Our National Anthem

Our National Anthem

As we celebrate our nation’s history, remember…

God’s blessing is on America because

Godly men and women lived lives of influence!

 

 Christian influence is what made

the difference in this nation.

Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and amateur poet,

at age 35 witnessed the bombardment

of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships

in the Chesapeake Bay, in the war of 1812.

(Our second war of independence)

Francis was captured while on a good will mission

and taken on the British admiral’s flag ship.

On September 13, 1814, Francis watched

the bombardment on the fort.

As night approached,

he could see the American flag.

The bombing on the fort continued all night

and in the dawn of September 14^th ,

Francis Key saw the flag over the fort

still bade defiance to the fleet.

On the ship, filled with emotion,

he wrote a poem called,

“The Star Spangled Banner”

He was later released

and took the poem to a printer;

as it went out,

Americans began to sing it

to the tune of ,“Anacreon in Heaven”.

Congress on March 3, 1931,

made a resolution that

The Star-Spangled Banner

would be our national anthem,

and was signed by

President Herbert Hoover.

In the last stanza of

“The Star-Spangled Banner”

are these words of Francis Key…

“Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

It is believed that Francis Scott Key’s poem,

 “The Star-Spangled Banner”

was the influence and inspiration

for the United States’ motto,

“In God we Trust”

In 1956, 142 years after penning these words,

 “And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"

an Act of Congress made it the official motto.

A young man’s belief in God

and a poem greatly influenced this nation.

Don’t underestimate your power to influence.

America still needs Christian influence.

Who knows how God might use

your simple influence in 100 years.

 

Scripture Reading

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

"You are the light of the world.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do people light a lamp

and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on its stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 In the same way,

let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds

and praise your Father in heaven.

Above All Serve One Another

Above All

Serve One Another

Why God has called us to Liberty and to be free.

Galatians 5:13-15

13 You…were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;

rather, serve one another in love.

There are 3 places we can be at in life.

Dependence…

like a child needs to be provided for; nourishment,

shelter & protection. Dependence says “me first” “I need.”

Independence…

I know my uniqueness and I don’t need anyone.

Interdependence…

When we become interdependent, we become mature. 

We know how God has uniquely made us and gifted us

so we can use what we have to serve others,

knowing that we are a part of the whole.

Freedom is achieved as we become mature and serve for the common good.

Exhibited in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom in Washington, DC

is a badly faded document that measures 29-3/4 inches by 24-1/2 inches.

It is dated 4^th July, 1776.

The "Original Declaration of Independence.”

This document was signed by both the young and old.

 The youngest signer was Edward Rutledge (age 26).

Benjamin Franklin (age 70) was the oldest.

In all, there were 56 signers who risked their lives for the freedom

and independence we have as Americans.

If you have ever seen Arlington Cemetery with the rows

of white grave markers, you know the indescribable feeling.

The thought that each white marker represents a life

that defended our liberty and freedom.

Many of them paid the ultimate price

by laying down their lives to serve others.

Paul called Epaphroditus and Archippus fellow soldiers.

(Philippians 2:25-26 & Philemon 2)

Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:3 to:

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

In Ephesians 6:10-18, we are told to

be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 

Put on the full armor of God.

The first piece of armor the soldier of God is to put on is Truth.

In order for us to keep the freedom our forefathers fought for,

we must always stand in defense of truth.

Jesus said in John 8 NIV,

  “the truth will set you free."

But before He said that He said,

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Why God has called us to be free?

Galatians 5:13-15

13 You…were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;

rather, serve one another in love.

Peter tells us, “Above All, love each other deeply.”

There is no conflict between serving our wonderful country

and serving God.

Both call for us to serve one another.

A good soldier for God will be a good citizen

upholding truth, freedom and liberty.

So as we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence,

let us thank God by pledging our allegiance to Him.

Check out this great video and song

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=aed484baff9d12f29bd2

Scripture Reading

                            1 Peter 4:7-8 NIV                             

   7 The end of all things is near.

Therefore be clear minded

and self-controlled so that you can pray.

8 Above all, love each other deeply,

because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on the full armor of God

so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the powers of this dark world

and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,

so that when the day of evil comes,

you may be able to stand your ground,

and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 Stand firm then,

with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,

with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,

with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Galatians 5:13-15 NIV

13 You…were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;

rather, serve one another in love.

Galatians 5:1 NIV

5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then,

and do not let yourselves be burdened again

by a yoke of slavery.

Above All One Nation Under God

Above All

One Nation Under God

 

Only two nations have ever made this claim,

Israel and the United States of America.

No wonder they are both blessed.

Check out this video of the Pledge of Allegiance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBTyTWOZCM

The American flag stands for

“liberty and justice for all”.

Have you ever thought about the word liberty?

It is one of those words that

embodies both good and evil.

The dictionary says it means:

·       “the power of choice”

·       “the power to do as one pleases”  

The liberty that we fought for,

may now be our greatest enemy.

God said in Galatians 5:13,

“You…were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom

to indulge the sinful nature;

rather, serve one another in love.”

As the American flag stands before us,

we cover our heart with our right hand

and make a pledge,

we do well to remember

our forefathers wrote that pledge

for every American.

Those words:

 

 

The last change in the Pledge of Allegiance

occurred on June 14 (Flag Day),

1954 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower

approved adding the words

"under God".  

As he authorized this change he said:

  

 The addition of one nation under God

recognized that God is “above all.”

Our liberty and freedom comes

as we recognize God is above all.

As we forget and fail to acknowledge God,

we will find the need for more laws.

The person who recognizes

he is under God

will love his neighbor…

And do good to others.

 Scripture Reading

Galatians 5:13-18 NIV

13 You, my brothers, were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;

rather, serve one another in love.

14 The entire law is summed up in a single command:

"Love your neighbor as yourself."  

15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other,

watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, live by the Spirit,

and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit,

and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.

They are in conflict with each other,

so that you do not do what you want.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit,

you are not under law.

1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV

 8 Above all, love each other deeply,

because love covers over a multitude of sins.

9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,

faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

11 If anyone speaks,

he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.

If anyone serves,

he should do it with the strength God provides,

so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.