"LAUS DEO"
(Author Unknown)
On the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. are two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument have no idea they are even there and, for that matter, probably couldn't care less! But there they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument to the father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia - capital of the United States of America.
Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words, out of sight and, one might think, out of mind...but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the world. And what might those two words mean? Very simply..."Praise be to God!"
Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848 when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with the tribute Laus Deo. Praise be to God! From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, a visitor can take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. And from that vantage point one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles L'Enfant - a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape. The White House to the north...the Jefferson Memorial to the south...the Capitol to the west...and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. How interesting! And no doubt intended to carry a meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God!
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848, deposited within it were many items including the Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy..."one nation, under God." I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well now is your opportunity...read on!
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large...And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
We are a nation under God! Laus Deo! Praise be to God! Laus Deo!
"Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." Psalm 127:1.
Use Your Bible!
Using your Bible answer the questions below
Theme #11: The Deity of Christ
1. How has the Father shown that His Son is one person of the Godhead? (Heb. 1:8)
2. In what other Scripture is the same truth taught? (John 1:1)
3. In what way did Christ refer to the eternity of His being? (John 17:5; Micah 5:2)
4. How was Christ begotten in the flesh? (Luke 1:35).
5. What Scripture states that the Son of God was God manifested in the flesh? (John 1:1, 14)
6. What does Christ say is His relation to the Father? (John 10:30)
7. How was He manifested on earth as a Savior? (Luke 2:11)
8. Why was it necessary that He should be born thus, and partake of human nature? (Heb. 2:17)
9. How was He recognized by the Father while on earth? (Matt. 3:17)
10. What shows that Christ sustains the same relation to the angels as does the Father? (Matt. 16:27; Matt. 24:31)
11. How did Christ assert an equal proprietorship with His Father in the kingdom? (Matt. 13:41)
12. To whom do the elect equally belong? (Luke 18:7; Matt. 24:31)
13. Who are equally joined in bestowing the final rewards? (Heb. 11:6; Matt. 16:27)
14. What fulness dwells in Christ? (Col. 2:9)
15. In what Scripture does Christ adopt the same expression? (Rev. 22:12, 13)
16. What does God (Jehovah) declare Himself to be? (Isa. 44:6)
17. Having such a wonderful Savior, what are we exhorted to do? (Heb. 4:14, 15)
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Before the heavens were spread abroad,
From everlasting was the Word;
With God He was, the Word was God,
And must divinely be adored.
Ere sin was born, or Satan fell,
He led the host of morning stars;
His generation who can tell,
Or count the number of His years?
But lo! He leaves those heavenly forms;
The Word descends and dwells in clay,
That He may converse hold the worms,
Dressed in such feeble flesh as they.
Isaac Watts
“A Walk With God”
We will “search the scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11) by reading through the entire Bible in a year for 2019. In this section of the Pekin Bulletin you will find the reading schedule to help you take “A Walk With God” so that you may grow closer to Him. This reading will be done in a somewhat “chronological order.” Enjoy!
November 2019
01 – 1 Cor. 1:-4
02 – 1 Cor. 5-7
03 – 1 Cor. 8:1 to 11:1
04 – 1 Cor. 11:2 to 14:40
05 – 1 Cor. 15
06 – 1 Cor. 16
07 – 2 Cor. 1-7
08 – 2 Cor. 8, 9
09 – 2 Cor. 10-13
10 – Acts 18:12 to 20:1
11 – Eph. 1-3
12 – Eph. 4-6
13 – Rom. 1:1 to 3:20
14 – Rom. 3:21 to 7:25
15 – Rom. 8
16 – Rom. 9-11
17 – Rom. 12, 13
18 – Rom. 14:1 to 15:13
19 – Rom. 15:14 to 16:27
20 – Acts 20:2 to 21:16
21 – Acts 21:17 to 26:32
22 – Acts 27, 28
23 – Col. 1:1 to 3:4
24 – Col. 3:5 to 4:18
25 – Heb. 1, 2
26 – Heb. 3:1 to 4:13
27 – Heb. 4:14 to 7:28
28 – Heb. 8:1 to 10:18
29 – Heb. 10:19 to 12:29
30 – Heb. 13