ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIGION, can be protected in this province.”

PURITANS lost control of England, and in 1658, Lord Baltimore was restored to being Maryland's Governor.

In 1688, the last CATHOLIC King of England, James II, was driven out during "the Glorious Revolution," and William and Mary ruled as ANGLICANS.

In Maryland, ANGLICANS took control of the colony, and CATHOLICS were again denied freedom of conscience, as stated in an Act to Prevent the Growth of Popery, September 30, 1704:

"That whatsoever POPISH Bishop, Priest or Jesuit, shall baptize any child...other than such who have POPISH Parents or shall say Mass...shall forfeit...fifty pounds Sterling...and shall also suffer six months imprisonment...And be it further enacted...if any PAPIST...shall keep school or take upon themselves the education...or boarding of youth...such persons...shall upon conviction be transported out of this Province."

QUAKERS, SCOTCH PRESBYTERIANS, GERMAN MORAVIANS, MENNONITES and other PROTESTANT DISSENTERS began moving into Maryland.

The wealthiest man in Maryland, Charles Carroll, Sr., sailed to France in 1752, to obtain land from CATHOLIC King Louis XV in the Louisiana Territory in order to move Maryland CATHOLICS there.

Then the Revolutionary War started and everything changed.

The different colonies in America, with their different denominations, realized they had to work together in order to defeat the ANGLICAN King George III.

Maryland, at first, resisted the Revolution, as almost every member of the ANGLICAN clergy supported King George III.

Charles Carroll, son of the wealthiest landowner in the colony, was the sole CATHOLIC to sign the Declaration of Independence. He wrote to Rev. John Stanford, October, 9, 1827:

“To obtain religious as well as civil liberty I entered jealously into the Revolution.”

In 1776, Maryland's original State Constitution generously granted religious freedom to every denomination of PROTESTANTS and CATHOLICS:

"ARTICLE 33: That, as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to him; all persons, professing the CHRISTIAN RELIGION, are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty;

wherefore no person ought by any law to be molested in his person or estate on account of his religious persuasion or profession, or for his religious practice...

yet the Legislature may, in their discretion, lay a general and equal tax for the support of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION."

Maryland's original Constitution continued:

"ARTICLE 55. That every person, appointed to any office...shall...take the following oath: I...do swear, that I do not hold myself bound in allegiance to the King of Great Britain, and that I will be faithful, and bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland; and shall also subscribe a declaration of his belief in the CHRISTIAN RELIGION."

In 1851, Maryland's Constitution stated:

"ARTICLE 34. That no other test or qualification ought to be required...than such oath of office as may be prescribed by this Constitution...and a declaration of belief in the CHRISTIAN RELIGION; and if the party shall profess to be a JEW, the declaration shall be of his belief in a future state of rewards and punishments."

In 1864, Maryland's Constitution stated:

"ARTICLE 37. That no other test or qualification ought to be required...than such oath of allegiance...to this State and the United States...and a declaration of belief in the CHRISTIAN RELIGION; or in the existence of GOD, and in a future state of rewards and punishments."

In 1867, Maryland's Constitution stated:

"ARTICLE 37. That no religious test ought ever to be required...other than a declaration of belief in the existence of GOD."

In 2002, Maryland's Constitution stated:

"ARTICLE 37. That no religious test ought ever to be required...other than a declaration of belief in the existence of GOD."

In 1835, French political writer Gustave de Beaumont, a contemporary of Alexis de Tocqueville, wrote in, Marie ou L’Esclavage aux E’tas-Unis:

"In the United States, the law is never atheistic...All of the American constitutions proclaim freedom of conscience and the liberty and equality of all the confessions...

Maryland’s Constitution also declares that all of the faiths are free, and that no one is forced to contribute to the maintenance of a particular Church. However, it gives the legislature the right to establish a general tax...for the support of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION...Maryland Law declares that, to be admitted to public office, it is necessary to be a CHRISTIAN."

In October of 1789, George Washington wrote to the Quakers' yearly meeting for Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Delaware:

"GOVERNMENT being, among other purposes, instituted to PROTECT the persons and CONSCIENCES of men from oppression...the liberty enjoyed by the People of these States of worshiping Almighty God agreeable to their CONSCIENCES is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights."

George Washington wrote to the Congregation of New Church in Baltimore, Maryland, January 27, 1793:

"Every person may here worship GOD according to the dictates of his own heart. In this enlightened Age and in this land of equal liberty it is our boast that a man’s religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the laws."

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DAY 26 - DAILY BIBLE VERSE (FIRST COMMANDMENT) - JUNE 19, 2013

June 19

Exdus 20: 1-3 (The Voice Bible)

1 Then God began to speak directly to all the people.
Eternal One: 2 I am the Eternal your God. I led you out of Egypt and liberated you from lives of slavery and oppression. 3 You are not to serve any other gods before Me.

http://www.hearthevoice.com/

DAY 26 - DAILY DEVOTION - JUNE 19, 2013

June 19

Love
Posted on January 31, 2012 by katherine

I know its not Valentines Day, but God keeps speaking the word love to me today. So, I must be obedient & write about love. I was watching Joyce Meyer’s last night & she said, “You know why people don’t walk in love? It’s costly. It’s going to cost you something”

John 3:16, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” God’s love for mankind cost Him his one and only son. Does your love for Christ, cost you something? It should!

A few years ago, I kept telling Bryan that I wanted to spend more time in Prayer and the Word but every time something would always come up. I will never forget the words Bryan spoke to me. He said, “Kathy, you make time for the things you want to do. Just like you make time to eat, brush your teeth, and sleep.” Are you making time for God or are you making excuses like I was? Let Him know that He is your everything- your one true love.

Let this song by Hillsong(Sing Your Love) be your prayer today as we love on Him with our worship:

It used to be darkness
Without you
I lived my life in blindness
But now I am found

And I’ll sing, sing I love you so
And I’ll sing
Because the world can’t take away
Your love

You found me in weakness
Broken
You came to me in kindness
And now I live

I’ll give my life for you Lord
For all you’ve done

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DAY 26 - DAILY PRAYER (HELP US TO OBEY YOUR FIRST COMMANDMENT) - JUNE 19, 2013

June 19

Our Heavenly Father, The One True God

We stand before You today at Your throne of grace, and bring ourselves as a living sacrifice before You. Father, we have been created in Your image. The very hands that hold the universe have given us life from clay, and You alone have formed us in an image pleasing to You. As our true creator, You have commanded us to have no other gods before you. No graven images before You, and no greater love above You. We stand collectively in Your holy presence today to acknowledge that we have all fallen short of Your greatest commandment. We have given ourselves to false idols, and loved things of this world at times more than You. Please forgive us the errors of our ways, and accept our true repentance for these great failings. Live in us, and through us not only today, but every day that we live on this earth. Help us to know You in a new and awesome way, that we might abide in Your commandment to hold You above all others. We love and adore You, and look forward to an ongoing relationship with You.

We ask these things in Jesus' mighty name. Amen!

DAY 26 - DAILY QUESTION ABOUT GOD'S WORD (WHAT IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT?)

June 19

Question: "What is the greatest commandment?"

Answer:Jesus was asked this very question by a Pharisee who was considered to be “an expert in the law” (Matthew 22:34-36). Jesus answered by saying: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).

Jesus gives us two commandments that summarize all the laws and commands in Scripture. The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 deal with our relationship with God and then our relationship with other people. One naturally flows out of the other. Without a right relationship with God, our relationships with others will not be right either. The cause of the world’s problems is that man needs to be reconciled to God. We will never love our neighbor as ourselves if we do not first love God with all our heart, mind and soul. All of man’s best efforts towards world peace will fail as long as men are living in rebellion against God.

When asked by another Pharisee how one could “inherit eternal life,” Jesus answered that it is by keeping these two commandments (Luke 10:25-37). Only two commandments to obey, yet how often do we, like this Pharisee, try to “justify” ourselves because saying we obey these commandments is much easier than really living according to them.

When carefully considered, Jesus’ answer was really a perfect response to not only the Pharisee of His day, but also to all modern day “Pharisees” who try measure a person’s righteousness by how well they conform outwardly to a series of laws or commandments. Both the Pharisees of Christ’s day and today’s many versions create a whole system of rules and regulations for people to live by and yet are guilty of breaking the most important commandments of all because they “cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but not the inside” (Matthew 23:25-26).

When we prayerfully consider Jesus’ words and the fact that all the laws and commands in Scripture can really be summarized by these two commandments, we understand just how impossible it is for us to keep God’s commandments and how often we fail to do so, and can therefore never be righteous before God on our own accord. That only leaves us with one hope and that is that God “justifies the ungodly” (Romans 4:5). God’s law and our failure to keep it “brings about wrath” (Romans 4:15) but “God demonstrates His own love toward us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

While we will never keep God’s commandments or be righteous before Him by our own efforts, Christ did. It is His sacrificial death on the cross that causes our sins to be imputed to Him and His righteousness imputed to us (Romans 4–5). That is why “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). After all, the Gospel of Christ “is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” for “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17).

Because Jesus answered this very question and His answer is recorded in Scripture, we don’t have to wonder or search for the answer ourselves. The only question left for us to answer is do we live according to these commandments? Do we truly love God with all our hearts, all our souls, and all our minds, and do we really love our neighbor as ourselves? If we are truthful with ourselves we know that we do not, but the good news is that the law and commandments were given as “a tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith”(Galatians 3:24). Only as we realize our sinfulness and hopelessness will we turn to Christ alone as the only hope of salvation.

As Christians we strive to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and as our hearts and minds are transformed by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit we are able to begin to love others as ourselves, yet we still fail to do so which again drives us back to the cross of Christ and the hope of salvation that stems from the imputed righteousness of Christ and not from any merit of our own.

Recommended Resources:Logos Bible SoftwareandThe Ten Commandments: Ethics for the Twenty-first Century by Mark F. Rooker.

While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/greatest-commandment.html#ixzz2WcetffMb

DAY 26 - DAILY HISTORY - AMERICAN MINUTE FOR JUNE 19, 2013

June 19

American Minute for June 19th:

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The first formal "Father's Day" was celebrated JUNE 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington.

Sonora Louise Smart Dodd heard a church sermon on the newly established Mother's Day and wanted to honor her father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, who had raised six children by himself after his wife died in childbirth.

Sonora drew up a petition supported by the Young Men's Christian Association and the ministers of Spokane.

In 1916, Woodrow Wilson spoke at a Spokane Fathers' Day service. President Nixon, in 1972, established Father's Day as a permanent national observance.

On Tuesday, December 6, 1904, in his Fourth Annual Message to Congress, President Theodore Roosevelt stated:

"No Christian and civilized community can afford to show a happy-go-lucky lack of concern for the youth of to-day; for, if so, the community will have to pay a terrible penalty of financial burden and social degradation in the to-morrow....

The prime duty of the man is to work, to be the breadwinner; the prime duty of the woman is to be the mother, the housewife. All questions of tariff and finance sink into utter insignificance when compared with the tremendous, the vital importance of trying to shape conditions so that these two duties of the man and of the woman can be fulfilled under reasonably favorable circumstances."

On May 20, 1981, in a Proclamation of Father's Day, President Ronald Reagan stated:

"'Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,' Solomon tells us. Clearly, the future is in the care of our parents. Such is the responsibility, promise, and hope of fatherhood. Such is the gift that our fathers give us."

On Father's Day, 1988, Ronald Reagan said:

"Children, vulnerable and dependent, desperately need security, and it has ever been a duty and a joy of fatherhood to offer it.

Being a father requires strength...and more than a little courage...to persevere, to fight discouragement, and to keep working for the family."

Reagan continued:

"With God's grace, fathers find the patience to teach, the fortitude to provide, the compassion to comfort, and the mercy to forgive.

All of this is to say that they find the strength to love their wives and children selflessly."

President Reagan ended:

"Let us...express our thanks and affection to our fathers, whether we can do so in person or in prayer."

Williams Jennings Bryan gave over 600 public speeches during his Presidential campaigns, with his most famous being "The Prince of Peace,” which was printed in the New York Times, September 7, 1913:

"Christ promoted peace by giving us assurance that a line of communication can be established between the Father above and the child below."

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DAY 25 - DAILY BIBLE VERSE (HEALING) - JUNE 18, 2013

June 18

Jeremiah 17:14 (The Voice Bible)

14 Heal me, O Eternal One, and I will be healed.
You alone can save me; to You alone do I sing my praise.

DAY 25 - DAILY DEVOTION - JUNE 18, 2013

June 18

No Cover Up’s
Posted on October 15, 2012 by katherine


It’s amazing how everybody has hurt, pain & sorrow- its what you do with it? Do you put a band-aid on it & go on, do you try to find something to alleviate the pain, or do you try pushing it under the rug hoping no one ever pulls the rug out from under you?

Will you allow God to heal it all or just go on with life like nothing has ever happened to you?

Allow God to heal it all getting to the very root of the problem. God may spit in the mud & put that on your eyes for healing, tell you to dip 7 times in the Jordan, tell you to walk on the water to Him in the midst of the storm, turn your water to wine for rejoicing at a wedding, or may wait for your Lazarus to die & bring it back to life.

We serve a Big God who has un-stoppable & un-thinkable ways to bring hope, healing & restoration! Don’t allow anymore cover-ups.

Isaiah 53 says, Jesus bore your sicknesses & distresses. He carried your sorrows & pains. He was smitten & afflicted for you. He was wounded for your transgressions. He was beaten & bruised, and by HIS stripes YOU ARE HEALED!

http://dailyliveworship.com/blog/no-cover-ups/

DAY 25 - DAILY PRAYER (HEALING) - JUNE 18, 2013

June 18

Dear Lord of Mercy and Father of Comfort,

You are the One I turn to for help in moments of weakness and times of need. I ask you to be with your servant in this illness. Psalm 107:20 says that you send out your Word and heal. So then, please send your healing Word to your servant. In the name of Jesus, drive out all infirmity and sickness from his body.

Dear Lord, I ask you to turn this weakness into strength, suffering into compassion, sorrow into joy, and pain into comfort for others. May your servant trust in your goodness and hope in your faithfulness, even in the middle of this suffering. Let him be filled with patience and joy in your presence as he waits for your healing touch.

Please restore your servant to full health, dear Father. Remove all fear and doubt from his heart by the power of your Holy Spirit, and may you, Lord, be glorified through his life.

As you heal and renew your servant, Lord, may he bless and praise you.

All of this I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Anonymous

DAY 25 - DAILY QUESTION ABOUT GOD'S WORD (IS IT SOMETIMES GOD'S WILL FR BELIEVERS TO BE SICK?)

June 18

Question: "Is it sometimes God's will for believers to be sick?"

Answer:The biblical doctrine of the sovereignty of God states that God is almighty over all. He is in complete control of all things—past, present and future—and nothing happens that is out of His jurisdiction. Either He directly causes—or He passively allows—everything that happens. But allowing something to happen and causing something to happen are two different things. For example, God caused the creation of the perfect, sinless Adam and Eve; then He allowed them to rebel against Him. He did not cause them to sin, and He certainly could have stopped them, but He chose not to for His own purposes and to bring about His perfect plan. That rebellion brought about all manner of evil, evil that was not caused by God but which was allowed by Him to exist.

Sickness is one manifestation of the two broad types of evil—moral and natural. Moral evil is man's inhumanity to man. Natural evil is composed of things like natural disasters and physical sickness. Evil itself is a perversion or corruption of something that was originally good, but is now missing something. In the case of sickness, illness is a state where good health is missing. The Greek word for evil, ponerous, actually implies a malignancy, something that is corrupting a good and healthy state of being.

When Adam sinned, he condemned all of humanity to suffer the consequences of that sin, one of which is sickness.Romans 8:20-22says, “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” God—the “one who subjected” the creation to frustration following the Fall—has a plan to eventually liberate creation from its bondage to sin, just as He liberates us from that bondage through Christ.

Until that day, God uses sickness and other evils to bring about His sovereign purpose, to glorify Himself, and to exalt His holy name. At times, He miraculously heals sickness. Jesus went through Israel healing all manner of sickness and disease (Matthew 4:23) and even raised Lazurus from the dead after illness killed him. At other times, God uses sickness as a method of discipline or as a judgment against sin. King Uzziah in the Old Testament was struck with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:19-20). Nebuchadnezzar was driven to madness by God until he came to understand that “the Most High rules in the affairs of men” (Daniel 4). Herod was struck down and eaten by worms because he took God’s glory upon himself (Acts 12:21-23). There is even at least one case where God allowed disease—blindness—not as punishment for sin, but to reveal Himself and His mighty works through that blindness (John 9:1-3).

When illness does come, it may not be the result of God’s direct intervention in our lives, but is rather the result of the fallen world, fallen bodies, and poor health and lifestyle choices. And although there are scriptural indicators that God wants us to be in good health, (3 John 2), all sickness and disease are allowed by Him for His purposes, whether we understand them or not.

Sickness is certainly the result of the fall of man into sin, but God is very much in control, and He does indeed determine how far evil can go (just as He did with Satan and Job's trials—Satan was not allowed to exceed those boundaries). He tells us He is all-powerful over fifty times in the Bible, and it is amazing to see how His sovereignty unites with the choices we make (both bad and good) to work out His perfect plan (Romans 8:28).

For those who are believers and suffering with sickness, illness, and/or disease in this life, the knowledge that they can glorify God through their suffering tempers the uncertainty as to why He has allowed it, something they may not truly understand until they stand in His presence in eternity. At that time, all questions will be answered, or perhaps more accurately, we will no longer care about the questions themselves.

Recommended Resources:Logos Bible SoftwareandWrestling with God: How Can I Love a God I'm Not Sure I Trust? by James Denison.



While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/sickness-will-God.html#ixzz2Wa44MjrX

DAY 25 - DAILY HISTORY - AMERICAN MINUTE FOR JUNE 18, 2013

June 18

American Minute for June 18th:

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The War of 1812 began on JUNE 18, 1812.

While Napoleon was invading Russia on the other side of the world, the British captured American ships and enslaved sailors.

They incited Indians to capture Fort Mims, massacring 500 men, women and children.

They captured the U.S. Capitol, burnt the White House and the Library of Congress.

They bombarded Fort McHenry, attacked on Lake Eire and New Orleans.

They captured Maine's cities of Eastport, Castine, Hampden, Bangor and Machias.

Outraged, many volunteered for the Army, including Davy Crockett.

On March 9, 1812, in a message to Congress, President James Madison stated:

"The British Government, through its public minister here, a secret agent of that Government was employed in certain States...in fomenting disaffection...and in intrigues with the disaffected, for the purpose of...destroying the Union...

The discovery of such a procedure...will not fail to render more dear to the hearts of all good citizens that happy union of these States which, under Divine Providence, is the guaranty of their liberties."

On June 1, 1812, President James Madison stated to Congress:

"We behold...on the side of Great Britain a state of war...Whether the United States shall continue passive under these progressive usurpations and these accumulating wrongs...shall commit a just cause into the hands of the Almighty Disposer of Events."

On June 19, 1812, in a Proclamation of War, President James Madison stated:

"I do moreover exhort all the good people of the United States...as they feel the wrongs which have forced on them the last resort of injured nations...to consult the best means under the blessing of Divine Providence of abridging its calamities."

President Madison, who had introduced the First Amendment in the First Session of Congress, proclaimed a National Day of Public Humiliation and Prayer, July 9, 1812:

"A day, to be set apart for the devout purpose of rendering the Sovereign of the Universe and the Benefactor of mankind the public homage due to His holy attributes; of acknowledging the transgressions which might justly provoke the manifestations of His divine displeasure; of seeking His merciful forgiveness, and His assistance in the great duties of repentance...

and especially of offering fervent supplications that in the present season of calamity and war He would take the American people under His peculiar care and protection...turning the hearts of our enemies from the violence and injustice which sway their councils against us, He would hasten a restoration of the blessings of peace."

On November 4, 1812, in his Fourth Annual Message, President James Madison stated:

"The war in which we are actually engaged in...was preceded by a patience without example under wrongs accumulating without end...

Appeal was accordingly made...to the Just and All-powerful Being who holds in His hand the chain of events and the destiny of nations...We prosecute the war with united counsels...until peace be so obtained...under the Divine blessing."

On February 24, 1813, President James Madison stated to Congress:

"Great Britain had already introduced into her commerce during the war a system...resting on a mass of forgery and perjury...making an unfortunate progress in undermining those principles of morality and religion which are the best foundation of national happiness....

The general tendency of these demoralizing and disorganizing contrivances will be reprobated by the civilized and Christian world."

On March 4, 1813, in his Second Inaugural Address, President James Madison stated:

"I should be compelled to shrink if I...felt less deeply a conviction that the war with a powerful nation...is stamped with that justice which invites the smiles of Heaven on the means of conducting it to a successful termination."

On May 25, 1813, in a Special Session Message to Congress, President James Madison stated:

"The contest in which the United States are engaged appeals...to the sacred obligation of transmitting entire to future generations that precious...independence which is held in trust by the present from the goodness of Divine Providence."

On July 23, 1813, President James Madison proclaimed a National Day of Public Humiliation and Prayer:

"In times of public calamity such as that of the war...it is especially becoming that the hearts of all should be...turned to that Almighty Power in whose hands are the welfare and the destiny of nations...

For...He has blessed the United States with a political Constitution founded on the will and authority of the whole people and guaranteeing to each individual security, not only of his person and his property, but of those sacred rights of conscience so essential to his present happiness and so dear to his future hopes...

that He would pardon our manifold transgressions and awaken and strengthen in all the wholesome purposes of repentance...so He would...bestow His blessings on our arms in resisting the hostile...

If the public homage of a people can ever be worthy of the favorable regard of the Holy and Omniscient Being to whom it is addressed, it must be that in which those who join in it are guided only by their free choice, by the impulse of their hearts and the dictates of their consciences...that religion, that gift of Heaven for the good of man, freed from all coercive edicts...

and making no appeal but to reason, to the heart, and to the conscience, can spread its benign influence everywhere and can attract to the divine altar those freewill offerings of humble supplication."

On December 7, 1813, in his Fifth Annual Message, President James Madison stated:

"It has pleased the Almighty to bless our arms both on the land and on the water....On Lake Erie, the squadron under the command of Captain Perry having met the British squadron of superior force, a sanguinary conflict ended in the capture of the whole...

We may humbly repose our trust in the smiles of Heaven on so righteous a cause."

On September 1, 1814, in a National Proclamation after the British had invaded the Capitol, President James Madison stated:

"The enemy by a sudden incursion have succeeded in invading the capitol...though for a single day only, they wantonly destroyed the public edifices...

The glory acquired by their fathers in establishing the independence which is now to be maintained by their sons with the augmented strength and resources with which time and Heaven had blessed them."

On September 20, 1814, in his Sixth Annual Message, President James Madison stated:

"The capture of nearly a thousand American vessels and the impressment of thousands of American seafaring citizens...by the Government of Great Britain...

Our beloved country...persevering hostility...must carry with it the good wishes of the impartial world and the best hopes of support from an Omnipotent and Kind Providence."

On November 16, 1814, President James Madison proclaimed a National Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer:

"In the present time of public calamity and war a day may be recommended to be observed by the people of the United States as a day of public humiliation and fasting and of prayer to Almighty God...for...His blessing on their arms, and a speedy restoration of peace...

voluntarily offering...humble adoration to the Great Sovereign of the Universe, of confessing their sins and transgressions, and of strengthening their vows of repentance."

When the war ended, President James Madison addressed Congress, February 18, 1815:

"I lay before Congress copies of the treaty of peace and amity between the United States and His Britannic Majesty...We accord in grateful acknowledgments for the protection which Providence has bestowed upon us."

On March 4, 1815, President James Madison proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving:

"To be observed by the people of the United States with religious solemnity as a day of thanksgiving and of devout acknowledgments to Almighty God for His great goodness manifested in restoring to them the blessing of peace.

No people ought to feel greater obligations to celebrate the goodness of the Great Disposer of Events and of the Destiny of Nations than the people of the United States...

To the same Divine Author of Every Good and Perfect Gift we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land...especially for the restoration of the blessing of peace."


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DAY 24 - DAILY BIBLE VERSE (BLESSINGS) - JUNE 17, 2013

June 17

1 Peter 3:8-10 (The Voice Bible)

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and show sympathy, love, compassion, and humility to and for each other—9 not paying back evil with evil or insult with insult, but repaying the bad with a blessing. It was this you were called to do, so that you might inherit a blessing. 10 It is written in the psalms,

DAY 24 - DAILY DEVOTION - JUNE 17, 2013

June 17


Worship Is…
Posted on June 9, 2013 by katherine


Worship is NOT singing a pretty song, seeing how loud we can get the bass/drums, nor trying to get the perfect lighting or smoke/fog ambiance.

WORSHIP IS…

Abiding in the Vine- Letting Him live through You

Arising in Faith, Bearing good fruit, Breaking forth into Joy

Desiring more of Him, more than yesterday

Drawing nigh to Him, Delighting yourself in the Lord

Declaring who He is & what He has already done

Falling at His feet & crying, Worthy is the Lamb

Following Him all the days of your life

Forgiving because He forgave you

Gazing at His beauty, Praying one for another

Loving Him with all your heart, mind & soul

Glorifying the King,

Giving Him all your fears, worries, cares & concerns

Praising Him ahead of the miracle

Confessing His Word over your life everyday

Counting your blessings

Remembering His body that was beaten, bruised, crushed, pierced & wounded

Standing in faith when you don’t see the answer

Singing a new song to the Lord

Seeking Him while He may be found

Trusting the Lord with all your heart

Leaning not on your understanding but acknowledging Him

Letting His kingdom come & His Will be done in & through you

Opening your heart to Him

Passionately pursuing His presence

Putting all your Hope in Him

Protecting the anointing He has given you

Hanging tough when all others give up

Believing the Impossible & not backing down

Being a light in the darkness- let your little light shine

Stirring yourself up in your most holy Faith

Keeping your heart burning hard after the things of God

Guarding His presence & keeping it always before you

Making a decision to use every breath to sing His praises & honor Him in everything you do

Winning the lost at all costs and Walking faithfully & uprightly with God, till your last breath!

http://dailyliveworship.com/blog/435/

DAY 24 - DAILY PRAYER (BLESSINGS) - JUNE 17, 2013

June 17

Lord, we come before you with thanksgiving and praise. We just want to say thank you for the love you show us, and for Your unending grace. We ask You father this day that you assist us to seek You, and that You will keep us and guide us. Please don’t allow us to fall, but keep us surrounded by your protective hands. Bless this nation Lord, as so many of us need You and do not have a clue where to turn. We know that we have a Father that can move mountains, and we ask in the name of Jesus that You will keep us. Forgive us for our sins, as we have forgiven others whom have forgiven us.


Thank You Father, and we ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Raheem Framer

Chicago, Illinois USA