July 2014 Volume 1, Issue 1 Special Interest: Franklin G Holland If you are interested an organization in California was started after 911 by the same name: Go to: www.americablessgod. com Use the hyperlinks to go to the article of your choice Individual Highlights: As a christian I have always believed that heaven and hell are real. I have not always communicated that belief with the kind of fervor that it demands. It is my desire to amend that short coming. The question remains, what am I willing to do to promote my beliefs? It is my hope that, by using the concept of America Bless God, I will be part of a larger work of the Lord to encourage fellow believers to become more involved in the work of the ministry. I am reminded that the Apostle Paul says we have this treasure in earthen vessels (II Cor. 4:7) The ability to communicate our faith is a treasure that God has blessed us with. What we do with the treasure will be our way of blessing God. It is not clear at this point how often this newsletter will be published. I will leave that detail in the Lord s hands. I merely want to be faithful to use this tool to be a voice to call God s people to a greater involvement in the work of ministry. What is God calling you to? 1 Prayer 2 Pastor s Place 2 Why the Title? 3 Your Testimony 6 <h1>subscribe to my Newsletter<h2> When I began to seriously contemplate how I can be used by God through writing, I initially thought it would be good to write a devotional. There have been some very inspiring devotionals that I have had the good fortune to benefit from. So the thought of writing a devotional was very appealing. I began to formulate how the devotional ought to be designed. It was exceptionally difficult to begin the actual writing. This was confusing because I was certain that I could come up with biblical truths that have assisted me in my walk with the Lord. At first I thought it might be writer s block (even before I began to write). I was stuck and I needed an inspiration to begin. I went back to my notes for America Bless God ideas. One of the original ideas that I had made note of was new awakening to stir the nation and bring the nation once again under God: 1. Prayer. -God s people all over the nation praying for an awakening. Then it was clearer to me that a devotional might not be the best format for what I wanted to do. A blog might work. A newsletter should work. I chose the latter because I wanted a vehicle that would allow opportunities for my own thoughts as well as the thoughts of fellow believers. (continued on page 2)
Page 2 of 6 In order for the Father to move in the lives of a nation those who are called by His name must be willing to lead the way. The purpose then for the newsletter is to encourage the Church; God s chosen ones, those who have been set apart for his service, those whose names are written in the lamb s book of life, to actively pursue God s moving in the church in a more dynamic way. The scripture says, 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) KJV In order for the Father to move in the lives of a nation, those who are called by his name must be willing to lead the way. We lead the way in repentance and we lead the way in seeking the will of the Lord. We cannot be willing to separate ourselves from the lost and watch as the nation descends into greater depths of alienation from God. If we stand back and watch the headlong rush into eternity and do nothing to snatch as many as possible from the flames of eternal damnation we have not done the Lord s will. (page 3) Prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray The Apostle James tells us that the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous avails much (James 5:6) KJV This has long been one of my favorite scriptures. It encourages me that my prayers can be very effective. There is however a condition placed on my prayers being effective. In order for my prayers to be heard and for my prayers to be answered I must be in a right relationship with the Father. Righteousness is the prerequisite to seeing the hand of the Lord move on my behalf. Since I am not righteous by nature I must be made righteous. When I accepted Jesus death on the cross as the atonement for my sins, Jesus robed me in his righteousness; now the Father sees his son s righteousness covering and cleansing me. I can now go boldly to the throne of God by faith knowing that God hears me when I pray. We have the story of the man that was born blind whom Jesus healed. The spiritual leaders of the synagogue were both astonished and offended that Jesus was able to heal a person who was born blind. They were offended because Jesus (page 4) Pastor s Place In future editions The Pastor s Place is where I hope to have pastors contribute words of encouragement; not just to your congregation but also to the body of Christ. The limitations are simple 650 word limit, edify the body, prepare the saints for the work of ministry, glorify Christ. This is not a political tool. This is our opportunity to follow the Ephesians 4 model. If you are interested in contributing to the newsletter contact me at Eph4model@gmail.com
Page 3 of 6 While one small group of people may not be able to have the reach to touch an entire nation, they can touch their neighbors for Christ. One neighbor at a time, one lost soul at a time, one lost community at a time. We may never know the full effect or fruitfulness of our prayers and faithfulness to reach out in the name of the Lord, but our entrance into the Father s presence will be all the more sweeter as we hear him say well done my good and faithful servant. It all begins with prayer. One of America s great evangelists of the 2 nd Awakening, Charles Finney believed, the gospel did not just get people saved, but it was also a means of cleaning up society. (www.christianity.com) We begin with prayer: We pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers to sow the seed, water, and reap the harvest. Those who will sow the seed are those who will share their faith, share the gospel in simplicity and sincerity. Those who will water are those who encourage the seekers, being examples of godliness, praying for the salvation of the lost. Those who will reap the harvest are those who will knock on doors, pass out tracks, share their faith, evangelize with an intent to draw out a decision for Christ. We may not all be sowers, we may not all be those who water, we may not all be reapers, but we all have a role to play in the work of bringing the lost to salvation. We all have a role to play In the work of bringing the Lost to salvation. (page 4) Why the title? Six or seven years ago when the idea America, Bless God first began to run through my mind it was base on a video clip I believe. In the video a large southern politician with a cigar between his fingers was boasting This is America, bless God. I do not remember who the politician was. I just recall the phrase. As I am writing this today I can vaguely remember the time period was around the time of the civil rights movement. The person on TV was probably one of those southern politicians boasting about the south s unwavering support of segregation. But, that being said, the word picture that America, Bless God creates in my mind is that of God s children participating in activities that bring a smile to the Father s face. Throughout the history of our nation God has greatly blessed America. Politicians have taken the blessings of God almighty and have made it a slogan. When we declare war on another nation we hear God Bless America. When we face natural disasters that some blame God for, we hear God Bless America. When economic crises bring the nation to the brink of bankruptcy, we hear God Bless America. When we defeat enemies of our way of life, we hear God Bless America. (page 4) God s children participating in activities that bring a smile to the Father s face
Page 4 of 6 An English clergyman of 1680s Viewed the demise of regard for Christianity noting they treat it as a principal subject of mirth and ridicule (www.great-awakening.com It has been a while since our nation has experienced a nation-wide awakening (1730-1800). It is long overdue. Some may look at our society and government and see an impossibility. I am convinced that while it is yet day we must work the works of him who has sent us. Jesus said, the night comes when no man can work, (John 9:4) The Great Awakening and the Second Great Awakening occurred because men and women were convinced that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the only salvation for the nation. They were not intimidated by the enormity of the work. They realized that it was for these souls that Jesus died, and we cannot do any less than make the attempt. For me is to be a voice for revival, a voice for a New Awakening that stirs the nation and draws men and women, boys and girls to faith in Christ before it is eternally too late. Do you hear the call? Why the title? selah He did not wait for us to seek him to offer himself on our behalf I see no reason to stop asking God s Blessing upon America. Let me be clear, I want our Father to continue to bless our land. I am not ready for the grace of God to be lifted from us. As I consider the message that this newsletter is intended to express I realize that we have a great debt to our heavenly Father. He not only gave his son as a sin substitute but he has accepted us as his beloved children, even while we were far from him. He did not wait for us to seek him to offer himself on our behalf. He did not wait for us to be able to make ourselves righteous to draw us to himself. It was while we were in our sins that he called us, that he sought us, and bought us with the blood of his own son. We ought to be grateful for his sarifice, his grace, his mercies that he has freely (page 5) Prayer we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. John 9:31 Jesus had healed the man on the sabbath. The religious leaders could not accept that Jesus was sent from God let alone the Son of God. They were enraged that he would break the sabbath by healing the man that was blind from birth. They pressed the man who was healed with questions trying to get him to say anything that they could use to condemn Jesus. What the man who was blind from birth said ought to be encouragement to all who have put their trust in Christ Jesus. He said, we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (John 9:31) My ability to be heard when I pray is not contengient upon my goodness or my righteousness; it is based on my surrender to the will of the Father. I am made righteous by the blood of Jesus and heard because I worship and am obedient to God. Later Jesus said to his disciples if ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7) (page 5)
Page 5 of 6 Prayer This is where true effective prayer comes from. We must be willing to decrease that Christ in us might grow stronger. the Lord of grace will send a new awakening into the church. When the word of the Lord is abiding in us we think more as he thinks, we see more like he sees, we respond more like Jesus. When we see the needs of lost humanity as Jesus saw, we will be moved with his same compassion. During the late 18 th century and early 19 th century two major revivals moved in different regions of our nation. Our responses to the needs in this life are more in line with what the will of the Father is. We can then ask what ever we will because we are guided by the Holy Spirit who knows the mind of Christ better than we can ever know it while in this fleshly body. We must absorb the Word of God that it might saturate every part of us. It is just this sort of compassion in which we need to approach the throne of God on behalf of the lost. We can then be the intercessors who will ask and keep asking that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into his vineyard. Join me as we pray that From 1730s through the 1800s God heard the hearts cry of saints who wanted to see his moving in their day. God did move and much of the American way of life was affected.god sent revival to parts of America. We need another move of God throughout this nation before it is eternally too late. selah We must absorb the Word of God that it might saturate us Why the title? Given us. We like Paul should recon ourselves in Jesus debt. (Romans 8:12) Because we can now call him Abba Father we ought to seek every opportunity to bring a smile to his face. This newsletter is a way to bless the Lord for all of his blessings to me. Here the children of God have an opportunity to share their faith with one another. Here the children of God have the opportunity to build one another up and encourage one another to fulfill the great commission. is a proclamation and a challenge. We who know him as Lord and Savior need not to keep silent but rather proclaim our faith. We can be the source of encouragement and support in many ways, this is just one of those ways.. Within this newsletter you will find words of encouragement and challenge, you will find words of support and comfort, you will find the work of ministry taking place. My hope is that you will contribute your own thoughts, testimony, life story or words of edification. Are you an unsure writer? Try you hand here and see what the Lord will do. Are you excited to see God move in a greater, deeper way in your walk of faith? Share what the Lord is doing and encourage your fellow siblings in Christ. Let s bless the Lord! selah This newsletter is a way to bless the Lord for all of his blessings to me
Do You Have A Testimony? Alexandria, Virginia E-MAIL: eph4model@gmail.com Each month I would like to highlight the story or testimony of someone in the body of Christ. 650 Word Limit. If you have a testimony that you would like to share with the church please email me a copy of your testimony. I would be thrilled to have this newsletter become a tool that the Lord can use to edify the body and reach out to the lost. Keep in mind that the purpose of this newsletter is to encourage the body of Christ to fulfill the call of God and be his representatives to a sinfilled dying world. Distribution of the Newsletter will be monthly unless the Lord directs differently. So the scheduling of testimonies and life stories will have to be dependent upon the article space. Submit requests for inclusion at: Eph4model@gmail.com Pastors and Congregations Would you like to make your Church address and service time available? Is there a special service you want to advertise? If you are in the Neighborhood stop by About us We re not on the Web! The idea for America, Bless God came to me in 2006 or 2007. At first it was just an idea based on the fact that we always hear the words God Bless America but very seldom have I heard America Bless God. The more I considered the phrase the more I was convinced that it was the church s responsibility. Therefore the purpose of this Newsletter is to encourage God s people to be his representatives and be the blessing to him by blessing those he died for. AMERICA, BLESS GOD eph4model@gmail.com Did you know? Some biblical scholars believe the word selah means to pause or reflect Ephesians 4:1-12 AMERICA, BLESS GOD To subscribe to this newsletter email: eph4model@gmail.com