Memorial Day
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
Every year on this day we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice—their lives in defense of our nation. Memorial Day was once called Decoration Day and originated after the Civil War to honor both the Union and Confederate soldiers who died fighting in that conflict. Now on Memorial Day we remember all Americans who gave their lives in service to our country—men and women who laid down their lives for their friends back home—and for you and me.
This is the oath that our enlisted men and women pledge as they enter the Armed Forces:
“I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
Below is the oath pledged by our National Guard members:
“I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of (STATE NAME) against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of (STATE NAME) and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law and regulations. So help me God” (see http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/oathofenlist.htm).
These men and women make a solemn oath first of all to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Secondly, they pledge to bear true faith and allegiance to the same. Third, they pledge to obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of those appointed over them. It is my opinion that the sequence of this oath is not random, but it reveals what is their top priority—to defend the Constitution and its provisions with true faith and allegiance.
Our Constitution has altered somewhat with time. Built into it is a mechanism by which to change or tweak it. This mechanism is called an amendment to the Constitution and requires a well-thought out, specific, sober, and meticulous process to enact.
One way an amendment is introduced is when both the House of Representatives and the Senate approve a joint resolution by a two-thirds vote. If approved, this by-passes the Executive Office and goes straight to the fifty states for ratification. Another way an amendment may be proposed is for two-thirds of the state legislatures to ask Congress to call for a national convention to propose an amendment, although this method has never been used.
In order to ratify an amendment, three-fourths of the state legislatures must approve it. The repeal of Prohibition was an exception; it was enacted first by conventions held in three-fourths of the states—the only time an amendment was passed this way.
Ratification, according to the Supreme Court, must be done within “some reasonable time after the proposal.” Typically, that “reasonable time” is seven years, but this is not set in stone. Since the writing of the Constitution, only 27 amendments have been ratified, including the ten listed in the Bill of Rights (see http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/usconstitution/a/constamend.htm).
The Constitution, which our men and women in the Armed Forces pledge to support and defend as their top priority, was designed to protect both the rights of the majority of the population and those of all minorities—down to the lone individual with a very unpopular or distasteful point of view. Each man and woman has been endowed by his or her Creator with these certain unalienable rights: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; when upheld according to the letter of its content, the Constitution defends these rights. This document—protected and safeguarded by American armed forces throughout US history—was designed by its framers to withstand the vagaries and societal conceits that cry for quick, and often, irrational or destructive, change.
May we never forget the brave sacrifice that our military dead have made on our behalf so that we may enjoy life and freedom supported and sustained by the greatest man-made document in history. May God grant knowledge, wisdom, and holy boldness to those He has chosen to continue to ensure that this nation will remain and become again strong, brave, and free.
May the wisdom and enduement of God’s power pour out upon men and women of virtue, humility, and upright desire from sea to shining sea to boldly do their unique part in and for this nation.
May God save and bless America. In Jesus’ name, so be it.
Dorothy
Read MoreA two-week break
Hi! I am going to take a two-week break to focus on other projects. I plan to return to the blog on Monday, May 25th.
Before I take off, though, I’d like to share two portions of Scripture that I spent some time mulling over today. They are the well-known “redeem the time” references and I’ve posted them in the NASB translation.
- 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:15-17).
- 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person (Colossians 4:5-6).
These biblical references about “redeeming the time” pinpoint two key components of the Christian life.
First, Colossians 4:5 lets you know that you are to redeem the time whenever you are around unbelievers or anyone else who you might consider an “outsider”. You are, as Paul wrote to Timothy, to take pains with your behaviors, attitudes, and words so that you exemplify the Lord Jesus in your life (see 1 Timothy 4:12-15). You never know when you are entering a door of opportunity for the Lord to minister His light to someone; you redeem the time around others by letting His compassion, respect, and graciousness direct your daily interactions wherever you go.
Second, Ephesians 5:15-17 informs you that you are to redeem your own personal time day by day—whether you’re in public, around your own circle, or all by yourself. Pay attention to your expenditure of time; make the best possible use of it.
Matthew Henry, a Bible commentator alive in the 1700s, wrote something eye-opening about time. He suggested that it is a talent given to you by God to use for a good purpose. It is misspent and lost when it’s not employed according to God’s design. Mr. Henry also stated that if you have lost or misused time in the past, you must endeavor to redeem it by doubling your diligence to do what you are called to do from here on out. Why? Because the days are evil. Why? Because as Seals and Croft sang back in the ’70s, “We may never pass this way again.”
Until Monday, May 25, redeem the time!
Dorothy
Read MorePray that they may know—a summary
Believers around the world joined with Australia in prayer and fasting for America this past week. Today, Thursday, May 7 is the National Day of Prayer. Prayer is all the more critical now than ever.
Because of that, I’ve been recycling a series of blog entries I wrote last year. Back then, God prompted me to shift my focus as I prayed for the nation. In short, I believe God showed me these four things for which to pray:
- Pray for people to know what to do.
- Pray for people to receive wisdom along with their knowledge.
- Pray for those people to receive the boldness to step out in what they know to do.
- Pray for those people to be filled with boldness to carry out their tasks to completion.
Originally posted last year (last in series):
And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14b
To know what to do. Men and women desperately need to know what to do in this hour—no one is exempt from that need. You and I are equipped to pray for those who are facing huge, impactful decisions—for secular leaders and for those who have leadership roles in the body of Christ, for the people of God, and for everyone else living in this nation and around the world. It is time to pray for men and women to know what to do.
To receive wisdom. It’s time to pray for them to receive clear wisdom to direct and uphold them as they gain knowledge concerning what to do. You are I are equipped to pray for them to receive that wisdom from God; we are also equipped to pray that they will desire truth in their innermost being, for that is where He will deposit wisdom (see Psalm 51:6).
To step out in boldness. It’s time to pray for men and women, boys and girls who have been granted knowledge and wisdom in accordance with God’s purposes to step out in boldness to do what they know to do. There is knowledge and wisdom from God ready to be deposited across the board, upon all flesh, upon His people and upon those who do not yet know Him—and each one will need the boldness of Peter to “step out of the boat” (knowing full well that as they step, the boat will rock). You and I have access to the throne of grace to request boldness for them to take appropriate steps as they receive the knowledge of what to do.
To be enveloped and empowered by boldness. It’s time to pray for boldness and great courage to envelop and empower those who do boldly step out to do what they know to do. There are many adversaries; those who have been blinded by the manipulations of the deluding spirit of this age don’t want anyone—secular or Christian—to take a stand for true justice, righteousness, truth, or freedom. Instead, the spirit of this age seeks control and to enforce conformity to its agenda—lawlessness and godlessness and ways that spit in the face of God. The spirit of this age inspires a ruthless, reckless fervor in those it saddles to intimidate anyone who acts or speaks off-script—especially when they defy or denounce the godless status quo of our age. That’s why you and I must pray for a saturation of boldness to come upon the men and women called of God to stand—both those who are visible and the ones who are behind the scenes—in arenas of power and impact. They need to know what to do, they need wisdom in it, they need the boldness to step out, and they need the all-encompassing boldness and power of God to carry them throughout their entire assignment.
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “…but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition” (1 Thessalonians 2:2). Like Paul—who rocked the boat over and over again as he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ—in our day those for whom we pray will also be rocking boats and swimming against the current. And unfortunately, like Paul, those for whom we pray to know what to do will encounter suffering and mistreatment and much opposition as they boldly defy the godless, lawless, spit-in-the-face-of-God status quo. However, covered by prayer, God’s power, wisdom, and ability will envelop, protect, and lead them, and no weapon formed against them will prosper (see Isaiah 54:17). But we must pray for them for this to take place.
You and I, as well—just by praying bold prayers on the behalf of those called of God to take bold stands—are boat-rockers in defiance of the status quo of our age. Because of that, don’t be surprised, as the apostle Peter wrote, “at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you” (see 1 Peter 4:12). You see, as we engage in prayer for people to know what to do with wisdom and supernatural boldness, the devil doesn’t like it one bit. He doesn’t want his deviously-organized strategies and schemes to be hindered, restrained, or undone. He wants to be in control, and as you and I pray, we actually block and thwart his plans. So if you get attacked, mistreated, or face opposition, consider the source. It’s from the adversary, and it simply means you are making an impact in exposing, restraining, and incapacitating his agenda.
Stand your ground as you pray according to the leading of the Lord, and remember—you are on the overcoming team. Because of your prayers, people will know what to do.
Dorothy
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16b
Read MoreEmpowered by boldness
Australian believers called for a week of worldwide fasting and prayer for the US. It began on April 30 and is wrapping up on Wednesday, May 6.
Because of that, I’ve been recycling a series of blog entries I wrote last year. At that time, God prompted me to shift my focus as I prayed for the nation. In short, I believe God showed me these four things for which to pray:
- Pray for people to know what to do.
- Pray for people to receive wisdom along with their knowledge.
- Pray for those people to receive the boldness to step out in what they know to do.
- Pray for those people to be filled with boldness to carry out their tasks to completion.
Originally posted last year (eighth in series):
…but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. 1 Thessalonians 2:2, emphasis added
Yesterday’s blog was about the need to pray for people to receive the boldness to step out into what they know to do. Today, I am going to ask you to pray for them to be enveloped and empowered by God’s boldness, as well.
Let me explain with an example from my own life. Years ago, in my twenties, I felt led to speak to a scruffy young man about Jesus. I knew what to do—to tell him about Jesus—and yet I had a choice to make. Would I value my comfort-zone and dignity more than the clear prompting of God? I needed boldness. After a quick prayer, I made the decision to obey God, and I mustered up enough boldness to step out in what I knew to do. I received boldness to take the “leap of faith”, so to speak.
I introduced myself to him and began sharing the gospel with fear and trembling. The young man stopped me after a bit and said, “Hey! You’re shaking! What are you afraid of? I want to hear what you have to say! Calm down! Relax!”
I had received boldness to step out—a good thing—but I was neither enveloped nor empowered by boldness. As a result of that experience, I recognize the need to pray for people to not only step out in boldness to do what they know to do, but also for them to be empowered in that boldness as they accomplish the good pleasure of God.
When you and I pray for people to know what to do and for the wisdom of God to attend their “knowing” and their “doing”; when we pray that God will grant them confidence, courage, and boldness to step out into the course He is leading them, we also need to recognize that they will likely face obstacles despite our prayers on their behalf—obstacles which will require a magnitude of boldness to empower them beyond their initial step. This is true for the secular folks God is using and, actually, even more imperative for all believers and godly leadership.
The Apostle Paul wrote this about the obstacles he confronted in his ministry: “…for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9). He also wrote, “…but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more…” (Romans 5:20b). We live in an hour in which sin is increasing by leaps and bounds; we live in an age in which there are many adversaries to true justice, righteousness, and the message of the gospel.
But take a closer look at those two verses. First Corinthians 16:9 speaks of open doors. In this dark hour, doors are open for effective service for the church and her leadership, and I believe the doors are also open in the secular world for upright and honest men and women to choose, act, speak, and/or rule wisely as they help to turn our nation around. Every one of them needs prayer.
Romans 5:20 reminds us that although darkness blankets the land, God’s grace increases and expands even more. Do we have sin on every hand here in our nation? Undeniably. That means one thing: The grace of God will increase all the more as those of us who are lights in Christ refuse to quit shining. That truth does not cease to exist just because we’re precariously close to the end of time. Absolutely not!
So there exist many doors of opportunity to further the will of God in multiple arenas, and His grace currently abounds. And there are many adversaries; and sin abounds. Boldness empowers those for whom we pray to walk through open doors of opportunity saturated with grace in realms where sin abounds.
Because of the adversaries, people need boldness. Adversaries intimidate, threaten, conjure up and spread lies; adversaries stand as bullies to scare men and women, boys and girls from doing what God is leading them to do. Adversaries can wear flesh and blood; such adversaries are merely pawns in the hand of the devil, the real adversary. Our warfare is not against those flesh and blood adversaries; in reality, when we pray, we are contending against the devil on their behalf, whether they would agree with that perspective or not.
Therefore, we must have boldness in our prayers; we must request the Lord to envelop and empower those for whom we pray with His boldness.
Be bold as you pray for people to know what to do; be bold in your prayers for them to walk in the boldness that is from God. They need your prayers; you need the results of their wise knowing and bold doing.
Dorothy
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel… Ephesians 6:19, NIV
Read MoreThat they may step out in boldness
We are in the middle of a week of fasting and prayer for America called for by Australian believers. Because of that, I am recycling a blog series that I wrote last year. At that time, God prompted me to shift my focus as I prayed for the US. In short, He showed me these four things about which to pray:
- Pray for people to know what to do.
- Pray for people to receive wisdom along with their knowledge.
- Pray for those people to receive the boldness to step out in what they know to do.
- Pray for those people to be filled with boldness to carry out their tasks to completion.
Originally posted last year (seventh in series):
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
…and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:19-20
When I heard the Lord direct me to pray for people to know what to do, I understood that He was referring to everyone with a role to play in this hour. However, I also knew that He was speaking in particular of leaders, both in the secular world and in the church.
He let me know that vast amounts of insight, information, revelation, and truth had been made known—and would continue to be revealed—to people in all realms of the nation; but they needed to know what to do with it. They needed prayer to be able to effectively navigate the data and respond with wisdom and all discernment so that the Lord’s will could be fully accomplished.
I believe the body of Christ is equipped to engage in such a prayer task.
However, there is something else that the people for whom we pray will need as well. They will need boldness.
Think about your own experience. Have you ever been in a situation in which you knew the right thing to do, but you didn’t do it? That’s something all of us have grappled with.
It’s my opinion that when Paul wrote to the Ephesians to pray for him that he “may speak boldly, as [he] ought to speak”, he had likely experienced the difference between his “ought to” and his “do” at some point. Most of us have experienced that, and this is one reason why I believe Paul so urgently requested prayer from his friends for boldness. He knew his own human frailties.
The people for whom you and I will pray in the days, weeks, and months to come will have an ongoing need to know what to do; they will need wisdom to envelope their “knowing”; and they will need boldness in order to step out in what they are directed to do. After all, they are human, just like you and me, and some of the things God will lead them to do will require courage beyond their human capacity. And you and I get to pray for that boldness to rise up within them so they can do what they know to do.
Listen for the promptings of the Holy Spirit; those for whom you pray will need to be girded up in His knowledge and wisdom, and they will also need boldness in order to step out. And as you pray for them, you can trust God to work it all out in them and for them.
Dorothy
Only be strong and very courageous. Joshua 1:7a
Read More