Message summary: God's Word is ageless in truth and righteousness; God will not be mocked. Righteousness exalts a nation and lifts it up. We believe it's what made America great. And it's most certainly an essential key to making America great again. Sin brings disgrace and reproach; it destroys. May God help our country!

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"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). "Render therefore to all their dues" (Romans 13:7).

Today is President's Day, a holiday for some here in America, but for many others just another regular workday. We both recall our elementary years when we honored two presidents in February; George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. we don't believe it was a holiday in the sense of school being closed, or people who work for Uncle Sam getting a day off. We do remember that we truly studied these two leaders and the positive contributions they made to our country. Rather than celebrating their individual birthdays every February, in 1968 the generic term "President's Day" began commemorating all presidents.

It's a day when we are to honor our presidents, although we really doubt that too many people actually honor or give it much thought. Many more likely associate it with another day off, a shopping spree or buying a new car.

We assert that not all of our presidents have been worthy of lasting honor. Just as some kings  did right in the eyes of the Lord and other kings did evil so it is with presidents in our country.

God's Word is ageless in truth and righteousness; God will not be mocked. Righteousness exalts a nation and lifts it up. We believe it's what made America great. And it's most certainly an essential key to making America great again. Sin brings disgrace and reproach; it destroys. May God help our country!

We look well back into history to observe these two leaders in honor of this President's Day.

George Washington stated, "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society." Would Washington have ever imagined a time when the posting of the "Ten Commandments" or mention of God and the Bible would be illegal in the schools of our land and yet our children would be provided with graphic literature on how to practice "safe sex"?

Abraham Lincoln said, "All things desirable to men are contained in the Bible." He also said, "I am not concerned whether God is on my side or not, but I am concerned whether I am on God's side." "Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing". In our age we believe there has been such fogginess in moral discernment that many simply can't distinguish between the shadow and the tree.

Today we render these two men "their dues" as they served our country honorably and sacrificially. Of course Lincoln gave the ultimate sacrifice of his life. Looking back at their leadership, their integrity, their principles based upon Scripture let us heed their wise advice and pray for our current leadership. We need a president like Josiah!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber:

Daily prayer: Father, Your Word directs us to pray for those who have authority over us which includes parents of minors, workplace supervisors, church leadership, and governmental officials including our president. Their guidance is critical to our lives; their discernment, judgment, and character are paramount to good, sound leadership that will benefit those whom they govern as well as those who follow in their steps. We pray that wrong doing will be exposed and expunged; that wise judgment and good cooperation will lead to helpful legislation bringing about laws that not only benefit the people of our land but also honor Your ancient and timeless Laws. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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Abe Lincoln wrote in a letter to Eliza Gurney on Sept. 4, 1864: "The purposes of the Almighty are perfect, and must prevail, though we erring mortals may fail to accurately perceive them in advance. We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible war long before this; but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise. We shall yet acknowledge His wisdom and our own error therein. Meanwhile we must work earnestly in the best light He gives us, trusting that so working still conduces to the great ends He ordains. Surely He intends some great good to follow this mighty convulsion, which no mortal could make, and no mortal could stay."

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We shared about English Muffin bread that Brooksyne made several weeks ago and had a request for the recipe.

English Muffin Bread Recipe  This is one of the easiest and quickest breads to make since there is no kneading. I had only regular yeast so it took two risings. The bread stays fresh for several days, freezes nicely and is delicious toasted. I used bread flour but next time I'm going to mix with 1/2 white flour and 1/2 whole grain. It's a great recipe even for the novice baker resulting in four generous loaves of homemade bread.