A national treasure — dare I say a global treasure — is in danger of being overrun, lost and forgotten if we don’t rise up and take a stand for God, His people and this nation. That treasure is America, under God. For way too long, we have allowed the founding principles of our nation — God’s principles, instructions and wisdom — to suffer abuse, so-called correction and even abandonment.
Father God, Creator of the universe and Architect of all things, both above and beneath the Heavens, hear the prayers of the Faithful in Christ, as we ask for forgiveness for falling asleep on our watch. Our nation, as well as, many nations of the world, have lost our way and desperately need Your guidance and wisdom to correct our course...
Character defines who we are, what we value in life, and how we prioritize and manage our affairs.
While many may yearn for simpler times, life for the early pioneers was hard, fraught with danger, struggle, and adversity. There was no shortage of ways to test one’s resolve. Opportunities to refine one’s character abounded. Can only one man, one family, one community, or one nation really make a difference today?
Not long after God created humankind, His forbearance ran out, and He decided to bring a cataclysm upon the earth. He selected a man named Noah to undertake the world’s first shipbuilding project. First, He told Noah what He planned to do. Unlike Gideon’s bizarre nighttime raid with trumpets, torches, and shouting, Joshua’s battle at Jericho was executed in broad daylight. No one fled the battle scene out of fear, wondering how many soldiers were out there in the night.
The battle of Jericho was a live-fire Memorex event. Remember those old commercials for Memorex? “Is it live or is it Memorex?” I’m not sure how I would have reacted upon seeing an angel sitting under an oak tree watching me sweat my brains out, wheat particles and wheat dust flying everywhere. Such was the case for a young lad named Gideon.
Talk about a holy boldness with an attitude! I think it’s safe to say that Gideon was a powder keg just waiting for the opportunity to blow. Have you ever noticed that the most compelling, engaging, and inspiring stories or testimonies tend to have a lot of drama, conflict, and adversity in them? In the movies, if a character doesn’t emerge stronger, victorious over whatever challenge he or she was facing, the story fails to inspire.
In James 1:5 the Bible says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach.”
How awesome is that! Generously AND without reproach! A difference maker is willing to step out of his or her comfort zone, take a risk, and trust in God. When a difference maker finds that the current circumstances are out of his or her control, they pray. When they find the circumstances are under control, they plan.
Who hasn’t heard the story of David and Goliath? David: shepherd boy turned giant-slayer. But before he became known throughout Judea, all of Israel, and around the world as a mighty man of valor for his most courageous and noble battle in the valley of Elah, he was a just a boy, the youngest of eight sons, and apparently, the least important in his father’s eyes.
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