Sunday, March 26, 2017

Miracle in March!


 

The true and living God of the Bible has been mighty on our behalf throughout our country’s history!  “Blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord!”  I hope you enjoy one of our many miracle stories!

By the winter of 1776 the British forces were firmly entrenched in Boston, and General George Washington was just as firmly determined to dislodge them and drive them out!  After Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain “Boys” captured Fort Ticonderoga without a single shot fired, and “in the Name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress,” General Washington sent Henry Knox to retrieve the heavy artillery there.  He did so by building sleds to carry the cannons over snow and ice down to Boston.  General Washington believed that God was leading him to fortify the heights on the Dorchester Peninsula, from which Boston could be bombarded with the heavy guns.  The daunting obstacles the patriots faced led Washington’s advisors to unanimously oppose the plan but the General disregarded them, proceeding on with his plan, believing that God would supply what was needed to accomplish it. February in Boston meant hard frozen ground, which made it impossible to dig fortifications and without which the Americans could easily be blown off the hills.  Among the officers was a young amateur engineer by the name of Rufus Putnam who “just happened” to stop by the headquarters of Brigadier General Heath where he spied a book on field engineering.  Within the pages, he found a diagram and description of a “chandelier”, a piece of wooden French equipment that could be built and preassembled in sections to connect and provide a barrier as effective as a trench!  General Washington ordered the construction of hundreds of these sections and on the night of March 4th, 800 men labored to place the preassembled defenses into position, working hour after hour.  But wait!  Wouldn’t they be seen in the moonlight and heard by the British? No!  God supplied their need and brought a fog to roll in and cover their operations at the base of the hill and even a breeze to carry away the noise!  Praise God!                
 At dawn on March 5th (the anniversary of the Boston Massacre), the British were stunned at the sight of massive fortifications on Dorchester Heights that had appeared like magic!  General Howe exclaimed, “The rebels have done more in one night than my whole army would have done in months!” Boston was turned over to the Americans without the loss of a single life on either side!

Let’s Pray:  Our God and Father, we come before Your throne of grace and mercy in the Name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, praising You for working wonders among us since our founding!  Thank You for all the miracles that You’ve performed on our behalf! Thank You that You’re not finished but continue to bless us, O God!  We are grateful that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever.  These wonderful stories of Your blessing help build our faith and help us realize who You have called us to be – Your people – Your family - shining Your light for all the world to see and embrace!  How we love You, precious Lord!  In Jesus lovely name we pray, amen.     

  

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Freedom Must Be Defended!





Our 1st 100 Days under President Trump’s administration are incredibly exciting as we watch him keep his promises to the American people!  Included is our President’s firm commitment to the “great rebuilding of our American military!”  He knows that the bullies of the world prey on the weak but don’t pick on the strong.  His philosophy echoes that of Ronald Reagan in “peace through strength” and “we win, they lose!”  President Trump’s policy also agrees with George Washington, who said that,”To be prepared for war is the most effectual means of preserving peace,” which we all desire.  The dome on our Capitol building in Washington D.C. is topped by a colossal sized bronze statue which reflects this wisdom.  Today she is known as “FREEDOM”, but her original and correct name is, “ARMED FREEDOM”!  In her right hand she holds a sword as she “stands at the ready”, while her left holds a laurel wreath of victory.  The sword of Armed Freedom is sheathed, indicating that she prefers peace but is prepared for war.  The God who gives us life, also gives us the right to defend that life. 


Let’s pray:  Thank you, Father, that your desire is for innocent lives to be protected and defended.  We see in your Word that it is the proper role of government to “execute wrath upon evildoers” who would take away our God-given rights to life, liberty and property.  Lord, we too, desire peace and we pray for peace and harmony within our borders and throughout the world.  Thank you that we’ve lived long enough to see bold and good leadership in our country once again.  We pray for all those in authority that they be just, governing in the fear of you, Lord.  May they always walk in integrity, doing what is right in your sight. Protect them from evil and keep us all in the palm of your hand to do your will and good pleasure, in Jesus lovely name we pray, amen.