A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
http://www.tanbible.com/tol_sng/amightyfortressisourgod.htm

~A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the Cathedral of Wittenberg, Germany. That date was sometimes called the “4th of July of Protestantism.” It symbolized the start of the Protestant Reformation.
And the single most powerful hymn of the Protestant Reformation Movement was Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” based on Psalm 46. This hymn became the battle cry of the people, a great source of strength and inspiration even for those who were martyred for their convictions. Its majestic and thunderous proclamation of our faith is a singing symbol of the reformation.
Inspired by Psalm 46, Luther caught up in the hymn the very essence of faith, and the fervor and flavor of patriotism which he found in the Psalm.
This hymn has been translated into practically every known language and is regarded as one of the noblest and most classic examples of Christian hymnody.
The first line of this national hymn of Protestant Germany is fittingly inscribed on the tomb of the great reformer at Wittenberg,
Luther had strong convictions about the use and power of sacred music. Once he wrote, “I would allow no man to preach or teach God’s people without a proper knowledge of the use and power of sacred song.”
In his lifetime Martin Luther came against the oppression
and unbiblical teachings of the established worldwide church. The church that
Jesus built through His apostles had become perverted by man. In doing so,
Luther placed his life on the line. The possible result for him ranged from
death to imprisonment to banishment. His popularity among the people, who were
wearied by a church that did not represent them in ministry, played a role in
his escaping death. But, the church did banish him from its ministry and in
effect, imprisoned him in his home.
I believe the same thing can happen today, and it can
happen right here in the United States, the land of the free. We are in the
early stages of a designed and well planned attack on religious freedom in the
country. Perhaps, I should clarify religious freedom by more correctly saying
Judeo-Christian freedom. Since the elections of 2008, we are seeing more and
more open and covert plans and decisions that are anti-Christian.
In October, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Hate
Crime. If you think it will not affect you and your teaching, just wait. I do
not teach or preach hate, you say. That,s what we all say. Some Sunday morning
you may find a visitor sitting in your church. The visitor is just a normal
looking person, dressed nice and smiling to all the greeters. He/she will watch
everything and listen attentively. If anything you or anyone says, or if
anything done offends the visitor, it won't be long before a local police
person is knocking on your door, and standing curbside will be the ACLU. That
will never happen! With the signing of that bill the gay rights movement
supported by the growing anti-Christian movement has unleashed an attack on the
church in America. The government of the United States with its strong
anti-Christian bias will turn its back on you, me, and God. It has already
begun! If you do not live or minister in the USA, pray for us!
Wherever you are, you need a strong and Christian United States of America.
________________________________________
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May God continue to bless you and yours mightily,
Apostle Will Zook
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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk8U58vfOoc

(1) A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe-
His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not His equal.
(2) Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side, The man of God's own choosing.
Doth ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He-
Lord Sabaoth His name, From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
(3) And though this world with devils filled, Should threaten to unto us.
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim, We tremble not for him-
His rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure:
One little word shall fell him.
(4) That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also-
They body they may kill; God's truth abideth still:
His kingdom is forever.
Amen
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