F4S: Abe Lincoln Was A Bibliophile Who Loved And Spoke Of Christ!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Abe Lincoln Was A Bibliophile Who Loved And Spoke Of Christ!

Of all the Presidents that this great country has ever had.. who is/was your absolute favorite of them all?

Man, I'd have a real tough time with that question. That's hard to say huh. I do hope the one we now have will change to become great like Lincoln was (great is as great thinks, says, and does right and he just started)... will indeed bring good changes to our land, and will live 100% for Jesus in such a great way that he becomes my very favorite one of them all. I'm sure he's not too worried about how Kurt will view him. But that's my prayer! We've heard so much about history-making and well-wishing for his success, but I want him to succeed God's way according to the Bible and not in a worldly push for socialism. How about you?

I liked Reagan a lot (I remember as a Bible student here in Dallas, delivering flowers to his family in the Reagan Suite at a downtown hotel for one of his political friends during the Republic National Convention. He spoke in Atrium one there. Was I star-struck? I don't know. But man,you should have seen his limo with the Brinks-thick-windows—that motor car was like a tank! I even had the privilege of getting the front door for his VP, George Bush senior back in the day when they arrived in Dallas. Very gracious people. Reagan's car pulled in the back of the Hotel though and he entered by way of a basement tunnel to a private elevator to go to his room on floor 25. His suite window were also bullet proof). It was an exciting time for an ordinary dude like me!

I guess that was my brush with greatness back then. But what an honor! I've also personally admired Abe Lincoln a lot. Yup, he was one of my all time favorite leaders and I'd still like to be like him. Gentle, kind, just and honest was Abe. He reflected the character of who he served. Who doesn't love what he did for the slaves and this country?

We've heard so much about FDR, JFK, and Lincoln lately! Americans want to return to Camelot again. It's interesting how our new President, Barack Obama, seems to really esteem Lincoln as well. And who wouldn't? it's old news how President Obama used Lincoln's Bible as he was sworn in yesterday. Now, if he believed all of it as Lincoln and Reagan did, he'd sure be out to protect the lives of the unborn just like he says he will do for other Americans who are weak (but soon I hear that abortion on demand will be put back in place by him. Man, what a step backwards when we need to be advancing).

You know that the Bible doesn't ever use the term "abortion." But God clearly lets people know that every life is very valuable and precious to Him..even pre-birth. God's Word clearly says… "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Ps. 139:13-16 ..check out the whole chapter in context). It is also clearly stated, "This is what the Lord says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you..." (Isa. 44:2).

It's hard to deny the fact that Lincoln stood up for his Lord in public ..consistently. Did you know that Abe Lincoln was a bold witness for Jesus Christ, both with his godly lifestyle and with the words he spoke? He was a humble man, dependant upon the Holy Spirit; one who loved to enjoy fellowship with the Father and with Jesus Christ. Like me, you've probably read some of his quotes down through the years.

"And having thus chosen our course, without guile, and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear, and with manly hearts." —Abe, July 4, 1861 Message to Congress

"Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in our bosoms. Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere." September 11, 1858 Speech at Edwardsville, Illinois

Abe Lincoln was a bibliophile too. When Lincoln spent some time with his friend Joshua Speed during the summer of 1841, while in Kentucky, it was Speed's mom who gave Lincoln an Oxford Bible to read. And after Lincoln returned to the judicial circuit in the fall, he penned this to Speed's sister in Kentucky: "Tell your mother that I have not got her 'present' with me; but that I intend to read it regularly when I return home. I doubt not that it is really, as she says, the best cure for the 'Blues' could one but take it according to the truth." He longed for the Word knowing what a comfort God's Scriptures would be for a Christian, for Lincoln battled feeling the blues especially during that January after breaking an engagement with Mary Todd Lincoln.

Are you a real Christian who loves the Bible? You can be! Lincoln also said, "All the good the Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it."