I can’t think about Veteran’s Day without thinking of what Paul said in Phil. 1:3,”I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”. Dear soldiers, you are in my thoughts and prayers!

“On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the world rejoiced as a treaty was signed ending World War I” –known as “the war to end all wars”. One year later America celebrated what came to be known as Armistice Day, honoring those who served during the war. Then in 1938 Armistice Day was declared a national holiday. Sadly, shortly after that it became apparent that W.W.I was not to be the last war and W.W.II came– a war even bloodier than the first. But we prevailed because of people like you. Then in 1954 Congress changed the name of the holiday to Veteran’s Day, including the veterans of all U.S. wars.

Veteran’s Day is primarily intended to honor those who are still living for their service to America. While there is no way that we could ever repay our veterans for the service they’ve rendered, and they would be the last to ask for it, yet we can be thankful and show our appreciation–let us not fail in this!

On Memorial Day we remember the dead, as we well should, but on Veteran’s Day our attention is turned to the living—the ones still able to hear our words of thanks. We dare not be silent. We need to let it be known loud and clear that we appreciate their sacrifice. Freedom was gained and maintained at a great cost– the suffering and lives of great men and women who loved country more than life, and were willing to give all for the sake of others. We must never allow that to go unnoticed.
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George Washington said,”The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, is directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated.” That being the case, on this special day we want it to be known that we view our veterans as the true heroes, deserving of all honor and respect.

Someone said, “Thanksgiving is a day when we pause to give thanks for the things we have. Veteran’s Day is a day when we pause to give thanks to the people who fought for the things we have!”. So, to all our vets, regardless of where or how you served, I say,”Thank you!” from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you for–
–putting all your plans on hold, so the rest of us could pursue our dreams,
–the time you spent away from your family and friends, while the rest of us enjoyed their company,
–the rigorous training you were subjected to in preparation for your assignment,
–the difficulties you experienced and never wrote home about,
–the fears you faced as you stepped on foreign soil for the first time, not knowing if you would ever return home,
–the hardships you endured over and over, day after day,
–the long days, sleepless nights, lousy food, and uncomfortable gear you had to wear– so we could be comfortable,
–the dangers you faced, so that others wouldn’t be in danger,
–the problems you’ve faced since returning home, because you willing left home to serve,
–the scars, seen and unseen, that came about all because you wanted to protect the rest of us!

I simply cannot say it enough times and in enough ways–Thanks Soldier! May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America!–David Stone

“Speak evil of no man.” – Titus 3:2

Speak of no man from an unholy motive, or with a design to injure him; this is decidedly wrong. We are commanded by our beloved Saviour, to love our enemies; to do good to them that hate us and despitefully use us; to pray for them and seek their salvation.

If we speak evil of them we dishonour God, bring guilt upon our consciences, grieve the Spirit, and spoil our peace of mind. If we can indulge in detraction without feeling guilty and distressed, our consciences must be blinded, and our hearts hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Our tongues are not our own, they are bought with a price, and should be employed in the service of their proper owner. Never indulge yourselves in thinking evil of another; or in feelings of jealousy, envy, revenge, bitterness, anger, or malice; for these are earthly, sensual, and devilish.

How unlovely it is to hear one professor speaking evil of another; the hearer speaking evil of the minister; the rich speaking contemptuously of the poor, the mistress of servants; much more ministers of ministers.

Speak not evil one of another, brethren.– James Smith

Whene’er the angry passions rise,
And tempt our thoughts and tongues to strife;
To Jesus let us turn our eyes,
Bright pattern of the Christian life!
How mild! How ready to forgive!
Be these the rules by which we live!

“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” – Hebrews 6:15

Abraham was long tried, but he was richly rewarded. The Lord tried him by delaying to fulfil His promise; Satan tried him by temptations; men tried him by jealousy, distrust, and opposition; Hagar tried him by contemning her mistress; and Sarah tried him by her peevishness.

But he patiently endured. He did not question God’s veracity, nor limit His power, nor doubt His faithfulness, nor grieve His love: but he bowed to divine sovereignty, submitted to infinite wisdom, and was silent under delays, waiting the Lord’s time.
And so, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

God’s promises cannot fail of their accomplishment. Patient waiters cannot be disappointed. Believing expectations shall be realized. Beloved, Abraham’s conduct condemns a hasty spirit, reproves a murmuring one, commends a patient one, and encourages quiet submission to God’s will and way.”

Remember, Abraham was tried; he patiently waited; he received the promise and was satisfied; imitate his example, and you will share the same blessing.–James Smith

All anxious cares I fain would leave,
And learn with sweet content to live
On what the Lord shall send;
Whate’er He sends, He sends in love,
And good or bad things blessings prove,
If blessed by this Friend.

“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” – Luke 12:48

As Christian citizens, we must abstain from all that’s wrong and approve all that is right.

It is character that produces liberty. The reason Americans have been free is because they began as people of character. Don’t let that go past you.

Responsibility and character are two ways of saying the same thing. Responsibility and character are inseparably linked together with liberty. For example, a little baby has no responsibilities. He doesn’t have to worry about anything. Everybody takes care of him. But he has no liberties. He does what he’s told to do. He eats that pabulum and those strained beets. He is bathed and put to bed. No responsibilities, but no liberties.

As he grows in responsibility, he gets more and more liberty. There comes a time when his father will give him the car keys. But if he takes that car and acts irresponsibly, the father takes the keys and his privilege away. If he acts really irresponsibly, he may wind up in jail and all his liberties are taken away. Liberty is responsibility assumed.

A republic is a government for a people with character, and only people with character can maintain it. If we lose our character as a nation, we are going to lose our liberty. If we want to remain free, we must be men and women of character, and raise young men and women of character. –Adrian Rogers

“For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth” Psalm 135:5-6

God rules all! And though He is concealed by a veil of second causes from common eyes, so that they can perceive only the means, instruments, and contingencies by which He works, and therefore think He does nothing; yet, in reality, He does all according to His own counsel and pleasure, in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth.

Who can enumerate all the beings and events, which are incessantly before His eye, adjusted by His wisdom, dependent on His will, and regulated by His power! If we consider the heavens, the work of His fingers, the moon and the stars which He has ordained; if we call in the assistance of astronomers to help us in forming a conception of the number, distances, magnitudes, and motions of the heavenly bodies–the more we search, the more we shall be confirmed, that these are but a small portion of His ways! He calls them all by — names, upholds them by His power, and without His continual energy upholding them–they would rush into confusion, or sink into nothing! They are all dependent upon His power, and obedient to His command.

To come nearer home, and to speak of what seems more suited to our scanty apprehensions–still we may be lost in wonder. With respect to mankind, He reigns with uncontrolled dominion over every kingdom, family, and individual. Before this blessed and only Potentate, all the nations of the earth are but as the dust upon the balance, and the small drop of a bucket–and might be thought (if compared with the immensity of His works) scarcely worthy of His notice! Yet here He presides, pervades, provides, protects, and rules! All changes, successes, and disappointments–all that is memorable in the annals of history, all the rising and falls of empires, all the turns in human life–take place according to His plan!

In Him His creatures live, move, and have — being. From Him is — food and preservation. The eyes of all are upon Him–what He gives they gather–and can gather no more! And at His word they sink into the dust! There is not a worm which crawls upon the ground, or a flower which grows in the pathless wilderness, or a shell upon the sea-shore–but bears the impress of His wisdom, power, and goodness! He preserves man and beast, sustains the young lion in the forest, feeds the birds of the air, which have neither storehouse or barn, and adorns the insects and the flowers of the field with a beauty and elegance beyond all that can be found in the courts of kings!

All things serve Him, and are in His hands–as clay in the hands of the potter. Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of saints!

This is the God whom we adore! This is He who invites us to lean upon His almighty arm, and promises to guide us with His unerring eye.–John Newton