OH FATHER, WHERE ART THOU -"CONSTANT SORROW, GENERATIONS AT RISK"

"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)
Every time there is a senseless act of brutal violence involving young men and boys, we hear the same refrain - "What has happened to our boys"....or some such variation. From Columbine High School in the late 1990's to Broward County in February 2018, the world watches in stunned disbelief. 

In the aftermath of yet another tragedy, the navel-gazing begins. From daytime TV talk shows to even some well-meaning and great conservative talk show hosts across America on cable television and radio, the same type of "expert" comes on to pontificate on theories and even equations. We see a therapist, feminists, psycho-therapists and even a few psychos on the tube with their own theory. In the natural, a fair number of them are actually quite good. One analyst who appears regularly with Tucker Carlson has gotten close to the bullseye a number of times. She is named as a feminist in the caption, but as a mom, she is spot on with the need for boys to have positive male role models.

Still - NOT ONE - of these seemingly qualified professionals ever gets close enough to the real cause of this epidemic of hopelessness, hate and self-destruction. But on second thought, why should they? Why should primarily secular professionals in psychology or academia or politics be convinced of the one big cause of the sickness of these last two generations? Why should they when the people who have the answers - American pastors and preachers - stay silent. We can understand the superstar megachurch or parachurch ministry rich guys zipping it, as they're too busy trying not to offend anyone, less their coffers take a hit, or they don't get invited on Fox or some other channel anymore. But scan any church website for topics of sermons in the last month, and see how many address the reason for any of this madness. The answer is virtually none.

The reason why young men and boys from the 1980's to present have lost their way, hope and any reason for meaning in life is this - they lack the knowledge of the Giver of Life. Starting with the baby boomers, of which I am one, the slide into narcissism and rank stupidity is amazing. It was not just liberal courts and politicians destroying families by taking God and the Bible out of the equation or making the state their gods. It was churches and movements and yes, men themselves who failed. The reason why television, movies, Hollywood etc made authentic manhood look foolish, unnecessary and no-good could be because the church failed.

Even so, there has always been a remnant of the Men of God - evangelical Christians - who have never deviated from the Call of God, to be Disciples of God. The Jesus Movement of the 1970's, which blew up the west coast and spread all over America gave way to the guys beating bongo in the woods in the 1980's. It was not until the Promise Keepers of the 1990's where most of us men, then in our 40's started finding direction for our lives in Men's Ministry.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it...(Proverbs 22:6)

Many of us grew up without fathers. My own dad died when I was 11 and I was fortunate to have the priests in our Catholic school as our model for men of decency, strength, and morality. But it was the youth minister in my church group, a Presbyterian minister, taking me under his wings, who gave me an opportunity to get a foundation in Jesus through outreach, local missions and playing my guitar. Unfortunately, not many young people are willing to humble themselves to a Cause greater than themselves because culture, community and sadly even in families, they were taught in the last 30-40 years that life was all about them. 

The selfie generation has gone even further inward, adrift on a sea of pluralism in "religion", "spirituality", amoral to the core and even confused about the two genders. When a conservative poll of young EVANGELICALS found that 57% of them believe there are other ways to Heaven than through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Barna), Houston, they have more than a problem.  When the world has 99% of their focus during the week, and if they even go to church, they find fancy coffee, WIFI, no bibles to open instead of on an app or on the jumbo screen behind the preacher. Then you add the rock and roll band playing a 7/11 song (seven words sang eleven times), who would blame them for thinking this social club is really cool! When life happens, watch these same deep-as-a-thimble young people walk completely away from God. 

So what is the answer? It is not that complicated". However, it will take clarity of mind, purpose and 100% commitment. It requires continued hands-on involvement of men like us, who have been in Men's Ministry leadership, on both the local and regional level, to step up. It requires knowledge, Godly wisdom and experience. We are compelled to lay out a process, with an eye to raising masculine, young men who can dream, have to mean in life and still have fun. We know this can work because we have seen it succeed countless times.

We are products of Promise Keepers. Regardless of the flaws of that movement's leaders, the value of Godly manhood to the family, as husbands, fathers, and Christians in the community stuck with us, through the countless awakenings at all those PK conferences. It was there that hundreds of thousands of men discovered the benefit of small groups and accountability to one another. 

Accountability led to responsibility

Responsibility led to action

Being proactive led to risk, but risk is a key element of Faith

Faith led to open hearts and minds

A mind opened by God led to the search for the Knowledge of God

The search led to the Scriptures, the Oracles of God

The Scriptures led to even more open hearts and Passion

Passion rejects passivity

Passivity kills legacy and destroys men and their sons

Passion for God leads to consuming the pages of the Bible

Consuming the pages of the Bible leads to yearning for others to know Him

That yearning leads to love for others burning with the love of God

These are the Two Greatest Commandments - love God, love others

Love never fails, but it must be based on the Truth of the Full Counsel of God

Love without truth, as the world teaches in the flesh - leads to DESTRUCTION

Love with the Way, the Truth and the Life - leads to Eternal Life
Eternal Life secured leads to sanctification of the cured

Sanctification can lead to a heart that breaks for these Generations X, Y, and Z.

These last generations, from their mid-teens now (2018-19) to their late 20's are so very lost and confused. Yet no one will tell them the truth. No one gives them the true hope of Christ, in a meaningful way.  There has never been more Bible Apps, Christian movies, Christian music and on and on...and there has never been more depression, lack of direction and worse in families and young people.  People look at outstanding Christians like Tim Tebow or the Philadephia Eagles' head coach and quarterbacks, and they don't get it. What makes a man like Tebow smile, while being mocked and discarded by a National Football League that celebrates all kinds of disgusting conduct? Tebow is even mocked by others, who could not even spell baseball, for landing in the New York Mets. You know what it is? It is Jesus.

"The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil...Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

While many of us homeschooled our kids until they got to college and went to their sporting or musical events, well, religiously, you know what means the most, when the rolled is called up yonder? What means the most is what we - the men of God, our wives, and the Godly men our sons grew up around - taught them about Jesus. Fortunately, our teaching on Jesus and the Bible, the pure Word of God, lined up with the way we lived in front of our children. 

On Judgment Day before God, when we stand in the Presence of the One Who has the power to send many billions into Hell and eternal separation, we had better have the answer. Those of us who call ourselves Christians should have a good response to the important question. It is that Jesus lived in our home. Leaders of all stripes, whether Christian or not, will stand before the Master - the Judge - The Lord Jesus Christ - and if we did not speak up now, while there is still life....if we did not try to reach the next person God pointed us to with the Gospel....if we did not try to spread the Hope and Love of Jesus.....well, you fill in the blanks. 

We may have lost many who turned from God, but there is still hope to reach those who never even heard of the True Jesus. He is not the One mixed in with eastern mysticism or the surfer boy born in a nativity scene in December. He is the Hope of all the Nations. Those kids in Broward County, hurting and scared....the kids in Connecticut or Colorado or the poor souls in Las Vegas during Fall of 2017, they more than others, need the Gospel of Hope. There is still time to reach one more. Let's not squander it. Let's leave a Legacy. Let's not just pray for our own children to be saved before their teenage years, but do like some of us - pray for our UNBORN grandchildren to be saved as well. Theirs is a very cruel world ahead of them, which hates God. The good news is this: God will always love them. In Jesus' Strong Name, Amen. 
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants..." (Deuteronomy 30:19)

PSALM 103 VERSE 8 - "I AM A FRIEND OF GOD"

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy (Psalm 103:8)

We are given more about all the various attributes, qualities and characteristics of our Heavenly Father in the official prayer book of the Bible – the Psalms than anywhere else in Scripture. Just in the first few verses of this twenty-two verse Psalm, we find so many different blessings to praise God for, it is incredible.  One praise builds on another praise. 

This verse 8, of Psalm 103, though, shows us why God would even put up with people like us, and how we used to live. In fact, some people live close to how they lived BC (before Christ) so much, that you are excused if you and I wonder if they are even saved!

What sort of God would pick a double-crossing, greedy and lustful man to lead His Chosen people (Jacob, who became Israel)?

What kind of God would take a little teenage shepherd boy, make him King, then watch him steal a man’s wife then kill said man (King David)? Then his former shepherd boy repents and not only is he forgiven, but he is restored in right standing before God.

What manner of Divine Being would allow a self-righteous (but brilliant) religious extremist to persecute and kill Christians, then knock him off his horse as he is going to another city to do even worse and makes him the author of over half the New Testament (Apostle Paul)?

What kind of God would look at people like you and me, vile in our sinful life, living amazingly wretched lives, then, would pull us out of the fire, clean us up and set us free?  I will tell you what Kind of God would do all of this – our Father Who art in Heaven! Hallowed, glorious, mighty, worthy and awesome is His Name!! AMEN!

He is the God Who is Merciful, is Who He is. Mercy came running and grabbed us, His prodigal sons and daughters and drew us to Himself.  Mercy means God has the absolute power, potential, and capacity to just annihilate us and who can blame Him? But because of the love, compassion, and forgiveness, He has in His heart – He sent Jesus Christ, God the Son, to be the acceptable sacrifice for our sins. Once we accept Jesus Christ, His finished work on the Cross, and allow Him to be Lord of our lives, God the Father sees us through His eyes. THAT is Mercy. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His mercy endures forever.

He is the God Who is Gracious. That means He is kind, benevolent, charitable, considerate, civil, amiable and just all around nice. In short, God is a gentleman. Through the study of the Word and prayer, we are directed by the Holy Spirit to what we need to do or how we should live. If we chose to not do these things, God will not force us to do them. Sure, it would be better if He did as things will get done,  but we have a certain amount of free will to avail ourselves of His grace and goodness. If we decline, for whatever reason, it is on us. If we run with what He says, the joy and the rewards are incredibly fulfilling.

He is the God Who is slow to anger. Thank You, Lord, for this Truth! Unlike those who follow pagan and other non-existent gods, we have a Heavenly Father Who forgives and the bible says, forgets.  If God were to get angry every time we did something inappropriate, and fly off the handle to smack us down as we deserve, we will be in a constant state of punishment and pain. But He is not so. There is coming a day when all humanity who reject God will be punished forever in a place called Hell, but that is of their own choosing. We may not see the recompense of the wicked in our lifetime. On that, we should NOT focus. What the Bible is teaching us, via the Psalms and Proverbs, is our Father is patient, loving and kind with us, even when we deserve none of it. Many times in Scripture God shows how angry and upset with the vile nature of sin and rebellion He really and truly is. Then in the very next breath (and sentence) He would say “return to Me, declares the Lord”….or “come let us REASON together as men, though your sins be scarlet…..” Do you know any other God? If you do, you have no part in the God Who forgives, loves and is full of kindness.

He abounds in mercy. His love knows no end and His Grace is for a lifetime.  Abraham believed God. He is called a friend of God. This is the very same God Who know stands at the door and knocks and opens His Mighty and protective Arms to all. He is my God. He is my King – today, He can be yours as well...and the Best Friend you will ever have! Amen.

Song- I am a friend of God

NOW, FAITH IS, Part 2: "DIVINE ENCOUNTERS - TRANSFORMED LIVES"

"For by it the men of old gained approval" (Hebrews 11:2)
The title of this series on Hebrews Chapter 11 is “Now Faith Is….”. Apart from the theological definition of Faith in verse 1, Faith is also keeping Faith with the Holy One of Israel. By that, we mean that we glorify our heavenly Father and the King Who sacrificed for us – Jesus Christ – by the way we live our daily lives.  Contrary to the world’s beliefs, the devil is never in the details. God is. 

God is the Author of everything. He is the Pioneer of Perfection and the Purest of them all. He is the High Priest of Heaven and the King of the Universe. There is no daylight between Him and the One of  kind (“Only Begotten”) Son. They, who created everything, every cell in the human body, even atom in the air and every head of cattle on a 1000 hills, deserve our respect, awe, worship and complete Trust, in obedience.

So knowing the incredible, incomparable, inerrant God Who swears by His own Right Arm, since there is no one greater by whom He can swear, it behooves His Elect – the men, women and children called by the Name of Christ (aka Christians) – to live up to and glorify His Name. We do that by keeping our collective and individual noses clean as the Body of Christ.

Hebrews 11 talks about many honorable men and women throughout the Bible who are not named, in THIS chapter, as members of the Heroes Hall of Faith. We all know about Abraham, Moses and Daniel. But who are the someone lesser known ones whose impact changed the course of event and led to the fulfillment of God’s plan all along. There were men like Boaz (Ruth  ) whose honor and kindness towards two widows – one a pagan from Moab who decided to follow Yahweh and a bitter widow named Naomi, was symbolic of Christ like qualities.

Boaz is called a “Kinsman Redeemer”. This man enhanced the reputation of God – the most Holy, loving and kind God of Heaven. We read about it here in Ruth 3:9, "'Who are you?' he asked. 'I am your servant Ruth,' she said. 'Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.'" In the Bible, a Kinsman Redeemer is a male relative described in the Law of God, who is willing to deliver, rescue in time of danger and vindicates a person or relative as Boaz did for Ruth, the daughter in law of his relative Naomi. Who does this sound like? Jesus! He is our Kinsman Redeemer who did all of this and more!

There are other people who did not make the cut in the Hall of Faith later on in Hebrews 11. One of them is, of all people - the brutal Babylonian king and fearsome monarch Nebuchadnezzar! Even before God humbled this extremely proud man, who made others bow to a gold statue of him, Nebuchadnezzar had a fore-taste of what was coming his way. In Daniel 3:28-30. he suddenly proclaimed “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside[f] the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”

He (the king) then said this in Daniel 4:1-2 "King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! 2 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.

Not long after Nebuchadnezzar made this statement, he went back to his proud and egotistical ways! One day he was boasting about all that he had built and done in life to make Babylon the greatest city in the world, when the Lord struck him down and humbled him. God made this once proud king like an animal in the fields, for seven long years.  At the end of it, instead of becoming bitter and angry like most people today would, during long periods of testing and tribulation, Nebuchadnezzar proclaimed the God of the Jews, Yahweh the One True God and said this in Daniel 4:34-35 "At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

This king's reputation was one of a brutal killer but when he turned his nation to Yahweh, he is forever remembered in time as one who turned his nation for a generation, to the God of Heaven. There were many more in Scripture. The rebel prophet Jonah, even though he kicked against the goads and whine endlessly, stayed outside Nineveh until he died. We know this because people from the terrorist state destroyed his tomb in Mosul two years ago! Jonah was revered by people of Islam apparently, as well.

In Romans 16: 13, we read this seemingly insignificant verse: "Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine." Most people will fly right back that name - Rufus. But who is he really? Read Mark 15:21 here: "And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross." The son of the slave whom the Romans commanded to help Jesus carry His cross was now a huge evangelist alongside God's former rebel chosen one - the Apostle Paul. Simon of Cyrene had a close encounter with the Cross and Jesus Himself, Whose blood was all over that Cross, which Simon helped carry, and it changed Simon's life and his family's as well.

In all of this, we see evidence that “men of old gained approval” through their Faith in God.  While Rufus had a story book beginning as the son of the man whose dad is forever listed as he who help Jesus carry the Cross to Calvary,  others like Nebuchadnezzar had horrible beginnings and even terrible impact on their people, but found themselves humbled, forgiven and saved by the Grace, Love and Mercy of God. But examples of men saved by the Power of God, in both the New and Old Testaments, had to come to that point in their own lives – on their own. Judas is 100% proof that people of any age, can hang around the best preacher and minister and/or ministry in the world, and still be lost and go to eternal separation from God (Hell). God has no grandchildren, only children and disciples who follow Him. So it was it was with Rufus, who grew up in the church and Nebuchadnezzar, whose God was himself!

There is nothing new under the sun and what the men of old knew, and what has been true always are the following facts:
- Faith is a gift from God. Nebuchadnezzar saw this with his own eyes and then became the biggest evangelist in the Middle East with the prophet Daniel at his side.
- Faith is personal. The children who grew up in our churches still have to believe, repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord, just like Rufus the son of  Simon the Cyrene.
- Faith is the key to all workmen and women, who serve the Kingdom of God (through Christ) in order to show ourselves approved before God and man.

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 8 (REST)

BIBLE VERSE: Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God's people (Hebrews 4:9)

TRUTH: Nine times in 11 verses from Hebrews chapter 4, verses 1-11, God uses the word “REST”! He goes on to say, through the author of the Book of Hebrews, who will and will not enter into His Rest.  The original word used is not rest per se, but "katapausis" ….which means abode or divine dwelling or in essense, heavenly home. God basically speaks more here about who gets into heaven and His eternal rest. Those of whom He spoke – the Israelite rebels in the desert – perished twice: both in the desert and in eternity.  But because of Jesus and the Cross, we have the opportunity for Salvation and not rank disobedience like the majority of mankind – alive and dead.  

The Christian who is walking closely in all things, with Abba Father, actually has that rest right now! We can feel it – it’s called “the peace that passes ALL understanding”. The world cannot comprehend and Christians in Name Only are baffled by it and ridicule true believers.  The result of all of this? We must do as Verse 11 says “be diligent to enter that rest”. That is – the immediate eternal Sabbath rest of God which actually begins at the point of one’s conversion to a True Christian.

(Image Credit here)

FORTIFIED!

The strong of this world have always over-powered the weak. This is a world, from the fall of mankind into sin, which defines its parameters on Strength, Power and sometimes brute force. This has been so since the dawn of time (as we know it) and the first act of hatred when Cain destroyed his brother Abel. However, for the people of God, it has not always been thus.  The Word of the Lord is full of examples of the people of God, being puny and put upon, yet prevailing under the Power and Provision of victory of God, because they adhered (at the time) to the very Principles of God. There are so many instances, but a main one can be found in Exodus 17 where the Israelites beat the fearsome Amalekites backbecause Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms all day long (Verses 8-16).  Who ever heard of such a thing that a man’s arm being held up guaranteed military victory over a superior fighting force? No one has because it is only because of the intervention and the Strength of the Lord.

That same strength is available today for us, the people of God, if we just let Him have Kingdom Authority over our lives…if we just allow Him to be Who He is – Lord and Savior. We cannot “make” Jesus the Lord of our lives, but we can surrender and submit to His Lordship and live our daily lives, even minute by minute, through and in Christ. This is the difference between being “IN” Christ and “OF Christ”. The majority of western Christianity, including Christians we all know and love, are functioning as a body of people “of Christ”, but are not walking in the full and complete calling and election as a child of the Living God. Read what Ephesians 1:11 says: “In Him, we also have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things  according to the counsel of His will.”

There it is right there – God has given us an inheritance so that “IN HIM” we have all that we need – and that includes His Strength. The question is how, when and/or IF we ever access this Strength. Christians everywhere, including professing cultural Christians who are as deep as a thimble, all love to quote Philippians 4:13. I wear  bracelet myself that verse which says that “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me” (or gives me strength, depending on your translation). But how many of us ever go to Him, surrender our own will, and then say to the Father “Lord, Abba Father, I cannot do this in my own weakness, I need YOU!” It all goes back to the fundamental underlying premise of if we are “IN HIM” or “OF HIM”.

This is NOT a philosophical argument. This is practical Christianity 101 – either you trust Christ, the Creator of the world which is “OF” Him or we, who are called by His Name (Christians) are “IN HIM”. Read therest of Ephesians 1 (click here) if there is any doubt.  

The Lord is our strength when we wake up. 

The Lord is our strength when we lie down. 

The Lord is our strength when we go to the kitchen for breakfast. 

The Lord is our strength when we kiss our spouses and head off to work. The Lord is our strength when we travel on the busy roads and arrive to our destination alive. 

The Lord is our strength to go to the job that HE GOT US. 

The Lord is our strength to help us cope with the tasks involved in that job so we can have the paycheck that is the provision for our very physical existence. The Lord is our strength when you arrive at the lunch hour and even have something to eat. 

The Lord is our strength when we stick out like a sore thumb as the elect in a perishing world of lost co-workers who need HIS strength through us, in those special divine appointments.  

The Lord is our strength when we make it home alive at the end of the day and have a place to rest and refresh. 

The Lord is our strength for all the activities during the rest of that day until our collective heads hits the pillow at night.  

It is the Lord, Who is your strength and mine Who refreshes and renews us every night during those resting hours that we may be able to awake anew every morning. 

It is the Lord, Who is our strength Whose mercies are therefore new every morning, so great is His Faithfulness to us.

Therefore, we have a song.  We must have a song, We should have a song in our heart of praise to Our God. If  we don’t have this song of praise even after all of these truths about the very Strength of the Lord to those who are IN HIM, then we should.  The Joy of the Lord IS our strength. Combine that with HIS Strength, new every morning, and there is no way that the true 100% all-in sold-out, committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, believer should not live, eat, sleep Psalm 40:1 -3 “I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me, and heard my cry . He also brought me out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth – a praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD!”

There it is! Our prayer is we all rise up, day after day, secure in the knowledge of the Holy One, wherein our daily estate enables us to promptly proclaim “the Lord is my Strength and my Song”! He is worthy to be praised! Amen.

KEYS TO A GODLY LIFE PART 9/12 - MATURING IN GRACE

THE DAWN OF GLORY SERIES:

PLEASE READ THE PASSAGE, THEN - WATCH THE BRIEF EXPOSITION FROM THE PLUMBLINE VIDEO:

2 Peter 1:3-11

3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 

5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

THE REAL ST PATRICK OF IRELAND

MIGHTY MAN OF GOD!

"I am Patrick, a sinner, most unlearned, the least of all the faithful, and utterly despised by many." "I was like a stone lying in the deep mire; and He that is Mighty came and in His mercy lifted me up." (PATRICK OF IRELAND)

A few years ago, I wrote a gospel Tract for the St. Patrick's Day Parade and had 7000 printed for distribution (most of which were handed out to thousands of parade goers here in Springfield, Illinois). For most of the last decade, up to a month ago,  our men's ministry owned a 1955 Classic American La France Fire engine pumper and we used that as a hook to attract hundreds of thousands to the Cross of Christ.

My reason for writing my own tracts, (which I do from time to time) was to show an entire generation of people here that Patrick of Ireland is NOT about getting drunk on green beer each year; doing outrageous things to get green beads or eating corned beef. In fact, none of that stuff is Irish and/or Christian.

Born in the year 390 AD in England, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish Pirates and sold into slavery on the Emerald Isle around the age of 16. He was the son of a deacon but according to his own writings, he really cared nothing for God! All of this changed once he experienced slavery in Ireland. By the way, this selling into slavery thing sounds a lot like Joseph's brother selling Joseph into slavery, from the Book of Genesis!

"I must not, however, hide God's gift which He bestowed upon me in the land of my captivity (... the gift so great, so salutary - to know God and to love Him...); because then I earnestly sought Him, and there I found Him, and He saved me from all evil because - so I believe - of His Spirit that dwells in me...."(Patrick of Ireland)

Around the age of 22, Patrick had already decided to follow the Lord, Who had sustained  him while he was a slave. He escaped slavery and returned a changed man to his family where he promptly began to study the Bible. Patrick felt the call of God back to his training ground of Ireland, a country rich in paganism, witchcraft and full of Druids! He responded in 435 AD. 

This call, according to Patrick's own words in his famous letter "Confessio" (or DECLARATION): "I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: "The Voice of the Irish". As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea—and they cried out, as with one voice: "We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us"

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven:

Light of sun

Brilliance of moon

Splendor of fire

Speed of lightning

Swiftness of wind 

Depth of sea

Stability of earth

Firmness of rock.

I arise today

Through God’s strength to pilot me:

God’s might to uphold me,

God’s wisdom to guide me

God’s eye to look before me,

God’s ear to hear me,

God’s word to speak for me,

God’s hand to guard me,

God’s way to lie before me,

God’s host to secure me

against snares of devils

against temptations of vices

against inclinations of nature

against everyone who shall wish me ill,

afar and anear,

alone and in a crowd...(from the LORICA, by Patrick)

Patrick fought the evil druids and pagans of Ireland for many years through Prayer and Preaching the Truth from the Gospel of Christ. He baptized thousands of adults and children including kings, judges and men and women of all walks of life. As a real man of God, he refused to take payment from Kings for his ministry work. He is also credited for making Ireland a Christian country, lo, these many years ago.

Many things are associated with Patrick, including the Legend of the Snakes, where he is said to have banished all the snakes from Ireland via prayer and a 40 Day Fast. This has been in doubt. According to National Geographic etc, there were never any snakes in Ireland except a viviparous legless lizard. What they could have been referring to is the Serpent of old - Satan! The pagan druids had snakes as their symbols to honor their own god - the serpent of the Garden of Eden. Those are the "snakes" Patrick defeated and drove out of business!

The most famous symbol of St. Patrick's Day is the Shamrock! Legend is Patrick used the extremely beautiful greenery and three leafed Shamrock to teach all of Ireland about the Divine Trinity of God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit! The color Green is an expression of life, spiritual rebirth and eternal life.

In brief, this is the real story of Patrick of Ireland...the same man of God, whom too many, especially here in the United States, use as an outrageous excuse for lewd and public drunkenness in cities across this country.

Christ to protect me today

against poison, against burning,

against drowning, against wounding,

so that there may come abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left

Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the Thrones,

Through confession of the Oneness

Towards the Creator.

Salvation is of the Lord

Salvation is of the Lord

Salvation is of Christ

May thy salvation, O Lord, be ever with us (Lorica)