Grow in Maturity

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 1:1-4)

Please God and see the blessings flow.  The challenge is to be a less self-centered and more loving.  We must pray for ALL people.  Then, we must commit to being nice to someone who is different from us, to helping someone who does not hold our same beliefs, and to offering a kind word to the person who is unpleasant to us.  This will stretch us and help everyone involved, especially disagreeable neighbors, to grow up.  Imagine a nation filled with such positive, mature citizens.  The final step is to ask God, every day, to help our leaders govern us with wisdom and generosity.  When our elected officials behave like mature public SERVANTS, America truly will be a peaceful and quiet place to live.  

Protect the Most Vulnerable

"Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

(Deuteronomy 27:19)

The challenge of providing a people with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is a very difficult job.  Divine guidance is needed.

Our leaders must heed the warnings.  The issues they deal with are difficult, including how to treat immigrants, legal and illegal, police shooting civilians under questionable circumstances, and police being targeted for assassination.  The American government must be able to control its borders so that it can repel those who would do its citizens harm.  It must keep better track of who is living here and what everyone is doing.  But it is commanded to treat every immigrant with respect.  The widows of men shot by police officers deserve to have each case thoroughly investigated without bias.  The children of slaughtered police officers cry out to heaven because our nation refuses to see why angry young men lash out at authority figures and threaten to send our society into lawlessness.  

God speaks clearly about these issues.  Things do not go well when a nation does not behave honorably and protect all of its citizens, especially the most vulnerable.  He is merciful and holds back utter destruction, but we all know our country is not thriving.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

‘May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
 May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace.’

(Numbers 6:24-26 NLT)

God rains His blessings down upon the world every single day.  But wouldn’t it be wonderful to see our nation walk in the fullness of this great blessing.  We need protection from extremely vicious enemies, within and without our borders.  Who knows what goodness might show up when a powerful and gracious God smiles upon us, giving us gifts we surely do not deserve?  Wisdom about how to create more jobs and a thriving economy with less national debt is just one of the things on my collective wish list.  Doors of opportunity open when one receives favor from God.  Imagine the peace this country could have if each one of us took the opportunity to have our hearts be filled with love. 

Be Called by His Name

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.           
(2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)

Other nations proudly say they are Muslim.  Why can’t the US be an openly Christian nation?  This nation would not stop being a democracy.  God is all about free will.  No citizen would lose the freedom to choose her or his own path.  The separation of Church and State would remain.  It would just be a matter of this nation saying we collectively follow the good example of Jesus who conducted all of His business with integrity, kindness, and wisdom. 

Our great land needs a healing.  The ills ailing this country are great: rampant violence and lawlessness, systemic racism and sexism, youth left to their own devices, corruption at all levels in government, frequent gun violence, acts of terrorism, breakdown of the family structure,  lack of tolerance for those considered “different”…  The list is long and painful. America must humble itself and admit it has lost its way.  

Do not fall into the trap of thinking this will turn into the USA following an unforgiving god who is all about hellfire and brimstone.  There cannot be finger pointing and talk of who is the bigger sinner because we all fall short in some way.  It is about the one and only God, through Jesus’ example, being a perfect and loving leader.  Our nation would thrive under such benign guidance. 

Let’s try something different by praying to God for advice on how to conduct our national business with more wisdom.  It is okay if you do want to participate, but keep your eyes open so that you can be witness to the great blessings which surely will come.

In God We Trust: Right Action

Many devout Americans entreated the Secretary of the Treasury to put “In God We Trust” on coins during the Civil War.  They knew what needed to be done. 

"This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.  (Zechariah 7:9)

The battle to end slavery was just.  A people who had endured unspeakable acts of cruelty and savagery for centuries would be set free.  These believers looked to God for protection and guidance in times of great turmoil.  These true Americans stood on His promises.  God did not fail them or abandon them as they risked life and limb to help their fellow countrymen.  As our republic continues to stand, their faith rightly remains etched on our coins to this day.

Seek God and Prosper

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV)

Our Pledge of Allegiance encourages us to support the United States of America.  It talks of an indivisible nation which provides liberty and justice for all. The only way to reach this ideal is to be one nation under God.  When the Spirit of the Lord dwells inside each one of us, every citizen will find the freedom to prosper.  Our actions, thoughts, and desires will reflect His goodness.  We will all fight to ensure there is always liberty and justice for all.

One Nation Under God: A Good Plan

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  (Galatians 3:28 NIV)

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.   (African Proverb)

This nation aspires to be the land of the free and the home of the brave.  This will not be seen until The United States of America is truly one nation under God.  Love can make us all sisters and brothers.  Since God is love, let us draw near to Him and go far.