The Iron Pen #75

God & Country

There are eight inscriptions which adorn the inner sanctum of the main reading room in the Library of Congress of the United States, located in Washington D.C. Four of these extol God’s greatness. The inscription chosen to represent Religion is take from the Old Testament Prophet Micah, chapter six and verse eight. This is exactly as the verse is inscribed –

Oh that our nation would heed those words once more!

"Put Missions First – The Bible Does"

The first message at the birth of Christ was a missionary message – Luke 2:10

The first prayer Christ taught men was a missionary prayer – Matthew 6:10

The first disciple, Andrew, was the first missionary – John 1:40-41

The first message of the risen Lord was a missionary message – John 20:17

The first commandment of the risen Lord to His disciples was a missionary commandment – John 20:21

The first apostolic sermon was a missionary sermon – Acts 2:39

Christ’s great reason for unity was a missionary reason – John 17:21

The coming of Christ was a missionary work – Luke 4:18-21

Our Savior’s last desire on earth was a missionary desire – Acts 1:8-9

(From -- Gospel Herald; January 24, 1942)

"Error, indeed, is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should at once be detected. But it is craftily decked out in an attractive dress, so as, by its outward form, to make it appear to the inexperienced (ridiculous as the expression may seem) more true than truth itself." Irenaeus – Bishop of Lyons 177 AD

The Christian Anglo-Saxon King Alfred the Great lived and ruled in England in the late 800’s AD. He was reared by a godly mother and gained a love for books, especially the Bible. He became a teacher, a writer and a translator of the Bible. In fact, he wrote in the introduction of one of his literary works, I desire that all the free-born youth of my people persevere in learning until they can perfectly read the English Scriptures. He translated the Ten Commandments and placed them as the introduction of his laws in English. He died in 901 AD when he was in the process of translating the Psalms into Anglo-Saxon, which was the language of the English people at that time. Would to God that our national leaders would follow the example of this early English king.

He is able to Save – Hebrews 7:25 – Divine Salvation

He is able to Keep – Jude 24 – Divine Security

He is able to Succor (uphold) – Hebrews 2:18 – Divine Support

He is able to Deliver – Daniel 3:17 – Divine Separation

He is able to Do – Ephesians 3:20 – Divine Strength

He is able to Give – 2 Chronicles 25:9 – Divine Sufficiency

He is able to Subdue – Philippians 3:21 – Divine Subjection