Supporting Your Nation

(a non-political view)

An article published in the American Political Science Review in 1984, entitled "The Relative Influence of European Writers on Late 18th. Century American Political Thought".

The authors examined 15,000 writings of the framers of the US Constitution.  (newspaper articles, pamphlets, books, etc.)  Looking for who influenced these men the most.

They found that 34% of all direct quotes used by these (practicing Christian) men were from the Bible!!!  In other words, the Bible (the content of the Bible) was an enormous contribution to the thought process AND the eventual framing of the American Constitution!

Of all the books of the Bible ... which = most quoted?  Answer:  by far, the book of Deuteronomy!  

Why?  why not the teachings of Jesus?  writings of Paul?  New Testament?
Answer found in the story, history, background of Deuteronomy.

Example:  Exodus to Mt. Sinai (received the Law) to Kadesh Barnea, spying out the land, refusal of people to take the land... therefore 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy = next generation and Moses emphatically instructing them in what will be required of them to become a NATION!!

Compare after the Revolutionary War ... Question:  will the 13 colonies remain as such or become 1 nation?

IF SO, what form of Federal government? 
One that (1) protects freedoms
             (2)  promotes prosperity for all
             (3)  wins God's favor

So..... founding fathers looked at many sources .. which included
     (1)  the Bible generally
     (2)  Deuteronomy specifically
     (3)  Deuteronomy 8 especially.  Deut. 8:1-20

Deuteronomy can be confusing (if don't know historical setting), BUT 2 things should stand out:

#1.  The Parallel between them (then) and Us (now)

#2.  The repeated use of certain words, phrases"  - "Remember" - 16x
                                                                           - "Don't forget" - 9x
                                                                           - "Be Careful (not to forget)" - 35x

These commands, warnings emphasized 60 times!!!

Application: 
(1)  original = to Israel 3500 years ago.
(2)  founding fathers - saw parallel - believed in eternal significance of scripture, therefore looked for wisdom, guidance 245 years ago.
(3)  Still contains (same) wisdom, guidance for us! TODAY!!
This is a a message to us as individuals - not to nation as a whole.

So... How to support your Nation, Patriotic Responsibilities
(a non-political view ... from Deuteronomy)

#1.  Remember where you came from!!   Deut. 15:15 - Application for Israel, USA, you personally!!

#2.  Remember who brought you here  Deut. 8:2
by grace ... born in the USA ..... in the 21st century
            ... called, wooed, saved

#3.  Remember who gives you resources and abilities  Deut. 8:17-18 - as a nation.  as an individual
If you are doing well, it's byt he grace of God who gave these things to you.

#4.  Remember to thank and praise Him - Deut. 8:10, 12-14 - Active praise

2 notes here:  (a)  blessings can lead to a curse!!  example:  Solomon
                     (b)  this calls for more than a grateful heart!!!  It = active praise and thanksgiving.

#5.  Remember to keep His commands - Deut. 28:1-2,13
On on hand, Not obligated to the rituals and civil laws
However, ARE obligated to the moral laws therein.  Moral laws are unchanging.

#6.  Remember to teach your children - Deut. 6:6-9
On one hand, they make their own choices.
However, give them material to Make a choice!!!

#7.  Remember to assemble - Deut. 31:10-13
We need ... (A.) the challenges and teachings of God's word
                  (B.)  the Presence of one another - "we're better together" - We can help one another, encourage one another, etc.

Summary:  Deut. 29:9

Closing Scripture:  Heb. 2:1

Declaring Your Name

 Father's Day - so focus is on men/dads.

Question:  how important is dad???  

According to stats:

1)  71% of H.S. dropouts come from fatherless homes
2)  90% of homeless runaways come from a fatherless home
3)  70% of all juveniles in state reform schools come from a fatherless home.
4)  85% of imprisoned youths grew up in a fatherless home.
5)  43% of adult inmates grew up in a single parent home - generally without a  dad
6)  80% of rapists come from a fatherless home.
7)  crime rates in ALL categories are highest among those raised without a dad
8)  boys raised in a single parent home are twice as likely to commit a crime that lead to incarceration
9)  boys raised in step-families are 3xs as likely to commit a crime that leads to incarceration
10)  95% of men on death row HATED their fathers.

Dads and daughters:
1)  teenage girls living in a fatherless home are 60% more likely to be invoived in premarital sex than those in 2 parent homes.
2)  90% of girls with anorexia  (nervosa) lake a close relationship with their father
3)  girls growing up in a home where dad is absent are far more likely to exhibit:
        A)  low motivation for achievement
        B)  a tendency to choose immediate ratification rather than self discipline for later rewards
       C)  greater tendency toward group influence/peer pressure
       D)  lower self esteem
4)  A woman's delf esteem largely determined by 2 men in her life - ie:  her dad and her 1st husband

ie:  Kids growing up in a home with a father present have a distinct advantage!
They are less likely to live in poverty
                                abuse drugs and alcohol
                                do jail time
                                be sexually active as teens
                                even be obese

They do better in school
Have a larger vocabulary!
Take healthy risks (which translates into confidence in abilities)
This more than just in childhood - = adolescence, adulthood

Point:  not saying that single moms can't (many do well!!)
Doesn't mean kids without a father can't achieve.  Many moms raise excellent children.

Point:  = dads Make a Difference.  Their influence is HUGE!

Conversion Stats: 
When child is the 1st to convert, family will convert 4% of the time
When mom is the 1st. to convert, family will convert 17% of the time.
When dad is the 1st. to convert, family will convert 93% of the time.

Church attendance as adults
If only mom attends church, 30% will attend as adults
If only dad attends church 70% will attends as adults.
Why?  Because it's not a grown up thing.  A woman thing.

Not saying Mom is less important.  Point = dads Make a Difference!!! 
Which adds weight to 1 Tim. 5:8

All this to say, men "rise up, man up, do better, clime higher.  1 Cor. 16:13
These people came out of a pagan society, had no Jewish background.

Many men want this... yet fail to rise!  Why??
(1)  Selfishness - ie want what I want!  Even while are wanting what God wants!!!
This is human-ness!!  (Rom 3:23 with Rom. 7)

(2)  Fear - of God's calling!  What might He ask of me?  What will I have to give up?  take up?  IF I surrender, I lose control!!!  (= issue for all people ... especially for men!!)

(3)  Ignorance - ie what exactly am I to do?  to rise up to?  AND ... How exactly am I to do that??

(4)  Despair!!  ie:  I've tried and failed ... repeatedly!!  Therefore, why bother?  I Give Up!!

On one hand, this is not every man's battle!!! Because not all are attempting to "rise up".  (especially to God's standard/calling)

However, it is the battle of many men, especially the Christian man!!

So;;; A Story - is not a teaching, is an illustration of a teaching!!!

Gen.  32:22-31

On one hand, the views vary as to who Jacob was wrestling with.  Angel?  pre-incarnate Christ?
However, the consensus = Jacob ... (1) WRESTLED with God
                                                    (2)  WRESTLED with himself!

Note:  Focus - Gen. 32:27 - "what is your name?"/ = declare your name.  name yourself = confession!!

Was a confession of:  (1) his character "supplanter, trickster, manipulator, user of people, dishonorable

                                (2)  his failure (s) ie:  financial success ... relational failure!!!  (w/father, brother, father-in-law, GOD!!)

                               (3)  his predicament - fleeing father-in-law, facing brother's wrath ... all by his own doing!!

                              (4)  his inability ... to fix this ... to fix himself!!  He was morally and relationally inadequate!!  In essence, he was confessing to his inability.

Therefore:              (5)  his need ... of DIVINE assistance!!!  He spent 30 years climbing the ladder of business world .. only to realize he was sliding down in the world that really matters!!

NOW he recognizes and admits this....
Result = turning point!!  Jacob into Israel!  (Prince of God)

That's the story!!!

Any application here?  for us??

APPLICATION!!

#1.  declaring your name is the 1st. step in Rising Up - because - we don't fix what ain't broke!!
Example:  Step #1 in AA = admitting the problem
Note:  this doesn't mean "I'm broken and failing in every way!!"
          This = "I'm failing in many ways."  "I'm failing in the most important ways!"

#2.  declaring your name is admitting and confessing....
   (A)  your flaws, faults - on one hand, your character is NOT ALL your fault.  However, your conduct is!!!
and (B)  your inability to fix it.  (AA steps 1-3)
(NOTE:  non of this is gender specific!! Applies to all!)

#3.  declaring your name is designed to help you UP, NOT to push you down, hold you down.
Point = see truth, admit truth, turn to God ... RISE UP!!

#4.  the naming is only the 1st step.  (AA = 12 steps!) 
now must continue to move forward! 
On one hand, this is a very important turning point.
However, requires follow up to be effective.

#5.  the naming is not a 1 time event
must continue to recognize, admit, correct

In the story .... Gen. 32:31  Jacob didn't look blessed!!  But ... he was and he knew it.
And in time people stopped calling him Jacob and used Israel - Gen. 32:27 - 28

You'll never be perfect.  But you CAN RISE UP!!
And... it's never too late to start!!!

Closing Scripture:  1 Cor. 16;13

 

Child Discipline

 Prov. 19:18

Discipline Definition (n.)  Discipline = the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior using punishment to correct disobedience.

On one hand, not all discipline includes punishment   (example:  self discipline, Christian disciplines (Bible Study, prayer, fasting, etc.

However, discipline nearly always includes that which is uncomfortable, unpleasant, difficult ... something we have to work at; goes contrary to natural inclinations.

So... Child Discipline = training a child to obey, do right, etc. using methods the child considers unpleasant (spanking, grounding, time out, privileges withheld, go to room, go to bed, no dessert, no TV, no games, no phone....

There si SOLID Theological Basis for Child discipline in the Bible.

I.  God disciplines His children
Heb. 12:4-12
Rev. 3:19
Deut. 8:5
Psm. 94:12

II.  We are called to be Godly ... ie to be like Him; to practice Godly behavior.

Therefore, Proper child discipline = Godly behavior
Failure to do so = ungodly behavior - Eph. 5:1

I)  Words to Parents (from Proverbs) - (short, condensed bits of wisdom)

Prov. 22:6, 15 - not intended to be absolute.  Child has own free will

Children = inexperienced therefore do childish things
Options = teach them OR leave to their own devices
     Prov. 29:15, 13:24, 29:17, 23:13-14 - all these are conditional, there can be exceptions

The Purpose of discipline = Formation, Character development - for the sake of the child.  Not for emotional personal catharsis.

As Christians, should discipline:

    (1)  according to God's Word - His direction, examples which includes forgiveness, love, consistency, etc.

(2)  according to the child's needs - temperament, etc.

(3)  for the proper reason - ie to teach, correct, form.   Contrast: childish behavior with rebellious spirit.

(4)  in the proper spirit
 Not because your are angry, annoyed, embarrassed.

Discipline should include
(5) explanation - why being punished

(6)  affirmation - express love before and after

NOTE:  (1)  uNo guarantee of the outcome - children have their own free wills

            (2)  consistent discipline a likely result = feelings of guilt
       

IF proper child discipline - difficult
Then follows ... parent must be self-disciplined!
(in other words ... discipline the child but not self!?

II)  Words to the Child - wisdom is not only for old people!!!
     Prov. 13:1, 15:32, 15:5, Ex. 20:12

III)  Words to Both - (parent AND child)
     Prov. 6:23, 12:1, Heb. 12:11

Parents:  You won't be perfect disciplinarian!  (Rom. 3:23)
When you fail ... own up, get up, go again
May be need of apology:  (a)  to grown children  (b)  to kids .. for improper discipline

Kids:  You won't always respond well to (proper) discipline- Rom. 3:23
When you fail, own up, get up, go again.  May be a need for apology ... to parents!!

Closing:  Psm. 127:3-5