Below is an overview of some things that have been happening during that last few weeks.
See You at the Pole Day
Wednesday the 22nd will be the 21st anniversary of “See You at the Pole Day.” Students will gather around flag poles to intercede for their leaders, schools, and families.
Students from 20 countries are expected to take part in this year’s “See You at the Pole Day.” Australia already observed their SYATP on May 20th this year. It is so exciting to see young people desiring the mercies of Heaven upon their land, their schools, and their families. Thank God for this encouragement. For more information, please see http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100921/see-you-at-the-pole-to-rally-over-3m-students-for-prayer/index.html
Perhaps you will wish to spend some time in prayer for our country on this day as well. As you do, perhaps it will be an encouragement to remember the faith of some of our founding fathers. Here is a prayer from America’s first President, George Washington. Aren’t you glad he didn’t know that he shouldn’t pray in Jesus’ name in a public place?
A Prayer for Our Country
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage, we humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will.
Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners.
Save us from violence, discord and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way.
Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people, the multitudes brought out of many kindreds and tongues.
Endue with the spirit of wisdom those whom for Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be peace and justice at home, and that through obedience, by Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the people of the earth.
In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with Spirit fullness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail.
All of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16a)
What Else is Happening in America This Month?
International Burn the Quran Day.
This was the idea of a pastor in Florida. It is interesting that his non-denominational church is named “The Dove World Outreach Center.” He wanted to do this on September 11th so that he might “warn Americans about the danger of Islam.”
There was so much protest about this plan that he finally agreed not to do it. From what I heard, there were a few Quran’s burned on September 11, but this pastor did not go through with this himself. Some pleaded with him not to do it because it would bring American troops in Afghanistan grave danger. It would also put our national security at great risk.
All these are great reasons not to burn the Quran. But there are also Biblical reasons why he should not do this. Listed below are a couple of these reasons.
1. It gives the wrong picture of Jesus Christ and His love for mankind.
The Bible says, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
2. It returns evil for evil.
The Bible says, “Recompense to no man evil for evil… Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17,21)
3. It assumes a responsibility that belongs to God.
The Bible says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)
Burning the Quran would certainly send Muslims a strong message, but it would not be the right one. And it would not bring peace. How can we expect them to learn to love Jesus when Christians, who call themselves followers of Jesus, return hate with hate? Please pray for their salvation. And pray that God will put love in our hearts toward our enemies, “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” (Romans 12:20) Perhaps then they will get saved. Then there will be true peace.
The 14 Crosses on Utah Roads Must Go, Federal Appeals Court Says,
A federal appeals court decided that the 14 crosses found along Utah Roads in memory of fallen state troopers must go. The court said these crosses are a violation of the Constitution because they “said the 12-foot-high white crosses ‘would convey to a reasonable observer that the state of Utah is endorsing Christianity.’” For more information see http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100818/federal-appeals-court-rules-against-utah-memorial-crosses/index.html
Question? Is there any part of the Constitution that says that the state of Utah is not permitted to endorse Christianity? No there is not. The word endorse means “to give formal approval or permission for something.” (Encarta Dictionary)
The Constitution says that Congress cannot make any law regarding the establishment of a religion. In legal and political terms, “establish” means to “make national and official.” (Encarta Dictionary) In other words, an established religion would be the national or official institution of the state. The word “establishment” appears in the constitution. The word “endorsement” does not. There is no law prohibiting government officials to publicly recognize God or even to endorse Christianity if that is the religion the(se) government official(s) follow.
Also the context of the Constitution refers to the making of laws in regard to establishing religion or prohibiting its free exercise. The state of Utah is not Congress, and they are not making any law by putting up crosses. Putting up crosses in no way forces any person to adhere to the religion of Christianity. There is no violation of the Constitution in this action.
Again, remember that the law of separation of church and state does not exist. There are no such words found anywhere in our Constitution or in the Declaration of Independence.
On the other hand, those in government should fear if they refuse to recognize the power of God and give Him the glory for our peace and protection.
I Samuel 2:8, Proverbs 8:15,16 - A person cannot even be in leadership over a country if God does not put him into that position.
II Chronicles 12:6 - “Princes” (government leaders) should humble themselves before the Lord.
II Chronicles 23:13 - Government leaders sang and praised God at the appointing of a new king.
II Chronicles 29:30 - Government leaders were involved in praising and worshiping the Lord at the re-opening of the temple
Psalm 47:9 - Their power comes from God.
Psalm 76:12 - He can remove them from their positions of leadership.
Psalm 107:40 - He can bring them down to poverty and desolation
Psalm 146:3, I Corinthians 2:6 - They have no power of their own
Psalm 148:11,13 - They should all praise God
A Mosque at Ground Zero?
Yes, this is one of the proposals. There have been many arguments for and against it.
Some argue that the owners of the land can allow anything they want to be built there. One man says it is disingenuous to call it hallowed ground. Some say that a solution needs to be found that will solve the conflict between those who want a mosque built there and those who do not.
But these things are all beside the point. The point is whether or not it is right to build a house of worship to the god of the people who tried to destroy us, the people from whom God protected us in His great mercy. Is it right to build a house of worship to the god of those people, when on this very spot the Lord preserved our country and where many people died because of an act committed in the name of the god to whom there is now an attempt to build a house of worship?
A look through the books of the prophets in the Old Testament should give an answer to that question. That was one of the sins for which Israel was punished. The heathen around them, who served other gods, attempted to hurt and destroy Israel in the name of these other gods. God had mercy on Israel and preserved her. Yet, instead of worshipping God, Israel went and made places of sacrifice or worship to the very gods of the nations who had tried to destroy them.
If God punished Israel for this, do we think we can escape punishment for the same sin? Woe unto us if we worship the gods of the nations around us and turn our backs on the God who made and preserved us a nation. Lord, wake America up before it is too late!
(Feisal Abdul Rauf is the name of the Imam who envisioned the building of the Mosque on Ground Zero. Please pray for him to be saved. There have been stories of the salvation of Muslims in other countries. When someone like that got saved, amazing things happened. No one is beyond the reach of God’s love. Please pray for Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf to be saved.)
Well, that about wraps it up for this time. May the Lord help us to be diligent in prayer and faithful and obedient to His word in spite of the difficulties and temptations that face us every day.