What Did They Die For?

**A letter to the editor of a Lubbock, Texas, newspaper from Michael Ivanchak, Jr., of Lubbock, Texas.

“At 92 and a World War II Army sergeant major, I did not agree entirely with all that was said on Memorial Day in honor of our soldiers.

Speaking for the dead, We did not fight and die for what America has become today; to have God, who has blessed our country richly and prayers which He answered at Valley Forge and on other battlefields since, prohibited from being mentioned in our schools and public institutions.

We did not die to see abortion and gay marriages legalized and teenage pregnancies, drug addiction, school shootings, divorce, crime, child and spousal abuse ravish our once God loving nation. Nor see freedom of speech used as an excuse to pollute our TV and computer networks, movies, our minds, hearts and national character with profanity, adultery, scams, pornography, idolatry, sadism and greed, and have perverted rock stars become role models for our children.

We did not die to see evolution replace God as the creator of the universe and the Christian foundations of our nation and Constitution ridiculed.

We did not die to have a draft dodger and then eight years later someone become president and commander-in-chief who turned his back on our dying and wounded soldiers in Landstuhl while denouncing America, whom they defended, to cheering Europeans and Muslims worldwide.

On Memorial Day, we should have also grieved for what we have become and prayed for real change.

Recalling Reagan’s unforgettable words, We died for decency, freedom, equality, justice and God to bless us.”

SHARING

The Declaration Of Independence

“WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

At the close of the solemn pledge to our flag, there is a small and simple phrase. Its words are often stated without much thought, but these words run deep into the founding and forging of our nation. This phrase is “…one nation under God.”

It is hard for us today, living in our routine and organized society, to imagine the struggle and sacrifices our forefathers made. A driving force that compelled them to carry on was their deep faith in God and the close ties of their families.

As we look back to the first settlers of the continent, we find the basic principles of liberty brought over with them. These simple people pulled up their roots and journeyed to an unknown land to escape the oppression of their government. Their reason was to be able to worship their God as they wished. Even their first contract of government, the Mayflower Compact, was signed, “In the name of God, Amen.”

As we follow the development of our nation, we see this spirit maintained throughout many trials. Even in revolution, our faith was never broken, for the Declaration of Independence was concluded, “with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine providence.”

America’s prosperity can be attributed to the hand of God. The greatest strength of American democracy lies not in its economics, but in the morals and ethics of her people. John Hancock stated before signing the Constitution– “The powers reserved by the people (under the Constitution) render them secure, and until they themselves become corrupt, they will always have able and upright leaders.” –adapted

SHARING

Standing Our Ground

What we are up against: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12

Basically, we can expect to see every worldly institution, every worldly policy, and every worldly mindset embrace the policies that are promoted by the spirit of anti-christ, that are against God’s principles and authority. This should not astound us, in view of the fact that the world reached solidarity on the position to “…give us Barabbas and crucify Christ.”

Christians are ambassadors for Christ to our lost world: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as thought God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 An ambassador’s authority and mission is not to change the country to whom he is sent, but to represent the country which sent him to the country to whom he is sent. Unless people accept Christ for themselves, there is no other way to translate them into the Kingdom of God.

In being Christ’s ambassadors, the important matter of being in Christ’s stead, is to be reconciled with God. We are not to seek to be and/or do what is relevant to our world, but rather maintain our identity with the Kingdom of God that is set forth in God’s Word: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

We are to stand our ground on the sound doctrines of God’s Word in the New Testament Church: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 This seems to be holy ground that many have forsaken, as they break ranks with all scripture for doctrine, chanting, “We’re not under the law.”

To forsake God’s laws under the guise of this being liberty, is to sanction the transgression of God’s law: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4 God’s law is to be the ground upon which we stand.

SHARING

Affording Opportunity

“For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him.” 1 Samuel 1:27
“To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.” Proverbs 1:2-4

You’ve probably heard the expression, “born with a silver spoon in his mouth.” This speaks of someone born into a family of material means, affording the child great material opportunity.

For a child to be born unto a mother of faith, who will nurture this child in the faith and knowledge of God’s Word–this is the most excellent opportunity!

Even though a child receives their human capacities genetically, what they will become is decided by the wisdom they embrace.

Thus, a godly mother can afford her children the opportunity for spiritual success in this life and for all eternity. Rather than just let genetics decide her child’s mannerisms and conduct, she can raise her child to know what is right and proper, thus enabling them to have the blessing of a responsible and productive life. Rather than just accepting “as is”, her emphasis can be to develop her child’s values and efforts to their fullest potential.

She can correct them from base behavior by imposing expectations on them that will improve their thinking and decision processes, and provoke and inspire them to properly apply themselves to the situations of life. She doesn’t just make what’s right available for their ears, but she ingrains it into their heart and mind through training and example, to make it the norm of their ways. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 Thus, training is what provides opportunity.

There will be no regrets for providing the opportunity for our children to know the Lord and what is expected of them, for which they will surely be judged of God.

“…she shall rejoice in time to come.”
“Her children arise up and call her blessed…”
“…a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised”
“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31

SHARING

A Nation In Commotion

2016 is a turbulent year, with many uncertainties staring people in the face. For one thing, our nation is in the process of forsaking God, unto relying on man: “Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:5

Everyone who looks can see the great problems confronting our nation, from international to national, from public to private. Old problems remain, with new ones coming on the horizon.

Rather than our leaders demonstrating the wisdom and ability to solve our nation’s problems, they only seem to be capitalizing on the unsolved problems for their own political gain.

Many are being led to believe that the answers to our national and global problems are to be found in some desired outcome in the upcoming presidential election. People are building their hope up on the false notion that if they can get their candidate elected, that all our problems will be solvable. As one writer put it, “One could wish that there was as much zeal at the prospect of Christ’s second coming, as there is over the election.”

The favorite theme that has caught everyone’s attention, is the candidate’s promise to bring the needed and necessary change, that will be the cure for our nation’s ills.

But what really affects change? All the claims being made that, “If I’m elected president, I’ll bring the needed change, etc.”, is no more than the making of presumptuous statements. No one knows what tomorrow will bring forth, let alone what they are going to do in the next four years; they may not even be alive. Any claim to have the ability to change what is going to happen in the future, is just presumptuous boasting.

Only God can bring the change from bad to good, and that first necessitates people repenting and returning to the Lord:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17

SHARING