In God We Trust - A Treasured Moments Devotional

As we approach the first of our American patriotic holidays, I find myself reflecting upon the dream our Founding Fathers had for our great nation, the sacrifices of many great men and women who have valiantly defended our freedoms, and our responsibilities as Christians to stand firm in our beliefs and to fight for the exact principles upon which our great nation was built. 

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth” Psalm 33:12-14

Since many of our great leaders have eloquently stated the importance of God in the foundation of our American government, let us reflect upon their insight and wisdom:

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” - George Washington, Founding Father, 1st President of the United States of America

“We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments.” - James Madison, Founding Father, Primary Author of the Constitution of the United States of America, and the 4th President of the United States of America

“And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God … and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.” - Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America

“Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic, expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God’s help, it will continue to be.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower, 33rd President of the United States of America

“I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God's help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can't expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living.” - Ronald Reagan, 39th President of the United States of America

The Bible warns nations who have turned their backs on their faith and on God. 

Psalm 9:15-17 states, “The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.” 

 

Ronald Reagan, 39th President of the United States of America also warned Americans when he said, “If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." 

We cannot forget that our nation was founded upon Biblical principles set forth in God's word nor that we have a duty to live our faith out in every aspect of our lives, including taking a firm stand in how our country is run. Pray fervently for our country. We desperately need to be One Nation under God as our Sovereign Lord once again. Pray for government leaders who aren't afraid to live by their Christian convictions and take a firm stance. We need men and women of integrity who aren't afraid to say, "Here am I, Send me!"  Ask God to forgive us for our sins, as a nation, against Him and for our disobedience in following His will for our nation and His laws that help govern us. He doesn't create laws to punish us. He creates laws to protect us. Pray that as Christians we can remain strong in our faith and stand up against what we know is wrong. We need fortitude to keep fighting the good fight for our race is far from over. 

Prayer: “Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy son, Jesus Christ.” Amen - George Washington, Founding Father and 1st President of the United States of America

Please pray for our American soldiers as they so valiantly and selflessly lay their lives on the line daily to protect our great nation and our freedoms as Americans. Pray that God will be their protection, their strength, and their comfort, especially in times of trouble.




American Soldiers - Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice for freedom comes at a price.




Please pray for the families of our American soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for our freedom. Pray that God will be their comfort and their strength and that His peace will wash over them like a healing balm.

Beauty from Ashes: A Treasured Moments Devotional by God's Writer Girl

I have had the honor and privilege of sharing my life's testimony with two very special sisters in Christ recently. Both women are kindred spirits who share my love for God and my desire to let His love shine through me. To do that, I must be completely transparent and, in a way, vulnerable. How can I let God's grace truly show if I'm unwilling to let people see the brokenness that God's love made whole? The Apostle Paul understood this perfectly well as is noted in 2 Corinthians 12:19-20, "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

I have been praying diligently and feel as though God is going to be asking me to be transparent more often. This isn't always an easy task for some of my past has left deep scars that are still healing. There are times when Satan tries to use these scars and untruths to trip me up, to make me doubt, to make me anxious and depressed, and to make me feel unworthy of God's love. God never promised that every day would be pain free or filled with sunshine and roses. In fact, His Word warns us that we will experience hardships in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The reality is that sin exists here on earth. People make poor choices every day and those choices have consequences. 

Some of my own poor choices have had negative consequences as well. This is where my brokenness starts but it is also where God's grace begins. I was a lost teen with no self-esteem. I always felt like I didn't belong. I felt as though nothing I did was ever good enough to please people. I endured verbal bullying. I continued to grow into a young lady who would overcome emotional abuse, sexual assault, and a broken marriage. Now, I am a woman who finally has realized that God's love is more than enough to sustain me. God loves me just as I am. God is the only one I need to please. God sees the beauty within my heart and is teaching me to see it as well. God has a wonderful purpose and plan for my life. Notice I didn't say I endured hardships. I overcame them. God not only brought me through these difficult times in life but He also utilized them to refine me, to grow me, to stretch me, and to strengthen me spiritually and emotionally. He has also and will continue to use my past experiences to help other people who are hurting. He will use me to show them His love. In my brokenness, I am the perfect vessel for His love to shine through because I have true empathy since I have walked the same road they now find themselves traversing. 

My story is far from over. I face new challenges every day. Currently, my trials include a plethora of serious health issues and daily pain as well as being the single mother of a child with special needs. The difference is that God provides the strength, peace, and joy I need to keep persevering as well as a wonderful "family" of fellow believers to encourage me, love me, help me, and pray. Trusting in God's love with total abandon has truly been an amazing and life altering experience. He has brought forth beauty from the ashes and continues to fill me with His remarkable love. 

Permit God to create beauty from your ashes and then allow His love to shine brightly through you.  As Matthew 5:14-17 reminds us, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."