I do not like chain letters and I received one today that I really did not agree with. Not because it was wrong per say but because I believe it was not in the right perspective according to being a christian and a patriot.
Chain Letter:
Fwd: I will be surprised if I get three returns - Please shock me!
I know there are some of you that are Democratic, and love Obama, but this is
for Christians first, politics later. I do pray that it doesn't offend anybody with the truth of the message, but it has to be sent. If you love your Lord first and your politics later, then you will appreciate this message.
When we get 100,000,000, that's one hundred million willing Christians to BOND together, voice their concerns and vote, we can take back America with God's help. Become one of the One hundred million. Then let's get 200 million. It can be done just by sending this email to your friends. Do the math. It only takes a single willing heart and a fed up SOUL. God Bless America and Shine your light on Her!
In 1952 President Truman Established one day a year as a "National Day of Prayer."
In 1988 President Reagan Designated the first Thursday in May of each year as The National Day of Prayer.
In June 2007 (then) Presidential Candidate Barack Obama Declared that the USA "Was no longer a Christian nation”. I didn’t vote for that?!
In 2009 President Obama Canceled the 21st annual National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House under the ruse of "not wanting to offend anyone" I’m pretty offended by the slaughter of innocent men, women & children!!
HOWEVER... On September 25, 2009 From 4 AM until 7 PM, A National Day of Prayer FOR THE MUSLIM RELIGION Was Held on Capitol Hill, inside the White House. There were over 50,000 Muslims In D.C. that day. PRESIDENT OBAMA PRAYED WITH THE MUSLIMS! And let’s not forget the recent “conference” that didn’t include too many Christian leaders! I guess it doesn't matter if "Christians" were offended by this event - We obviously don't count as "anyone" anymore.
Now President Obama is encouraging schools to teach the Quran for extra credit, while at the same time, they cannot even talk about the Bible, God, pray, or salute the American Flag.
The direction this country is headed should strike fear in the heart of every Christian, particularly after yesterday’s vote by the supreme court and with Obama lighting up the White House last night in rainbow colors. Pathetic.
Send this to ten people, or even one hundred and ten!
And, send it to the person who Sent it to you!.. To let them know that indeed, it was sent out to many more.
My Reply:
Brothers and sisters in Christ and fellow patriots,
I love you because you are my brothers and sisters and I feel I need to give you the courtesy as to why I will not forward this chain letter on. I do not participate in chain letters because all it does is perpetuate someones hate and as a christian I will not continue the hate. My wife and I have taken full heed of what Jesus said are the greatest commandments in Matthew 22.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The bible in so many places says that Christians will be persecuted here are a few.
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
John 15:18 If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
1 Corinthians 4:12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
1 Thessalonians 3:4 For truly, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and you know.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Hebrews 10:33 Partly, whilst you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst you became companions of them that were so used.
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you:
1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
It quite literally breaks my heart that christians are being persecuted and that our country persecutes christians. Every time I read a story about christians being persecuted my heart pounds in my chest. I whole heartedly take that persecution and return love because that is the only way that Jesus' love can be spread throughout this country and this world. I do not care what the government does until it tries to force me to do something God has told me through the bible is sin. The issue of gay marriage it is what the world is telling us. Christians from the beginning of christianity have not followed what the world tells us (or at least we shouldn't since many do). In fact I see the issue of gay marriage a test of how faithful we are as christians to God "love thy neighbor as yourself." Wouldn't it be so much better for us to accept everyone as they are "broken," as written in Romans 3:10 "No one is righteous--not even one." We all have sinned we all should be condemned to death. If we do not show the love of Jesus Christ we will never be able to glorify the kingdom of God.
As for all the rest that is in the chain letter it is about the world, not about being christian. As a patriot of this nation who literally went to war for this country I hold to the foundation of our country. As christians in this country we are no more entitled than anyone else. This country yes was founded by many who would call themselves christians but they were also persecuted for their faith in their home countries which is why this country was founded with a separation of church and state. As an american I should not expect my faith or any other faith or unfaith for that matter be put in front of the other. The fact that our country seems to love thy neighbor better than many christians should quite literally hurt us deeply. If Jesus were here today (which would be glorious since the end would be near) he would not squabble about this country not giving preference to christians he would tell the truth that through him is the only way to God and do it by loving everyone. Love is the only way to win over anyone's heart not hate. Hate just separates. We must show the love of Jesus Christ to allow people to start accepting him and then let Jesus through the Holy Spirit change the person from the inside out.
I love you my brothers and sisters.