A ministry update and special Sabbath message from brother Zev Porat in Israel.
A ministry update and special Sabbath message from brother Zev Porat in Israel.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of thing not seen."
(Hebrews 11:1)
Not alone for mighty empire,
Stretching far over land and sea,
Not alone for bounteous harvests,
Lift we up our hearts to Thee.
Standing in the living present,
Memory and hope between,
Lord, we would with deep thanksgiving,
Praise Thee more for things unseen.
Not for battleships and fortress,
Not for conquests of the sword,
But for conquests of the spirit
Give we thanks to Thee, O Lord;
For the priceless gift of freedom,
For the home, the church, the school,
For the open door to manhood,
In a land the people rule.
For the armies of the faithful,
Souls that passed and left no name;
For the glory that illumines
Patriot lives of deathless fame.
For our prophets and apostles,
Loyal to the living Word,
For all the heroes of the spirit,
Give we thanks to Thee, O Lord.
God of justice, save the people
From the clash of race and creed,
From the strife of class and faction,
Make our nation free indeed;
Keep her faith in simple manhood
Strong as when her life began,
Till it finds its full fruition
In the brotherhood of man!
"Not Alone For Mighty Empire"
(1911)
William Pierson Merrill
(1867-1954)
American Presbyterian clergyman, pacifist,
author, and hymn writer
Before you vote next Tuesday...
Please listen to this special public service announcement from legendary
American country singer-songwriter and comedian Ray Stevens!
"May God arise, may His enemies be scattered; may His foes flee before Him."
(Psalm 68:1)
Let God arise in all His might,
And put the troops of hell to flight;
As smoke that sought to cloud the skies
Before the rising tempest flies.
He comes arrayed in burning flames,
Justice and Vengeance are His names;
Behold His fainting foes expire,
Like melting wax before the fire.
He rides and thunders through the sky,
His name JEHOVAH sounds on high;
Sing to His name, ye sons of grace;
Ye saints rejoice before His face.
The widow and the fatherless
Fly to His aid in sharp distress;
In Him the poor and helpless find
A judge that's just, a father kind.
He breaks the captive's heavy chain,
And prisoners see the light again;
But rebels that dispute His will
Shall dwell in chains and darkness still.
Kingdoms and thrones to God belong;
Crown Him, ye nations, in your song:
His wondrous names and powers rehearse;
His honors shall enrich your verse.
He shakes the heav'ns with loud alarms;
How terrible is God in arms!
In Israel are His mercies known,
Israel is His peculiar throne.
Proclaim Him King, pronounce Him blest;
He's your defense, your joy, your rest:
When terrors rise and nations faint,
God is the strength of every saint.
"Let God Arise In All His Might"
(1719)
Isaac Watts
(1674-1748)
English Congregational minister,
hymn writer, theologian, logician
"Washington's Prayer"
By Jon McNaughton
George Washington was the Father of our country and was also a man who prayed.
On Inauguration Day, April 30, 1789, after taking the Oath of Office, he kissed the
Bible and looked up, reverently closed his eyes, and said, "So help me God!"
He then gave his first Inauguration Address where he ended by saying:
"I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the
Benign Parent of the Human Race, in humble supplication that, since He has
been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities of deliberating
in perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity
on a form of government for the security of their union, and the
advancement of their happiness."
He wore a brown suit that day and walked with members of Congress to
St. Paul's Chapel where he offered prayer and devotion in behalf of the new Republic.
Many today argue whether Washington truly worshipped Jesus Christ.
In George Washington's personal prayer book, in his own handwriting, he wrote:
"And since Thou art a God of pure eyes, and will be sanctified in all who draw
nearer to Thee, who dost not regard the sacrifice of fools, nor hear sinners who
tread in Thy courts, pardon I beseech Thee, my sins, remove them from Thy
presence, as far as the east is from the west, and accept of me for the merits
of Thy Son Jesus Christ, that when I come into Thy temple and compass
Thine altar, my prayer may come before Thee as incense, and as I desire
Thou wouldst hear me calling upon Thee in my prayers, so give me peace
to hear the calling on me in Thy word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness,
reconciliation and peace to the saving of my soul in the day of the Lord Jesus."