What They Fought For

WHAT THEY FOUGHT FOR

May 25th we honor our fallen soldiers. We honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice as they laid down their lives for their country. We need to remember what they fought for.

First, our soldiers fought for a cause. They fought against tyranny and oppression. Throughout history they have fought against slavery and injustice. They have fought to defend freedom and to secure freedom for others.
Second, these soldiers fought for a Country – the United States of America. They fought for our ideals, for our heritage, for our security. Even when fighting on foreign soil they were loyal to their country and knew whom they represented. They were proud to bear the American flag.

Third, these warriors fought for their comrades. They understood what it meant to be part of a team. They took seriously the task of “watching each other’s backs”. They knew that “two is better than one, and a three-fold cord is not easily broken”. These were men and women under authority, who fought together as a unit, taking ground together for their common cause.

Finally, the soldiers we honor knew they fought for their “Commander”. They were devoted to fulfilling their duty and carrying out the wishes of their leader.
We honor these men and women. And we can and should learn from them in each point mentioned above.

Christians also fight for a cause. We fight for the cause of Christ. Christ came to set man free from the penalty and power of sin. He gave His life as full payment for sin, not just as an example of sacrifice. Just as soldiers may have to invade a country to set it free from tyranny, so must Christians invade “darkness” with the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jude says “and some save, snatching them out of the fire”. We are on a rescue mission. Jesus said “If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” Our mission is to bring Jesus to the lost, the oppressed, and the enslaved – those bound by sin and hopelessness.

We also fight for a country – one not of this world. Though we should also stand in prayer for this U.S.A. of ours, in Jesus’ words – we have a kingdom that is not of this world. We represent the Kingdom of God. And some day the Kingdom of God will replace the kingdoms of this world of ours. So we tell others and invite them to be a part of this Kingdom, because citizenship is free, is eternal, and there is no injustice or evil in this Kingdom.

Christians must also fight for their “comrades”. The Bible tells us to pray for one another, forgive one another, receive one another, be kind to one another, exhort one another, and to serve one another. We are our “brother’s keeper”. We must watch each other’s back. We are members of the same Body. There is one Spirit and one baptism. And there is one Lord over all. We are fellow workers, and we suffer together, and we triumph together.

And finally, we truly do fight for our “Commander”. Our true “Commander in Chief” is Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Our devotion is due Him alone. He is our King, our Captain, and our “Comrade”. –“I have called you friends,” Jesus said, and “Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus laid down His life for us. How can we do less for Him?

Yes, this Monday we honor soldiers who died for their country, and rightfully so. May this also be a reminder of us to be the soldiers Christ has called us to be – to count the cost, and carry the cross, to heal the hurting, and care for the lost.

Blessings
Pr. Phil Lewis

Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

This was the 33rd Annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast put on by the CBMC (Christian Business Men's Connection) http://cbmc.com/ in Sioux Falls. I was invited through a fellow Christian Martial Artist who had joined my association, and had read my devotional book. He has been a part of the CBMC and suggested they bring a Christian Martial Artist. ... Read MoreAnyways, I spoke on our Call to be Warriors, to "endure hardness", take the hits, and get back up, finding our strength and hope in Christ. I gave an invitation to pray the sinner's prayer and had everyone join in it at the end. May God bring forth fruit from this.

Are You Ready for Change?

My new book, "Are You Ready for Change? - Preparing for Tribulation in America", is available now at:
http://www.cafepress.com/ambassadorma.372100126

This book deals with the winds of change set to bring havoc to America, and how you can be best prepared. Pastor Phil writes on why we got here, and what spiritual, social, economic, and physical changes you can make to “fight fire with fire”, and ready yourself and your family for extreme hardships to come. He also includes a call and the instructions for men to become the “shepherd warriors” they were meant to be.

Whether a leader of the home, church, business, or community, or simply a concerned citizen of the U.S.A., this is a must-read and eye-opener for all.

Daddy, I Wonder

The Survivor

A song written and performed originally by Phil Keagy, sang here by Pastor Phil Lewis.

Today I Weep

TODAY I WEEP

I was wondering why I was feeling so heavy and broken this morning. Every song on Cornerstone University’s radio station, WCSG, was making me cry before the Lord for His mercy and grace. I know I need brokenness. Yet this seems to go beyond myself.

It dawned on me that as we celebrate the inauguration of Obama as our new president, today is also just two days from the infamous day when Roe vs. Wade made abortion legal on demand. Millions of unborn have been slaughtered in a nation that now welcomes perhaps one of the most liberal presidents in history; one who has promised to enact the Freedom of Choice Act which will make void any state laws limiting abortion. The taking of unborn lives at any stage could become the norm throughout the United States, a nation that supposedly protects the rights of the innocent.

Make no mistake. Obama is no “savior”. While I am commanded to pray for those in authority, I will pray for a change in heart, for repentance and conversion. I weep for this nation. I weep for our sins. I weep for our unbelief. I weep for our callousness, and hardness of heart. And I weep for the judgments yet to come. The problems we are seeing now are just “the beginning of sorrows”, if we as a nation do not repent, and seek the Lord and the “old paths”.

No, today I do not celebrate. Today I weep.

A Long Time in Coming

IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME IN COMING

I’ve been meditating on a song from Casting Crowns, “It’s a Slow Fade, when you give your heart away…people never crumble in a day…” I can’t help but think this describes what has happened to the United States of America. I recently quipped that our nation is rapidly going from “one nation under God” towards being a “nation underdog”. Like it or not, we are in a recession, and one which could soon equal that of the Great Depression. Yes, we were there before and survived. But things are different now, and of a much larger and broader scope. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall”; and we have been the greatest nation on earth, rich and powerful, and yes, proud of it, as if we had done it all on our own. “Pride goes before the fall” as we have taken our hearts and turned away from God. The results are obvious and inescapable as we begin to “crumble”.

It has been a “slow fade”, with “thoughts invading”, and “choices made”, giving our hearts away to the “god of this age”, turning from right and wrong to relativism, denying God in the public realm, and making convenience, expedience, and self-indulgence the gods of choice. Too long God has “not dealt with us after our iniquities”. We have been coasting on the impetus, righteousness, and blessings wrought for our nation by godly men and women who were the founders of this great country – men and women who believed in “one nation under God”, and lived according to His standards as set forth in His Word.

But slowly humanism, relativism, and “casting off restraint” – giving God the boot, is having its toll. It’s been long in coming. But God is not slack concerning His promise (any of them for that matter). The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. The “day of the Lord” is always pictured in the Scriptures as a time of trial and judgment on unbelieving and disobedient man, including God’s chosen people. No, people never “crumble” in a day; nor does a nation, nor do families, nor does the church. But crumbling we are. Our morals have crumbled. Our families have crumbled (we are even at the brink of redefining what constitutes a family). Our rights are crumbling. Perhaps we did not see them as God-given privileges. Now they are being taken away. Our economy is crumbling. Is it any surprise? Will our borders crumble? Will our national identity crumble? Maybe not tomorrow, or the day after, or the year after. It’s a “slow fade”. But it’s been a long time in coming.

Christ describes the result of this “slow fade” for His church in the book of Revelations: “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (2:4) We lose our love for Him. The heart is given away. Then He says “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Without repentance – a turn-around, and a return to His ways, His works, and His Word, we face judgment. This warning reaches across the centuries. It transcends individuals and particular groups. It warns us of the consequence of crumbling in the dark if we turn away from the one true Light. If we, as Americans, and Christians in America, will be facing some dark times ahead, it should come as no surprise. After all, it’s been a long time coming.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

SLOW FADE
By Casting Crowns
Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands
As darkness pulls the strings

Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you
That are sure to follow

It's a slow fade
When you give yourself away
It's a slow fade
When black and white are turned to gray

And thoughts invade, choices are made
A price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

It's a slow fade
It's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattering leads to compromises
The end is always near

Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises
Leave broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade
When you give yourself away
It's a slow fade
When black and white are turned to gray

And thoughts invade, choices are made
A price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade
When you give yourself away
It's a slow fade
When black and white are turned to gray

And thoughts invade, choices are made
A price will be paid
When you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see