“God & Country”

by Gel Agcaoili

July 2-4, 2010

Fourth of July has been memorable in many ways in our country.  History commemorates “the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.”

First, I can recall John Hancock’s signature because of its size compared to the rest.  I can recall good food and company at family gatherings.  I remember the bi-centennial quarter because I tried to save such a unique coin.  During an election for the Mayor of Honolulu race, Eileen Anderson defeated Frank Fasi to claim a surprise landslide victory.  Notably, she banned fireworks in Hawaii taking away my pyromaniac ways of burning everything.  I was really sad at that time because fireworks was a tradition.  However, the popping of fireworks was restored, and now loved by my keikis.  Also, 4th of July is associated with the song, “I’m Proud to be an American”, by Lee Greenwood.  It was a song that meant a lot to me because I really felt like an American Soldier when I completed basic training.

Hence, July 4th is celebrated for the independence that American soldiers brought forth to our nation.  Many soldiers gave their life for our freedom in theUS.  According to John Adams, “the general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity…I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.” Significantly, it replicates the freedom that was purchased with a very high price before 1776.  Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for you and me.

We learn through history about Independence Day, and what our forefathers brought to the table.  In 1782 Congress said, “The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.”  Every time there were concerns or great difficulty, our founding fathers feared God and looked to his council for major decisions.  Contrary, our public education system has been diluted to the point that many of the ideals from our Founding Fathers have been deleted or taken out of context because of “the separation of Church and State.”

This is not a bash of our education system, but a question within our hearts.  What have we allowed to take place in our society?  Have we carried on the foundation that was laid for us to carry out?  Are we doing SOMETHING to shed light over darkness?  What does it mean to “fear the Lord?”  Continuing the trend of where we are today indicates that we are moving away from the word of God as time passes us by.  For instance, the alarming rate of abortion continues to climb in our nation, and in our own backyard we are dealing with “Civil Union HB444.”

The choice has always been yours… whatcha gonna do?

References:  http://www.eadshome.com/FoundingFathersflash1.htm It is a slide show about, “Christian Heritage of America.”

“Celebrating America’s Heritage - God & Country”

Pastor Garret Shon

Psalm 33:10-22

July 2-4, 2010

1.     Birthed & Blessed by God

2.     Dependent on God

3.     In Need of God Once More

4.     What Can I Do?

• Pay for our government (Romans 13:1-7)
• Pray for our government (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
• Praise our government thru patriotism (2 Samuel 10:12)
• Participate in & persevere for our government (2 Corinthians 13:5-9)
• Persuade our government (Isaiah 1:16-17, Proverbs 29:2)

Questions to Help You Grow:

Head            - What is God saying through His message and/or scripture?

Heart            - How does that connect with my heart and life, for me personally?

Hands            - What does God want me to do about it through practical “hands-on” application in my life?

Listen to this message

 Print This Post

The Wisdom of Yeshua - By Kelli Tarner

7.22.09–Yeshua was fully God and fully man. In Isaiah, God calls Him “His right arm.” Yeshua hanging on the cross was foolishness to the world, but the wisdom of God. The Jews were expecting the Messiah, the warrior king to come and overthrow the Roman Empire. Instead, God broke the authority of the adversary and purchased men for himself through the sacrifice of His son. Not even the adversary could comprehend God’s wisdom. “Not one of this world’s leaders has understood it; because if they had, they would not have executed the Lord from whom this glory flows.” 1 Corinthians 2:8.

The character of God is exposed in Jesus’ crucifixion. God exposed his love sickness and His longing for a relationship with us. He exposed His humility by having Himself hang naked on the cross. Naked, in front of the rebellious people cursing at him. The very ones that He came to save. What power and authority.

The wisdom of the world would try to break down rebellion with control. But God breaks it with humility. With gentleness, kindness and servant hood. With His zeal for justice and mercy. We can see this manifested in the Roman officer. He was exercising control over Yeshua by participating in the crucifixion. But when Yeshua offered forgiveness over condemnation, the soldier began to praise God and said, “surely this man was innocent” Luke 23:47.

The beauty and wisdom of God and His son on the cross. May we live and walk in the revelation of Yeshua on the cross daily.

The Plans and Wisdom of God - By Kelli Tarner

1.15.2009-God’s plans are amazing.  He knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb.  The plans for His temple were just as miraculous.  In 2 Chronicles 3, it says, “Solomon began to build the house of ADONAI in Jerusalem (meaning city of peace) on Mt. Moriah.”  God had Solomon build His temple in the perfect place.  The place that he orchestrated from the beginning.   This is the place where He would sacrifice his only Son, Yeshua, the Priest above all Priests (c.f. Luke 23).  The One who took His blood into the temple and tore the veil so that we can enter the holy place.  That we could be intimate with the most High God.  Oh, the beauty and mercy of God!

In Genesis 22, God foreshadows his beloved plan with Abraham.  “Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac; and go to the land of Moriah.  There you are to offer him as a burnt offering on the mountain that I will point out to you.”  What radical mercy.  That God would plan His Son, His right arm, to be sacrificed and tear the veil to the temple before he laid the foundation of the earth.  Give us eyes to see Your amazing plans, Lord. 

Abraham and Yeshua walked in radical obedience, and God blessed them through it. 

“I have sworn by myself—says Adonai—that because you have done this, because you haven’t withheld your son, your only son, I will most certainly bless you; and I will most certainly increase your descendants to as many as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand on the seashore.  Your decendants will possess the cities of their enemies, and by your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—because you obeyed my order.” 

For Yeshua, Adonai says, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance; the whole wide world will be your possession.  You will break them with an iron rod, shatter them like a clay pot” Psalms 2:7-9)  Yeshua our ruler who invites us to rule and reign with Him.  What a beautiful plan, filled with the character of God himself.  Surrounded in love, mercy, zeal, righteousness and holiness.  Our God is so big and beautiful.  May we sit and gaze upon His beauty all the days of our lives.

“The Kingdom of God”

Friday, December 12, 2008
By Pastor John Honold

1. Blessed (Matthew 5:10)

“Blessed”: Happy, supremely blessed; a condition in which congratulations is in order; the special joys and satisfaction granted the person who experiences Salvation

2. Persecution [Gk: dioko]

a. (1) to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away (2) to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after; to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal; to pursue (in a hostile manner) (3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one; to persecute; to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something
b. Revelation 12:13
c. Matthew 5:44
d. Matthew 10:23
e. John 15:26
f. Romans 12:14
g. 1 Corinthians 4:12
h. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

3. Rejoice and be Exceedingly Glad (Matthew 5:11-12)

a. The cause of persecution is loyalty to Righteousness (Matthew 5:11)
b. Vengeance is the Lord’s (Romans 12:17-21)
c. Great is your reward in Heaven (Matthew 5:12)
d. To Rejoice invites an Eternal Perspective

(1) Luke 10:20
(2) John 8:56
(3) John 16:20,22
(4) 1 Corinthians 13:6
(5) 2 Corinthians 13:9
(6) 1 Peter 4:13
(7) Revelation 19:7
Friday, December 12, 2008
By Pastor John Honold

1. Blessed (Matthew 5:10)

“Blessed”: Happy, supremely blessed; a condition in which congratulations is in order; the special joys and satisfaction granted the person who experiences Salvation

2. Persecution [Gk: dioko]

a. (1) to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away (2) to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after; to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal; to pursue (in a hostile manner) (3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one; to persecute; to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something
b. Revelation 12:13
c. Matthew 5:44
d. Matthew 10:23
e. John 15:26
f. Romans 12:14
g. 1 Corinthians 4:12
h. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

3. Rejoice and be Exceedingly Glad (Matthew 5:11-12)

a. The cause of persecution is loyalty to Righteousness (Matthew 5:11)
b. Vengeance is the Lord’s (Romans 12:17-21)
c. Great is your reward in Heaven (Matthew 5:12)
d. To Rejoice invites an Eternal Perspective

(1) Luke 10:20
(2) John 8:56
(3) John 16:20,22
(4) 1 Corinthians 13:6
(5) 2 Corinthians 13:9
(6) 1 Peter 4:13
(7) Revelation 19:7