Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. More than a million American service members died in the wars and conflicts this nation fought since the first colonial soldiers took up arms in 1775 to fight for independence. Each person who died during those conflicts was a loved one cherished by family and friends. Each was a loss to the community and the nation.

Most Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. We in this country owe a great debt of gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives so that we could live free. We can start to pay that debt by not forgetting, by remembering what they did and what they stood for. Listen to these famous words by Charles M. Province, a veteran of the US Army:

“It is the Soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us Freedom of the Press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet, Who has given us Freedom of Speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the Freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer, Who has given us the right to a fair trial;

And it is the Soldier–who salutes the flag, Who serves the flag, and Whose coffin is draped by the flag– Who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

The “Memorial” in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice:

By visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
By visiting memorials.
By flying the US Flag at half-staff until noon.
By flying the ‘POW/MIA Flag’ as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
By participating in a “National Moment of Remembrance” at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
By renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.
And as Christians, praying for those who may be grieving.

We are approaching Memorial Day where we honor the lives of those who have died in service for our nation. They paid the ultimate sacrifice in laying down their life for their family, friends, and fellow citizens. Christianity is also based on a sacrifice which was that of Jesus dying for ALL humanity. We too, as Christians, have to lay down our lives and share the Gospel with our world.

Our God’s agenda is people and He has entrusted us with the Gospel to take it to them. The thrust of both the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-20) and the anointing power given us to be His witnesses is outward bound. It is not for the sinner to come to the saints but it is the saints who are to take the Gospel to the sinners. Why MUST we take the Gospel to them?

1. It is the Great Commission Mark 16:15

2. No one is born with saving faith Romans 10:13-15.

3. Every unsaved man’s condition demands it 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17.

4. The love of God in us compels us 2 Corinthians 5:14.

5. Seeking first the Kingdom of God is to be our priority Matthew 6:33.

6. For our own growth and maturity Ephesians 4:13-15.

The rally cry for the Moravian Missionary Movement in the 1700’s adds another reason why we must take the Gospel to the. “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of his suffering

Hebrews 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

           We are living in a time on earth that there is a whole lot of shaking going on. Times of lawlessness, shaking, agitation, disturbance, incitement, and things that bring sadness will increase in the Last Days in many areas of life. Thank God we are a part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken and that is full of righteousness, peace, and joy, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” We serve a God who never changes and we can establish our hearts in sure things.

1. GOD’S WORD IS FOREVER SETTLED IN HEAVEN

“Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven Ps.119:89.”

2. GOD’S CHARACTER NEVER CHANGES

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good Numbers 23:19?”

“For I am the Lord, I change not… Mal. 3:8.”

3. GOD’S COVENANT WITH US WILL NOT BE ALTERED.

“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips Ps. 89:34.”

4. GOD’S COUNSEL (HIS PLANS FOR US) WILL STAND FOREVER.

“The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations Ps. 33:11.”

We can hold fast to the grace of God and be immovable and unshakeable always abounding in the work of the Lord. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord 1 Corinthians 15:58.”

Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Hebrews 6:17-18 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

           Things are changing so fast today that it is difficult to keep up with the pace.  Nothing on earth is forever and nothing is as constant as change. Like it or not, the world is changing and if we want to stay on it, we need to change. There are certain changes we must never accept or adapt down to. Many of the changes going on in our society are in a downward moral spiral. The degradation and downward spiral of moral values is vexing to all uncompromising Christians. Yet as the tide of this immoral swamp is rising we must realize that God has placed us on this Earth for such a time as this.

           We cannot run and hide or pretend it doesn’t exist but we must remain steadfast and unmoveable. The Bible says, “Have faith in God… Mark 11:22,” and know that our faith is in an unchangeable God. He will never change His high, holy, righteous, and good standards for a rotting society for His standards are based on His character and His character never changes.  We serve a God who never changes and I’ve determined I’m going to serve Him in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14:17.

           The regeneration of the Holy Ghost is the means by which the eyes of the spiritually blind are opened to see the Kingdom of God. The cause of spiritual blindness is revealed in Scripture from 2 Cor. 4:4 which says, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” When a person is born again, regenerated by the Spirit of God (Titus 3:4-7), their spiritual eyes are opened and they can begin to see God, discern, and understand spiritual things. The more a person gets into the Word of God the more spiritual light enters in and their understanding increases. Psalm 119:130 says, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

           A Christian must continue in the Word of God in order for the light that brings spiritual sight, discernment, and understanding to increase. He must also avoid the things that satan uses, even after he is saved, to cause blindness to his spiritual sight.

HATE BLINDS

1 John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

NEGLIGENCE BLINDS 

2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge kindness charity. 8 For if of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

LUKEWARMNESS BLINDS

Revelation 3:15-17 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

SEXUAL SIN BLINDS

Genesis 19:5-7, 10, 11 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly….10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. 11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

           Blindness, physical and spiritual, is a curse (Deut. 28:28) and Christ has redeemed us from the curse (Gal. 3:13). Hebrews 12:14 tells us to, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” We cannot walk in darkness and expect to see God clearly.  We have to walk in holiness to be able to continue to see God, discern, and understand spiritual things. 

God’s promises to open blind eyes can apply to a believer too who has given place to the devil and spiritual blindness.

Isaiah 29:18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

Isaiah 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Isaiah 42:6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Proverb 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

There is a type of fear that vexes, torments, snares and binds more Christian lives perhaps more than any other fear.  It’s probably the biggest fear hindering one’s usefulness in ministry.  Proverb 29:25 calls it the fear of man, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” When Jesus warned us about persecution from men, He addresses fear in connection with confessing Him before men.  This fear hinders our testimony and witness before men. This fear thinned out Gideon’s army where it was revealed that three hundred proven warriors without fear was far better than 32,000 with fear. In 1 Samuel 15:2226 Saul compromised obeying the Lord because he feared the people; as a result, his usefulness was cut short.  Temptation to compromise is always related to fear.

In ministry, two prophets in the Old Testament were given revelation by God how that this spirit of fear often operates through people’s faces and looks.

Jeremiah 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

Ezekiel 2:6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

In the Law of Moses it was especially set as a standard for judges as a qualification of their appointment, “Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it Deuteronomy 1:17.” Being afraid of the “face” of man can cause you to compromise a stand for righteousness, truth, and justice.

The counter to this diabolical and intimidating fear is in the second part of the verse, “… but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” The fear of man does not have the power to usurp authority over a Believer who has made the decision to trust the Lord. We also know from the New Testament “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear …1 John 4:18.” As we trust in the Lord and walk in the love of God we can repel the fear of man. We can also make a daily profession of faith to encourage ourselves from Psalm 118:6 which says, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Every Christian needs to resist and disconnect themselves from fear in all of its forms. Whether it is severe fright and panic or the not so obvious manifestations of fear such as indecision, over caution, and pessimism. Fear(s) may have been rooted and embedded in your life, mind and emotions and have a stronghold due to carry‑ overs from our past; but as a child of God, fear is not our new nature.  Fear is not just some mental quirk but a failure spirit from hell.  Fear in any mani­festation, however obvious or not, is not natural to the child of God.  For the most part, it’s on the outside trying to get in which is why Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me John 14:1.” Don’t let it in.

Many go through life burdened and bound by a fear of some kind. Sometimes it has become ingrained in their thinking and behavior that they never recognize its presence. Fear is a spirit from satan not God. Satan is the author of fear every time. It is a spiritual force and God’s will is not that we learn to cope with fear but resist it.

Fear can be the link to many things for fear is a connector. It can connect us to:

1. BONDAGE – “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received…,” Romans 8:15; “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage,” Hebrews 2:14, 15.

2. OPPRESSION – “…who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil,” Acts 10:38; “In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee,” Isaiah 54:14.

3. TORMENT – There is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear: because fear hath torment,” 1 John 4:17,18.

4. HEART FAILURE – “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, for looking after…,” Luke 21:26.

5. SNARES – “The fear of man bringeth a snare (captured; bound; trapped; entangles)…,” Proverbs 29:25.

6. THE UNDESIRABLE – fear attracts the undesirable like faith – attracts the desirable: “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me,” Job 3:25.

Disconnect from fear and avoid all of these.

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (John 17:15)

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3)

We are living in perilous times where the rise of evil and darkness can be a threat to our physical safety. Jesus prayed that the Father would keep us from the evil of this world. God can keep us protected and safe in these perilous times and He is able to deliver us from all evil including terrorism and violent men.

This is not automatic without our faith and prayer. Notice even though Jesus prayed, the Apostle Paul asked for prayer for protection and deliverance from wicked men. Protection is a provision of God but we have our part to play which is releasing our faith through prayer. Aside from God ordained authorities of law enforcement and the right to bear arms, there are other spiritual principles of protection that contribute to our safety also:

1. DWELL IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH AND LISTEN FOR WISDOM (Wisdom will often give insight that forsees evil so you can avoid it)

Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Proverb 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Proverb 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

2. DAILY PRAY FOR DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL, FROM WICKED MEN, AND FOR ANGELIC PROTECTION

Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Psalm 91:10-12 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Psalm 103:20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

3. DISCERN THE LEADING OF THE SPIRIT IN ALL YOUR TRAVELS AND OBEY IT

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Acts 27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

              We often read the first part of Acts chapter 2:1-4 and not relate it to the last part in vv. 42-46.  We talk about the great outpouring and harvest of souls after Peter preached the Gospel but do not notice what they did immediately following it from vv. 42? They CONTINUED STEDFASTLY (persevered, were constantly diligent in, gave unremitting care and attendance to) the apostles doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. After the great outpouring and harvest in Acts 2:1‑4 why not just stop there? Acts 2:42 shows that God is interested in and the leaders focus was on disciples, not just decisions (converts). Those who will continue, not just start. Those who will finish, not just begin.

            A disciple is not just conversion. Part of the Great Commission is to teach people to observe/obey all the things Jesus said Matthew 28:18‑20.  True discipleship is reproducing Jesus in people.  Jesus wants all true born again Believers to continue in His Word and to become true followers, disciplined learners to all the Word of God for all areas of life.

           God our Heavenly Father has planned for ever believer to live a life of productivity and fruitfulness. We’ve been ordained to bear fruit (Jn. 15:16) and foreordained to do good works (Eph. 2:10). It is the plan of our enemy to neutralize our effectiveness in fulfilling our God ordained purpose in this life and one of his favorite tactics is to get us caught up in an offense. Jesus said we would be exposed to and experience opportunities to be offended Luke 17:1. Offenses are hurts that outrage our senses and ignite our emotions (2 Corinthians 11:29), causing us to be mentally consumed, controlled, and trapped by them.

           A good example of someone caught up in an all consuming emotional outrage of their senses is the brother of the prodigal Jesus spoke of in Luke 15:11-32. Comparing the prodigal and his brother we know that The one son who is often described as the Prodigal son got his portion of the fathers inheritance, left his father’s house, began to live wrong, squandered it, and found himself living in a pig pen with the hogs. After He repents and is restored the father has a celebration.

           The brother of prodigal got hurt, held on to the hurt, and had an offended heart. What were the signs of his offended heart?

1. ANGER v. 28…And he was angry….

2. WITHDRAWAL/ISOLATION (avoidance/separation) v. 28… and would not go in… He would enter in to the celebration his father was holding for his brother.

3. SELF FOCUS/SELF PITY (I, I, me I my) v. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.

4. ACCUSATION/JUDGING v.30 “But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.” How did he know he spent it on a harlot?

           What were the results or fruit of holding to the offense?

1. DESTROYS USEFULNESS v.25 – he was no longer working/productive.  He quit plowing in the field; he stopped working.

2. DESTROYS UNITY v.28 – he separated and withdrew.

3. DESTROYS JOY v.25, 28 – he would not enter into the joyous celebration. He refused to enter in.

           A better response would have been to admit that he was hurt and offended. We get angry because we get hurt but there is freedom from being controlled by it if we first get honest and admit it. The good news is that when hurt we have two supernatural sources of comfort we can go to: God’s Word (Rm. 15:4) and God’s Spirit (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7-13).

           It is human or natural to go to people for comfort but every Believer needs to grow in learning to receive God’s comfort rather than people’s comfort. God’s comfort is full of His grace, wisdom, and power. God’s comfort will always align us to the truth which will make us free.