Post by Rick C. HodginPresident Reagan explaining the concept of the separation of church
http://youtu.be/bYFk9A62Q0c
"I think I understand how Abraham Lincoln felt when he said, 'I
have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming
conviction that I have no where else to go.'"
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"Now I realize it's fashionable in some circles to believe that
no one in government should encourage others to read the Bible,
that we're told we'll violate the Constitutional separation of
Church and State established by the Founding Fathers of the
First Amendment.
"The First Amendment was not written to protect people and
their laws from religious values. It was written to protect
those values from government tyranny."
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"We must be cautious in claiming that God is on our side. I
think the real question we must answer is: Are we on His side?"
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"No matter where we live we have a promise that can make all the
difference. A promise from Jesus to soothe our sorrows, heal our
hearts, and drive away our fears. He promised there will never
be a dark night that does not end. Our weeping may endure for a
night, but joy cometh in the morning. He promised if our hearts
our true, His love will be as sure as sunlight. And, by dying for
us, Jesus showed how far our love should be ready to go: all the
way, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have
everlasting life."
How would our nation be different if more people in positions of power,
influence, and authority, took time to do this as well when they too
are alone, to come before God in solemn prayer asking for guidance, to
put his trust and faith in One greater than himself, and to acknowledge
that he needs guidance from a solid foundation.
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People ... leaders ... anyone with a decision ... how glorious it is
to see that person upon their knees, in prayer, unto God, coming before
their Lord and Savior asking for guidance, asking for forgiveness, so
that He might make their paths ahead. It gives a person such a sense
of assuredness, such a sense of peace. It is amazing.
And, so you all don't think I'm entirely a stuffed shirt, I would add
this: And if need be, with only the man, God, his prayers, and the
painter and his canvas there in the midst to record the moment for
posterity, though nowadays we'd say his friend was there with a cell
phone, or maybe his Solo Shot camera:
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God wants us doing the things we are doing in this world, but He wants
us doing them for Him. He wants us to do them in subjection to Him,
so that we are not doing bad things, are not being immoral, are not
harming others, but are working our talents, labor, and efforts in
making the lives of those around us better, of helping to free them
rather than enslave them (to money bondage, or to artificial con-
straints bondage like copyrights or patents).
You have great talents. Great attributes. Free time. Personal
interests. Unique abilities. God wants to have you come to Him
and first ask forgiveness for your sin, and then to move in this
world using all of those abilities you have ... but with a renewed
purpose, one that He will give you, one that will light up your
life and the lives of those around you from the inside out.
You will know a true servant of God, a true born again through the
saving blood of Jesus Christ person ... by their actions. You
will see in them the changed heart, which runs contrary to the
former heart they had, and the heart of the people in this world
who are not yet saved.
Jesus has a purpose for us, both here on Earth, and in eternity.
It is to come to Him and ask forgiveness, and then to go out and
teach others about Him. He wants the same for you as He has for
those who have come before you to salvation. He wants you to reach
out and give them the same gift those before you received, the gift
of teaching, of the knowledge of sin, judgment, condemnation, and
more importantly, salvation through Jesus Christ.
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With the things you do, the knowledge you have, the abilities you
possess ... you can make an impact in this world for Jesus Christ
by the things you already know and do in your life ... just by
bringing them in subjection to Him (getting rid of bad stuff, and
having Him lead you to increasing good stuff).
You can shine in this world for God. You can make a difference
in real people's lives. The ground is planted, the crops have come
up, and the harvest is at hand. People everywhere are tired of
being beaten down by the evil forces at work in this world. People
everywhere are looking for those lights who will lead people into
all truth and righteousness, and not as pretenders, not as tricksters.
God doesn't call anyone into falseness, but into real, honest, true,
service to Him, His Son, and by the guidance of His Holy Spirit, so
named because His Spirit is separate and distinct from other things.
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Use those things you have for God. Come to Jesus and ask forgiveness
for your sin, and then watch Him change your life and work miracles
in people's lives around you. Watch your heart be torn asunder by
the changes from within. It will be a new you, a positive you, a
crying you, a filled with joy and joyful tears you. It will be the
eternal you brought to bear upon this sin-laden world. It will be
the contrast between the flesh and the spirit unrolled before your
eyes so that you can say, "My my my, I had no idea."
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His love ... living within you ... guiding you toward everything right.
It's who Jesus is. It's what He does for those He saves. It's what
He'll do for you right now if you'll ask Him to forgive your sin, and
to replace your hard heart with His heart of love.
I look forward to seeing you in Heaven.
Thank you,
Rick C. Hodgin
