Unfulfilled Promises

From Dutch Sheets:

Periodically, I like to mention quotes from America’s Founders and Framers. Declaring statements made in the past by God—and those made by others at His inspiration—does more than just honor Him and our predecessors. It releases God’s power from yesterday’s words and promises into today.

The last two verses of Hebrews 11 shed light on this. “And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made complete” (Hebrews 11:39-40).

Some promises made by God to people are multi-generational and not intended to be fully accomplished in their lifetimes. Those to whom the promise was made are sometimes only the “womb” in which the “seed” is planted. The succeeding generation(s) furthers the growth, brings the seed to birth, and stewards that which is born.

The Greek word translated as “complete” (teleioo)(1) in the above verse, Hebrews 11:40, also means “to finish; to mature; to reach the intended goal.”(2) Think about the ramifications of this: there are many promises God has made to individuals who are now in heaven that He cannot “finish” or fulfill without us. What He started through them cannot “mature” or “reach its intended goal” until we grab the baton and run our leg of the race. This is profound in its significance. Why wouldn’t the Lord want us to know and declare America’s destiny – that which was written and declared at the beginning? He can’t finish it without us. Here are just a few statements and facts from America’s past we should agree with and declare:

Government

In 1643, John Winthrop, who stated that “we shall be as a city on a hill…” organized the New England Confederation, consisting of New Plymouth, New Haven, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Their Constitution, the first document in America where colonies united themselves, read,

“Whereas we all came to these parts of America with one and the same end and aim, namely, to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, ...for preserving and propagating the truth and liberties of the Gospel.”(3)

William Penn, author of the book No Cross, No Crown, which he wrote while imprisoned in the Tower of London, was the founder of Pennsylvania. His first legislative act, “The Great Law of Penn,” stated,

“Whereas the glory of Almighty God and the good of mankind is the reason and the end of government, and government itself is a venerable ordinance of God...let there be established laws as shall best preserve true Christian and Civil liberty, in opposition to all unchristian, licentious, and unjust practices, whereby God can have His due.”(4)

Penn asked God to make Pennsylvania “the seed of a nation,”(5) and God answered his prayer. Our Declaration of Independence was decreed there in 1776. Four times, the document references God: as our Lawmaker, Creator, Judge, and Protector. The Liberty Bell that rang in Philadelphia that day had inscribed on it: Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof (Leviticus 25:10). Our Constitution was written in Pennsylvania in 1787, born through prayer, which was requested by Ben Franklin. In this Constitution, our government’s three branches were formed according to Isaiah 33:22. “The Lord is our Judge…Lawgiver…King; He will save us.” The righteous seeds Penn and others planted produced a righteous nation and government. We must command these truths embedded in America’s fabric to come alive once more.

Education

One hundred six of America’s first 108 colleges and universities were founded on the Christian faith. Students at Harvard and Yale were required to read the Scriptures twice daily. Harvard’s founders stated: “All knowledge without Christ is vain.” Its motto was “For Christ and The Church.” Yale’s founders stated that “Every student shall consider the main end of his study is to know God in Jesus Christ.” Princeton’s motto was “Under God’s Power She Flourishes.” The first president of Princeton, Jonathan Dickenson, said, “Cursed be all learning that is contrary to the Cross of Christ.” The great pastor and revivalist, Jonathan Edwards, was the 3rd president of Princeton.(6)

Noah Webster, who published the first American Dictionary of the English Language in 1828 said, “Education is useless without the Bible.”(7) “The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws.(8) Webster also said, “The principles of genuine liberty, and of wise laws and administrations, are to be drawn from the Bible and sustained by its authority.”(9) Profound!

What God began in America is not “finished”; it hasn’t “reached its intended goal.” He needs our agreement and commands in order to complete it. Use these and other facts regarding her founding, find more through research and study, and declare them. When you do, this will generate power.

Pray with me:

Father, You are the great Olam El, the Everlasting God, who declares the end from the beginning. When our forefathers were stating their faith in You, declaring Your plans and heart for America, and covenanting to partner with You in fulfilling them, You looked ahead and saw us. You knew You would have a people in this hour who would arise in faith and agree with what was declared back then. We are that people.

As we do so, our faith is not in our ability to declare and command perfectly. It is not in our wisdom, understanding, or abilities. Our faith is in YOU, YOUR mercy offered through Christ, and YOUR ability to work all things after the counsel of YOUR will.

With this faith, we command Your purposes into our government, established under You and Your Word. We declare that You are our Lawgiver, Judge, and King. We declare that the seeds of righteousness planted in our land are not dead; they will bring forth righteous fruit. And we declare that the weeds and thorns will be uprooted and destroyed.

We declare over our education system that evil and perversion will be uprooted. We declare that Christ and His Word will once again be honored. We declare that all knowledge not rooted in Him is vain, and cursed be all learning that contradicts the Cross of Christ. We declare that to know Him is the highest goal of all learning. We command a return to truth and a rejection of deception.

We pray and command all these things in Yeshua’s holy name. Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that we embrace our God-given roots and destiny, thereby allowing God to finish through us what He started in America.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://youtu.be/yeUVOikvoVk


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1. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990. ref. no. 5046.

2. Ibid, ref. no. 5046.

3. “The Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies of New England; May 19, 1643.” Avalon Project, https://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/art1613.asp. Accessed 15 July 2024.

4. William J. Federer, America’s God and Country [Encyclopedia Of Quotations]. FAME Publishing, Inc., 1994. p. 503.

5. Leo Godzich, Faith of Our Founding Fathers. The National Association of Marriage Enhancement Publishers, 1982. p. 78.

6. Ibid, pp. 105-111.

7. William J. Federer, America’s God and Country [Encyclopedia Of Quotations]. FAME Publishing, Inc., 1994. p. 676.

8. Ibid, p. 678.

9. Ibid, p. 679.

Copyright © 2024 Dutch Sheets Ministries, All rights reserved.

Please Pray This With Me

Father, we are appealing to You to help incoming President Trump, his Cabinet, Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Thune, and all who work with them as they attempt to clean up our government. It has become a bureaucratic cesspool. We ask You to oversee the process, including the removal of those in the way. Cleanse and restore. Give us humble, servant-hearted, patriotic leaders who honor You.

We are very certain that plans are being formulated to oppose this process. We ask You to aggressively expose and stop these plans. Rise up and scatter Your enemies (Psalm 68:1). Shatter the works of darkness (Psalm 2:9). We command Your will to be done, as You instructed us to do in Matthew 6:10, and we bind opposing spirits and their strategies.

We continue to ask for Your protection over our government leaders. Also, expose and thwart terrorist plans. We ask You to destroy terrorist organizations and their plans. End the influence of principalities behind terrorism in the Middle East and here in America.

And finally, You told us to ask for spiritual rain when we discern it is time for it (Zechariah 10:1). We know it is time, and we are asking. Let it rain!!! We ask for all of this in the name of He who has ALL authority, Jesus. Amen.

(Excerpted from Give Him 15 for 11/14/24) 

Keep Praying: the Cheatin' Ain't Over

Money quote: 

"I’m hearing numerous warnings from individuals that the left is “working” through the vote counting for remaining House seats. Several states, including AZ, NV, AK, CA, and HI, are still counting votes. If conservatives don’t maintain control of the House it will seriously affect the level of change that can be implemented at this time. We must continue to pray for a fair election ... Also, the position of Senate Majority Leader will now be transferred to the Republicans. This position is incredibly important because this person controls much of what happens in the Senate. He alone could stall a lot of what President Trump wants to accomplish ... It is VITAL that the right person replace him to now lead the Republicans and the entire Senate."

You're gonna want to hear this.

The votes have FINALLY been counted, and ...

According to data released by the Division of Elections, Republican challenger Nick Begich will defeat  incumbent Dimocrat Mary Peltola for the U.S. House seat formerly held by Don Young, garnering 53% of the vote.

Also, Ranked Choice Voting (a Democrat-sponsored, demonically-inspired plan if there ever was one) has been defeated. Alaska will go back to voting the way it did in 2022, with no "second chances" once the votes are counted.

There are still plenty of Democrats in the State Legislature, but their reelection totals are a lot more narrow than before. They're all more vulnerable than ever before.

God is good, my friends, and He answers our prayers.

Veterans Day 2024

Today is Veterans Day, a significant holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Observed annually on November 11, this day is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have donned the uniform to protect the freedoms and rights that citizens enjoy today.

The origins of Veterans Day date back to the aftermath of World War I. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was established to commemorate the end of hostilities on the Western Front, which occurred on November 11, 1918. The day was first observed as a federal holiday in 1938, intended to honor the veterans of World War I. However, after World War II and the Korean War, there was a growing recognition that the day should commemorate all American veterans, not just those who fought in the Great War.

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation that officially changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day, broadening its scope to honor all veterans who served in the military, regardless of the conflicts in which they participated. This change reflected a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by service members throughout American history.


Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, another federal holiday that honors those who died while serving in the military. While Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and pays tribute to fallen soldiers, Veterans Day celebrates all veterans who have served in the military, both living and deceased. It is a day for reflection, gratitude, and recognition of the sacrifices made by these individuals and their families.

The observance of Veterans Day includes various ceremonies and events across the country. Many communities hold parades where veterans are honored and celebrated for their service. Schools often participate in educational programs that help students understand the importance of the day and the contributions of veterans. In addition to local events, the National Veterans Day Observance takes place at Arlington National Cemetery, where a wreath-laying ceremony is held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This solemn event underscores the nation’s commitment to honor those who have served, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the challenges veterans face after they return home. Many veterans struggle with issues such as PTSD, unemployment, and reintegration into civilian life. Organizations dedicated to veteran support have gained prominence, providing resources and assistance to help former service members navigate these challenges.

The significance of Veterans Day extends beyond the military community; it serves as a reminder to the entire nation of the cost of freedom. It is a day to reflect on the values of courage, duty, and sacrifice that veterans embody. Citizens are encouraged to express their gratitude, whether by attending local events, volunteering for veteran organizations, or simply taking a moment to thank a veteran for their service. We ask you to do this - express your thanks to a veteran today.

On Veterans Day each year, we must remember the importance of honoring those who have served. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made for the freedoms we often take for granted. Each story of service is unique, yet collectively, they contribute to the rich tapestry of American history and identity. By recognizing and celebrating the contributions of veterans, we acknowledge the complexities of their experiences and reaffirm our commitment to supporting them as they transition to civilian life.

In conclusion, Veterans Day is more than just a holiday; it is an opportunity for all Americans to come together in gratitude and respect for the men and women who have served in the military. It reminds us of the enduring spirit of sacrifice and service, urging us to ensure that veterans receive the recognition, support, and care they deserve. As we honor their legacy, we also commit to ensuring a brighter future for those who have bravely defended our nation.

As we now enter a new season where honor is being restored, today we boldly recognize and esteem our dear veterans, and say THANK YOU. Thank you for your sacrifice and the sacrifices made by your families. God Bless America.


Pray with me:

Father, we are so very grateful for the freedoms and liberty we enjoy in our nation. We are so very blessed to have these liberties and the opportunities they afford us in America. We have also been blessed with incredibly abundant resources, and for these, too, we are grateful.

On this Veterans Day, we take time to pray for those who have sacrificed to procure and protect these blessings. We pray especially for those who have lost family members fighting for us and others. Please give them comfort, strength, and provision. Help us to do a better job of caring for them.

We also pray for those who have been wounded and now suffer from this. Help them cope with their physical, mental, and emotional trauma; for some, it is great. We ask this, as well, for the family members who also suffer stress and pain from these wounds. We ask that, as a nation, You would further awaken our citizens to the needs and challenges our veterans face. Remind us of the price they have paid, and give us hearts to love and serve the soldiers and their families, just as they have served us.

And lastly, we ask You for a sweeping revival in our military and their families. It would bring immeasurable comfort and healing to thousands if they came into a meaningful relationship with You. Pour out Your Spirit on them! Heal bodies, minds, and hearts.

And we ask all of this in Christ’s holy name. Amen.


Our decree:

Today we declare blessings, strength, comfort, and honor to our veterans and their families.

Copyright © 2024 Dutch Sheets Ministries, All rights reserved.