Today in History

Today in History

1949

Berlin Airlift Ends

After 15 months and more than 250,000 flights, the Berlin Airlift officially comes to an end. The airlift was one of the greatest logistical feats in modern history and was one of the crucial events of the early Cold War.

In June 1948, the Soviet Union suddenly blocked all ground traffic into West Berlin, which was located entirely within the Russian zone of occupation in Germany. It was an obvious effort to force the United States, Great Britain, and France (the other occupying powers in Germany) to accept Soviet demands concerning the postwar fate of Germany.

As a result of the Soviet blockade, the people of West Berlin were left without food, clothing, or medical supplies. Some U.S. officials pushed for an aggressive response to the Soviet provocation, but cooler heads prevailed and a plan for an airlift of supplies to West Berlin was developed. It was a daunting task: supplying the daily wants and needs of so many civilians would require tons of food and other goods each and every day. On June 26, 1948, the Berlin Airlift began with U.S. pilots and planes carrying the lion’s share of the burden.

During the next 15 months, 277,264 aircraft landed in West Berlin bringing over 2 million tons of supplies. On September 30, 1949, the last plane–an American C-54–landed in Berlin and unloaded over two tons of coal. Even though the Soviet blockade officially ended in May 1949, it took several more months for the West Berlin economy to recover and the necessary stockpiles of food, medicine, and fuel to be replenished.

The Berlin Airlift was a tremendous Cold War victory for the United States. Without firing a shot, the Americans foiled the Soviet plan to hold West Berlin hostage, while simultaneously demonstrating to the world the “Yankee ingenuity” for which their nation was famous. For the Soviets, the Berlin crisis was an unmitigated disaster. The United States, France, and Great Britain merely hardened their resolve on issues related to Germany, and the world came to see the Russians as international bullies, trying to starve innocent citizens.

 

 

Prayer Initiative

Prayer Initiative

Citizens/Voters

Suggested Scriptural references ...

Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart. Proverbs 11:11

...I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds Hebrews 10:16

Like a trampled spring and a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. Proverbs 25:26

We will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Ephesians 4:14

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting... James 1:5-6

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Romans 13:7

Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Mark 12:17

Suggested prayers ...

Teach us, Lord, to value our role as citizens. Awaken in the electorate a desire to know the true principles upon which this country was built, and draw us to Your vision for the restoration of our beloved country.

Let us never take for granted the free land You have given us. Please show us, Lord, how to do our part to secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and those to come.

We ask for leaders and a citizenry who truly understand our accountability before You for every vote we cast, or do not cast. Help us to wisely evaluate every candidate and policy against your Word. We ask for the wisdom to vote as You would have us vote.

We ask You to grant our citizens the wisdom to discern truth from spin and deception. Give us radar to know when a candidate or policy is counterfeit to the true founding principles and Constitutional roots of this land, borne out of faith in You and Your word.

Move our leaders and our citizens to rightly divide the responsibilities of government vs. the responsibilities of citizens as defined by You.

God Almighty, we plead with you to guide, guard, convict and correct all candidates, campaigns, consultants, political operatives and staff members. We ask You to draw them to integrity before the citizens of this country. Give them the will to honestly place their values and visions before us, free of manipulation and deception. We ask You to expose and defeat those who lie.

We pray, Lord, against the voter fraud that has so crippled our confidence in the electoral process. We ask You to expose and bring to justice those who would undermine free and fair elections. Please help us to restore integrity to the election process in America. Rid our system of corruption, we pray.

O Lord, give me the wisdom and the courage to confidently and winsomely take a stand for Your Truth with my fellow citizens. Use my voice, Lord, I pray.

~~~

“Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature...If the next centennial does not find us a great nation...it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.” President James Garfield 

 

 

Awaken the Dawn

FYI

 

D.C.: AWAKEN THE DAWN.

This event was borne out of a vision our God gave to David Bradshaw over two years ago.

AT THE GATHERING: . . . You will find . . .

50+ tents from all 50 states filled with music, prayer, and worship - day and night -- on our National Mall

Outreaches all over Washington, DC

Featuring Rise Up on the final day of the event - Oct 9 (Led by Lou Engle)

To quote from their website:

We have reserved the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 6-9, 2017. We are calling America to an unprecedented worship movement on the National Mall. When we gather around the invisible God, the impossible becomes possible.

We will gather in 50+ tents covering the National Mall. It will be a tent-city filled with worship, music, prayer, and the gospel.

Each of the 50 states will have a tent for day and night prayer and relational connection. There will be larger regional tents with full sound systems for day and night worship and music. Nothing like this has ever been done before in our nation's capital. Washington, D.C. will be a resting place for the presence of God and a staging ground for missions.

On the final day-all day-we are extremely excited to partner with Rise Up in a big stage venue on the National Mall! On this final day, we will worship, pray, preach the gospel with signs and wonders, and commission a generation to complete the Great Commission! 

 

 

Words to Ponder

 

Words to Ponder

The BIBLE

"Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me." Psalms 54:4

Quotes of Presidents

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence...” Calvin Coolidge

Wise Words

“I stand because I respect the men who died in real battle so I have the freedom to battle on the field. Paying tribute to the men and women who have given their lives for our freedom is why I stand,” Derek Wolfe

 

 

Thoughts on Proverbs 3:6

Thoughts on Proverbs 3:6 by Pat Higgins

 

"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6

Consider this scenario:

A person spends the entire day walking from Point A to Point B with his best friend. However, he speaks to his friend only a little in the morning and mumbles a few words at night before falling to sleep, ignoring him for the rest of the day. What would be his friend's likely assessment of the state of their friendship?

Even two extremely introverted friends would share interests and converse on them to some extent.

Is there a better friend than God?

We have a great deal to discuss with Him every day, for every day is filled with decisions: what to eat or not to eat, what to purchase or not purchase, what to spend time doing or thinking about. We must also decide how to respond to other people and how to respond to our own emotions and attitudes.

Every significant choice should be brought to God. If we do not, we are making decisions based on human nature and declaring ourselves to be Laodiceans, self-sufficient and needing nothing, directly contrary to the teaching of Jesus Christ (John 15:5).

These do not have to be on-your-knees prayers, but we should at least silently ask God to bring His light to bear on the situation and to supply our needs, whether we need wisdom, discernment, strength, courage, understanding, patience, etc.

Notice the command in Galatians 5:16, 25: "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. . . . If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

If we are walking in the Spirit, made possible by praying always, we cannot be sinning (verse 16). They are mutually exclusive.

Praying always is a major component of walking with God and one of the two tickets to avoiding tribulation and gaining entrance to God's Kingdom.

As such, Enoch's life contains a point worthy of note that may apply to those living at the end time. God says of Enoch in Genesis 5:24: "And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him."

If we walk with God as Enoch did, will God, true to His patterns; will He likewise take us away from the trouble on the horizon?

Luke 21:36 indicates the answer could be, "Yes, He would."

 

 

The Black Hole

The Black Hole by Os Hillman

"...As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5).

A black hole is a place of total nothingness. It's a time in our life when God removes the resources and supports that we normally rely on to feel secure - our careers, finances, friends, family, health and so forth. It is a preparation time.

When you find yourself in a black hole experience, don't just sit and brood. Take stock of your life. Take a look at your relationship with God.

First, ask God if there are any sins, habits, or attitudes that He might be judging in your life. It's important to discern whether the trial we face is the result of God's discipline for our sin or if it is preparing us for a future leadership role.

Second, when you enter a black hole, don't trust your feelings. Trust God. Your feelings will tell you, "God has rejected you. Abandon hope. He has left you utterly alone." Feelings change; God never changes. Feelings come and go; God is always with us; He is forever the same.

Third, remember that your black hole experience is not only intended to refine and define you; it's also intended to influence and change the lives of hundreds or even thousands of other people. Our adversity is not just for us, but others in our sphere of influence.

Fourth, don't try to hurry the black hole process along. Remember, when Joseph was in the depths of the pit, there was nothing he could do about it. He couldn't climb out, jump out, levitate out, or talk his way out. All he could do was pray and wait upon the Lord.

Fifth, lean on God. Even when you don't feel like praying, pray. Even when you don't feel like reading His Word, read. Even when you don't feel like singing songs of faith, sing. When you pray, don't just talk; listen. Be silent before Him and listen for His still, quiet voice.

Sixth, be alert to new truths and new perspectives. During a black hole experience, God often leads us to amazing new discoveries.

A black hole can be a storehouse of unexpected riches for the soul.

 

 

Prayer Initiative

Prayer Initiative

Immigration/Immigrants

Suggested Scriptural references ...

Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice. Deuteronomy 24:17

Suggested prayers ...

Allow us to hear and respond to Your desires for those who would be Americans.

As a country who believes you created all men equal, we pray for Your guidance and wisdom in how we treat those who would want to be American. Guide our leaders to honorable and wise immigration policies that secure the safety of America.

As a nation built by immigrants, we pray for Your protection and direction for the newest immigrants to our country.

We pray that our legal immigrants will be a part of restoring America to You, instead of part of the effort to transform America away from our founders’ intent and vision.

~~~

“We need every honest and efficient immigrant fitted to become an American citizen, every immigrant who comes here to stay, who brings here a strong body, a stout heart, a good head, and a resolute purpose, to do his duty well in every way and to bring up his children as law-abiding and God-fearing members of the community.” President Theodore Roosevelt (Illegal immigration was not an issue in Theodore Roosevelt's day.)

 

 

The Necessity of Humility

The Necessity of Humility by Dr. D. James Kennedy

“The meek will He guide in judgment, and the meek He will teach His way.” Psalm 25:9

Among the pagans, humility was not a virtue, it was a vice. I think of a man who described himself as a complete pagan. He scorned humility and all Christian virtues as being beneath the dignity of the pagan mind. His name was Adolf Hitler.

I remember one time debating a modern humanist atheist on a radio show, and someone called and asked what they should do to become a Christian. I said, “First you need to get down on your knees and repent of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life.”

Well, the host interrupted and said, “No, you should stand on your feet, be proud.” Well that’s the humanist motto, “Be proud.” You know it is hard when you’re pretending to be a god to be humble, and that’s of course what humanists believe that they are.

Lowliness of mind and humility, those are two virtues that are not seen very often. I recall reading about two men who were arguing, and finally one of them despairing of ever changing the mind of the other said, “I can see that I am going to do nothing today to change your mind, but I would prayerfully ask you to prayerfully consider if there might just be a possibility that you could be wrong.”

A constant theme of the Bible is that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Paul asks a great question that helps encourage humility: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

O Lord God Almighty, You are so high and lifted up and yet You dwell with the humble of heart. As I walk with You, please develop in me a true humility that only You can bring.

BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE CAN ACQUIRE TRUE HUMILITY.

 

 

Words to Ponder

 

Words to Ponder

The BIBLE

“ Call to ME and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things that you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

Quotes of Presidents

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Thomas Jefferson

Wise Words

“It's only after we fear the LORD that the LORD tells us to fear not.” Buck Parsons

 

 

WE BOW

We bow before the men and the flag that have striven through the 200 + years of the existence of this nation for its freedom.

We bow before the SAVIOR who has given HIMSELF so we can be free through eternity ... we bow today, for one day, "EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD."

We Love USA added a new video.

 

Justice in America

Justice in America by Benjamin Watson 

Benjamin Watson who plays for the Baltimore Ravens posted the following on his Facebook page and it has since gone viral:

“At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. Here are my thoughts:

I’M ANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes.

I’M FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get young men killed in real life, away from safety movie sets and music studios.

I’M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I’m a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a “threat” to those who don’t know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.

I’M EMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breaking only confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes and thus the inferior treatment.

I’M SAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we may never know the truth about what happened that day.

I’M SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn’t there so I don’t know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an officer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self defense like any of us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job. What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael and ignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering the young man to prove a point.

I’M OFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I’ve seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.

I’M CONFUSED, because I don’t know why it’s so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I don’t know why some policeman abuse their power. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lord over the populace.

I’M INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take “our” side without looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like it’s us against them. Sometimes I’m just as prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And that’s not right. How can I look at white skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made about me? That’s not right.

I’M HOPELESS, because I’ve lived long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. I’m not surprised and at some point my little children are going to inherit the weight of being a minority and all that it entails.

I’M HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents. I see it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And it’s a beautiful thing.

I’M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn.
BUT I’M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that’s capable of looking past the outward and seeing what’s truly important in every human being. 

The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It’s the Gospel. 

So, finally, I’M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope.”

The End of the World Predictions by Bill Wilson

There have been a lot of predictions lately about the end of the world or the Rapture coming this weekend or in the next few weeks. Now what I'm about to say will upset some, but if it upsets you, please read your Bibles in context rather than reading what someone wrote about these topics or watching what they said about them. Go directly to the source and study it for yourself.

You can do that. These predictions call into question whether Jesus Christ is true, whether the Bible is true, or if it is all a lie.

Ever think about that? Many of those who are making predictions about the signs in heavens based on numerology or selecting a single verse out of the Bible are ignoring entire aspects of Christ and the prophets.

 

When these events that they predict don't happen, it is because the predictors are wrong, not because God or Jesus delayed or tarried.

What did Jesus say in the Olivet Discourse about the end times?

First, he said, "Take heed that no man deceive you."

Then he went on to list chronologically what would happen in the end of days: Beginning of sorrows, betrayal, persecution, deception by false prophets, gospel preached to all the nations, the Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Daniel, great tribulation, more deception, sun and moon darkened after the tribulation of those days, Son of man comes in the clouds of heaven, the gathering of his elect, two in the field with one taken, we all should be ready.

 

The Apostle Paul paints a similar picture in II Thessalonians 2:

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition...so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."

This is very clear:

1) don't be deceived

2) falling away

3) antichrist (beast) revealed

4) sits in the temple as God.

Daniel 9, of which Christ speaks, is similar:

1) Antichrist appears

2) covenant confirmed

3) temple sacrifice ceases

4) overspreading of abominations

5) temple made desolate by antichrist.

 

The Apostle John gives a very detailed account of the same events in Revelation. Other prophets are also consistent:

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

Joel

and more.

I am not debating what you believe. I am pointing out what the Bible says in context. In terms of these predictors of the end of the world, and their often complex "biblical" narratives and teachings.

Wouldn't it make sense for you, yourself, to check them out and see what they say according to the Holy Scriptures?

You don't need some guy with the gift of gab to tell you what he thinks the Bible means. He won't stand in your place before the Lord. Only you will.

Don't get mad at me, just read the Bible for yourself and ask the Lord to give you understanding. 

Three Prophetic Words about the Battle You're Facing

Three Prophetic Words about the Battle You're Facing by Jennifer LeClaire

In this season, people from around the world are contacting me about the rising spiritual warfare. The Holy Spirit gave me three prophetic words about spiritual warfare that I hope encourage you in the battle. You can read them below.

Change Your Perspective About Enemy Attacks

So often when you are in the midst of spiritual warfare, when the enemy is harassing you, I hear you say three words that trouble Me: "I'm under attack." Listen carefully to My words and change your perspective. You are not under attack; the attack is under you! The enemy is under your feet, and you are seated over him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Yes, the enemy is doing his job, but that won't stop you from doing yours. Determine that your Father's will shall be done, and any enemy that stands in the way of your heavenly assignment must bow in the name of Jesus.

Follow My Spiritual Warfare Strategy

When it comes to spiritual warfare, there's a time to shout and a time to stay silent. I am the One who gives you the spiritual warfare strategy. I am the One who gives you the blueprint that leads to victory. When you walk in my wisdom in spiritual warfare, you can be sure the enemy will be delivered into your hands.

Sometimes you have to hold your peace, like the Israelites stuck between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army. Other times you have to shout like Joshua at Jericho. Before rushing into battle against your spiritual enemies, ask Me for the strategy. I will lead you to victory.

Keep Getting Back Up

I don't expect you to be perfect. When you fall down, get back up again. Even if you've made the same mistake 1,000 times, if you continue to declare war on your wrong behavior, you will eventually gain victory over bad habits. One way to define spiritual warfare is simply "outlasting the devil." So when you sin, repent. If you sin again, repent again. Just keep getting back up. A righteous man falls down seven times and gets back up seven times.

Don't stop warring against the sin that's warring against you. I will give you the strength to stand against anything and everything that is standing against you—even your flesh. Lean into Me when you feel weak.

Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma.