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Remembering 9.11.01
Remembering 9.11.01
Written by: Tom Matlock
On this day of remembrance, the following passage seemed appropriate. May we as a country turn our eyes once more (and forevermore) towards Him.
The Beatitudes From the book of Matthew, chapter 5 (NLT)
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”
Thank you Lord for blessing us as a nation. Please comfort those who lost someone close to them in the attacks of September 11, 2001. Convict our leaders and lawmakers and give them wisdom. Lord, give us revival and lead us to become a nation united in Christ.
In God We Trust
In God We Trust
Written by: Tom Matlock
Politics, crime, our soldiers in distant lands, and our country’s growing financial crisis are creating more than enough despair to go around. I often hear from Christian men and women who long for the prosperity, security, patriotism, and unity of days gone by. They long for America to once again be one nation under God. Unfortunately, longing doesn’t make something a reality. It seems as though the greater majority wants to make their own way, strive for their “piece of the pie”, and serve their own gods. Sadly, this is true even in Christian circles.
It is discouraging that as a country we have walked so far away from the Lord and His ways. We were a people who were committed to God. Given our current situation and the blindness to truth our fellow citizens and politicians currently demonstrate, one can only come to the following logical deduction: When we as a nation trusted and followed the true and living God, we had His hand of blessing upon us and we prospered. When we decided to forsake accountability to Almighty God and put the “American Dream” and our own selfish desires first, well, look where that has gotten us.
We need ordinary men and women to live lives worthy of the name by which we are called: Christians. We need leaders, political and otherwise, who are willing to take a stand for God without fear of being politically incorrect. We need to start living for Christ as though our country’s future depends on it…because it does!
“The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.” Calvin Coolidge
“The real crisis we face today is a spiritual one; at root, it is a test of moral will and faith.” Ronald Reagan
“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’” John 8:12 (NLT)
“This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.'” Isaiah 48:17 (NLT)
Our resolve needs to be:
“For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.” Psalm 48:14 (NIV)
And most certainly, God’s promise is:
“But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33 (NIV)
“For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.” Proverbs 2:6-9 (NLT)
Just as the Lord said to Solomon, I believe the same is true for America:
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.” 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (NLT)
As believers, we have Christ, and therefore have no need to worry about today’s gloom and doom. But I wonder if we are seizing every opportunity to minister to the spiritual needs of those around us who are worrying and afraid?
So, what’s holding you back? Are you a catalyst for change? -Or maybe you’re hoping it will just happen? What have you done over this last week to share hope with a family member, friend, or neighbor who may be struggling? How many people do you know who are unsaved and unaware of the stability/security God provides those who love and trust Him? Will you ever share Christ with them? When?
I ask you, Christian brothers and sisters, what will it take to stir you to action? What will it take for us as believers to put personal agendas aside and make an eternal difference in the lives our fellow countrymen and women?
Until the Lord breaks open the heavens and comes for His people, there is hope for America. It is His will for us to reach the lost and hurting around us. It is His will for us to encourage one another to courageous Christian leadership. He desires us to once more be one nation, under God.
Certainties of the End Times
This past Sunday, I heard a sermon about Christ’s teaching on the end times, or eschatology. This is one of the most controversial topics amongst people who are genuine believers, and there are many passages concerning eschatology which seem ambiguous at best. Some teachers are convinced that a millennial period must come, after which the return of Christ is imminent. Others believe that Christ can return at any moment and take the church out of the world. Some believe that a time of tribulation will precede the rapture, while others believe that Christ’s return will mark the beginning of the time tribulation here on earth.
No matter your convictions or understanding of the sequence and order of events regarding Christ’s second coming and the end times, there are [at least] two things that are very clear from scripture:
1- Christ will return to the earth. 2- We should be praying for his return.
We are commanded by Christ in our example prayer to ask of God: “Thy kingdom come.” Among our requests for deliverance from temptation and the provision of our daily bread should be our request that the Lord return and deliver us from this sinful world. Make sure that you are obeying this command about prayer.
Consider the final verse of Robert Robinson’s hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Meditate on his heartfelt prayer as you plan to pray for the coming of the kingdom of our Lord:
O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.
One Nation Under God
One Nation Under God
Written by: Tom Matlock
“I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'” Psalm 91:2 (NIV)
Lord, our nation is in trouble in so many ways. Help us to remember that we are a nation founded under God. Raise us up and turn our hearts once again to you.
Happy fourth of July from MEN4CHRIST.
Listening In
Who has your ear? When that person opens their mouth, who is the one that makes you take notice? Obviously, the people that we choose to listen to determine a great deal in our lives. They help set our values, make our decisions,
Isaiah 55:3: “Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life.” (NLT)
Surround yourself with godly men, men that speak God’s wisdom. Do this in several ways.
- Most obviously, be in your church this weekend, and be an active listener. For some of you, this may mean to take notes during the sermon. For others, it may be best to plan to listen to the sermon a second time later in the week and remind yourself of the truths you heard.
- Find godly men to seek out for counsel. Imitate their walk with the Lord, which will help you when you make choices. As Paul said, “you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1, NLT)
- Be in the prayer service of your church. As you listen to wise men pray, you will learn. I gain insight about how to pray and how to view the situations and difficulties of life when I hear wiser and more senior believers praising and giving requests to the Lord.
- Fill your spare time with words of wisdom, instead of words of this world. I enjoy hearing the sports news from the previous day, but in the mornings especially, I am better prepared for my day by spending time hearing words of praise to God. In our day, we have innumerable blessings from the works of men who followed Christ. Listen to sermons, encourage yourself with the wise songs of praise.
Proverbs 22:17, 21: “Listen to the words of the wise;
apply your heart to my instruction.”
“In this way, you may know the truth
and take an accurate report to those who sent you.” (NLT)