The Presidency

Dear Brethren,

This week, George Walker Bush was sworn in to his second term as the 43rd President of the United States of America.  He concluded his swearing-in with his hand on the Holy Bible praying the words, "So Help Me God."  It is a rare and momentous act for a national leader to earnestly invoke the Eternal's Name and blessings on a country.  God never failed to bless His ancient leaders who did so!  We cannot but count our blessings when we consider the wonderful blessings God has bestowed on this great nation of ours throughout our history.

In his 2nd inaugural address, given on Thursday, Jan. 20th, President Bush recounted a few of the gifts God has give us.  He said, "... We celebrate the durable wisdom of our Constitution, and recall the deep commitments that unite our country.

Brethren, let's realize that we are among those who are still enjoying the fruits of God's prophecy through Jacob for the last days.  "Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days... Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God... of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph."  (Genesis 49:1, :22 -26)

President Bush spoke of the, "...years of relative quiet, years of repose, years of sabbatical...," and, "the force of human freedom," the "survival of liberty in our land," and "The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world."

George Bush recognized God as our Creator when he said, "From the day of our Founding, we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this earth has rights, and dignity, and matchless value, because they bear the image of the Maker of Heaven and earth."

Quoting President Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Bush said, “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it.”  While small minded judges were busy removing the Ten Commandments from public property, President Bush celebrated his faith for all who would see by saying, "That edifice of character is built in families, supported by communities with standards, and sustained in our national life by the truths of Sinai, the Sermon on the Mount, the words of the Koran, and the varied faiths of our people."

Which preacher could say it better than, "Our nation relies on men and women who look after a neighbor and surround the lost with love.  Americans, at our best, value the life we see in one another, and must always remember that even the unwanted have worth," and, "God moves and chooses as He wills."

This next quote parallels the "Unseen Hand" reference to God with which we are all familiar.  "History has an ebb and flow of justice, but history also has a visible direction, set by liberty and the Author of Liberty."  President George Bush concluded with this petition, "May God bless you, and may He watch over the United States of America."

Brethren, we are praying daily for the return of Jesus Christ to establish the Kingdom of His Father over all the earth.  He has blessed us with national greatness, power and wealth.  Pray that God will direct the President in his second term - for the benefit of His Church.

Time is shorter than our leaders suppose.  As exciting as it is to see our President looking to God we must recognize the trend that America is turning away from God.  It is good advice for us - the same that Paul gave to Timothy: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For [Presidents], and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior."  (1Ti 2:1-3)

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Sermon: "Sermon on the Mount"  

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