“If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

Recorded audio from the original June 6, 1944 radio broadcast. This was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s prayer for American victory and for the protection of U.S. forces abroad. Now set to imagery of U.S. soldiers in action.

“Chicken a la Carte”

Directed by Ferdinand Dimadura -Produced In 2005

“This film is about the hunger and poverty brought about by Globalization. There are 10,000 people dying everyday due to hunger and malnutrition. This short film shows a forgotten portion of the society. The people who live on the refuse of men to survive. What is inspiring is the hope and spirituality that never left this people.”

Words cannot express the bitter sweet pain of viewing this video. Truly we are very blessed in our wealthy nation. But the monetary wealth we possess does not compare to the spiritual wealth of the poorest of nations who embrace Christ Jesus by faith. Attaining the goal of having more money, more possessions, or a greater position of power does not satisfy the soul of a spiritually hungry man or woman. The people who know God have the greatest peace in their hearts, regardless of their life’s circumstances. The joy of being filled with God’s Holy Spirit and being in unity with our Heavenly Father through the sacrificed blood of His Only Begotten Son is the greatest fulfillment anyone can know. We were created to have fellowship with God. The greatest financial gain this world offers can not compare with the riches offered in Christ. He’s reaching out His arms that were pinned to a rugged cross for our sins, and calling out to all, “Come to Me all you who thirst!,” so that if anyone would believe in Him they should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

The story of St. Patrick – Missionary to Ireland by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

“Terrified the Irish raiders would spot him, the youth hid at wood’s edge as he watched eager flames consume his family’s house. Suddenly powerful hands jerked his arms behind him. Coarse ropes burned his wrists. He and dozens of others were herded to boats grounded in the cove. He was now a slave.

The sixteen-year-old watched his whole way of life slip away as the rhythmic oarbeats pushed the boats steadily west. A British nobleman’s son, he’d had it easy enough. He hadn’t cared much for school, preferring to go off with his friends. Christianity didn’t mean much to him either. His father was a deacon in the village church, but Pat knew he held that office more for tax advantage than out of love for God.

The sound of pebbles crunching beneath the hull signaled their arrival. Yanked from the boat, he was thrust into a guarded pen to await sale.

From Slavery to Salvation

Young Patrick was finally bought by Miliucc, one of the pagan chieftain-kings. For the trip to the king’s lands, the lad was assigned to a short-tempered soldier who would shout strange words, angry that Pat didn’t understand. Not until they reached a crude stone barn and thatched hut did the man untie him.

The gruff king’s herdsman who took charge of him didn’t hesitate to curb the boy’s lazy ways with a stout cudgel. Pat’s job was to care for a large flock of sheep belonging to the king. Night and day he spent out on the mountain pastures. At least the sheep became his friends. Talking to them somehow soothed his heartache.

He also began to talk to the God his Christian grandfather had told him about. The despair of slavery and solitude of the mountain compelled him to reach out. “Our Father, which art in heaven,” he began hesitantly, “hallowed be Thy name. . . .” The words recited in childhood now became a cherished prayer.

Later, in his short Confession, he described it this way: “Many times a day I prayed. The love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. In a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many in the night. I used to get up for prayer before daylight whatever the weather–snow, frost, rain– without suffering any ill effects. The spirit within me was fervent.”

Six long years of servitude on that rain-swept mountain forged the boy into God’s man. Then one night he heard a voice: “Soon you will go to your own country.” God was speaking. The voice came again. “See, your ship is ready.”

That night he fled. Assured God was leading him, Pat plunged through the bogs and scaled the mountains which separated him from the sea, avoiding roads lest he be discovered.

After a 200-mile trek he saw the ship, making ready to sail. Finding the captain, he requested passage. His family would repay the fare, Pat promised. The surly captain refused. As Pat slowly retraced his steps along the beach, he prayed again. “You led me to this ship, O Lord. I know you won’t fail me now.” Suddenly he heard the whish of feet sprinting in the sand behind him. “Young man,” a sailor called. “The captain says we’ll take you after all. But hurry! The tide is in.” God had heard.

The voyage took three days, but when they landed– probably on the coast of France–they saw no people, only a desolate wilderness. For almost a month they sought food. The pagan captain who had mocked Pat’s faith finally sought him out. “You say your God is great and all-powerful? Then pray for us.” Pat was bold. “Be truly converted with all your heart to the Lord my God,” he answered. “Nothing is impossible for Him.” Suddenly a herd of pigs scrambled across the road. The hungry seamen were faster. Food at last! Within a few days they also came upon civilization.

Before returning home, Patrick sought out the famous French bishop, Germanus of Auxerre. Here the young man he developed a lifelong love for the Scriptures which Patrick came to know so well.

When he finally reached home in Britain, “my people received me as their son,” Patrick recalled, “and sincerely begged me not to leave them.” But it was not to be. Late one night he beheld a vision that changed his life: “I saw a man named Victoricus, coming from Ireland with countless letters. He gave me one of them, and I read the opening words which were: ‘The voice of the Irish . . .’ I thought at the same moment I heard their voice: ‘We beg you, young man, come and walk among us once more.’” He must return to Ireland.

 

Confronting the Dark Powers

When Patrick began his mission about 430 A.D., Ireland was gripped by paganism. Druid priests performed human and animal sacrifices to appease the local gods. They practiced spiritism and black magic through incantations and occult rituals. Idolatry prevailed. The Irish knew nothing of Jesus.

Patrick decided to go first to the pagan king who had enslaved him as a youth. He would buy his freedom and tell him of Jesus. But when old Miliucc heard that Patrick was coming to convert him, he gathered all his goods around him and set fire to his house as a great funeral pyre. He would die with honor in the ancient way rather than subject himself to his slave’s religion. Patrick, arriving as smoke still rose from smoldering ruins, was shattered. The first Irish convert he sought had committed suicide. “Why,” cried Patrick to his companions, “would this king consign himself to the flames to avoid believing at the end of his life? Only God knows.”

 

For the demonic power over this land to be broken, a greater power must prevail. Satan had won the first round, but Patrick would challenge him at his stronghold –Tara– seat of the high king Loegaire and his two evil druid priests, Lochru and Lucetmael. Tara was filled with many local kings, generals, nobility, and druids who were attending the pagan feast of Beltine which coincided with Easter that year. Patrick encamped in full view of the castle to celebrate the Resurrection of his Christ.

On the eve of the pagan festival it was the custom, upon penalty of death, that the high king should light the first bonfire before any others in the land. Patrick, however, had kindled a great fire which gleamed through the darkness to the inhabitants of the plain as well as all those gathered in the hilltop castle.

“Sacrilege!” cried Loegaire. “Let him be put to death!” But the druids pronounced a foreboding word: “O king, live forever. This fire will never be put out unless it is put out this night on which it has been lit. He who lit the fire and the coming kingdom by which it was lit will overcome us all.” “Not so!” shouted the king. He yoked twenty-seven chariots for the druids, kings, and other guests, and drove for Patrick’s fire.

The missionary was summoned before the king. Only one man rose to honor Patrick; the rest sat in stony silence. The confrontation which followed is as amazing as Elijah’s victory over the prophets of Baal.

 

The druid Lochru started to insult Patrick viciously and to slander the Christian faith in the most arrogant terms. A holy boldness took hold of Patrick. His eyes locked with the pagan priest’s as truth confronted darkness. Sensing God’s presence he shouted: “O Lord, who can do all things, who sent me here: May this wicked man who blasphemes Your name be carried up out of here and die straightway!” An unseen Power suddenly flipped the evil priest into the air and crashed him to the ground, his skull shattering against a rock. “Seize him!” the enraged king sputtered. Patrick stood and called, “May God arise and His enemies be scattered!” Darkness suddenly fell on the camp. Confused guards began to attack one another. The ground shook and frightened horses galloped off, smashing the chariots. A terrified king knelt before Patrick, though his eyes still flashed in anger.

Easter morning Patrick and his five companions marched into the castle and entered the king’s banquet hall. A contest with the remaining druid, Luctmael, ended in the magician’s fiery death. Patrick faced King Loegaire boldly. “Unless you believe now, you will soon die, for God’s wrath will come down upon your head.” That day a broken king knelt before God’s servant.

This confrontation between Patrick’s God and demonic forces marked the beginning of a thirty-year mission to Ireland. Danger and hardship remained his constant companions. Many sought his life. Twice he was imprisoned by his enemies–once for two full months. Intimidated? Not Patrick. “Daily I expect murder, fraud, or captivity,” he wrote, “but I fear none of these things because of the promises of heaven. I have cast myself into the hands of God Almighty who rules everywhere.”

The victory at Tara earned Patrick a reputation. Yet Ireland, dotted with scores of tiny, warring kingdoms, must be won step by step. Approaching a royal castle, Patrick would offer presents of money and fine gifts to secure an audience with the local king. Then he would tell the king and his family the wonderful news of Jesus’ salvation from sin, His death on the cross, His resurrection from the dead. If the king gave his blessing, Patrick was free to preach throughout the realm. Despite fierce opposition from the druids, castle after castle became an outpost of the kingdom of God.

 

There was something about Patrick’s exuberant faith and steadfast character that attracted these warlike kings. Once he asked Daire, king of Armagh, for a hilltop site on which to build a church. The man offered a spot on lower ground instead. Undaunted, Patrick began to build. One day Daire sent him a valuable three gallon bronze pot, imported from the Continent. “Thanks be to God,” the missionary said. Daire raged when he heard of Patrick’s response. “Stupid man! Doesn’t he have any more grateful words for my gift than ‘Thanks be to God’?” He sent his servants to demand the pot’s return. “Thanks be to God, take it away,” was all Patrick would say. Daire was so astonished by the missionary’s humble reply that he came to the construction site himself. “This place isn’t good enough for your church, Holy Man. You wanted the Ridge of the Willows? I give it to you and to your God.”

Thirty years he tramped the roads and forded the rivers of that green land to see men and women “reborn in God” and come to know the Christ he loved so much. “We ought to fish well and diligently, as our Lord exhorts,” he wrote. “Hence, we spread our nets so that a great multitude and throng might be caught for God.”

By the time of his death he had baptized tens of thousands and established hundreds of churches throughout Ireland. Within a century this once pagan land became predominately Christian, possessing such a vigorous faith that Ireland in turn sent out missionaries to Scotland, England, France, Germany, and Belgium.

As an old man, Patrick looked back in awe.

“Those who never had a knowledge of God but worshipped idols and things impure, have now become a people of the Lord, sons of God.”

The old saint died in his beloved Ireland, March 17th, about 460 A.D. The land which once enslaved him, he had set free.” 

From Wikipedia – St. Patrick used the shamrock –the 3-heart shaped plant, to explain the trinity to his converts: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are One God in three persons.

ALL SUFFICIENT GOD

O lord of grace,

The world is before me this day,

And I am weak and fearful,

But I look to thee for strength;

If I venture forth along I stumble and fall,

But on the Beloved’s arms I am firm as the eternal hills;

If left to the treachery of my heart I shall shame thy name.

But if enlightened, guided, upheld by Thy Spirit,

I shall bring Thee glory.

Be Thou my arm to support, my strength to stand,

and my light to see, my feet to run,

my shield to protect, my sword to repel.

To enrich me will not diminish Thy fullness;

All Thy loving kindness is in Thy Son.

I bring Him to Thee in the arms of faith,

I urge His saving name as the One who died for me.

I plead His blood to pay my debts of wrong,

accept His worthiness for my unworthiness,

His sinlessness for my transgressions,

His purity for my uncleanness,

His sincerity for my guile,

His truth for my deceits,

His meekness for my pride,

His constancy for my backslidings,

His love for my enmity,

His fullness for my emptiness,

His faithfulness for my treachery,

His obedience for my lawlessness,

His glory for my shame,

His holy life for my unchaste ways,

His righteousness for my dead works,

His death for my life.

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.  Proverbs 25:11

 

Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard.  A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored His name.  ‘They will be Mine,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘in the day when I make up My treasured possession.  I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.  And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”          Malachi 3:16-18

 

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not far when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.   The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it?  I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve. . . . Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed, save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.”                 Jeremiah 17:7-10, 14

 

 

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD . . . You’re my Rock, You’re my Strength, You’re my Redeemer, You’re my Life, You’re my Song, You’re my Jesus – Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD.    

 

 

     

Thank You, Heavenly Father for Your forgiveness of our sin through the blood of Christ.  You gave us everything we need for life and Godliness in Jesus.  It cost You so much, it was a great sacrifice You gave to give up Your only begotten Son on the cross to pay for our sin debt . . . a debt we can never pay . . . a debt that required sinless blood to be shed . . . . a debt that only Jesus could pay . . .

Exodus 32:30 “The next day Moses said to the people, ‘You have committed a terrible sin, but I will return to the LORD on the mountain.  Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for you.’

 

Nehemiah 9:17 “They refused to listen and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they rebelled and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and full of unfailing love and mercy. You did not abandon them,

 

Psalm 51:14  Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.

 

Psalm 130:4  But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

 

Jeremiah 36:7  Perhaps even yet they will turn from their evil ways and ask the LORD’s forgiveness before it is too late. For the LORD’s terrible anger has been pronounced against them.”

 

Luke 1:77  You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.

 

Luke 17:4   Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.”

 

Luke 24:47  With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: `There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.’

 

Acts 2:38  Peter replied, “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

Acts 13:38  “Brothers, listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins.

 

Acts 26:18  to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’

 

Romans 5:15  And what a difference between our sin and God’s generous gift of forgiveness. For this one man, Adam, brought death to many through his sin. But this other man, Jesus Christ, brought forgiveness to many through God’s bountiful gift.

 

Romans 6:1  Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more kindness and forgiveness?

 

Hebrews 9:22  In fact, we can say that according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified by sprinkling with blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.

 

James 5:20  you can be sure that the one who brings that person back will save that sinner from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

 

Jude 1:4  I say this because some godless people have wormed their way in among you, saying that God’s forgiveness allows us to live immoral lives. The fate of such people was determined long ago, for they have turned against our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

These verses speak of God’s forgiveness.  Each verse offers a piece of the big picture.  When all of the verses are considered, a fuller understanding of God’s forgiveness is seen;  Scripture supporting Scripture. In these verses we see our sin against a Holy God who loves us and calls us to repent, and offers His forgiveness for our sin through the blood of Christ dripping from Jesus’ one extended pierced hand on the cross to the other.

 

Thank You for Your love shown on the cross . . . and everything that You have given to us  . . . the treasures of Your word that teach us more about You. . . the gift of Your Holy Spirit Who lives within us and points us toward Jesus . . . You have the whole world in the palm of Your hand . . . yet You consider us and know everything about each and ever person who was ever born . . . even those who didn’t live past the womb . . . yet they were real people to You . . . unformed babies whom You’ve receive into Heaven to be with You . . . for You said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven’ . . . and You have such great compassion on those who are needy and who call out to You as their only hope . . . May we all see our great need for You and for Your forgiveness in our life every day  . . . as we start the new year, may it be with renewed hope in You and a love for Your word that helps us draw closer to You.  Thank You Heavenly Father for the very best Gift ever given from all the gifts that have ever been given in the span of all time in the whole world . . Your Gift tops them all – it’s truly the Gift that keeps on giving . . . Thank You!I love You, Lord Jesus – in Your name I pray.  Amen.

 

Psalm 27: 4 – 8

King David’s prayer and hope in God:

 

One thing i ask of the LORD,

This is what i seek:

 

that i may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

 

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to seek Him in His temple.

 

For in the day of trouble

He will keep me safe in His dwelling;

 

He will hide me

in the shelter of His tabernacle

and set me high upon a rock.

 

Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;

 

at His tabernacle will i sacrifice

with shouts of joy;

i will sing

and make music

to the LORD.

 

Hear my voice

when i call, O LORD;

Be merciful to me

and answer me.

 

My heart says to YOU, “Seek His face!”

YOUR face, LORD, i will seek.

Our Dear Heavenly Father;

Thank YOU for this new day

and for the sun that is always shining.

Thank YOU that YOU have designed the sun

to beam down it’s rays upon us 

to provide us with warmth and light. 

Thank YOU that YOU are always thinking of us

with love in YOUR heart.

Thank YOU that YOU see our needs.

Thank You that You have made provision

for our greatest need: 

to be set free from our sin,

 from the bondage of our sin

and the consequences of our sin 

against YOU.

Thank YOU that YOU have given us

YOUR holy Word that warns us

that the payment for our sin

against YOU is death.

Thank YOU that YOU are merciful,

as well as holy and just.

Thank YOU that in YOUR loving grace

YOU’VE planned ahead of time

to provide a way for all to be saved.

 Thank YOU that YOU teach us

in YOUR holy word that there is a place

that YOU have reserved for the devil

and the fallen angels

who have rebelled against YOU. 

Thank YOU that YOU have warned us

in YOUR holy Word of this place of torment

where those who die in their sin  must go

because they have rejected YOU

by rejecting YOUR free Gift of Salvation

through faith in Christ alone. 

Thank YOU that YOU’VE warned us

that in this place of sepatation from YOU

 there will be gnashing of teeth

and eternal torment in the lake of fire: 

there is place for punishment of sin called hell. 

Thank YOU that YOU also encourage us 

in YOUR holy Word

that there is also a place

where YOU live in Heaven:

 A place of majestic wonder,

a place where YOUR glory is seen

and where all will live in perfect holiness

and worship YOU around YOUR throne.

Thank YOU that YOU have told us

in YOUR holy Word

that YOU are preparing mansions in Heaven

for all who would come to YOU by faith.

Thank YOU that YOU have provided

YOUR free Gift of Salvation from sin,

from death and the torments of hell

for all who will come to YOU in faith.

Thank You that You have sent Jesus

from Heaven to live among us.

Thank YOU that YOU chose

for Jesus to be born of a virgin,

a woman untouched sexually by a man, 

as a sign to show YOUR power over all things.

Thank YOU that YOU prophesied

about Jesus’ coming long before He came,

so that those who were looking

for YOUR promised Messiah

would know, without a doubt,

that Jesus is Emmanuel: God with us!

Thank YOU that YOU provided

Jesus to be the Savior of the world!

Thank YOU that YOU chose Mary

to serve YOU as YOUR humble handmaiden.

Thank YOU that YOU sent the angel Gabriel

to Mary and Joseph ahead of time

to prepare them for the work

YOU planned for them to do,

as they physically raised Jesus

in the everyday chores of parenting.

Thank YOU that Jesus understood

the sufferings and life of humanity.

Thank YOU that YOU are

good in all of YOUR ways.

Thank YOU that YOU are merciful,

 YOU are just, and YOU are forgiving.

Thank YOU that YOU chose

for baby Jesus to be born

into a poor family who lived

in the town of Nazareth;

a town with a bad reputation.

Thank YOU that YOU chose

to have virgin Mary’s pregnancy

of baby Jesus 

be a scandalous event

in the community of Nazareth

where the people who lived there

knew Mary and Joseph. 

Thank YOU that YOU chose

for Mary and Joseph

to suffer persecution 

through their obedience to YOU 

by perhaps being shunned

or treated as pagans

when it appeared that Mary

was with child out of wedlock.

Thank YOU that YOU chose

for Mary and Joseph

to be separated from the comforts

of home and family

when YOU brought baby Jesus into the world.

Thank YOU that YOU chose

for Mary and Joseph

to be totally dependant upon YOU

for YOUR provisions and their safety.

Thank YOU that YOU knew

there would be no room with a bed 

for Mary to give birth to baby Jesus

when they arrived in Bethlehem. 

Thank YOU that YOU chose

to have baby Jesus born in a humble,

dirty stable or cave 

where the smelly animals

like sheep and camels stayed. 

Thank YOU that YOU chose

for Jesus’ very first bed 

to be the animal’s feeding trough. 

Thank YOU that YOU sent Jesus,

Who shared Heaven with YOU

and even YOUR own holy nature,

to come to earth as a man,

to live a perfect, holy life,

then to go to the cross

to be the perfect Lamb of God

Who takes away the sin of the world. 

Thank YOU that YOU came to us YOURSELF!

Thank YOU that YOU care about us so much.

Thank YOU that we may know YOU.

Thank YOU that we may receive

YOUR forgiveness of our sin

and salvation for our souls

though Jesus’ sacrificial blood

shed on the cross for our sin.

Thank YOU for all

YOU’VE sacrificed to save us:

by sending Jesus,

YOUR only begotten Son,

to pay for our sin debt

to prove YOUR love for us

that we may be set free

from sin and death,

once for all.  

Thank YOU that YOUR ways

are not like our human ways.

Thank YOU that YOU are good

in ALL of YOUR ways. 

Thank YOU that YOU never change.

Thank YOU that YOU are holy.

Thank YOU that Jesus never sinned.

Thank YOU that Jesus 

is the perfect expression of YOU. 

Thank YOU for Jesus’ example

of obedience to YOUR will,

even when it was very hard for Him

to go to the cross

and take our punishment

upon Himself.

But because He loves YOU

and because He loves us,

He willingly chose to go.

Thank YOU that YOU call us to come to YOU.

Thank YOU that YOU live in our hearts by faith. 

Thank YOU that YOU speak into our lives.

Thank YOU for the wonderful joy and

glory of knowing YOU.

Thank YOU that we can call you

‘Abba Father’ and YOU call us friends.

Thank YOU that YOU have made

provision for us

to come to YOU in prayer.

Thank YOU that YOU

call us YOUR inheritance.

Thank YOU that YOU

have provided a mansion

for us in Heaven with YOU.

Thank YOU for songs of worship and praise

that come from our truly humbled

and grateful hearts 

that we may bless YOU continually.

Thank YOU for the wonderful ways

YOU bless us everyday.

 

Thank YOU for the best Gift ever given.

Thank YOU for Jesus!

Thank YOU for the wonderful hope

and secure peace YOU’VE given us in Christ

so that all who will receive Him by faith may 

‘Have A True Merry CHRISTmas!’

In Jesus’ Holy Name we give YOU thanks.

Amen.