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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/july-1-2024 July 1, 2024 Tennessee Leads the Way If the open border, fentanyl flowing through it causing hundreds of thousands of deaths, human trafficking, moral depravity, violence, poverty, and numerous other woes haven’t yet awakened Americans, perhaps seeing their leader in last Thursday’s presidential debate will. (On Friday, I posted a “Give Him 15 Extra” with my response.) Years ago, I saw a humorous double-billed cap, one bill pointing slightly left, the other right. Written across the top was, “I’m the leader; which way did they go?” Suddenly, it’s no longer funny. It is sad. If anyone has doubted that God is humbling our nation, think again. And if you doubted the assertion that we are past the point of recovering on our own, surely you now know better. America is ill, terminally ill. The roots of the illness are spiritual, and only God can heal us. The state of Tennessee agrees with this. Tennessee State Senator Mark Pody and Representative Monty Fritts sent a letter to the pastors of their state last week, asking that they join state leaders in “a 30-day season of prayer and intermittent fasting for the month of July as a means of humbling ourselves to receive God’s grace, mercy, and blessing in Tennessee and our Nation.” House Joint Resolution 803 passed with an overwhelming 27-1 vote in the Senate and an 82-6 vote in the House and was signed into law by Governor Lee on April 16, 2024. Pody and Fritts continued, “This document embodies a bipartisan recognition that the issues we are facing cannot be effectively addressed without the intervention and favor of our Lord. “We are respectfully inviting you to join with us in leading the people of God across Tennessee into a time of humbling ourselves, praying, seeking God’s Face, and repentance during July. Let us model for those who are not called by His Name a better way to bring about the positive changes we so desperately need. How do we do this? On Sunday, June 30, [yesterday] read or have HJR803 read in our church services; Examine our lives in light of God’s Word and confess of our sins; Acknowledge that we, as the Church, have failed to stand for the principles of God, ask for His Forgiveness and Mercy, and commit to stand firmly on those principles going forward; For those who are able, join in prayer and intermittent fasting as a means of demonstrating our desire for repentance. “On July 1 [that is today], we plan to begin a journey to all 95 counties in Tennessee, visiting courthouses and places of worship in order to read the Resolution, profess the need for repentance, and join in prayer together. We are convinced that this Resolution must be more than a legislative act and piece of paper.”(1) Amazing. Watch and see. God will surely respond to this action. I’ve heard and seen quite a few proclamations of a day of prayer and fasting, but I’ve never seen one lasting a month. I say again. God will respond. Here is the proclamation in its entirety. It is so well written, I’m going to read all of it: “A RESOLUTION to seek God’s hand of mercy healing on Tennessee. “WHEREAS, our State and Nation suffer from violence committed upon our citizens by our citizens; and “WHEREAS, our State and Nation suffer from violence committed upon our citizens by non-citizens; and “WHEREAS, acts of violent crime in our schools are unacceptable; and “WHEREAS, human trafficking is an unacceptable and violent evil in our State, enslaving lives and violating the core values of our Creator-endowed rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and “WHEREAS, drug addiction overwhelms our families, our government finances, our workforce productivity, as well as our healthcare and our law enforcement resources; and “WHEREAS, deadly fentanyl flows uncontrollably across our southern U.S. border, resulting in the deaths of Tennesseans; and “WHEREAS, Driving Under the Influence, drunk driving, results in great pain and injury for Tennessee families; and “WHEREAS, we have approximately 9,000 children in need of foster care, indicating a brokenness in many Tennessee homes; and “WHEREAS, evidence of corruption in our federal government stands to impact every Tennessean; and “WHEREAS, our National and State Founders trusted in the omnipotent hand of Providence to guide and bless our land; and “WHEREAS, over decades, these leaders called our people to seek out the Creator’s favor by issuing proclamations like the one from John Adams on April 15, 1799: “[This day] be observed throughout the United States of America as a day of solemn humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that the citizens on that day abstain, as far as may be, from their secular occupation, and devote the time to the sacred duties of religion, in public and in private; that they call to mind our numerous offenses against the most high God, confess them before Him with the sincerest penitence, implore His pardoning mercy, through the Great Mediator and Redeemer, for our past transgressions, and that through the grace of His Holy Spirit, we may be disposed and enabled to yield a more suitable obedience to His righteous requisitions in time to come; that He would interpose to arrest the progress of that impiety and licentiousness in principle and practice so offensive to Himself and so ruinous to mankind; that He would make us deeply sensible that ‘righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.’ [Proverbs 14:34]; and “WHEREAS, we hold that our Founders correctly acknowledged Truth in their words; and “WHEREAS, we hold that “Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watches but in vain” (Psalm 127:1); now, therefore, “BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that the period of July 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024, be recognized as a time of prayer and fasting in Tennessee. “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we recognize that God, as Creator and King of all Glory, has both the authority to judge and to bless nations or states. “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we, as public servants in the Tennessee General Assembly, seek God’s Mercy upon our land and beseech Him to not withdraw His Hand of blessing from us. “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we recognize our sins and shortcomings before Him and humbly ask His Forgiveness. “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we ask the Lord Jesus to heal our land and remove the violence, human-trafficking, addiction, and corruption. “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we ask that the Holy Spirit fill our halls of government, our classrooms, our places of business, our churches, and our homes with peace, love, and joy. “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call upon all those who are physically able and spiritually inclined to do so to join in a thirty-day season of prayer and intermittent fasting as we begin a new fiscal year as a means of seeking God’s blessing and humbling ourselves to receive His Grace and Mercy, transforming ourselves, our communities, our State, and our Nation.”(2) Pray with me: Father, we join with the great state of Tennessee in humbling ourselves before You. What fools we Americans became by rejecting and dishonoring You, our Creator, Savior, and Lord. You said regarding those who reject You: “Although claiming to be wise, they were, in fact, shallow fools. For only a fool would trade the unfading splendor of the immortal God to worship the fading image of other humans, idols made to look like people, animals, birds, and even creeping reptiles!” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭TPT‬‬) Yet, we have done so, and now are reaping the stealing, killing and destroying of satan. Therefore, we join with Tennesseans today in praying: “We recognize our sins and shortcomings before Him and humbly ask His Forgiveness. “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we ask the Lord Jesus to heal our land and remove the violence, human-trafficking, addiction, and corruption. “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we ask that the Holy Spirit fill our halls of government, our classrooms, our places of business, our churches, and our homes with peace, love, and joy.”(3) In Yeshua’s name we ask, amen. Our decree: “It is because of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed; they are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) ************************* Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------------ https://tennesseestands.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/803-email-packet.pdf https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/HJR0803.pdf Ibid.

6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/march-1-2022 March 1, 2022 Government IS the Problem Last week I was in Washington DC on Presidents Day. I found myself asking God to raise up patriot leaders once again in America. We are in desperate need of God-honoring, wise, commonsensical patriots. Ronald Reagan was one. Today, I am simply sharing with you portions of his First Inaugural Address. ******************* “...We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow. And let there be no misunderstanding--we are going to begin to act, beginning today. “The economic ills we suffer have come upon us over several decades. They will not go away in days, weeks, or months, but they will go away. They will go away because we, as Americans, have the capacity now, as we have had in the past, to do whatever needs to be done to preserve this last and greatest bastion of freedom. “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. “From time to time, we have been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. But if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden. The solutions we seek must be equitable, with no one group singled out to pay a higher price. “We hear much of special interest groups. Our concern must be for a special interest group that has been too long neglected. It knows no sectional boundaries or ethnic and racial divisions, and it crosses political party lines. It is made up of men and women who raise our food, patrol our streets, man our mines and our factories, teach our children, keep our homes, and heal us when we are sick--professionals, industrialists, shopkeepers, clerks, cabbies, and truck drivers. They are, in short, "We the people," this breed called Americans… “So, as we begin, let us take inventory. We are a nation that has a government--not the other way around. And this makes us special among the nations of the Earth. Our Government has no power except that granted it by the people. It is time to check and reverse the growth of government which shows signs of having grown beyond the consent of the governed. “It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the Federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the Federal Government and those reserved to the States or to the people. All of us need to be reminded that the Federal Government did not create the States; the States created the Federal Government. “It is time for us to realize that we are too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams… “We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we are in a time when there are no heroes just don't know where to look. You can see heroes every day going in and out of factory gates. Others, a handful in number, produce enough food to feed all of us and then the world beyond. You meet heroes across a counter--and they are on both sides of that counter. There are entrepreneurs with faith in themselves and faith in an idea who create new jobs, new wealth, and opportunities. They are individuals and families whose taxes support the Government and whose voluntary gifts support church, charity, culture, art, and education. Their patriotism is quiet but deep. Their values sustain our national life… “Can we solve the problems confronting us? Well, the answer is an unequivocal and emphatic ‘yes.’ To paraphrase Winston Churchill, I did not take the oath I have just taken with the intention of presiding over the dissolution of the world's strongest economy… “On the eve of our struggle for independence a man who might have been one of the greatest among the Founding Fathers, Dr. Joseph Warren, President of the Massachusetts Congress, said to his fellow Americans, ‘Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of.... On you depend the fortunes of America. You are to decide the important questions upon which rests the happiness and the liberty of millions yet unborn. Act worthy of yourselves.’ “Well, I believe we, the Americans of today, are ready to act worthy of ourselves, ready to do what must be done to ensure happiness and liberty for ourselves, our children, and our children's children. “And as we renew ourselves here in our own land, we will be seen as having greater strength throughout the world. We will again be the exemplar of freedom and a beacon of hope for those who do not now have freedom… “As for the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it; we will not surrender for it--now or ever. “Our forbearance should never be misunderstood. Our reluctance for conflict should not be misjudged as a failure of will. When action is required to preserve our national security, we will act. We will maintain sufficient strength to prevail if need be, knowing that if we do so we have the best chance of never having to use that strength. “Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have. It is a weapon that we as Americans do have. Let that be understood by those who practice terrorism and prey upon their neighbors. “I am told that tens of thousands of prayer meetings are being held on this day, and for that, I am deeply grateful. We are a nation under God, and I believe God intended for us to be free. It would be fitting and good, I think, if on each Inauguration Day in future years it should be declared a day of prayer. “This is the first time in history that this ceremony has been held, as you have been told, on this West Front of the Capitol. Standing here, one faces a magnificent vista, opening up on this city's special beauty and history. At the end of this open mall are those shrines to the giants on whose shoulders we stand. “Directly in front of me, the monument to a monumental man: George Washington, Father of our country. A man of humility who came to greatness reluctantly. He led America out of revolutionary victory into infant nationhood. Off to one side, the stately memorial to Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration of Independence flames with his eloquence. “And then beyond the Reflecting Pool the dignified columns of the Lincoln Memorial. Whoever would understand in his heart the meaning of America will find it in the life of Abraham Lincoln. “Beyond those monuments to heroism is the Potomac River, and on the far shore the sloping hills of Arlington National Cemetery with its row on row of simple white markers bearing crosses or Stars of David. They add up to only a tiny fraction of the price that has been paid for our freedom… “Under one such marker lies a young man--Martin Treptow--who left his job in a small town barbershop in 1917 to go to France with the famed Rainbow Division. There, on the western front, he was killed trying to carry a message between battalions under heavy artillery fire. “We are told that on his body was found a diary. On the flyleaf under the heading, ‘My Pledge,’ he had written these words: ‘America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.’ “The crisis we are facing today does not require of us the kind of sacrifice that Martin Treptow and so many thousands of others were called upon to make. It does require, however, our best effort, and our willingness to believe in ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform great deeds; to believe that together, with God's help, we can and will resolve the problems which now confront us. “And, after all, why shouldn't we believe that? We are Americans…” (1) **************** Pray with me: Father, today we ask You for restoration of wise and godly leaders in Washington D.C. America is being destroyed from within. Just as Israel, at times, suffered defeats and losses due to evil, unrighteous and unwise leaders, America has been decimated by unworthy leaders. We elect them, so we have what we deserve. But please have mercy and save us from ourselves. Raise up a new breed of patriot leaders in America. Women and men who honor and revere You, have integrity, love life, honor the Constitution, and have common sense. Give us leaders who will help us find the ancient paths. Heal our nation we pray. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen. Our decree: We decree that a new wave of love for God and country is coming to America. ******************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ______________________________________ https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/reagan1.asp 170 likes. Post marked as liked

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaqgr7NZve8 Wm13

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! ONCE YOU'VE READ THIS YOU'LL UNDERSTAND! A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door. It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son.. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him. Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days. "Jack, did you hear me?" "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you.. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said "Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him. "I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said. "You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said "He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him... He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.. As busy as he was, he kept his word.. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.. The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture.....Jack stopped suddenly. "What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked. "The box is gone," he said "What box?" Mom asked.. "There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside.. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said. It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it. "Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom." It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package.. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read. Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was dif ficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read.. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside. "Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box.. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover.. Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! - Harold Belser." "The thing he valued most was...my time" Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked. "I need some time to spend with my son," he said.. "Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"