5 July 2017
The Benefits of Godliness
Isaiah 12:4 NLT
In that wonderful day you will sing: “Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is!
I like celebrating our Nation’s Birthday. I think it’s appropriate to be patriotic and proud of our country, to have borders and stand out; I don’t quite understand the big deal about that. Our nation is special! If it weren’t special, why would so many people want to come here? If we stop making it special, what will compel anyone to come here or stay here? Why is the USA so special anyway? Nobody likes the real answer, but God, or at least the way God thinks, is what has set our country apart for generations, and everybody likes it!!!
“America may not be a Christian nation per se, but only the Judeo-Christian worldview could have framed such a nation’s ideas and values.” - Ravi Zacharias
Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is... Actually, ALL of God’s thoughts are wonderful and make life better. It is important for Believers to point that out to people. If we know someone who appreciates “All men are created equal,” we should be making sure they know where that concept comes from... And God created us all; he has no favorites, whether rich or poor. Job 34:19 (CEV)
And there are many “American Concepts” that are uniquely God’s...
Do not steal or tell lies or cheat others. Do not misuse my name by making promises you don’t intend to keep. I am the Lord your God. Do not steal anything or cheat anyone, and don’t fail to pay your workers at the end of each day. I am the Lord your God, and I command you not to make fun of the deaf or to cause a blind person to stumble. Be fair, no matter who is on trial—don’t favor either the poor or the rich. Don’t be a gossip, but never hesitate to speak up in court, especially if your testimony can save someone’s life. Leviticus 19:11-16 (CEV)
God has set specific standards for living, and time has shown that a nation based on these concepts is a place where everyone wants to be. Well, God has specific guidelines for daily living as well, and recent social experiments deviating from his standards are now proving to be detrimental to society.
There’s an article by the Daily Mail today called Millennials aren't ready for the 'reality of life' and suffer from panic attacks and anxiety problems, research finds. Their research claims that 61% of mellennials are anxious about being out on their own for various reasons. One major component of anxiety was due to casual sex, that is having sex with people you’ve known for less than a week. Anxiety was increased for this group of people compared to their non casual sex counterparts.
I know there are lots of factors that contribute to the weird unprepared adult phenomena that is currently sweeping the nation. But with godlessness simultaneously on the rise, isn’t it logical to conclude there’s a strong connection? I’m not saying everyone who lives here has to be a Christian. But I am saying that all people of all races and cultures sure have enjoyed the benefits of Christianity being part of our nation’s foundation. Similarly, not everyone needs to be a Christian (although that would be awesome!), but people can personally and socially benefit from living within God’s economy for living. For example, sex being saved for marriage is not a bad, backwards, archaic idea. We’ve already seen an era of less casual sex being related to less anxiety. These dots aren’t hard to connect.
Godly values built a fine nation that is appealing and beneficial to everyone. Won’t the godly values of it’s citizens fill that country with a competent generation able to function in it?
Doing what is right makes a nation great, but sin will bring disgrace to any people.
-Proverbs 14:34 (NCV)
Dear God,
Thank you for an opportunity to celebrate another birthday for our country last night. Thank you for the sacrifices of so many over the years to help keep us free and safe. Thank you that we both know that everyone here is enjoying the benefits of your prescription for living whether they acknowledge it or not, and help us to find ways to increase godly living here as well. Help Believers everywhere to be bold to express the benefits of godliness. Help me to be bold, and thank you so much for showing me your way of doing things through your Son, your Holy Spirit, and your Word. I love you so much and I’m so glad to enjoy your way of thinking and living. Thank you, Lord, and I pray in your name, amen.
The Benefits of Godliness
Isaiah 12:4 NLT
In that wonderful day you will sing: “Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is!
I like celebrating our Nation’s Birthday. I think it’s appropriate to be patriotic and proud of our country, to have borders and stand out; I don’t quite understand the big deal about that. Our nation is special! If it weren’t special, why would so many people want to come here? If we stop making it special, what will compel anyone to come here or stay here? Why is the USA so special anyway? Nobody likes the real answer, but God, or at least the way God thinks, is what has set our country apart for generations, and everybody likes it!!!
“America may not be a Christian nation per se, but only the Judeo-Christian worldview could have framed such a nation’s ideas and values.” - Ravi Zacharias
Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is... Actually, ALL of God’s thoughts are wonderful and make life better. It is important for Believers to point that out to people. If we know someone who appreciates “All men are created equal,” we should be making sure they know where that concept comes from... And God created us all; he has no favorites, whether rich or poor. Job 34:19 (CEV)
And there are many “American Concepts” that are uniquely God’s...
Do not steal or tell lies or cheat others. Do not misuse my name by making promises you don’t intend to keep. I am the Lord your God. Do not steal anything or cheat anyone, and don’t fail to pay your workers at the end of each day. I am the Lord your God, and I command you not to make fun of the deaf or to cause a blind person to stumble. Be fair, no matter who is on trial—don’t favor either the poor or the rich. Don’t be a gossip, but never hesitate to speak up in court, especially if your testimony can save someone’s life. Leviticus 19:11-16 (CEV)
God has set specific standards for living, and time has shown that a nation based on these concepts is a place where everyone wants to be. Well, God has specific guidelines for daily living as well, and recent social experiments deviating from his standards are now proving to be detrimental to society.
There’s an article by the Daily Mail today called Millennials aren't ready for the 'reality of life' and suffer from panic attacks and anxiety problems, research finds. Their research claims that 61% of mellennials are anxious about being out on their own for various reasons. One major component of anxiety was due to casual sex, that is having sex with people you’ve known for less than a week. Anxiety was increased for this group of people compared to their non casual sex counterparts.
I know there are lots of factors that contribute to the weird unprepared adult phenomena that is currently sweeping the nation. But with godlessness simultaneously on the rise, isn’t it logical to conclude there’s a strong connection? I’m not saying everyone who lives here has to be a Christian. But I am saying that all people of all races and cultures sure have enjoyed the benefits of Christianity being part of our nation’s foundation. Similarly, not everyone needs to be a Christian (although that would be awesome!), but people can personally and socially benefit from living within God’s economy for living. For example, sex being saved for marriage is not a bad, backwards, archaic idea. We’ve already seen an era of less casual sex being related to less anxiety. These dots aren’t hard to connect.
Godly values built a fine nation that is appealing and beneficial to everyone. Won’t the godly values of it’s citizens fill that country with a competent generation able to function in it?
Doing what is right makes a nation great, but sin will bring disgrace to any people.
-Proverbs 14:34 (NCV)
Dear God,
Thank you for an opportunity to celebrate another birthday for our country last night. Thank you for the sacrifices of so many over the years to help keep us free and safe. Thank you that we both know that everyone here is enjoying the benefits of your prescription for living whether they acknowledge it or not, and help us to find ways to increase godly living here as well. Help Believers everywhere to be bold to express the benefits of godliness. Help me to be bold, and thank you so much for showing me your way of doing things through your Son, your Holy Spirit, and your Word. I love you so much and I’m so glad to enjoy your way of thinking and living. Thank you, Lord, and I pray in your name, amen.
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