Letter to our Fellow American Christians, here and abroad
Dear Fellow American Christians, serving in America or abroad:
Some people say the 'American Dream' is a selfish dream. That it does not belong in the life of a Christian.
However, as Christians, we must realize that the real 'American Dream' has been distorted by sin, by the secular world and all the mainstream media that reflect it, imposing all the wrong and distorted ideas on us and on the youth - even in educational institutions!
From the very beginning, the American Dream was formed out of prayer and a desire for freedom, which laid the foundation of the Constitution of the United States.
On July 4, 1776, the unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America (Declaration of Independence) laid out these principles:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Our founding fathers, who wrote the Constitution of this great nation of the United States of America, had godly principles in mind!!!
Our 'America the Beautiful' still possesses enough patriots and Christians who will fight for LIFE, liberty, justice, peace, democracy, and, above all, who will VOTE and exercise their constitutional rights and obligations under a godly perspective!
So, there is nothing wrong with the "American Dream"!!!
No matter where or how we serve, be it as teachers, lawyers, welders, road-construction workers, law-enforcement agents, writers, engineers, nurses, missionaries, soldiers, etc, we all have a place in God's PLAN, and we all participate in the economy and work to serve Him and others in this country and in the world.
Dear Fellow Americans, if you are serving abroad, you and your team missionaries/soldiers/coworkers are living a very important time in your lives now!
The most important thing is to know that we all serve an almighty God, and that we live one day at a time! It is our duty to continue to spread the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, the Good News, and to that purpose, we all are called to THE GREAT COMMISSION!!!
We, your brothers and sisters in Christ and fellow American citizens, will be here when you guys come home, with our arms open, and we know that each and every one of you has talents, skills, and education to continue to be great citizens of this great country in whatever area you choose to serve, always for the glory of our Father! The Lord will show you and each one of your team members how to better serve Him and your country as of your return home!
We, your brothers and sisters in Christ and fellow American citizens, will be here when you guys come home, with our arms open, and we know that each and every one of you has talents, skills, and education to continue to be great citizens of this great country in whatever area you choose to serve, always for the glory of our Father! The Lord will show you and each one of your team members how to better serve Him and your country as of your return home!
Romans 13
Submission to Governing Authorities
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.Love Fulfills the Law
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commands there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.The Day Is Near
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
New International Version (NIV)
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Praise be to our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ, who loves us unconditionally!
God bless you all! And God bless America!