Olde Servant’s blog

Thanksgiving Historical Proclamations and Prayers Of America's Founding Fathers

FOR READING ALOUD AT CHRISTIAN THANKSGIVING GATHERINGS IN AMERICA 2009

FROM the Continental Congress November 1, 1777 national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation,  17 months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence while the nation was at war with England  (See the whole text below at SOURCES):

"Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defense and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; . . ."

"It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessings on the governments of these states respectively, . . . with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings, independence and peace;  . . .  and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost."

From the Thanksgiving Proclamation of George Washington, the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America, October 14, 1789 (See the whole text below at SOURCES):

"WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God.

"NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; . . .  for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; . . .-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
 
"And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; . . .  to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, . . ; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best."

George Washington's Sunday Evening Prayer, from his journal in part:
"Let me live according to those holy rules which thou hast this day prescribed in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy sight, and therein to delight, open the eyes of my understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object Jesus Christ the way, the truth and the life, bless O Lord, all the people of this land, from the highest to the lowest, particularly those whom thou has appointed to rule over us in church & state. continue thy goodness to me this night. These weak petitions I humbly implore thee to hear accept and ans. for the sake of thy Dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."

==================SOURCES======================

Continental Congress - 11/01/1777
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=3847
This is the text of the Continental Congress November 1, 1777 national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation; as printed in the Journals of Congress.
The Bold  print and underline is from me for emphasis.
Saturday, November 1, 1777

The committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to the several states, to set apart a day of public thanksgiving, brought in a report; which was taken into consideration, and agreed to as follows:

Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defense and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success:

It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessings on the governments of these states respectively, and prosper the public council of the whole; to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings, independence and peace; that it may please him to prosper the trade and manufactures of the people and the labor of the husbandman, that our land may yield its increase; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

And it is further recommended, that servile labor, and such recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occasion.

------------------------------------
General Thanksgiving
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/firsts/thanksgiving/thankstext.html
The Bold  print and underline is from me for emphasis.

By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America, October 14, 1789
A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
 
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789
==============================================
George Washington's private and personal prayer:
George Washington's Prayer Journal
http://personal.pitnet.net/primarysources/george.html
Sunday Evening:
Let me live according to those holy rules which thou hast this day prescribed in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy sight, and therein to delight, open the eyes of my understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object Jesus Christ the way, the truth and the life, bless O Lord, all the people of this land, from the highest to the lowest, particularly those whom thou has appointed to rule over us in church & state. continue thy goodness to me this night. These weak petitions I humbly implore thee to hear accept and ans. for the sake of thy Dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

==================================================

GEORGE WASHINGTON was not alone in His faith and reliance on the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the signers of the Declaration of Independence, many of whom lived to hear and support this Thanksgiving Declaration:

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
Bolds and underlines are mine.
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

SNIP

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

http://churchvstate.blogspot.com/2007/10/signers-of-declaration-of-independence.html   and
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?cat=HD

The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:

Column 1

Georgia:
   Button Gwinnett - an Episcopalian and a Congregationalist.
   Lyman Hall - a Congregationalist and served as a minister in Connecticut.
   George Walton - an Episcopalian

Column 2

North Carolina:
   William Hooper - an Episcopalian, and trained at Harvard as a minister.
   Joseph Hewes - a Quaker and an Episcopalian
   John Penn - Episcopalian

South Carolina:
   Edward Rutledge -  an Anglican
   Thomas Heyward, Jr. - Episcopalian
   Thomas Lynch, Jr. - Episcopalian
   Arthur Middleton - Episcopalian

Column 3

Massachusetts:
John Hancock - a Congregationalist. See >7 below

Maryland:
Samuel Chase - an Episcopalian
William Paca - an Episcopalian and a consistent Christian
Thomas Stone - Episcopalian.
Charles Carroll of Carrollton - Roman Catholic. See >4 below

Virginia:
George Wythe - Episcopalian
Richard Henry Lee - an Anglican and known as a sincere Christian
Thomas Jefferson - a Deist`` See >10 below
Benjamin Harrison - Episcopalian
Thomas Nelson, Jr. - Episcopalian
Francis Lightfoot Lee - an Anglican and a devout Christian.
Carter Braxton - Episcopalian

Column 4
Pennsylvania (See Jesus in the 1776 Pennsylvania Constitution below*):
   Robert Morris - Episcopalian
   Benjamin Rush - a Presbyterian. He was founder and manager of the                                         Philadelphia Bible Society . See >13 below
   Benjamin Franklin - Supported the Pennsylvania Declaration of faith*
                                    See >5 below
   John Morton - Episcopalian
   George Clymer - a Quaker and an Episcopalian
   James Smith -  a Presbyterian
   George Taylor -  a Presbyterian
   James Wilson
   George Ross - an Anglican

Delaware (See Jesus in the 1776 Delaware Constitution below~):
   Caesar Rodney - Episcopalian
   George Read - Episcopalian
   Thomas McKean - Presbyterian. See >11 below

Column 5
New York:
   William Floyd - Presbyterian
   Philip Livingston - a Presbyterian and a member of an eminent Christian                                 family
   Francis Lewis - Episcopalian
   Lewis Morris - Episcopalian

New Jersey:
   Richard Stockton - a Presbyterian. See >15 below
   John Witherspoon - a Presbyterian. See >16 below
   Francis Hopkinson - an Episcopalian
   John Hart - a Presbyterian. See >8 below
   Abraham Clark - a Presbyterian

Column 6
New Hampshire:
   Josiah Bartlett - Congregationalis.  See >3 below.
   William Whipple

Massachusetts (See Jesus in the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution below):
   Samuel Adams - Congregationalist. See >2 below
   John Adams - Congregationalist and later a Unitarian. See >1 below
   Robert Treat Paine - Paine left Calvinism to become a Unitarian. He                                             served as a military chaplain. See >12 below
   Elbridge Gerry - an Episcopalian

Rhode Island (See Jesus in the 1842 Rhode Island Constitution below)^:
   Stephen Hopkins - a Quaker
   William Ellery -  a Congregationalist and a devout Christian

Connecticut:
   Roger Sherman - See >14 below
   Samuel Huntington - a Congregationalist. See >9 below
   William Williams - a Congregationalist and a devout Christian
   Oliver Wolcott - a Congregationalist and a devout Christian.  See >17

New Hampshire:
   Matthew Thornton - a Presbyterian Church and a devout Christian.

>>>>Historical Details & Examples of These Christians in Government<<<

~Constitution of the State of Delaware, Sept. 21, 1776~

“Article XXII. Every person who shall be chosen a
member of either house, or appointed to any office of
trust, before taking his seat, or entering upon the
execution of his office, shall take the following
oath, or affirmation, if conscientiously scrupulous of
taking an oath, to wit:

“I, _._. will bear true allegiance to the Delaware
State, submit to its constitution and laws, and do no
act wittingly whereby the freedom thereof may be
prejudiced.

~And also make and subscribe the following declaration,~
to wit:

“I, _._. do profess faith in God the Father, and in
Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one
God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the
holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be
given by divine inspiration.”
===========================

*Pennsylvania Constitution, Sept. 28, 1776*<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

II. That all men have a natural and unalienable right
to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of
their own consciences and understanding: And that no
man ought or of right can be compelled to attend any
religious worship, or erect or support any place of
worship, or maintain any ministry, contrary to, or
against his own free will and consent: Nor can any
man, who acknowledges the being of a God, be justly
deprived or abridged of any civil right as a citizen,
on account of his religious sentiments or peculiar
mode of religious worship: And that no authority can
or ought to be vested in, or assumed by any power
whatever, that shall in any case interfere with, or in
any manner controul, the right of conscience in the
free exercise of religious worship.

*Section 10. “…And each member, before he takes his
seat, shall make and subscribe the following
declaration, viz:

I do believe in one God, the creator and governor of
the universe, the rewarder of the good and the
punisher of the wicked. And I do acknowledge the
Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by
Divine inspiration.

And no further or religious test shall ever hereafter
be required of any civil officer or magistrate in this
State.”
==============================

^Constitution of the State of Rhode Island, 1842^

“We the people of the State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations, grateful to Almighty God for
the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long
permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a
blessing upon our endeavors to secure and to transmit
the same unimpaired to succeeding generation, do
ordain and establish this constitution.”
===============================

+Constitution of the State of Massachusetts, 1780+

“The governor shall be chosen annually; and no person
shall be eligible to this office, unless, at the same
time of his election… he shall declare himself to be
of the Christian religion.”

Chapter VI, Article I [All person elected to State
office or to the Legislature must] make and subscribe
the following declaration, viz. “I _____, do declare,
that I believe the Christian religion, and have firm
persuasion of its truth.”

Part I, Article II “It is the right, as well as the
duty, of all men in society, publicly, and at stated
seasons, to worship the Supreme Being, the Great
Creator and Preserver of the Universe. And no subject
shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person,
liberty or estate, for worshipping God in the manner
and seasons, most agreeable to the dictates of his own
conscience.”
======================
``Deists believe in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator who does not intervene in the universe, and accept the existence of a creator on the basis of reason, but rejected belief in a supernatural deity, like the supernatural Jesus, who interacts with humankind. They believed that Jesus was just a very good and great teacher.

===========================
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=8755

>1. John Adams

The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God. 1
[1.Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson (Washington D. C.: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, 1904), Vol. XIII, p. 292-294. In a letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson on June 28, 1813.]

My hopes of a future life are all founded upon the Gospel of Christ and I cannot cavil or quibble away [evade or object to]. . . . the whole tenor of His conduct by which He sometimes positively asserted and at others countenances [permits] His disciples in asserting that He was God.⁷
[7. John Adams and John Quincy Adams, The Selected Writings of John and John Quincy Adams, Adrienne Koch and William Peden, editors (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946), p. 292, John Quincy Adams to John Adams, January 3, 1817.]

===================

I . . . [rely] upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.¹⁰

The name of the Lord (says the Scripture) is a strong tower; thither the righteous flee and are safe [Proverbs 18:10]. Let us secure His favor and He will lead us through the journey of this life and at length receive us to a better.¹¹
[10. From the Last Will & Testament of Samuel Adams, attested December 29, 1790; see also Samuel Adams, Life & Public Services of Samuel Adams, William V. Wells, editor (Boston: Little, Brown & Co, 1865), Vol. III, p. 379, Last Will and Testament of Samuel Adams.
11. Letters of Delegates to Congress: August 16, 1776-December 31, 1776, Paul H. Smith, editor (Washington DC: Library of Congress, 1979), Vol. 5, pp. 669-670, Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams on December 26, 1776.]
=================

Called on the people of New Hampshire . . . to confess before God their aggravated transgressions and to implore His pardon and forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ . . . [t]hat the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ may be made known to all nations, pure and undefiled religion universally prevail, and the earth be fill with the glory of the Lord.¹⁶
[16. Josiah Bartlett, Proclamation for a Day of Fasting and Prayer, March 17, 1792.]
==================

On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation and on His merits, not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.²²

Grateful to Almighty God for the blessings which, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, He had conferred on my beloved country in her emancipation and on myself in permitting me, under circumstances of mercy, to live to the age of 89 years, and to survive the fiftieth year of independence, adopted by Congress on the 4th of July 1776, which I originally subscribed on the 2d day of August of the same year and of which I am now the last surviving signer.²³
[22. From an autograph letter in our possession written by Charles Carroll to Charles W. Wharton, Esq., September 27, 1825.
23. Lewis A. Leonard, Life of Charles Carroll of Carrollton (New York: Moffit, Yard & Co, 1918), pp. 256-257.]
===================

He called on the State of Massachusetts to pray that . . .

Thanksgiving Historical Proclamations and Prayers Of America's Founding Fathers

FOR READING ALOUD AT CHRISTIAN THANKSGIVING GATHERINGS IN AMERICA 2009

FROM the Continental Congress November 1, 1777 national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation,  17 months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence while the nation was at war with England  (See the whole text below at SOURCES):

"Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defense and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; . . ."

"It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessings on the governments of these states respectively, . . . with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings, independence and peace;  . . .  and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost."

From the Thanksgiving Proclamation of George Washington, the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America, October 14, 1789 (See the whole text below at SOURCES):

"WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God.

"NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; . . .  for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; . . .-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
 
"And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; . . .  to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, . . ; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best."

George Washington's Sunday Evening Prayer, from his journal in part:
"Let me live according to those holy rules which thou hast this day prescribed in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy sight, and therein to delight, open the eyes of my understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object Jesus Christ the way, the truth and the life, bless O Lord, all the people of this land, from the highest to the lowest, particularly those whom thou has appointed to rule over us in church & state. continue thy goodness to me this night. These weak petitions I humbly implore thee to hear accept and ans. for the sake of thy Dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."

==================SOURCES======================

Continental Congress - 11/01/1777
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=3847
This is the text of the Continental Congress November 1, 1777 national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation; as printed in the Journals of Congress.
The Bold  print and underline is from me for emphasis.
Saturday, November 1, 1777

The committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to the several states, to set apart a day of public thanksgiving, brought in a report; which was taken into consideration, and agreed to as follows:

Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defense and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success:

It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessings on the governments of these states respectively, and prosper the public council of the whole; to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings, independence and peace; that it may please him to prosper the trade and manufactures of the people and the labor of the husbandman, that our land may yield its increase; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

And it is further recommended, that servile labor, and such recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occasion.

------------------------------------
General Thanksgiving
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/firsts/thanksgiving/thankstext.html
The Bold  print and underline is from me for emphasis.

By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America, October 14, 1789
A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
 
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789
==============================================
George Washington's private and personal prayer:
George Washington's Prayer Journal
http://personal.pitnet.net/primarysources/george.html
Sunday Evening:
Let me live according to those holy rules which thou hast this day prescribed in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy sight, and therein to delight, open the eyes of my understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object Jesus Christ the way, the truth and the life, bless O Lord, all the people of this land, from the highest to the lowest, particularly those whom thou has appointed to rule over us in church & state. continue thy goodness to me this night. These weak petitions I humbly implore thee to hear accept and ans. for the sake of thy Dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

==================================================

GEORGE WASHINGTON was not alone in His faith and reliance on the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the signers of the Declaration of Independence, many of whom lived to hear and support this Thanksgiving Declaration:

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
Bolds and underlines are mine.
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

SNIP

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

http://churchvstate.blogspot.com/2007/10/signers-of-declaration-of-independence.html   and
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?cat=HD

The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:

Column 1

Georgia:
   Button Gwinnett - an Episcopalian and a Congregationalist.
   Lyman Hall - a Congregationalist and served as a minister in Connecticut.
   George Walton - an Episcopalian

Column 2

North Carolina:
   William Hooper - an Episcopalian, and trained at Harvard as a minister.
   Joseph Hewes - a Quaker and an Episcopalian
   John Penn - Episcopalian

South Carolina:
   Edward Rutledge -  an Anglican
   Thomas Heyward, Jr. - Episcopalian
   Thomas Lynch, Jr. - Episcopalian
   Arthur Middleton - Episcopalian

Column 3

Massachusetts:
John Hancock - a Congregationalist. See >7 below

Maryland:
Samuel Chase - an Episcopalian
William Paca - an Episcopalian and a consistent Christian
Thomas Stone - Episcopalian.
Charles Carroll of Carrollton - Roman Catholic. See >4 below

Virginia:
George Wythe - Episcopalian
Richard Henry Lee - an Anglican and known as a sincere Christian
Thomas Jefferson - a Deist`` See >10 below
Benjamin Harrison - Episcopalian
Thomas Nelson, Jr. - Episcopalian
Francis Lightfoot Lee - an Anglican and a devout Christian.
Carter Braxton - Episcopalian

Column 4
Pennsylvania (See Jesus in the 1776 Pennsylvania Constitution below*):
   Robert Morris - Episcopalian
   Benjamin Rush - a Presbyterian. He was founder and manager of the                                         Philadelphia Bible Society . See >13 below
   Benjamin Franklin - Supported the Pennsylvania Declaration of faith*
                                    See >5 below
   John Morton - Episcopalian
   George Clymer - a Quaker and an Episcopalian
   James Smith -  a Presbyterian
   George Taylor -  a Presbyterian
   James Wilson
   George Ross - an Anglican

Delaware (See Jesus in the 1776 Delaware Constitution below~):
   Caesar Rodney - Episcopalian
   George Read - Episcopalian
   Thomas McKean - Presbyterian. See >11 below

Column 5
New York:
   William Floyd - Presbyterian
   Philip Livingston - a Presbyterian and a member of an eminent Christian                                 family
   Francis Lewis - Episcopalian
   Lewis Morris - Episcopalian

New Jersey:
   Richard Stockton - a Presbyterian. See >15 below
   John Witherspoon - a Presbyterian. See >16 below
   Francis Hopkinson - an Episcopalian
   John Hart - a Presbyterian. See >8 below
   Abraham Clark - a Presbyterian

Column 6
New Hampshire:
   Josiah Bartlett - Congregationalis.  See >3 below.
   William Whipple

Massachusetts (See Jesus in the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution below):
   Samuel Adams - Congregationalist. See >2 below
   John Adams - Congregationalist and later a Unitarian. See >1 below
   Robert Treat Paine - Paine left Calvinism to become a Unitarian. He                                             served as a military chaplain. See >12 below
   Elbridge Gerry - an Episcopalian

Rhode Island (See Jesus in the 1842 Rhode Island Constitution below)^:
   Stephen Hopkins - a Quaker
   William Ellery -  a Congregationalist and a devout Christian

Connecticut:
   Roger Sherman - See >14 below
   Samuel Huntington - a Congregationalist. See >9 below
   William Williams - a Congregationalist and a devout Christian
   Oliver Wolcott - a Congregationalist and a devout Christian.  See >17

New Hampshire:
   Matthew Thornton - a Presbyterian Church and a devout Christian.

>>>>Historical Details & Examples of These Christians in Government<<<

~Constitution of the State of Delaware, Sept. 21, 1776~

“Article XXII. Every person who shall be chosen a
member of either house, or appointed to any office of
trust, before taking his seat, or entering upon the
execution of his office, shall take the following
oath, or affirmation, if conscientiously scrupulous of
taking an oath, to wit:

“I, _._. will bear true allegiance to the Delaware
State, submit to its constitution and laws, and do no
act wittingly whereby the freedom thereof may be
prejudiced.

~And also make and subscribe the following declaration,~
to wit:

“I, _._. do profess faith in God the Father, and in
Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one
God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the
holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be
given by divine inspiration.”
===========================

*Pennsylvania Constitution, Sept. 28, 1776*<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

II. That all men have a natural and unalienable right
to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of
their own consciences and understanding: And that no
man ought or of right can be compelled to attend any
religious worship, or erect or support any place of
worship, or maintain any ministry, contrary to, or
against his own free will and consent: Nor can any
man, who acknowledges the being of a God, be justly
deprived or abridged of any civil right as a citizen,
on account of his religious sentiments or peculiar
mode of religious worship: And that no authority can
or ought to be vested in, or assumed by any power
whatever, that shall in any case interfere with, or in
any manner controul, the right of conscience in the
free exercise of religious worship.

*Section 10. “…And each member, before he takes his
seat, shall make and subscribe the following
declaration, viz:

I do believe in one God, the creator and governor of
the universe, the rewarder of the good and the
punisher of the wicked. And I do acknowledge the
Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by
Divine inspiration.

And no further or religious test shall ever hereafter
be required of any civil officer or magistrate in this
State.”
==============================

^Constitution of the State of Rhode Island, 1842^

“We the people of the State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations, grateful to Almighty God for
the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long
permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a
blessing upon our endeavors to secure and to transmit
the same unimpaired to succeeding generation, do
ordain and establish this constitution.”
===============================

+Constitution of the State of Massachusetts, 1780+

“The governor shall be chosen annually; and no person
shall be eligible to this office, unless, at the same
time of his election… he shall declare himself to be
of the Christian religion.”

Chapter VI, Article I [All person elected to State
office or to the Legislature must] make and subscribe
the following declaration, viz. “I _____, do declare,
that I believe the Christian religion, and have firm
persuasion of its truth.”

Part I, Article II “It is the right, as well as the
duty, of all men in society, publicly, and at stated
seasons, to worship the Supreme Being, the Great
Creator and Preserver of the Universe. And no subject
shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person,
liberty or estate, for worshipping God in the manner
and seasons, most agreeable to the dictates of his own
conscience.”
======================
``Deists believe in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator who does not intervene in the universe, and accept the existence of a creator on the basis of reason, but rejected belief in a supernatural deity, like the supernatural Jesus, who interacts with humankind. They believed that Jesus was just a very good and great teacher.

===========================
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=8755

>1. John Adams

The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God. 1
[1.Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson (Washington D. C.: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, 1904), Vol. XIII, p. 292-294. In a letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson on June 28, 1813.]

My hopes of a future life are all founded upon the Gospel of Christ and I cannot cavil or quibble away [evade or object to]. . . . the whole tenor of His conduct by which He sometimes positively asserted and at others countenances [permits] His disciples in asserting that He was God.⁷
[7. John Adams and John Quincy Adams, The Selected Writings of John and John Quincy Adams, Adrienne Koch and William Peden, editors (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946), p. 292, John Quincy Adams to John Adams, January 3, 1817.]

===================

I . . . [rely] upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.¹⁰

The name of the Lord (says the Scripture) is a strong tower; thither the righteous flee and are safe [Proverbs 18:10]. Let us secure His favor and He will lead us through the journey of this life and at length receive us to a better.¹¹
[10. From the Last Will & Testament of Samuel Adams, attested December 29, 1790; see also Samuel Adams, Life & Public Services of Samuel Adams, William V. Wells, editor (Boston: Little, Brown & Co, 1865), Vol. III, p. 379, Last Will and Testament of Samuel Adams.
11. Letters of Delegates to Congress: August 16, 1776-December 31, 1776, Paul H. Smith, editor (Washington DC: Library of Congress, 1979), Vol. 5, pp. 669-670, Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams on December 26, 1776.]
=================

Called on the people of New Hampshire . . . to confess before God their aggravated transgressions and to implore His pardon and forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ . . . [t]hat the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ may be made known to all nations, pure and undefiled religion universally prevail, and the earth be fill with the glory of the Lord.¹⁶
[16. Josiah Bartlett, Proclamation for a Day of Fasting and Prayer, March 17, 1792.]
==================

On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation and on His merits, not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.²²

Grateful to Almighty God for the blessings which, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, He had conferred on my beloved country in her emancipation and on myself in permitting me, under circumstances of mercy, to live to the age of 89 years, and to survive the fiftieth year of independence, adopted by Congress on the 4th of July 1776, which I originally subscribed on the 2d day of August of the same year and of which I am now the last surviving signer.²³
[22. From an autograph letter in our possession written by Charles Carroll to Charles W. Wharton, Esq., September 27, 1825.
23. Lewis A. Leonard, Life of Charles Carroll of Carrollton (New York: Moffit, Yard & Co, 1918), pp. 256-257.]
===================

He called on the State of Massachusetts to pray that . . .

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChristianToplessness4WomenandMen2/photos/album/1905125242/pic/list
http://rosaacosta.com/?cat=4
http://rosaacosta.com/?page_id=15

Is Your BackPack Full & Are You Ready To Escape?

By R. Tyler 10/27/09
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Best_Way_to_Live/
http://groups.google.com/group/PGChristianLivingIssues
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Christian_Life_Issues_Today
http://christianlifeissuestoday.groups.live.com/
http://christianlifeissues.multiply.com/

There are "signs of the times" that we should know about and be prepared to recognize and respond to appropriately.
***1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2He answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' 3And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. Matt 16 ESV

Some of those signs are warnings of imminent danger and
for the well being of ourselves and our loved ones, we need to be prepared to quickly take appropriate action, to have our "backpacks" prepared and ready to go at a moment's notice.
***16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 The one who is on the housetop should not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and the one who is in the field should not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. Mat 24

I live in So California and we Californians have been well warned that from San Francisco to San Diego we are due for a terribly destructive earthquake. So in order to survive adequately many of us have done what was advised, storing up at least two weeks of food and water, candles and matches, batteries etc.  In the MidWest they have tornado and blizzard warnings and in the South East they have hurricane warnings, and those who want to survive adequately take the appropriate steps to do so. When we are told that the flu season is coming, we get our vaccinations.

Jesus tells us to know the signs of the times and be prepared to respond appropriately.
Jesus didn't correct His disciples when they asked "And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” [Lk 21:7]

Jesus taught that as part of "signs of the times" persecution of His children/disciples will occur before the horrors come, horrors like "wars and commotions, . . Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. . . . earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; . . . . fearful sights and great signs from heaven."
***12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. . . . 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. [Luke 21 NKJV]
***23 When they persecute you in one town, escape to another. . . . [Mat 10]

Since we are warned that before "all Hell breaks loose on earth" we will be persecuted, we need to be ready to obey Jesus and escape to another town, city, county, province, parish, state or country when persecuted in our own town, city, county, province, parish, state or country. We saw in the Bible's Acts that Jesus used the persecution of the Christians in and around Jerusalem to scatter/send them throughout land, spreading the Gospel as they went [Acts 8:2]. Even in America we need to have our "backpacks" and minds prepared for the possibility that we may need to move to continue living somewhat normally, because persecution of Christians in America is getting worse every year, especially under pressure from the immoral and homosexual pressure groups, atheists, evolutionists, secularists, Obama and the Obamacrats.
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/5027/persecution-of-christians-around-the-world-ignored
http://www.independentconservative.com/2008/06/13/legal-persecution-of-christians-in-the-west-has-begun/

The great Mid-Eastern war of Rev 6 could take place any time now, especially if Iran and Israel go to war over Iran's threats to use nuclear weapons to destroy Israel, if you are like me and believe that the rapture takes place at the last Trumpet (1 Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thess 4:15-17; Rev 11). One fourth of the Mid-Eastern population would die within a month of that war (by violence, famine, pestilence) and the chaos that would produce in oil extraction, shipping and delivering would result in economic chaos in many nations, but especially in the USA. Are your "backpacks" and minds ready to cope with all this? Why would Jesus allow that to happen to America, the land of the free and the home of the brave?

American leaders in the 1700s - - -
***Romans 1:19 For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them. 20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). . . .

American leaders in the 2000s - - -
 . . . . So [Americans] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification],  21Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead the [Americans] became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened.  22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools [declaring that Jesus-Jehovah is no god Psa 14:1].  23And by them the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God were exchanged for and represented by images [of celebrities, movie stars, entertainers, athletes, actors, actresses, singers etc], resembling mortal man and birds and beasts and reptiles.  24Therefore God gave them up in the evil desires of their [own] hearts to sexual immorality, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves [in sexual sin],  25 Because they exchanged [Jesus.] the Truth of God, for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 Their females exchanged natural sex relations<5446+5540>* for those that are contrary to God's design<3844+5449>*; 27 likewise/so/equally/similarly/IN THE SAME WAY<3668>* having left the God designed/made physiological/biological functions/use of the female, the males were inflamed in their evil desire for that which is forbidden<3715>* to do with each other<1519>*, males in/with/by males working/doing/performing genitals<2716+808>* and receiving in themselves the recompense which was fit for their error. 28 And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome, 29 Until they were filled (permeated and saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, iniquity, grasping and covetous greed, and malice. [American movies, TV programs and songs are] full of envy and jealousy, murder, strife, deceit and treachery, ill will and cruel ways. [American love entertainment that features] secret backbiters and gossipers,  30 [Americans are] slanderers, hateful to and hating God, full of insolence, arrogance, [and] boasting; inventors of new forms of evil, disobedient and undutiful to parents. 31 [Americans are] without understanding, conscienceless and faithless promise breakers, heartless and loveless [and] merciless.  32 Though they are fully aware of God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them themselves but approve and applaud others who practice them. [From the AmpBible]  *See Strong's (5631); & (5740), Strong's lexicon  
 Did you get that? "32 Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."
 
Remember Pharaoh? Remember how he hardened his heart numerous times and rebelled against Moses and Jesus-Jehovah? Remember how Jesus-Jehovah gave him up to his own will and desire and stopped  dealing with Pharaoh? In the same way after Jesus appealed to America by Dwight L. Moody, Billy Graham, Frances Schaeffer, Martin Luther King Jr etc, America's leaders, elected by the American people, rejected God's Word from His messengers and kicked prayer and the Bible out of public schools, stopped having students read the writings of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution because of their Christian faith and testimonies, repudiated the Bible and the  Creator and unscientifically elevated the theory of evolution from theory to alleged fact, ridiculed and mocked Americans who agreed with the writers of the Declaration of Independence about the Creator and His providence in America, and rejected the Bible's sexual morality for a totally amoral way of life. So what is the present spiritual status of America, and what lies ahead in its future? Why do the people believe the lies their leaders are telling them?
***2 Thess 2:9  . . . through the activity and working of Satan [Eph 2:1,2] . . . 10 And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome [Jesus,] the Truth, but refused to love it that they might be saved. 11Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false, 12 In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness.

America has sinned against Jesus by treacherously and grievously doing wrong, [acting] without [God's] permission, and Jesus-Jehovah in Ezek 14 warns us that "when a land sins against Me by treacherously and grievously doing wrong, [acting] without [God's] permission<4603 +4604>, and I stretch out My hand against it and break its staff of bread and send famine upon it and cut off from it man and beast, . . . 15 If I cause ferocious and evil wild animals to pass through the land and they ravage and bereave it, and it becomes desolate so that no man may pass through because of the beasts; . . .  17 Or if I bring a sword upon that land and say, Sword, go through the land, so that I cut off man and beast from it, . . . 19 Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My wrath upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast,  20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, says the Lord God, they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would but deliver their own lives by their [God given] righteousness [granted by God for their faith in Him]

Yes, surely we have the promse that "God is faithful , and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure." Yet all you have to do to get the right perspective is to remember that Father allowed His Son to be tortured to death and Jesus' 11 Apostles to die painfully violent deaths while He kept that promise. He gave them the "ability and strength of resistance and power to endure" such deaths, but their deaths were unpleasant, uncomfortable and painful.
***and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.NKJV Romans 8:16-18
***    1. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
2 Corinthians 1:6-8
***For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Philippians 1:28-30
***For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 1 Thessalonians 3:3-5
***Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.2 Timothy 3:11-13
***though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.Hebrews 5:7-9
***12Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].
***12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.1 Peter 4

SO WE CAN THANK GOD FOR HIS PROMISE, HOWEVER HE KEEPS IT, KEEPING IT BY MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE OR BY TAKING US HOME TO BE SAFE WITH HIM FOREVER
***  13For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. 14Therefore, my dearly beloved, shun (keep clear away from, avoid) any sort of idolatry (of loving or venerating anything more than God).

Are prepared to "step up to the plate" and join Moses to live with heroic faith?
***Hebrews 11:24-26 (New King James Version)
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. . . 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Can this be said of you, of us, of our loved ones?
 By faith I, being of age, refuse to be called the son of America, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in America; for I look to the reward. I live by faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off I am assured of them, embrace them and confess that I am a stranger and pilgrim on the earth. I declare plainly that I seek a homeland. I think of America from which country I come, and I have the opportunity to turn my loyalties to America. But now I desire a better country, that is, a heavenly country, the Kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem, New Heaven and Earth (Rev 21 &22). Therefore I know that God is not ashamed to be called my God, for He has prepared a City for me and the rest of His children/disciples.

Are your "backpacks" packed and ready to flee and escape if possible?

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A Reason Torah Observance Can Be An Issue Today For Both Messianic Jews & Christian Gentiles

By R Tyler, 10/26/09
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BiblicalSexVsSexSin 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SexProbsAndRecoveryInJesus  - - - - -
http://groups.google.com/group/SexScriptureChristiansAndJesus

We know from Acts 15 and 21 that the Apostles and all the other Messianic Jews were still obeying the Sinai Law, according to the covenant of their ancestors at Sinai, while the Christian Gentiles were released from having to obey most of the Sinai Law, except to "abstain from and avoid anything that has been polluted by being offered to idols, and all sexual impurity, and [eating meat of animals] that have been strangled, and [tasting of] blood.
  21 BECAUSE from ancient generations Moses has had his preachers in every town, for he is read [aloud] every Sabbath in the synagogues." Later when there were many Christian assemblies where there were few if any Messianic Jews, the Spirit moved Paul to write the Word in Romans 14, 1 Cor 8 & 10 to show Torah observant Messianic Jews and most Christian Gentiles, freed from having to keep most of the Sinai Law, how to be in good and harmonious fellowship.

SO IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, ESPECIALLY IN THE ERA OF THE BOOK OF ACTS,
THERE WERE BELIEVERS KEEPING THE SINAI LAW AND CHRISTIAN GENTILES WHO WERE NOT REQUIRED TO KEEP SINAI LAW, BUT BOTH GROUPS WERE UNDER GOD'S WORD TO ABSTAIN FROM FORNICATION, SEX SIN. Torah observant Messianic Jews are bound by the following, while the Christian Jews are not, except in some cases of Deut 22:25-29

***Exod 21:7 If a man sells his daughter to be a maidservant or bondwoman, she shall not go out [in six years] as menservants do.
 8 If she does not please her master who has not espoused her to himself, he shall let her be redeemed. To sell her to a foreign people he shall have no power, for he has dealt faithlessly with her.  9 And if he espouses her to his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. 10 If he marries again, her food, clothing, and privilege as a wife shall he not diminish.  11 And if he does not do these three things for her, then shall she go out free, without payment of money.

***Exod 22:***Exod 22:16 And if a man seduce a virgin that is not betrothed, and have genital contact<07901> with her, he shall certainly endow her, to be his wife.  17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equivalent to the dowry of virgins.

***De 22:22 If a man be found having genital contact<07901> with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that had genital contact<07901> with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.  23 * If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and have genital contact<07901> with her; . . . 25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and have genital contact<07901> with her: then the man only that had genital contact<07901> with her shall die: . . . 28 * If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and have genital contact<07901> with her, and they are found/discovered; 29 * Then the man that had genital contact<07901> with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath violated her, he may not put her away all his days.

There is a good possibility that this Law could apply to Christian Gentiles, in that it is sex sin to have genital contact with an uncommitted virgin, genital contact that is found out and discovered by others than the two, and then fail to be maritally bound to her for the rest of his life. For a discussion of why a Christian Gentile might not be bound by this law, see below at @@@@@.

A key word in this consideration is Strong's 07901 shakab {shaw-kab'}; v
Qal: to lie, lie down, lie on, to lie (of sexual relations, relating to another
by means of a sex organ, genital contact)

***Lev 18:22  And thou shalt not have genital contact<07901> with mankind as one has genital contact with a woman: it is an abomination. 23 And thou shalt have genital contact<07901> with no beast to become unclean [by genital fluids] therewith; and a woman shall not stand before a beast to have genital contact <07901> with it: it is confusion.

So any genital contact between two people of the same sex and/or
anyone having genital contact with animals represents sin and is not fit for a
follower of Christ to do, see or think about (Phil 4:8) or enjoy (Rom 1:32)

The 3rd Century B.C. Jewish translators who gave us the Septuagint
rendered "Shakab" in the Greek as "Koitayn". Koitayn is rendered by
Lexigraphers Strong and Thayer as "cohabitation, . . . sexual intercourse."
Sexual intercourse is communicating with another by means of a sex organ.
Harper's Analytical Greek Lexicon agrees. Lexigraphers Arndt & Gingrich go even further rendering it as "sexual intercourse, . . . seminal emission
(Num 5:20 . . . Lev 15:16f, 32; 18:20; 22:4 . . .)." This is the Greek word used in Heb 13:4 of marital sex in the marriage bed. To have sexual intercourse with someone is to be communicating and/or interacting with someone by means of a sex organ (penis, pudenda, vulva, clitoris, vagina). If a person does not realize that there is communication and interaction when the penis of a man touches the skin of a woman, that person doesn't know sex. Nonverbal communication is as significant as verbal communication and
powerful and effective nonverbal communication is the penis of a man
touching the skin or mucous membrane of a woman, or the
clitoris/labia/pudenda/vulva/vagina of a woman touching the skin or
mucous membrane of a man, or the breast/nipple of a woman of a woman
touching the skin or mucous membrane of a man. Only the ignorant fail
to realize the reality of the nonverbal communication between the man
and the woman that takes place when the penis of a man is inside the
body of a woman or touches the skin of a woman.

@@@@@
 Deut 22:28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and have genital contact<07901> with her, and they are found/discovered; 29 * Then the man that had genital contact<07901> with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath violated her, he may not put her away all his days.

A Gentile Christian who does this with such a virgin, especially one who has done this several times, appears to be under command to be married to her
according to the following, except in cases listed below 1 Cor 7:
*** 1 Cor 7:2 but because of and to avoid sexual immorality each man should be [sexually] having his own woman, and each woman should be [sexually] having her own man. . . . 8To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. 9 But if they do not [Strong's 3756] continue to restrain themselves [keep on abstaining from sex sin],  they should marry, for it is better to marry  than to burn with desire.

HOWEVER, the Christian Gentile must not marry such a virgin if she is one of the following:

[1] A believer in a false god: MALA 2:11 Judah has acted treacherously, and a detestable  thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned  the LORD's sanctuary,   which He loves,  and has married the daughter of a foreign god.   12 To the man who does this, may the LORD cut off  any descendants    from the tents of Jacob, even if they present an offering to the LORD of Hosts. HCSB

[2] An unbeliever or believer in a false god: 2 Cor 6:14-7:3;

[3] A "believer" snared in sex sin, immorality or greed, idolatry [whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God], or railing, abusing, reviling, slandering, or is a drunkard or a swindler or an extortioner or a robber [1 Cor 5:3-11]

[4] A "believer" who "is slack in the performance of duty and is disorderly, living as a shirker and not walking in accord with the traditions and instructions that you have received from us. 2 Thess 3:6-14

[5.] A "believer"  who creates dissensions and difficulties and causes divisions, in opposition to the doctrine (the teaching) which we find in the Word/Bible Rom 16:17,18

[6]  A "believer" who fails to continue to keep Jesus' commands, who continues to not keep His Word,  who does not continue to walk just as He walked.  See 1 John 2:18,19 and
1 John 3:4-14:
4 Everyone who sins breaks the Law [of God]; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that He [Jesus] appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in Him [deliberately and knowingly] keeps on doing a sin. No one who [deliberately and knowingly] continues to do a sin has either seen Him or known Him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that keeps on doing righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. 8 He who [deliberately and knowingly] continues to do a sin is of the devil; for the devil keeps on sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] continue to do a sin; for His seed remains in him: and he cannot [deliberately and knowingly] keep on doing a sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever does not keep on doing righteousness is not of God, neither he who is not loving his brother. . . 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we keep on unselfishly and kindly Loving our brothers. Anyone who does not continue to unselfishly and kindly Love remains in death.

A genuine child of God cannot "keep on doing a sin, because he is born of God" and God will chasten him/her out of the sin (Hebrews 12) with weakness, sickness or hardships to get him/her to stop sinning, with the genuine repentance of godly sorrow (1 Cor 11:25-35; 1 Cor 5:3-5; 2 Cor 7). If she/he does not genuinely repent of the sin in godly sorrow 92 Cor 7), the chastening may even mean the death of his/her body (1 Cor 11:25-35; 1 Cor 5:3-5) so that her/his spirit can be saved from that sin.

The godly in Christ who are not successfully abstaining from sex sin, in thought or deed, obey this command because Jesus won't let them continue to sin. Those in Jesus who try to continue on while failing to consistently abstain from sex sin, choosing not to obey Jesus and marry, encounter Jesus' discipling and chastening, often in the form of weakness, sickness or even the sleep of death (1 Cor 5:3-5; 11:30-32; Heb 12).

Causing Others To Sin - - Never Okay to Sin

By Tyler 10/15/09

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Best_Way_to_Live/
http://groups.google.com/group/PGChristianLivingIssues
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Christian_Life_Issues_Today
http://christianlifeissuestoday.groups.live.com/
http://christianlifeissues.multiply.com/
          
There appears to be a serious misunderstanding of Scripture that could result in suffering and loss for believers.  It is very important to realize that people can CAUSE OTHER PEOPLE TO SIN, can destroy the work of God in another's life, can cause another to stumble into sin, and can spiritually weaken others.
          
***Mat 18:6But if anyone CAUSES one of these little ones who believe in me TO SIN, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that CAUSE PEOPLE TO SIN! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! Matthew 18:6-8NIV
          
***ROM 14:20 Do not, for the sake of food, DESTROY the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to MAKE ANOTHER STUMBLE by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do ANYTHING that CAUSES your brother to STUMBLE (spiritually) or  to offend<or entice to sin Strng: 4624> or to be made [spiritually] weak/feeble<770> . [NKJV]
***I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause [the sin of] divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.   [ESV Romans 16:16-18]
          
***Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall. [ 1 Corinthians 8:12-13  NIV]
          
***Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— [1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NIV]
          
Rom 14:1 AS FOR the man who is a weak believer, welcome him [into your fellowship], but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with discussions. . . . 22 Your personal convictions [on controversial or potentially offensive matters]--exercise [them] as in God's presence, keeping them to yourself [privately and discretely]. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves [who does not condemn himself by the controversial or possibly offensive things he chooses to do]. 23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating [or doing what you believe to be controversial or possibly offensive], and then eats [doing what you believe is controversial/offensive], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful]. 15: 1 WE WHO are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; [exercising our controversial and possibly offensive convictions as in God's presence, keeping them to yourself privately and discretely] and not to please ourselves.  From AmpBib
          
The Scriptures make it clear that those who cause others to sin or become weak in their faith will be dealt with by God. If those who offend and cause others to sin are His children, He has promised to chasten/discipline them in Heb 12. In 1 Cor 11 the Spirit showed that those who humiliate, embarrass and are inconsiderate of other believers were chastened with weakness, sickness and the bodies of many had died.
          
***30 This is why many are weak and sick among you, and many have fallen asleep [in death]. 31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
          
On our part, the Spirit shows us in Gal 6:1; 2 Tim 2:24ff; Luke 17:3; Matt 18:15-18 how we are deal with those who wrong others, who cause others to sin. We are told to break off fellowship with those who CAUSE OTHER PEOPLE TO SIN, destroy the work of God in another's life, cause another to stumble into sin, and spiritually weaken others. For sure a true Christian should not become engaged to, date or marry such people. For sure God will deal effectively and uncomfortably with the parent who introduces her/his child to drugs and/or porn, the woman who CAUSES A BROTHER TO SIN in lust by enticing him by showing too much of her breasts etc. or by letting him do maritally intimate things with her body, with the brother who seduces a woman so that she lets him do sex sin with her, and/or with the wife or husband who denies her/his marital partner the due marital intimacy designed by God to help them avoid sex sin.
          
Rom 16:17Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.NASB
          
2Thess 3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.  . . . 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
          
It is never "okay to sin", and for sure it not "okay" to CAUSE OTHER PEOPLE TO SIN, destroy the work of God in another's life, cause another to stumble into sin, and spiritually weaken others.
          
1 John 2:3 This is how we are sure  that we have come to know Him: by continuing to keep His commands.  4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," without continuing to keep His commands, is a liar, and [Jesus] the Truth is not in him. 5 But whoever continues to keep His Word,  truly in him the love of God is perfected.  This is how we know we are in Him:  6 the one who says he remains in Him should continue to walk just as He walked.
          
1 John 3:4-14 stated briefly:
4 Everyone who sins breaks the Law [of God]; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that He [Jesus] appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in Him [deliberately and knowingly] keeps on doing a sin. No one who [deliberately and knowingly] continues to do a sin has either seen Him or known Him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that keeps on doing righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. 8 He who [deliberately and knowingly] continues to do a sin is of the devil; for the devil keeps on sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] continue to do a sin; for His seed remains in him: and he cannot [deliberately and knowingly] keep on doing a sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever does not keep on doing righteousness is not of God, neither he who is not loving his brother. . . 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we keep on unselfishly and kindly Loving our brothers. Anyone who does not continue to unselfishly and kindly Love remains in death.
          
A genuine child of God cannot "keep on doing a sin, because he is born of God" and God will chasten him/her out of the sin (Hebrews 12) with weakness, sickness or hardships to get him/her to stop sinning, with the genuine repentance of godly sorrow (1 Cor 11:25-35; 1 Cor 5:3-5; 2 Cor 7). If she/he does not genuinely repent of the sin in godly sorrow 92 Cor 7), the chastening may even mean the death of his/her body (1 Cor 11:25-35; 1 Cor 5:3-5) so that her/his spirit can be saved from that sin.
          
The godly in Christ who are not successfully abstaining from sex sin, in thought or deed, obey this command because Jesus won't let them continue to sin. Those in Jesus who try to continue on while failing to consistently abstain from sex sin, choosing not to obey Jesus and marry, encounter Jesus' discipling and chastening, often in the form of weakness, sickness or even the sleep of death (1 Cor 5:3-5; 11:30-32; Heb 12).

Ruth and Boaz - Godly Women Offering Themselves to Godly Men

by R. Tyler Copyright10/04/09 All rights reserved. This document may be copied
and
shared as long as it is not changed and the author is acknowledged.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarriageDivorceRemarriageJesus
http://groups.google.com/group/MarriageDivorceRemarriageInJesus
http://biblicalchristianmarriage.groups.vox.com/

Before the godly woman begins to seek the godly man, the godly woman needs to
know how a godly man acts, what he is like. To know what the godly man looks
like, how he acts, go to and click on the "Large" setting:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmorYLaMexicanaYMorenita/photos/album/1160342384/p\
ic/list
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InterRacialEthnicDatingMarryingInJesus2/photos/alb\
um/1496050427/pic/list
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarriageDivorceRemarriageJesus/photos/album/654210\
139/pic/list
http://interracialethnicdatinmarriageinjesus.googlegroups.com/web/ChristianGodly\
MaleTraits4b.jpg?gsc=8oIfQQsAAACcF0QkAN_wlpkuaEIUAgcY
http://marriagedivorceremarriageinjesus.googlegroups.com/web/ChristianGodlyMaleT\
raits4b.jpg?gsc=fH4bAQsAAAApWUxx8O2wbtnvg3rvAd4V

But before we go on, let's deal with the sin of "fear of man"
New King James Version Psalm 118:6
The LORD is on my side;I will not fear. What can mankind do to me?
New International Version Prov 29:25
Fear of mankind will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept
safe.
Matthew 10 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)28 Don't fear those who kill the
body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy
both soul and body in hell.

Godly women who are seeking a godly husband, who are thinking of offering
themselves to godly men for marriage must call on Jesus to free them from the
fear of the men, from the fear of what they may say or do.
Once freed from the snare of the fear of people, of mankind, the godly woman is
ready to proceed like Ruth did with Boaz.

Remember how Ruth offered herself as wife to Boaz, after Naomi did the Titus 2
thing and taught her what to do:
***" 1Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not seek
rest for you, that it may be well with you? 2Is not Boaz our relative, with
whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing
floor. 3 Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down
to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has
finished eating and drinking. 4But when he lies down, observe the place where he
lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to
do." 5And she replied, "All that you say I will do." 6So she went down to the
threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7And when
Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the
end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay
down. 8At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay
at his feet! 9He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth, your
servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer." 10And he
said, "May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last
kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men,
whether poor or rich. 11And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all
that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman."ESV
Ruth 3

Please note that Ruth came to Boaz's attention when she was doing the will of God,
carrying for another widow (James 1:27 + Ruth). Remember that Rebekah was found for Issac when she was doing the will of God, giving drink to the thirsty (Mat 25:35-45+Gen 24). I believe the best place for a woman of God to meet a man of God for marriage is to be out and about doing the good works of God, like Ruth and Rebekah. He has called His children to do the good works He ordained in advance for them to do (Eph 2:10; Tts 3:8), and these are some of them:
***to break the bonds and chains of wickedness,
***to untie the restraining ropes of enslaving, oppressive and burdensome restraints;^
***to set the oppressed free,
***to protect foreigners from abuse and harm,
***to unselfishly, patiently, kindly and compassionately love and provide for the needy foreign resident;^
***to try to help and provide justice for the needy, the fatherless, the widow and the helpless;
***to rescue the poor and needy from the hands of the wicked,
***to rescue those wrongfully taken off to be killed, those moving toward slaughter in the womb or outside of it, especially in the matter of abortion;^
***to uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute,
***to remove every burdensome and oppressing restraint,
***to share bread with the hungry,
***to give something to drink to the thirsty,
***to provide housing for the poor and homeless,
***to clothe the inadequately clothed when they are encountered,
***to help take care of the sick and imprisoned,
***to see to it that bereft women and children are taken care of,
***to not ignore or neglect one's own familial flesh and blood,
***to rid public gatherings of scornful and accusatory finger-pointing and malicious speaking,
***to offer that with which sustains life to the encountered hungry, and
***to effectively meet the needs of the encountered afflicted^.
~Eph 5:7-11: 2Tim 2:24-26; Gal 6:1;        `Mat 29:19,20; Acts 20:25-35;      ^ Isaiah 58; Mat 25; James 1:27; Jer 22:16; Deut 24:17; 10:18; Prov 24:11; Psa 10:14; 82:3,4; 146:9; 68:5.

A godly Christian woman will want to marry a godly Christina man. The godly
Christian woman knows she can ask Father for a godly Christian husband and knows
that if it is His will, she will receive him. A frequent problem, even for the
godly Christian woman, is that she might want him to look like a movie star or
model, and want him to be as physically fit as a competitive athlete. They have
yet to call on Jesus to get them  to the level of Spiritual development where
they "DO NOT FOCUS ON WHAT IS SEEN," don't "TAKE PRIDE IN OUTWARD APPEARANCE," and don't see people "ACCORDING TO THE FLESH/BODY." They are not yet ready to accept from the Lord, as the answer to their prayer for a godly husband, a godly man who happens to be wheel chair bound, blind, deaf, fat, bald, skinny, unsophisticated, plain, old, young, under educated, relatively poor, has a funny old car, lives
in an old house, lives in an undesirable neighborhood, has crazy or demon
possessed parents, or is called to be a missionary who goes out on faith
trusting Jesus for his provision, or already had a wife but is free in the Lord to marry according to 1 Cor 7:10-15,39.

***"4:18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is
seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. . . . . 5:12 We are not
commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of
us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward
appearance rather than in the heart.  . . . 16From now on, therefore, we regard
no one according to the flesh/body. Even though we once regarded Christ
according to the flesh/body, we regard Him thus no longer." HCSB+ESV 2 Cor

Some are not yet ready to accept from the Lord, as the answer to their prayer
for a godly husband, a godly man who happens to be wheel chair bound, blind,
deaf, fat, bald, skinny, unsophisticated,
plain, old, young, under educated, relatively poor, has a funny old car, lives
in an old house, lives in an undesirable neighborhood, has crazy or demon
possessed parents, or is called to be a missionary who goes out on faith
trusting Jesus for his provision, or already had kids by a previous wife.

The godly Christian woman may have already come to the place where they know
that Father hears them, and that they have the right to expect His answer
because they continue to obey Jesus' orders [observe His suggestions and
injunctions, follow His plan for us] and [keep on] practicing what is pleasing
to Jesus; and if they have studied their Bible well, they know what His will is
in many things, and have the confidence that if they ask for anything that is in
agreement with His Will and Plan, they will then see their prayer answered.

***"3:22And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [watchfully] obey
His orders [observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us] and
[keep on] practicing what is pleasing to Him. 23And this is His order (His
command, His injunction): that we should believe in (put our faith and trust in
and adhere to and rely on) the Name of His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and
that we should love one another [unselfishly, patiently and kindly; without envy
or boasting; without being arrogant or rude; without insisting on your own way;
without being irritable or resentful; without rejoicing at wrongdoing, but
rejoicing with the Truth], just as He has commanded us. . . . 5:14And this is
the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him:
[we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will
(in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15And if (since)
we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know
[with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present
possessions] the requests made of Him." AmpB 1 John

So the godly Christian woman who strongly feels led to serve Jesus as a man's
wife and the mother of children to be raised to His glory, or the godly woman
who has come under command to marry because she fails to keep on abstaining from
sex sin in thought or deed - - - -

***" 2 but because of and to avoid sexual immorality each man should be
[sexually] having his own woman, and each woman should be [sexually] having her
own man. . . . 8To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them
to remain single as I am. 9 But if they do not continue to have self-restraint
[keep on abstaining from sex sin], they should marry, for it is better to marry
than to burn with desire." 1 Cor 7

 - - - - - - - knows that she has a legitimate need for marriage, knows that if
she is under God's command to marry she REALLY NEEDS a godlyhusband. Knowing her need she prays for and looks for the godly man who can meet her need of marriage.

***"16By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to
understand) the [God's] Love: that He laid down His [own] life for us; and we
ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brethren [in Him]. 17But
if anyone has this world's goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his
brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against
him, how can the Love of God live and remain in him? 18Little children, let us
not Love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice
and in sincerity)." 1 John 3 from AmpB

We know from the Word that a godly woman should not date, become engaged to or marry an unsaved person (2 Cor 6:14-7:1; Malachi 2:10-12), or a saint snared in sin (2 Thess 3:6-14; 1 Cor 5:3-5,11) or causing sin (Rom 16:17-18).

So if the godly woman in need sees a godly man who has the ability to meet her
need, without focusing "ON WHAT IS SEEN," not taking "PRIDE IN OUTWARD APPEARANCE," and not seeing him "ACCORDING TO THE FLESH/BODY," then she has the right to let him know her need, and ask him if he would be the one to meet her need. I
believe she should follow Ruth's example, if possible, and seek the advice and
guidance of an older godly woman (Titus 2). I believe she should follow Ruth's
example and personally approach him in a quiet moment when they are alone, to
ask him to meet her need of marriage and offer herself to serve him in his need
of marital intimacy (1Cor7:1-5; Prov 5:18,19), to help him "avoid sexual
immorality", to help him raise "godly offspring."
***"15 But did He not make them one,
Having a remnant of the Spirit?
And why one?
He seeks godly offspring. . . . Mala 2 NKJV

If the man has responded positively to her offer but starts dragging his feet, it may be necessary for her to begin
to show more of her skin. Hopefully she has been preparing herself for the possibility of marriage like Esther and the
Shulamite of Solomon's Song of Solomon so that her skin is well oiled and perfumed, even with nothing else but butter, cinnamon, almond oil, banana oil, and the other flavoring oils that can be found at most supermarkets.
***12 Before a girl's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.Esther 2
The sight of his lady's perfumed legs, arms, shoulders, back etc can fill the man with enough desire that he will marry her and make her his own.

Romans 14:22 Your personal convictions [on sexual matters not specifically dealt
with in the Bible]--exercise [them] as in God's presence, keeping them to
yourself [striving only to know the truth and obey His will]. Blessed (happy, to
be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves [who
does not convict himself by what he chooses to do].
    23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about
eating [or doing sexual acts not specifically dealt with in the Bible], and then
eats [or does one of those sexual acts], stands condemned [before God], because
he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever
does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a
conviction of its approval by God is sinful].
15:1 Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those
without strength, and not to please ourselves. 2 Each one of us must please his
neighbor for his good, in order to build him up. 3 For even the Messiah did not
please Himself. On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who
insult You have fallen on Me. 4 For whatever was written before was written for
our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the encouragement of
the Scriptures we may have hope. 5 Now may the God of endurance and
encouragement grant you agreement with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6
so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a
united mind and voice.

http://groups.google.com/group/InterRacialEthnicDatinMarriageInJesus
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InterRacialEthnicDatingMarryingInJesus2/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmorYLaMexicanaYMorenita  
http://groups.msn.com/ChristianInterracialethicDatingMarriage =
http://groups.google.com/group/PGChristianLivingIssues

It seems to me that today's application in the context of the Scriptures below in the Western world today is that if you believe it is acceptable to partake of toplessness with likeminded people, you would do so after making sure they are likeminded, but if you knew that a Christian believed heterosexual toplessness is wrong outside of one's own marriage, then you would neither partake of toplessness in a way that the Christian would know about it, and you would not discuss what you personally do or believe about heterosexual toplessness with such a Christian. The Scriptures on the matter would be discussed, but not one's own personal opinion of the matter (Romans 14:1; 15:1-3.

PARAPHRASED/AMPLIFIED FOR APPLICATION:***1Cor 8: 8 It is true that a particular kind of [clothing style] will not bring us into God’s presence; we are neither inferior to others if we abstain from [toplessness], nor superior to them if we [practice] it. 9 But take care lest this liberty of yours should prove a hindrance to the progress of weak believers. 10 For if any one were to see you, who knows of this matter, [practicing toplessness], would not his conscience (supposing him to be a weak believer) be emboldened to [view topless women as well but with doubts]? 11 Why, your knowledge becomes the ruin of the weak believer--your brother, for whom Christ died! 12 Moreover when you thus sin against the brethren and wound their weak consciences, you are, in reality, sinning against Christ. 13 Therefore if [my toplessness] causes my brother to fall, never again to the end of my days will I [be topless around my weaker brothers], for fear I should cause my brother to fall. [Derived from 1 Cor 8:8-13]

PARAPHRASED/AMPLIFIED FOR APPLICATION:1 Cor 10:27 But if any one [including unbelievers] invite you [to a topless event], and you are minded to go, [partake of the toplessness] that is set before you, making no inquiry [about what others think of it] for conscience sake. 28* But if any one say to you, "[This is sinful, evil and offensive!", Do not [partake of the toplessness], for his/her sake that pointed it out, and conscience sake. 29* But conscience, I mean, not your own, but that of the other [who declared the toplessness to be evil and offensive]. For why is my liberty [to be topless] judged by another conscience? 30* If *I* partake [of toplessness] with thanksgiving, why am I spoken evil of for what *I* give thanks for? 31 Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever [toplessness] you do, do all things to God’s glory. 32 Give no occasion to stumbling, whether to Jews, or Greeks, or the assembly of God.

PARAPHRASED/AMPLIFIED FOR APPLICATION: Rom 14:1 Do not receive him that is weak in the faith for the purpose of distinguishing, discerning, and judging deliberation, or questioning about what is true [about toplessness], a questioning that involves hesitation, doubting, disputing or arguing [about toplessness]. . . . 20 For the sake of [toplessness] do not destroy the work of God [in the life of another]. All things [including toplessness] indeed are pure; but it is evil to that one who [partakes of toplessness] while stumbling [in sin] because of her/his doubts about its rightness. 21 It is right not to [be topless], nor [wear G string bikinis], nor do anything [like posing nude while discretely covering one’s genitals with something opaque] in which thy brother [or sister] stumbles [violating one's conscience and so inducing one to sin by acting in doubt], or is offended [ or stumbles or is enticed to act without faith or think sinfully, unfavourably or unjustly of another], or is made weak [morally feeble, without strength, spiritually powerless]. 22 Have you faith [to believe toplessness is right and so practice it]? Have that conviction to yourself [privately, personally and/or discretely with likeminded others] before God. Blessed is the one who does not judge oneself in what [belief or practice of toplessness] one allows [himself with a firm and convinced faith in its rightness before God]. 23 But one that doubts [about the rightness of toplessness], if [that] one [partakes of toplessness], [that one] is condemned; because that one [partook of toplessness] not because of faith [in its rightness]; but whatever [topless behavior or thought does not originate from] faith [in its rightness before God] is sin.

Is Your BackPack Full & Are You Ready To Escape?

By R. Tyler 10/27/09
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Best_Way_to_Live/
http://groups.google.com/group/PGChristianLivingIssues
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Christian_Life_Issues_Today
http://christianlifeissuestoday.groups.live.com/
http://christianlifeissues.multiply.com/

There are "signs of the times" that we should know about and be prepared to recognize and respond to appropriately.
***1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2He answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' 3And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. Matt 16 ESV

Some of those signs are warnings of imminent danger and
for the well being of ourselves and our loved ones, we need to be prepared to quickly take appropriate action, to have our "backpacks" prepared and ready to go at a moment's notice.
***16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 The one who is on the housetop should not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and the one who is in the field should not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. Mat 24

I live in So California and we Californians have been well warned that from San Francisco to San Diego we are due for a terribly destructive earthquake. So in order to survive adequately many of us have done what was advised, storing up at least two weeks of food and water, candles and matches, batteries etc.  In the MidWest they have tornado and blizzard warnings and in the South East they have hurricane warnings, and those who want to survive adequately take the appropriate steps to do so. When we are told that the flu season is coming, we get our vaccinations.

Jesus tells us to know the signs of the times and be prepared to respond appropriately.
Jesus didn't correct His disciples when they asked "And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” [Lk 21:7]

Jesus taught that as part of "signs of the times" persecution of His children/disciples will occur before the horrors come, horrors like "wars and commotions, . . Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. . . . earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; . . . . fearful sights and great signs from heaven."
***12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. . . . 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. [Luke 21 NKJV]
***23 When they persecute you in one town, escape to another. . . . [Mat 10]

Since we are warned that before "all Hell breaks loose on earth" we will be persecuted, we need to be ready to obey Jesus and escape to another town, city, county, province, parish, state or country when persecuted in our own town, city, county, province, parish, state or country. We saw in the Bible's Acts that Jesus used the persecution of the Christians in and around Jerusalem to scatter/send them throughout land, spreading the Gospel as they went [Acts 8:2]. Even in America we need to have our "backpacks" and minds prepared for the possibility that we may need to move to continue living somewhat normally, because persecution of Christians in America is getting worse every year, especially under pressure from the immoral and homosexual pressure groups, atheists, evolutionists, secularists, Obama and the Obamacrats.
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/5027/persecution-of-christians-around-the-world-ignored
http://www.independentconservative.com/2008/06/13/legal-persecution-of-christians-in-the-west-has-begun/

The great Mid-Eastern war of Rev 6 could take place any time now, especially if Iran and Israel go to war over Iran's threats to use nuclear weapons to destroy Israel, if you are like me and believe that the rapture takes place at the last Trumpet (1 Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thess 4:15-17; Rev 11). One fourth of the Mid-Eastern population would die within a month of that war (by violence, famine, pestilence) and the chaos that would produce in oil extraction, shipping and delivering would result in economic chaos in many nations, but especially in the USA. Are your "backpacks" and minds ready to cope with all this? Why would Jesus allow that to happen to America, the land of the free and the home of the brave?

American leaders in the 1700s - - -
***Romans 1:19 For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them. 20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). . . .

American leaders in the 2000s - - -
 . . . . So [Americans] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification],  21Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead the [Americans] became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened.  22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools [declaring that Jesus-Jehovah is no god Psa 14:1].  23And by them the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God were exchanged for and represented by images [of celebrities, movie stars, entertainers, athletes, actors, actresses, singers etc], resembling mortal man and birds and beasts and reptiles.  24Therefore God gave them up in the evil desires of their [own] hearts to sexual immorality, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves [in sexual sin],  25 Because they exchanged [Jesus.] the Truth of God, for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 Their females exchanged natural sex relations<5446+5540>* for those that are contrary to God's design<3844+5449>*; 27 likewise/so/equally/similarly/IN THE SAME WAY<3668>* having left the God designed/made physiological/biological functions/use of the female, the males were inflamed in their evil desire for that which is forbidden<3715>* to do with each other<1519>*, males in/with/by males working/doing/performing genitals<2716+808>* and receiving in themselves the recompense which was fit for their error. 28 And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome, 29 Until they were filled (permeated and saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, iniquity, grasping and covetous greed, and malice. [American movies, TV programs and songs are] full of envy and jealousy, murder, strife, deceit and treachery, ill will and cruel ways. [American love entertainment that features] secret backbiters and gossipers,  30 [Americans are] slanderers, hateful to and hating God, full of insolence, arrogance, [and] boasting; inventors of new forms of evil, disobedient and undutiful to parents. 31 [Americans are] without understanding, conscienceless and faithless promise breakers, heartless and loveless [and] merciless.  32 Though they are fully aware of God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them themselves but approve and applaud others who practice them. [From the AmpBible]  *See Strong's (5631); & (5740), Strong's lexicon  
 Did you get that? "32 Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."
 
Remember Pharaoh? Remember how he hardened his heart numerous times and rebelled against Moses and Jesus-Jehovah? Remember how Jesus-Jehovah gave him up to his own will and desire and stopped  dealing with Pharaoh? In the same way after Jesus appealed to America by Dwight L. Moody, Billy Graham, Frances Schaeffer, Martin Luther King Jr etc, America's leaders, elected by the American people, rejected God's Word from His messengers and kicked prayer and the Bible out of public schools, stopped having students read the writings of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution because of their Christian faith and testimonies, repudiated the Bible and the  Creator and unscientifically elevated the theory of evolution from theory to alleged fact, ridiculed and mocked Americans who agreed with the writers of the Declaration of Independence about the Creator and His providence in America, and rejected the Bible's sexual morality for a totally amoral way of life. So what is the present spiritual status of America, and what lies ahead in its future? Why do the people believe the lies their leaders are telling them?
***2 Thess 2:9  . . . through the activity and working of Satan [Eph 2:1,2] . . . 10 And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome [Jesus,] the Truth, but refused to love it that they might be saved. 11Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false, 12 In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness.

America has sinned against Jesus by treacherously and grievously doing wrong, [acting] without [God's] permission, and Jesus-Jehovah in Ezek 14 warns us that "when a land sins against Me by treacherously and grievously doing wrong, [acting] without [God's] permission<4603 +4604>, and I stretch out My hand against it and break its staff of bread and send famine upon it and cut off from it man and beast, . . . 15 If I cause ferocious and evil wild animals to pass through the land and they ravage and bereave it, and it becomes desolate so that no man may pass through because of the beasts; . . .  17 Or if I bring a sword upon that land and say, Sword, go through the land, so that I cut off man and beast from it, . . . 19 Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My wrath upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast,  20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, says the Lord God, they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would but deliver their own lives by their [God given] righteousness [granted by God for their faith in Him]

Yes, surely we have the promse that "God is faithful , and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure." Yet all you have to do to get the right perspective is to remember that Father allowed His Son to be tortured to death and Jesus' 11 Apostles to die painfully violent deaths while He kept that promise. He gave them the "ability and strength of resistance and power to endure" such deaths, but their deaths were unpleasant, uncomfortable and painful.
***and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.NKJV Romans 8:16-18
***    1. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
2 Corinthians 1:6-8
***For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Philippians 1:28-30
***For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 1 Thessalonians 3:3-5
***Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.2 Timothy 3:11-13
***though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.Hebrews 5:7-9
***12Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].
***12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.1 Peter 4

SO WE CAN THANK GOD FOR HIS PROMISE, HOWEVER HE KEEPS IT, KEEPING IT BY MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE OR BY TAKING US HOME TO BE SAFE WITH HIM FOREVER
***  13For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. 14Therefore, my dearly beloved, shun (keep clear away from, avoid) any sort of idolatry (of loving or venerating anything more than God).

Are prepared to "step up to the plate" and join Moses to live with heroic faith?
***Hebrews 11:24-26 (New King James Version)
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. . . 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Can this be said of you, of us, of our loved ones?
 By faith I, being of age, refuse to be called the son of America, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in America; for I look to the reward. I live by faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off I am assured of them, embrace them and confess that I am a stranger and pilgrim on the earth. I declare plainly that I seek a homeland. I think of America from which country I come, and I have the opportunity to turn my loyalties to America. But now I desire a better country, that is, a heavenly country, the Kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem, New Heaven and Earth (Rev 21 &22). Therefore I know that God is not ashamed to be called my God, for He has prepared a City for me and the rest of His children/disciples.

Are your "backpacks" packed and ready to flee and escape if possible?

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FriendsOfRonTyler/
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A Reason Torah Observance Can Be An Issue Today For Both Messianic Jews & Christian Gentiles

By R Tyler, 10/26/09
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BiblicalSexVsSexSin 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SexProbsAndRecoveryInJesus  - - - - -
http://groups.google.com/group/SexScriptureChristiansAndJesus

We know from Acts 15 and 21 that the Apostles and all the other Messianic Jews were still obeying the Sinai Law, according to the covenant of their ancestors at Sinai, while the Christian Gentiles were released from having to obey most of the Sinai Law, except to "abstain from and avoid anything that has been polluted by being offered to idols, and all sexual impurity, and [eating meat of animals] that have been strangled, and [tasting of] blood.
  21 BECAUSE from ancient generations Moses has had his preachers in every town, for he is read [aloud] every Sabbath in the synagogues." Later when there were many Christian assemblies where there were few if any Messianic Jews, the Spirit moved Paul to write the Word in Romans 14, 1 Cor 8 & 10 to show Torah observant Messianic Jews and most Christian Gentiles, freed from having to keep most of the Sinai Law, how to be in good and harmonious fellowship.

SO IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, ESPECIALLY IN THE ERA OF THE BOOK OF ACTS,
THERE WERE BELIEVERS KEEPING THE SINAI LAW AND CHRISTIAN GENTILES WHO WERE NOT REQUIRED TO KEEP SINAI LAW, BUT BOTH GROUPS WERE UNDER GOD'S WORD TO ABSTAIN FROM FORNICATION, SEX SIN. Torah observant Messianic Jews are bound by the following, while the Christian Jews are not, except in some cases of Deut 22:25-29

***Exod 21:7 If a man sells his daughter to be a maidservant or bondwoman, she shall not go out [in six years] as menservants do.
 8 If she does not please her master who has not espoused her to himself, he shall let her be redeemed. To sell her to a foreign people he shall have no power, for he has dealt faithlessly with her.  9 And if he espouses her to his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. 10 If he marries again, her food, clothing, and privilege as a wife shall he not diminish.  11 And if he does not do these three things for her, then shall she go out free, without payment of money.

***Exod 22:***Exod 22:16 And if a man seduce a virgin that is not betrothed, and have genital contact<07901> with her, he shall certainly endow her, to be his wife.  17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equivalent to the dowry of virgins.

***De 22:22 If a man be found having genital contact<07901> with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that had genital contact<07901> with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.  23 * If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and have genital contact<07901> with her; . . . 25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and have genital contact<07901> with her: then the man only that had genital contact<07901> with her shall die: . . . 28 * If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and have genital contact<07901> with her, and they are found/discovered; 29 * Then the man that had genital contact<07901> with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath violated her, he may not put her away all his days.

There is a good possibility that this Law could apply to Christian Gentiles, in that it is sex sin to have genital contact with an uncommitted virgin, genital contact that is found out and discovered by others than the two, and then fail to be maritally bound to her for the rest of his life. For a discussion of why a Christian Gentile might not be bound by this law, see below at @@@@@.

A key word in this consideration is Strong's 07901 shakab {shaw-kab'}; v
Qal: to lie, lie down, lie on, to lie (of sexual relations, relating to another
by means of a sex organ, genital contact)

***Lev 18:22  And thou shalt not have genital contact<07901> with mankind as one has genital contact with a woman: it is an abomination. 23 And thou shalt have genital contact<07901> with no beast to become unclean [by genital fluids] therewith; and a woman shall not stand before a beast to have genital contact <07901> with it: it is confusion.

So any genital contact between two people of the same sex and/or
anyone having genital contact with animals represents sin and is not fit for a
follower of Christ to do, see or think about (Phil 4:8) or enjoy (Rom 1:32)

The 3rd Century B.C. Jewish translators who gave us the Septuagint
rendered "Shakab" in the Greek as "Koitayn". Koitayn is rendered by
Lexigraphers Strong and Thayer as "cohabitation, . . . sexual intercourse."
Sexual intercourse is communicating with another by means of a sex organ.
Harper's Analytical Greek Lexicon agrees. Lexigraphers Arndt & Gingrich go even further rendering it as "sexual intercourse, . . . seminal emission
(Num 5:20 . . . Lev 15:16f, 32; 18:20; 22:4 . . .)." This is the Greek word used in Heb 13:4 of marital sex in the marriage bed. To have sexual intercourse with someone is to be communicating and/or interacting with someone by means of a sex organ (penis, pudenda, vulva, clitoris, vagina). If a person does not realize that there is communication and interaction when the penis of a man touches the skin of a woman, that person doesn't know sex. Nonverbal communication is as significant as verbal communication and
powerful and effective nonverbal communication is the penis of a man
touching the skin or mucous membrane of a woman, or the
clitoris/labia/pudenda/vulva/vagina of a woman touching the skin or
mucous membrane of a man, or the breast/nipple of a woman of a woman
touching the skin or mucous membrane of a man. Only the ignorant fail
to realize the reality of the nonverbal communication between the man
and the woman that takes place when the penis of a man is inside the
body of a woman or touches the skin of a woman.

@@@@@
 Deut 22:28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and have genital contact<07901> with her, and they are found/discovered; 29 * Then the man that had genital contact<07901> with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath violated her, he may not put her away all his days.

A Gentile Christian who does this with such a virgin, especially one who has done this several times, appears to be under command to be married to her
according to the following, except in cases listed below 1 Cor 7:
*** 1 Cor 7:2 but because of and to avoid sexual immorality each man should be [sexually] having his own woman, and each woman should be [sexually] having her own man. . . . 8To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. 9 But if they do not [Strong's 3756] continue to restrain themselves [keep on abstaining from sex sin],  they should marry, for it is better to marry  than to burn with desire.

HOWEVER, the Christian Gentile must not marry such a virgin if she is one of the following:

[1] A believer in a false god: MALA 2:11 Judah has acted treacherously, and a detestable  thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned  the LORD's sanctuary,   which He loves,  and has married the daughter of a foreign god.   12 To the man who does this, may the LORD cut off  any descendants    from the tents of Jacob, even if they present an offering to the LORD of Hosts. HCSB

[2] An unbeliever or believer in a false god: 2 Cor 6:14-7:3;

[3] A "believer" snared in sex sin, immorality or greed, idolatry [whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God], or railing, abusing, reviling, slandering, or is a drunkard or a swindler or an extortioner or a robber [1 Cor 5:3-11]

[4] A "believer" who "is slack in the performance of duty and is disorderly, living as a shirker and not walking in accord with the traditions and instructions that you have received from us. 2 Thess 3:6-14

[5.] A "believer"  who creates dissensions and difficulties and causes divisions, in opposition to the doctrine (the teaching) which we find in the Word/Bible Rom 16:17,18

[6]  A "believer" who fails to continue to keep Jesus' commands, who continues to not keep His Word,  who does not continue to walk just as He walked.  See 1 John 2:18,19 and
1 John 3:4-14:
4 Everyone who sins breaks the Law [of God]; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that He [Jesus] appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in Him [deliberately and knowingly] keeps on doing a sin. No one who [deliberately and knowingly] continues to do a sin has either seen Him or known Him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that keeps on doing righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. 8 He who [deliberately and knowingly] continues to do a sin is of the devil; for the devil keeps on sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] continue to do a sin; for His seed remains in him: and he cannot [deliberately and knowingly] keep on doing a sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever does not keep on doing righteousness is not of God, neither he who is not loving his brother. . . 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we keep on unselfishly and kindly Loving our brothers. Anyone who does not continue to unselfishly and kindly Love remains in death.

A genuine child of God cannot "keep on doing a sin, because he is born of God" and God will chasten him/her out of the sin (Hebrews 12) with weakness, sickness or hardships to get him/her to stop sinning, with the genuine repentance of godly sorrow (1 Cor 11:25-35; 1 Cor 5:3-5; 2 Cor 7). If she/he does not genuinely repent of the sin in godly sorrow 92 Cor 7), the chastening may even mean the death of his/her body (1 Cor 11:25-35; 1 Cor 5:3-5) so that her/his spirit can be saved from that sin.

The godly in Christ who are not successfully abstaining from sex sin, in thought or deed, obey this command because Jesus won't let them continue to sin. Those in Jesus who try to continue on while failing to consistently abstain from sex sin, choosing not to obey Jesus and marry, encounter Jesus' discipling and chastening, often in the form of weakness, sickness or even the sleep of death (1 Cor 5:3-5; 11:30-32; Heb 12).