America the Beautiful
Words by Katharine Lee Bates
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Did you know that every seat of power, realm of government, principality, and authority were all created through God and for his purpose?
Colossians 1:16 goes on to tell us He existed before anything was made; and now everything finds completion in Him.
Yes, even America. And God loves America.
But there is nothing new under the sun. Our old man still needs to be dealt with and God goes to extreme measures to make himself great in us, in America and to our world around us.
What happens when darkness trembles?
* it gets Loud
* spews insults, divides
* blinds, confuses
* accuses and destroys any and all for personal gain
But that’s what darkness looks like.
Let me ask, how has the turmoil in America affected you personally? Has it driven you closer to God or set you in a place of confusion, frustration, anger or even fear? What has come out of your own heart, or mouth?
I hear him speak; “My child, do not forget my teaching but keep my commands in mind. Wisdom will make your life pleasant and will bring you PEACE.”
THIS IS HOW THE WORK OF THE LORD CONTINUES IN THIS GREAT AMERICA.
Deuteronomy 6 gives us an outline for success. It is personal. It is up to us, individually.
He cautions us to be aware, that we do not forget the Lord our God by keeping His commandments, his judgements, and his statutes so that it will go well with us. He warns us to observe all His statutes, to fear the Lord our God. It’s for OUR good that He might preserve us.
His love is so great!
Whenever you are connected to His tree of life, you will shine and cast a beautiful glory, even if you don’t know it.
Yesterday I was traveling with my elderly mom, which requires assistance all along the way. Once we had gotten settled into our seats on the airplane, the woman in our row began chatting. We were both so exhausted and how could someone ever know we were glory carriers? Without saying a word, she told us that she knew we were Christians as soon as we sat down. This is what makes America great. People loving a God who not only gave us His only son in exchange for us, but living the rules and map for success.
Joy and Peace are meant to be shared. In fact when you discover or experience something this wonderful, you just can’t keep from sharing it!
Your light will shine and spread like wildfire until you are a pillar and a contagious ambassador.
Psalms 27
A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God
The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?
When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies; they stumbled and fell.
Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.
One thing I have asked from the Lord; that shall I seek;
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of his tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies
around me, and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of JOY;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
THIS IS HOW THE WORK OF THE LORD CONTINUES IN THIS GREAT AND BEAUTIFUL AMERICA!
My Love and devotion in Him,
Debbie Anderes
PTH Advisor at Large