Children's Bible Ministry of Connecticut

Tales of Two U.S. Presidents

George Washington

pe01753_.wmf (15038 bytes)History tells how George Washington found rest and relief in prayer during the trying times he and his soldiers passed through at Valley Forge. With all the cares and anxieties of that time upon him, he used to have recourse to prayer. One day a farmer approaching the camp heard an earnest voice. On coming near he saw George Washington on his knees, his cheeks wet with tears, praying to God.

The farmer returned home and said to his wife, "George Washington will succeed! George Washington will succeed! The Americans will secure their independence!"

"What makes you think so, Isaac?" asked his wife.

The farmer replied, "I heard him pray, Hannah, out in the woods today, and the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will, Hannah, thee rest assured he will."

wpe1.jpg (20393 bytes)Later during the first part of the presidency Robert Lewis, Mr. Washington's private secretary said that he accidentally witnessed Mr. Washington's private devotions, both morning and evening. He saw him in a kneeling posture with an open Bible before him, and he said that he believed such was his daily practice. His custom was to get to his library at four o'clock in the morning for devotions.

Such was the foundation on which the United States of America was built. God's Word says, "Blessed is that nation whose God is the LORD" (Psalm 33:12) and again "Righteousness exalts a nation" (Proverbs 14:34). What a good beginning our country had! We are blessed today because our early leaders feared God. Oh, they had their problems to be sure. They were sinners just like you and me, but their fear of God helped build a great country.

In the middle of our many problems today we need the Lord. Oh that we might be again a people of prayer, a people of devotion to the living God. Perhaps not many will pray and bow their knees to God, but how about you? You can be blessed. You can be exalted. Blessed is the man or woman or boy or girl who trusts in the Lord.

The Road to Success

PE02320_.WMF (21022 bytes)Did you ever watch a baby learning to walk? Often he falls down more than he stands up. Falling down isn=t so bad though if he gets up and tries again. Sometimes our lives are like thatBsometimes we seem to fail more than we succeed. It is not so bad to fail though, if you get up and keep going. In fact, it is very often the failures that help us to become strong. God takes the troubles and tests, the problems and pressures, the doubts and disappointments to make us what we could never be if life were easy. 1 Peter 1:6-7 says that now, for a little while we might have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that our faith might be proven genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when the Lord Jesus comes.

In 1831 a young businessman, aged 22, failed in business. A year later he was defeated for the legislature. The following year he again failed in business. In 1834 he was elected to the legislature, but the following year his sweetheart died. He had a nervous breakdown a year later. Two years passed and he was defeated for speaker. Two more years and he was defeated for elector. At age 34 heSO00575_.WMF (12742 bytes) was defeated for congress, but he came back to win after two years. Seven years passed by and he was defeated for the Senate. The following year he was defeated as the vice-presidential candidate and two years later he was defeated once more for the Senate. In 1860 he was elected 16th president of the United States of AmericaBAbraham Lincoln.

BL00751_.WMF (5348 bytes)PE05848_.WMF (2844 bytes)A cartoon once pictured a small log cabin at the base of a mountain and the White House at the top. A ladder connected the two buildings. The cartoon read, Athe ladder is still there!@

No one has a perfect life, but if you will let Him, God will make your disappointments, defeats, and failures stepping stones to success. Just hang onto God.

 

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"Mister Steve"
 

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