Pray for President Bush and America

1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Dear Gracious Lord and Heavenly Father, Wow! I can not believe how quickly 8 years has passed! And through it all, You have been with us, faithful to those who have turned to You in faith, and gracious towards a nation that often had forgotten You. And here we are. January 18th, 2009 - about to say goodbye to a President that we have loved so dearly, whom we have prayed for daily, and whom we share a deep love for country and moral principles with. My heart is full when I think of all You have done over the past 8 years, and sad to see it go away. It is apprehensive about what lies ahead, but only in the flesh. For I know that the same God who directed history's drama over the past 8 years is the same God who will do so over the next four. Better still, I know that He is not only the director, but also the author of history and no matter what men may devise or scheme, according to Romans 8:28 all of it will ultimately work to the good of those who love You and to Your glory. And so, in the midst of a national storm, we have peace in our hearts with You knowing nothing will happen unless sifted through Your hands, and whatever happens will work to good in some way. It may be good in glory - but ultimately, evil will never triumph.

The Bushes. Where do I start? President Bush has been a man that I have loved as my President and who should be considered a national treasure though the short memories of some currently do not place him there. Still, on this day, the shoulda woulda couldas are not appropriate. On this day, I look at him as what he has always been - and instrument of Your workings in this nation and the world. Through his leadership, we have remained free. Through his leadership, less of the unborn have died. Through his leadership, lives have been saved. And through his leadership we have been given an example of grace under pressure. No matter how bad the poll numbers got. No matter how loud the detractors voices. No matter how dark the battles, President Bush has stood for faith and country each step of the way. We may not have always agreed with him, but this is a good man who loves his country and he has served her well.

Lady Laura has been the shining example of what a first lady should be. Elegant is the word I think of when I think of Laura, and she too served her nation with grace and honor and passion. When people were constantly criticizing her husband, she managed to maintain a calm composure and never once had a hint of scandal about her. May Michelle Obama and all first ladies who may follow look to her example and do likewise.

For President and Mrs. Bush I pray peace. I pray safety. I pray joy. May Your Spirit go with them back to Texas. May it envelope them with Your love and fill anything lacking in their understanding of You. May their girls continue to grow into fine young women and may they also know You in a real and personal way. May they all find rest and comfort in Your Son, and may they continue to find a place to serve You and the country - for their service is far too valuable to fade away. God bless President Bush. Bless Laura. And may we find that this is not really a goodbye to them, rather, it is a see you later until that day where we are all gathered together to be with You. Our country has been blessed. And Your work through this couple is why.

I pray for all of the things which we already know are going to be under attack. Under the next administration, barring intervention from You, we will have an increase in abortions, homosexuality, and taxes. Embryonic stem cells will be funded. Our military will suffer. The church may experience persectution. Israel may be abandoned. Concerning all of these things, I pray that if they can be averted that You will both show us the way and inspire us to do something about it. Lord, as of today, we are still a nation of laws. Help us to be wise servants within these laws and help us to make a tangible difference in our society over the next 4 years.

Finally Lord, I pray for my dear fellow Freepers. For those who have prayed daily with us and for those who have led in prayer. For those who from time to time would protest the threads, and for the Robinsons for allowing them. Lord, may we always be free. May we always be thankful. And may we always remember from whence our freedom comes. Bless these dear ones Lord and keep them. We will no doubt be praying quite a bit over the next few years, but it has been an honor to serve with them over the past 8.

Go with us the rest of this day and until tomorrow. I love You Lord, and I thank You for showing me back in 2000 that we need to pray regarding the election of Bush versus Gore - and that we need to continue to pray for our leaders today.

In obedience to You and out of love for You and my nation, I pray all of this in Jesus' blessed name, Amen.

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January 18, 2009

Wonderfully Made

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READ: Psalm 139:7-16

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. —Psalm 139:14

A quote in George MacDonald’s book David Elginbrod speaks to those who wonder, at times, why God has made them the way they are—and who wish they were someone else.

Lady Emily muses: “I wish I were you, Margaret.”

Margaret answers: “If I were you, my lady, I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of. For to have been thought about—born in God’s thoughts—and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest, most precious thing in all thinking.”

MacDonald may have had Psalm 139:17 in mind: “How precious . . . are Your thoughts to me, O God!” In this psalm, David is thinking about his conception, and vividly describes God’s thoughts as He wove him together in his mother’s womb, creating a unique and special individual to be the object of His love.

It’s a comforting thought to know that we’re not a terrible mistake, but a very special creation, “born in God’s thoughts.” David could stand before a mirror and say in all honesty and humility: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works” (v.14).

You are a designer original! As such, you are dear, grand, and precious to God.

Of all creation’s treasures rare,
Not one compares in worth with man;
In God’s own image he was made
To fill a place in His great plan. —D. De Haan

You are one of a kind—designed to glorify God as only you can.

Bible in One Year: Genesis 43-45; Matthew 12:24-50

On this day, I look at him as what he has always been - and instrument of Your workings in this nation and the world. Through his leadership, we have remained free. Through his leadership, less of the unborn have died. Through his leadership, lives have been saved. And through his leadership we have been given an example of grace under pressure. No matter how bad the poll numbers got. No matter how loud the detractors voices. No matter how dark the battles, President Bush has stood for faith and country each step of the way. We may not have always agreed with him, but this is a good man who loves his country and he has served her well.

Amen, and Amen, Servant of Jesus Christ, and how I Praise our Lord for this Good Work He Ordained through you in 2000. Only in Eternity will we Know All that was Accomplished Here, and Great will be our Praise for Heaven's King. Our God's Blessings be with you Mightily in All your Works for His Heavenly Kingdom.

'The Lord be with your Spirit.
Grace be with you.' (2Tim.4:22)

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