Devotional – Page 7 – Dobra Family Ministry

Household Prayer: Approach education as if doing it for the Lord God Almighty!

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” Colossians 3:23 (NASB)

Brothers, for family worship this week we considered Colossians 3:23 as it applies to school (parents and students). Approach your education as if doing it for the Lord God Almighty! Praying for good attitudes and joyful hearts in the labor this year. Praying that our labors would bless and glorify God until “the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen.” (Ps 72:19)

“The Bible tells us that no matter the assignment before us, we should undertake it as though we are doing it on behalf of the Lord Himself-that we are to use our utmost skill and put all of our heart and mind into that task. Because God wants the best effort from us in every area… Our Founding Fathers understood the broad scope of these passages and thus applied their message not just to so-called “spiritual areas,” but also to endeavors in politics, education, law, entertainment, employment, and… even dictionaries! The story of Founding Father Noah Webster’s creation of his famous dictionary is an excellent illustration of how they infused the “do the absolute best I can, and do it for God!” mentality throughout every conceivable undertaking… Webster was so committed to doing everything for the Lord, including even his massive dictionary, that in the preface to that famous work, he openly dedicated it to God: To that great and benevolent Being, Who during the preparation of this work has sustained a feeble constitution [body] amidst obstacles and toils, disappointments, infirmities and depression; Who has borne me and my manuscripts in safety across the Atlantic and given me strength and resolution to bring the work to a close, I would present the tribute of my most grateful acknowledgments. And if the talent which He has entrusted to my care has not been put to the most profitable use in His service, I hope it has not been “kept laid up in a napkin” [Luke 19:20] and that any misapplication of it may be graciously forgiven… He also announced: I present this to my fellow citizens not with frigid indifference but with my ardent wishes for their improvement and happiness and… the moral and religious elevation of character, and the glory, of my country. A dictionary dedicated to the “moral and religious elevation” of citizens’ character and that of the country? It is unlikely that many today would approach the making of a dictionary with the commitment that it was a spiritual undertaking, but Webster did.” The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers

Take dominion. Make disciples. By faith (Heb. 11:1-3,4,5…), get to work subduing and ruling, working and keeping, being fruitful and multiplying (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15), and making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20) for “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)

Rule yourself well, rule your household well, and bring God’s truth and grace into every sphere of life that you enter into until every nation proclaims “Jesus is Lord!” – Amen

THE GOOD NEWS

There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.

We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV

Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV

But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV

““Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”” Acts 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV

There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV

It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV

Loadout – Genesis 14:14 – Project Appleseed 2023

‘loadout’

1. the equipment carried into battle by a soldier. 2. any set of equipment carried while engaged in a task, expedition, etc.

STANDING ORDERS ROGERS RANGERS
1. Don’t forget nothing.
2. Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, sixty rounds powder and ball, and be ready to march at a minute’s warning…
MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS 1759 – RANGER HANDBOOK SH 21-76 UNITED STATES ARMY https://www.atu.edu/rotc/docs/3_21-76_Ranger_HB.pdf

Genesis 14:14

“Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.” Genesis 14:14-16 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.14.14-16.NKJV

Abram provided for his household:
1 equipment (loadout)
2 training
3 defense and protection

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” I Timothy 5:8 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1ti.5.8.NKJV

Project Appleseed https://appleseedinfo.org

Our training this weekend (Project Appleseed https://appleseedinfo.org) includes:
1 planning and preparing equipment (loadout)
2 rifleman training
3 and we will be better equipped to provide for the defense and protection of our households

And Abram was blessed by Melchizedek king of Salem, priest of God Most High.

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.” Genesis 14:18-20 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.14.18-20.NKJV

Motivation

Love

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.15.13.NKJV

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬, ‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/1jn.4.7-11.NKJV

Justice

“Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalms 82:3-4 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.82.3-4.NKJV

Fear God, Make disciples, Protect your family!

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“The right to life is a good example of what legal historians refer to as an objective right: it is objective in the sense that it exists outside ourselves and is unalienable… The right to life imposes obligations: you must do everything in your power to preserve it.”
#SlayingLeviathan https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan/

AMENDMENT II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
https://ministry.family.blog/america/second-amendment/

“Religion and liberty must flourish or fall together in America. We pray that both may be perpetual.” Pastor William Smith, Christ Church Philadelphia, 1775
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

“God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable, and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may in the issue tend to the support and establishment of both.” John Witherspoon, 1776
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

“And if our religion is given up, all the liberty we boast of will soon be gone.” Samuel Langdon, 1788
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

American Constitution
AMENDMENT II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Militia: an army composed of citizens… called up in time of emergency. (Webster’s 2010)

There are four places in the American Constitution that affirm the Militia’s prior existence, and no law can alter it. The militia is all able bodied members of a community.

Article I, Section 8, Clauses 15 & 16:

[The Congress shall have Power To…]

Clause 15: [ ] “To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;”

Clause 16: [ ] “To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;”

Article II, Section 2, Clause 1:

“The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States…”

AMENDMENT II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

From the Founders… Original Intent

“[T]he said Constitution [should] be never construed … to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.”
SAMUEL ADAMS, Signer of the Declaration, “Father of the American Revolution” …

“A free people ought … to be armed.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON, US. President, Signer of the Constitution …

“[N]o man should scruple or hesitate a moment to use arms in defense.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON, US. President, Signer of the Constitution …

“The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them…. This is a principle which secures religious liberty most firmly.”
ZECHARIAH JOHNSTON, Revolutionary Soldier, Virginia Legislator, Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

“I am thus far a Quaker [a pacifist]: I would gladly agree with all the world to lay aside the use of arms and settle matters by negotiation; but unless the whole will, the matter ends, and I take up my musket and thank Heaven He has put it in my power.
THOMAS PAINE, Patriot, Author

Quotes from “The Second Amendment” by David Barton

Celebrate! June is Life Month!

“Praise the Lord, all nations! Glorify Him, all peoples! For His faithful love to us is great; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭117‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.117.1-2.HCSB

Memorial for the lost children, Peoria, 2019 Fall 40 Days for Life

“Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, children, a reward.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127‬:‭3‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.127.3.HCSB

June 2022 the Roe decision was overturned in the Dobbs decision.

“Held: The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.” https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pd

June is Life Month: Celebration as warfare is CrossPolitic’s vision https://youtu.be/hzKPIa6fpE0

Learn 8 reasons why June is life month!

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” — Declaration Of Independence, Constitution Of The United States Of America, Bill Of Rights And Constitutional Amendments by Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, et al. https://a.co/5b0u6Av

Celebration as Warfare: Raise A Hallelujah (Official Lyric Video) – Bethel Music, Jonathan & Melissa Helser | VICTORY

Verse 1
I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me

Chorus
I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive

Essential Prayers for Life
https://ministry.family.blog/2020/05/13/essential-prayers-for-life/

Prayer walk – March for Life Resources https://ministry.family.blog/2021/01/26/prayer-walk-march-for-life-resources-1-29-2021/

Prayer, public witness of the church, and proclaiming God’s truth and grace.

Why are we here (in this sin fallen world)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20

Why are we here (on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To love the captive soul and to preach the good news!
Romans 10:14-15

What message are we sharing and bearing witness to?
There is a God that created the heavens and the earth.
We humans are created in His image.
We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, and justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation.
But God is merciful and loving.
Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place.
Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation.
We need only confess our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and repent and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after!
Romans 3:10-18, 23
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
John 3:16-21
Ephesians 2:1-10

#LifeMonth

June is #LifeMonth and #Dobbsmonth celebrating the downfall of Roe and all fruitlessness. https://t.co/eDLsGgjmN2 pic.twitter.com/Czq3Je0Tek
— Toby Sumpter (@TJSumpter) May 24, 2023

June is LIFE MONTH!

Here are 5 practical ways to celebrate and spread the word:

1- Have a party! Invite lots of people! Make some noise! Let people know in person and online what you’re doing and why you’re doing it! #lifemonth
— Abigail Dodds (@abigaildodds) May 25, 2023

Household Prayer: Spiritual Battle and Fervent Prayer

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.5.16.NKJV

End of Homeschool Year 2022-23

Brothers, the end of another homeschool year. While I take a break from the weekly prayers until the next Classical Conversations homeschool season starts, I pray we continue to pray over our families and lead our households in the faith, for “… The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16

Two reminders:
National day of prayer May 4th. There are events in Peoria, Pekin, and East Peoria.
CC Dad’s Prayer Meetings – Saturday May 6th and/or 27th, 9-10am

I encourage a fast from Friday evening, breaking the fast Saturday evening before the Lord’s day.

Spiritual Battle

1. confession and repentance (James 5:16a)
2. prayer and fasting (James 5:16b; Mark 9:29)
3. get to work (Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 2:10)

Repent:

“God may justly afflict and correct His people by the hand of oppressors and permit their most important rights to be violated, their substance destroyed, their habitations to be laid waste, or even the innocent blood of their brethren to be wantonly shed in their land, yet still He is their God in the midst of them and will readily appear for their help when they return from their evil ways, acknowledge His hand and implore His mercy and assistance.” from JONAS CLARK, A.M. Pastor of the Church in Lexington (1730–1805) and his sermon “The Fate of Blood-Thirsty Oppressors, and GOD’s Tender Care of His Distressed People” Joel 3:19, 20 & 21 https://a.co/iEjRXJf

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.5.16.NKJV

Pray and Fast:

“Christian, unfurl these “letters” before our great God as you get on your knees in prayer. Above all, we seek not our own good or peace, but the advancement of God’s purposes.” (A Call to Prayer – A Great Example From Hezekiah (See 2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36-37), https://illinoisfamily.org/faith/a-call-to-prayer-a-great-example-from-hezekiah-2/ )

Mark 9:17-29 “So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”” 9:29 https://bible.com/bible/114/mrk.9.29.NKJV

Get to Work:

Then, by faith (Heb. 11:1-3,4,5…), get to work subduing and ruling, working and keeping, being fruitful and multiplying (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15), and making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20) for “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10 NKJV

Household Prayer: Earth Day, Worship the Creator, Destroy Arguments

““You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.””
Revelation 4:11 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.4.11.NKJV

Brothers, today I am praying, as the pagans celebrate earth day, that we teach our children about God’s creation, God’s Gospel, and Godly creation care. May God use our children as arrows to cast “down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (II Cor. 10:4-5). You have promised, Lord, that the earth and harvest will be sustained (Gen. 8:22). We celebrate and worship you, God our Creator and Deliverer, not the creation. You are worthy, O Lord! (Rev. 4:11).

God created the heavens and earth!

Genesis 1,2

““You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.””
Revelation 4:11 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.4.11.NKJV

God created our earth and its climate and promised to sustain it.

““While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”” Genesis 8:22 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.8.22.NKJV

By the Lord all creation is sustained.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great:
You are clothed with honor and majesty…
You who laid the foundations of the earth, So that it should not be moved forever…
He appointed the moon for seasons; The sun knows its going down…
Man goes out to his work And to his labor until the evening.
O Lord, how manifold are Your works!
In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions…
You hide Your face, they are troubled;
You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; May the Lord rejoice in His works.”
Psalms 104:1, 5, 19, 23-24, 29-31 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.104.1-31.NKJV

Worship the Creator, not the creation.

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created.
He also established them forever and ever;
He made a decree which shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths;
Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;
Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl;
Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord, For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.”
Psalms 148:1-13 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.148.1-13.NKJV

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein… Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah” Psalms 24:1, 7-10 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.24.1-10.NKJV

Beware godless agendas, climate change and green agenda.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” II Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.10.4-5.NKJV

“From guano to global warning, the green agenda is a Marxist assault on humankind driven by scare tactics clothed in junk science. It is a godless agenda that disregards your needs, lifestyle, dreams, desires, and feelings. It seeks control of your property, both physical and intellectual… The ultimate answer to authentic environmental concerns is not more laws, bigger fines, or more government control. The answer is the good news of Jesus Christ. As people turn to Him for salvation they become transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and walk in a way that pleases Him. That, in turn, determines how they treat His creation.” (1)

The Gospel applied to creation care.

Jesus rules over the nations (Ps. 22:27-28), and all things are being reconciled to Him (Colossians 1:20). By faith (Heb. 11:1-3,4,5…) Take dominion, subdue and rule, work and keep. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15) Go and make disciples of all nations. (Matt. 28:18-20)

“God seldom answers a man leaning on a shovel and praying for a hole. Pray. And then get to work. Follow the pattern of Nehemiah. Pray fervently, and act more fervently still” Eric Conn

“I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman’s cares.” George Washington https://seedsforgenerations.com/presidents-day-sale/

“Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard.” Leviticus 25:3-4 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/lev.25.3-4.NKJV

“‘So you shall observe My statutes and keep My judgments, and perform them; and you will dwell in the land in safety. Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill, and dwell there in safety.” Leviticus 25:18-19 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/lev.25.18-19.NKJV

“‘If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall last till the time of vintage, and the vintage shall last till the time of sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.” Leviticus 26:3-5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/lev.26.3-5.NKJV

1 Brian Sussman, “The Godless Roots of the Green Agenda”, Fight Laugh Feast, Issue 4.1, Spring 2023 https://flfnetwork.com/product-category/subscription/

Household Prayer: Hear our cry, April 19, 1775 Tribute

“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle—” Psalms 144:1 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.144.1.NKJV

Brothers, I pray “that God, who is a God of righteousness and salvation, still appear for us… And may we be prepared, by a general repentance and thorough reformation, for His gracious and powerful interposition in our behalf; and then may we see the displays of His power and glory for our salvation. Which God of His infinite mercy grant, for His mercy’s sake in Christ Jesus. AMEN” from JONAS CLARK, A.M. Pastor of the Church in Lexington (1730–1805) and his sermon “The Fate of Blood-Thirsty Oppressors, and GOD’s Tender Care of His Distressed People” Joel 3:19, 20 & 21

“A SERMON, Preached at Lexington, April 19, 1776… TO WHICH IS ADDED,
A Brief NARRATIVE of the principal Transactions of that Day.
BY JONAS CLARK, A.M. Pastor of the Church in Lexington (1730–1805)… The Fate of Blood-Thirsty Oppressors, and GOD’s Tender Care of His Distressed People. Joel 3:19, 20 & 21” THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON: A Sermon & Eyewitness Narrative by Jonas Clark https://a.co/8UXPYxD

““Egypt shall become a desolation and Edom a desolate wilderness, for the violence done to the people of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. But Judah shall be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem to all generations. I will avenge their blood, blood I have not avenged, for the Lord dwells in Zion.” Joel 3:19-21 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jol.3.19-21.ESV

“The LORD is a GOD that loveth righteousness and hateth inequity, in whatever shape or character it appears. Injustice, oppression and violence (much less the shedding of innocent blood) shall not pass unnoticed by the just Governor of the world. Sooner or later, a just recompence will be made upon such workers of iniquity.” https://a.co/fzbDwNC

“From this remarkable day will an important era begin for both America and Britain. And from the nineteenth of April, 1775, we may venture to predict, will be dated in future history THE LIBERTY or SLAVERY of the AMERICAN WORLD, according as a sovereign God shall see fit to smile or frown upon the interesting cause in which we are engaged.” https://a.co/9HniuVb

“And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/ezk.22.30.ESV

Pray!

“Christian, unfurl these “letters” before our great God as you get on your knees in prayer. Above all, we seek not our own good or peace, but the advancement of God’s purposes. How God uses all things for His glory is something we will wait until heaven to fully appreciate, but that should not keep us from praying for it now.” (A Call to Prayer – A Great Example From Hezekiah , https://illinoisfamily.org/faith/a-call-to-prayer-a-great-example-from-hezekiah-2/ )

Subdue, Rule, Work, and Keep!

Then, by faith (Heb. 11:1-3,4,5…), get to work subduing and ruling, working and keeping, being fruitful and multiplying (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15), and making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20).

Never Again!

“For 70 years, the slogan “Never again” has been the post-Holocaust rallying cry of Jews everywhere. It is a solemn vow that millions of Jews will never again be disarmed and defenselessly marched into camps for systematic liquidation because we can resist with the same powerful firearms we might face in the hands of totalitarian government… Disarming law-abiding citizens and concentrating firearms in government hands is fundamentally wrong and disastrous.” Dov Marhoffer, Quoted in https://ministry.family.blog/2023/03/03/illinois-gun-control-2nd-amendment-never-again/

Fear God, Make disciples, Protect your family!

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“Religion and liberty must flourish or fall together in America. We pray that both may be perpetual.” Pastor William Smith, Christ Church Philadelphia, 1775
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

“God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable, and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may in the issue tend to the support and establishment of both.” John Witherspoon, 1776
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

“And if our religion is given up, all the liberty we boast of will soon be gone.” Samuel Langdon, 1788
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

Household Prayer: Faith, Work, Duty

“And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”” Nehemiah 4:6, 13-14 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/neh.4.6-14.NKJV

Brothers, sorry for the break the last couple weeks. Today I am praying through Nehemiah 4. As we labor (Neh. 4:6, I Thess. 4:11-12) there may come opposition, even violent opposition, to God’s people and plans, but by faith in and fear of the Lord we need not fear God’s enemies. Trust in the Lord, be prudent and wise in our duties to provide and protect (Neh. 4:13), continue in the work of the Lord we are called to (Eph. 2:10, Matt. 28:18-20), and rejoice! For Christ has risen, He has risen indeed! “He is not here, but is risen!” Lk. 24:6

“So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work… Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”” Nehemiah 4:6, 13-14 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/neh.4.6-14.NKJV

“that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” I Thessalonians 4:11-12 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1th.4.11-12.NKJV

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/eph.2.10.NKJV

“Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ “ Luke 24:5-7 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.24.5-7.NKJV

Fear God, Make disciples, Protect your family!

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“Religion and liberty must flourish or fall together in America. We pray that both may be perpetual.” Pastor William Smith, Christ Church Philadelphia, 1775
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

“God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable, and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may in the issue tend to the support and establishment of both.” John Witherspoon, 1776
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

“And if our religion is given up, all the liberty we boast of will soon be gone.” Samuel Langdon, 1788
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

Household Prayer: Gardening

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.2.15.NKJV

Brothers, today I am praying for gardens, big or small, and our local farmers. I am praying for God’s provision of our daily bread. Christ’s Church proclaims His truth about creation and our role in it. The battle for the Lord’s creation includes the global food supply not just gender, sexuality, and marriage. Lord establish the work of our hands! Lord bless our gardens and bless our local gardeners, farmers, and food producers. And I pray we pass along a proper theology of creation and creation care to our children.

“Mankind’s call to work the ground is crucial to human self-understanding and self-purpose.”
Plowing in Hope: Towards a Biblical Theology of Culture by David Bruce Hegeman

“Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to it’s liberty and interests by the most lasting bands.”
Thomas Jefferson https://seedsforgenerations.com/presidents-day-sale/

The battle for the Lord’s creation includes the global food supply

“Coming to America: even higher food prices and chronic meat and dairy shortages if we don’t fight to keep the woke climate cult from using government to decimate our livestock. ‘Heartbreaking message from a Dutch farmer: “Tonight was the last time we milked our cows. After 90 years, this is it for the organic dairy sector. We aren’t allowed to continue because we were labelled a ‘peak polluter’. We fought for 3 years.” Our government destroys lives.’”
U.S. Representative Thomas Massie , KY https://twitter.com/repthomasmassie/status/1633093829489205248?s=46&t=Ag2lESY3ntUopWo1gN17hw

What do we do?

“God seldom answers a man leaning on a shovel and praying for a hole. Pray. And then get to work. Follow the pattern of Nehemiah. Pray fervently, and act more fervently still”
Eric Conn

What do we do? Pray! -and- We must, by all means, support local farmers and livestock producers! It may cost a little more than Walmart or Amazon, but consider:
* it is an investment in your neighbor, showing your love toward them
* it is an investment in your liberty and the liberty of your children and their children!
* It is an investment in your health. Knowing where your food comes from and how it is produced

“You should go into every business relationship with a brother looking to give something additional, rather than to get something additional. Don’t expect discounts because you are a brother. Try, when possible, to give something additional because he’s a brother… This spirit of grace and generosity does not take Mammon out of your hands, but it most certainly takes you out of Mammon’s hands.” Gashmu Saith It: How to build Christian communities that save the world, by Douglas Wilson https://canonpress.com/products/gashmu-saith-it/

“The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.” Proverbs 11:25 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.11.25.NKJV

Start a garden. Every home have a garden. Like the “victory gardens” of old. Start a farm or livestock herd if you can. Gardener, “those professionals who work the soil but do not as a general rule rely on heavy machinery.”, is # 5 of the top 20 durable trades. https://a.co/ek9jv5Q

“Victory gardens were vegetable gardens planted during the world wars in order to ensure an adequate food supply for civilians and troops. Government agencies, private foundations, businesses, schools, and seed companies all worked together to provide land, instruction, and seeds for individuals and communities to grow food.” https://gardens.si.edu/gardens/victory-garden/

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.2.15.NKJV

“Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters.. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” Jeremiah 29:5-7 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jer.29.5-7.NKJV

“I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman’s cares.” George Washington https://seedsforgenerations.com/presidents-day-sale/

Household Prayer: Sowing and Cultivating Christian Culture

““You are the salt of the earth… “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:13-14 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.5.13-14.NKJV

Brothers I’m praying about sowing and cultivating distinctly Christian culture in our homes, churches, and communities. Flowing from our love and worship of God, from the redemptive power of the gospel in our lives, and the joyful labor of subduing, ruling, working, and keeping as husbands and fathers. (Gen 1:26-28, 2:15) I pray, Oh LORD, that by faith our sowing would cast a bright light of Your glory in the world. (Matt. 7:20)

Any idea that consistent Christianity must undermine or diminish concern for the tasks of civilization should be dismissed once and for all.”—J.I. Packer and Thomas Howard, “Christianity: The True Humanism”

Matthew 5:13-14 (NASB)
[13] “You are the salt of the earth…
[14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden

“Our Christian faith is to affect all areas of our life in obvious, overt ways (Mt. 5:13–16)… culture is the concrete expression of a society’s religious and philosophical commitments; it flows out of the heart—as it were—of the society which produces it (Prov. 4:23).” Plowing in Hope: Towards a Biblical Theology of Culture by David Bruce Hegeman

Proverbs 4:23 (NASB)
[23] Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

“If I knew the world was going to end tomorrow, I would plant a tree today.” —Martin Luther

A Biblical theology of culture

“man’s “cultural mandate”—the call to rule, fill, and transform the earth—was established before the Fall and exists independently of man’s need for redemption… we may properly call culture (along with the other “pre-redemptive” institutions of marriage and worship) normative for mankind…

culture is, at its foundation, about building and not about conflict. Doing culture from a positive, earth-transformational perspective will help us build a more comprehensive, radical, holistic culture in line with the principles of Scripture, and it will provide us with less opportunity to compromise with the anti-biblical values and beliefs embedded in the pagan, unbelieving cultures we might encounter. …

The human race was called to fill, rule, work, and keep the earth before the Fall—before sin and evil had ever entered the hearts, thoughts, and actions of men and women. Man’s culturative activities must therefore be seen as a normative, good, and holy calling received from a loving and holy God. Marriage, work, the development of the earth’s resources, and a careful stewardship of nature must all be seen as intrinsic to who we are. It is clear from the rest of Scripture that our culturative calling was never rescinded after the Fall (e.g., Gen. 4; 9: 1–2)…

As the Word of God, Scripture is over culture and offers an infallible, perfect standard by which all cultures are to be judged and evaluated.”
Plowing in Hope: Towards a Biblical Theology of Culture by David Bruce Hegeman https://a.co/7jpUp3f

““To affirm and bask in the goodness of the world, to praise God for the wonders of creation, to practice responsible stewardship of this small planet, and to honor its Maker by using its resources wisely for the welfare of the race and the enriching of human life are all integral aspects of the work that Christians are called to do. Any idea that consistent Christianity must undermine or diminish concern for the tasks of civilization should be dismissed once and for all.”
J.I. Packer and Thomas Howard, “Christianity: The True Humanism” quoted in “Plowing in Hope: Towards a Biblical Theology of Culture” by David Bruce Hegeman https://a.co/bq8q9J8

Saint Valentine

Saint Valentine, or Valentinus, has an important story to share with us today!

Saint Valentine was executed for refusing to deny his faith after being arrested for secretly marrying Roman soldiers to their brides, defying an order from Emperor Claudius II that soldiers were not to marry.
(The Story of St. Valentine: More than Cards and Candied Hearts)

This is so relevant today! God designed and defines marriage. Yet, the devil continues to scheme through rulers and despots to redefine marriage and today, even gender.

In the year 269 AD, Valentine was sentenced to a three part execution of a beating, stoning, and finally decapitation all because of his stand for Christian marriage. The story goes that the last words he wrote were in a note to Asterius’ daughter. He inspired today’s romantic missives by signing it, “from your Valentine.”
St. Valentine, The Real Story
By David Kithcart

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
(Acts 4:18-20)

National marriage week and Saint Valentine’s day!

He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Matthew 19:4-6

Posted: 2020-02-10 | Updated/Reposted: 2021-01-22