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I grew up in a day and age when we would start every school day the same exact way.  In each separate classroom of our public elementary school, the teachers followed the same routine.  The class was called to attention; we would stand facing the American flag which was usually hung at the front of the classroom.  We children stood, with right hands over our little hearts and recite:

 “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

That was then, this is not so much now.  Then, I never heard anyone complain about the use of God’s name in the pledge or on our money.  Now, I hear people complain about it all the time.  Honestly, I am not even sure if The Pledge of Allegiance is allowed in a public school, let alone the phrase, “One Nation Under God.”

One nation under God … One Nation Under God … This phrase, said more like a heartfelt whisper of prayer has been rolling around in my head and heart all week.

 

It began when we started the preparations of readying the outdoors for our family and friends to arrive in celebration of July 4th.  Living on a lake has its perks:  The view is beautiful, and serene, but the upkeep demands time and effort.  For summer, on my front porch I have a wooden sign, that is a flag with the phrase: “One Nation Under God,” painted on it.  I picked it up a few years ago during a Christmas Bazaar of all things.    When I saw it in the booth, I was drawn to it, the man had others without the phrase on it, but I wanted one with the words.

 

 

To me, and all who come to my door it is a visual reminder of what I believe to be true. I believe in God, and I believe this nation is under the protection of God. It’s a reminder to humble myself and pray.

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

It’s a reminder for me to pray for God’s Favor and His mercy upon us all.  It’s a reminder that no matter who is the ruling authority that God is where I look.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God (Romans 13:1 NIV).

 

It’s also a reminder to pray for:

 

Our Nation

Our President

Our Government Officials

Our Freedom

Our Men & Women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedoms

 

 

But it’s a reminder of so much more than all those.  The 2 Chronicles 7:14 Scripture is often brought to the forefront when things in a nation aren’t going great or in political seasons as a reminder for God’s people to prayer for nations and leaders. Yet it is so much more than that.

As you read 2 Chronicles 7, it begins with Solomon’s dedication prayer for the temple and ends with a visitation from God.

When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.  And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.  When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying:

“For He is good,
For His mercy endures forever.”   
 (2 Chronicles 7:1-3 ESV)

 

 

When the words: “One Nation Under God” comes to mind, 2 Chronicles is what I feel in my heart God longs for us to experience as well.  He longs for our hearts to turn towards Him, no matter what is going on in the world.

 

He longs for us to pray and seek Him.

He longs for us to invite Him to invade our temples with His Glory.

He longs for us to worship Him, proclaiming:

 

“He is good, and His mercy endures forever.”

 

He longs for us to give Him our hearts and permission to consume all we are.  I believe when we do these things, it positions us to receive from God. God longs to respond to our heartfelt prayers. He hears our cries. He wants to send His Glory to us, just as He did with Solomon.

 

 

 

The Lord Appears to Solomon

“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.  I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there (2 Chronicles 7: 11-16 NIV).

Scripture tells us that our bodies are a temple for God’s Holy Spirit to dwell.  When His Holy Spirit comes and dwells in our hearts, there is freedom.  He wants us to each celebrate and live the life He has always had in mind for us.

 

 

May our prayer this 4th of July be for us as individuals to experience the true freedom that is found in Jesus.  It is then that we as a Nation will truly understand and experience the fullness of: One Nation Under God!

 

 

May the cry of our hearts be the lyrics from When you walk into the Room by Bryan & Katie Torwalt

Come and consume, God
All we are
We give you permission
Our hearts are Yours
We want You
We want You

 

 

 

Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!

I have had a few people ask for a badge/button to display on your blogs.  I would absolutely be honored if you would display it, or link back here in some way.  Thank you!

 

Tune In Thursday

 

Now let’s get this party started, feel free to link 1-3 posts:

 

 

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Do you wonder if God still speaks today?  Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally?  Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?

Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to  move you forward  hearing from God?

If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need.  I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others.  He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you.  The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice. 

I have been teaching these classes internationally for the last 10+ years equipping and training believers in discerning the Ways God speaks.  God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?

2. My new membership site, d2htrainging.com has official opened, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.

Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.

Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:

Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be

Who we Are and Whose We Are

Trusting God When it Seems Illogical

Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)

My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party

My Post: The Power of your Story was featured here:

My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:

The Luke 2:52 Project

My Post: “Will You Sit with Me?” was featured here:

My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:

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Again,  I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:

 

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