Refreshing

Daily
in Gods Word
Emphasis on

State Mottos
part 1

Let us see JE

FYI
There are only four states with mottos that mention "God":
Arizona: "Ditat Deus" This means "God Enriches in
Latin."
Florida's: "In God We Trust." -- identical to the current
national motto
Ohio: "With God, All Things Are Possible." This is a
direct biblical quotation from the King James Version of
Matthew 19:25-26: "When his disciples heard it, they
were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be
saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,
With men this is impossible; but with God all things
are possible."
South Dakota's: "Under God, The People Rule."

Alabama
September 1
Bible Reading: I Samuel 17:12-29
Key Verse: Verse 29 - And David said, What have I
now done? Is there not a cause?
Key Words: Is there not a cause?
The State motto for Alabama is We dare to defend our
rights.
The idea for Alabama's state motto came from Marie
Bankhead Owen of the Alabama Department of Archives and
History while searching for a phrase to be put on the state
coat of arms (completed in 1923). The motto was inspired by
a poem by the 18th-century author Sir William Jones which
includes the stanza,
"What constitutes a state? . . .
Men who their duties know,
but know their rights,
and knowing, dare maintain."
Today we are losing our spiritual rights, or maybe I
should say, we are freely giving them up. We are giving up
our right to worship by closing our churches on Wednesday
and Sunday nights. We are losing our right to stand for
righteousness over such issues as gay rights. We are told it is
not politically correct to call such acts of homosexuality a sin
and the list goes on and on.
Maybe we need to stand like David and say, Is there
not a cause? May we all as believers in Jesus Christ stand for
righteousness and speak the truth in love.

What to do:
It is better to be Biblically correct than politically
correct.

Alaska
September 2
Bible Reading: John 14:1-14
Key Verse: Verse 3 And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again, and receive you unto
myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Key Words: I go and prepare a place for you
Alaska's state motto (North to the Future) was
adopted in 1967 during the Alaska Purchase Centennial. The
motto is meant to represent Alaska as a land of promise.
Suggested by journalist Richard Peter, who stated the motto
"...is a reminder that beyond the horizon of urban clutter
there is a Great Land beneath our flag that can provide a new
tomorrow for this century's 'huddled masses yearning to be
free'."
But I know of even a greater place for us. It is
called Heaven, prepared by the Lord Himself for all who
accept Jesus as Savior.
I know Alaska is a great state but Heaven is better
because Jesus is there.
In one of his books, A.M. Hunter, the New
Testament scholar, source unknown, relates the story of a
dying man who asked his Christian doctor to tell him
something about the place to which he was going. As the
doctor fumbled for a reply, he heard a scratching at the
door, and he had his answer. "Do you hear that?" he asked
his patient. "It's my dog. I left him downstairs, but he has
grown impatient, and has come up and hears my voice. He
has no notion what is inside this door, but he knows that I
am here. Isn't it the same with you? You don't know what
lies beyond the Door, but you know that your Master is
there."

What to do:
Is God preparing you a place?

Arizona
September 3

Bible Reading: Proverbs 10:22-32

Key Verse: Verse 22 The blessing of the LORD, it

maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
Key Words: The blessings of the Lord, it maketh

rich

The Arizona state motto is one of the many Latin

mottos of U. S. states. Translated into English, it means "God
enriches". The motto was provided by the writer and
journalist Richard McCormick who was appointed secretary of
the Arizona Territory by President Lincoln.
The expression "Ditas Deus" has been the state motto
since 1912 and this state motto appears on the state seal but
has in fact been the Arizona Territory motto since 1863.
It is not the blessing of the world that makes one rich,
it is the blessing of the Lord. After Jack Eckerd, founder of
Eckerd Drugstore chain, traveled with Chuck Colson, he read
the story of Watergate and Colsons testimony out of Colsons
book. One day he called Chuck Colson to tell him he believed
and was a Christian.
After that Jack Eckerd walked through one of his
stores and saw Playboy and Penthouse with new eyes. He
went back to his office, called his president, telling him to take
these magazines out of his stores. The president said, We
make $3M a year on them. Eckerd said, Take them out of
my stores. In 1700 stores across America, those magazines
were removed because a man had given his life to Christ.
Because of this decision great floods of people came to
Eckerds and 12 months later 11,000 other retail outlets
removed these magazines. All of this happened because one
man, Jack Eckerd, gave his heart to Christ.

What to do:
Remember where the blessings come from.

Arkansas
September 4
Bible Reading: I Samuel 8:1-9
Key Verse: Verse 6 But the thing displeased Samuel,
when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And
Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
Key Words: Give us a king
Historic sources have had a difficult time tracing the
mottos origin so it is not known how it came about.
In 1864, the Arkansas state motto was adopted as part
of the state seal Regnant Populi (The People Rules.).
However, in 1907 the Latin motto was slightly altered into
correct Latin: Regnant Populus (The People Rule).
Often our problem comes from the fact that the people
rule.
The reason today that homosexuality is legal is
because the people rule. Abortion is legal because the people
rule. When we get our way rather than letting God have His
way, anarchy is the result.
So it was with Israel. The people ruled and got a king,
King Saul. They never had a victory other than over Agag.
King Saul disobeyed God, battled with depression. They got
what they wanted, the people ruled.
I read a story about a little fellow who was raised in a
rich home. The mother of the child had a personal nanny to
teach and watch over her child. One day the little fellow was
out playing when the mother heard him crying. Why, asked
the mother, is my baby crying? Because, said the nanny,
he wants something he should not have. Give him what he
wants, replied the mother. For a moment the child stopped
crying, and then the mother heard a blood-curdling scream.
Whats wrong with my child? the mother asked. The mother
replied, He wanted a wasp and he got him.
Now, I understand what is meant by the motto, The
People Rule. Im still looking for a state motto, though, that
says, My God Rules.

What to do:
Let Christ rule in your heart and life.
********************

California

September 5

Bible Reading: Revelation 3:14-22

Key Verse: Verse 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich,
and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;
and knowest not that thou art wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Key Words: have need of nothing
The motto of California is I Have Found It. The
motto is said to come from James W. Marshall who
discovered gold in 1848 resulting in the California Gold Rush.
I have it!
While men may have rushed to California for gold, it
appears today that men are rushing to California for fame and
pleasure.
We usually find what we are looking for. If its
pleasure we find it. If its gold, we may not find it but we
certainly search for it. But we are reminded of that which is
important with the following illustration.
Over the triple doorways of the cathedral of Milan
there are three inscriptions spanning the splendid arches.

Over one is carved a beautiful wreath of roses, and

underneath it is the legend, All that which pleases is
but for a moment.

Over the other is sculptured a cross, and there are the

words, All that which troubles us is but for a
moment.
But underneath the great central entrance to the main
aisle is the inscription, That only is important which
is eternal.

If we always realize these three truths, we will not let

trifles trouble us, not be interested so much in the passing
pleasures of the hour. We should live for the permanent and
the eternal.
What to do:
The question is not have you found it, but have you
accepted Him?
********************

Colorado
September 6
Bible Reading: John 15:1-14
Key Verse: Verse 5 I am the vine, ye are the
branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the
same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye
can do nothing.
Key Words: without me ye can do nothing
Colorados motto is Nothing Without Providence or
Nothing Without God. But it appears that their motto does
not reflect Colorados true nature.
Others have said Colorados motto should be one of
the following:
Colorado: If you Dont Ski, Dont Bother
Colorado Rocks
Denver, Where Its Legal to Get a Rocky
Mountain High
Colorado: Ski Your Aspen Off
Colorado: Now 100% John Denver Free!
Colorado: This Nipple Is Aspen
Colorado: We Are So Totally High Right Now
It appears as though Colorado, like most states, had
abandoned their original motto. Maybe their motto should be

Come to Colorado and Enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a

Season.
Colorado is a beautiful state. I have traveled through
Colorado on numerous occasions and there are fine people
who live in Colorado as there are fine people who live in every
state. My prayer for Colorado is they would live by their
original motto, Nothing Without God.

What to do:
May we all live with the understanding, we are
nothing without God.
********************

Connecticut
September 7

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 8 Blessed are the pure in heart:

for they shall see God.
Key Words: pure in heart

He Who Transplanted Still Sustains

Whereas there is only one Connecticut motto, there
exists a number of state nicknames for Connecticut:
"The Constitution State" (Official)
This is the official Connecticut nickname that was designated
by the General Assembly in 1959.
"The Blue Law State"
Blue Laws were guidelines with the purpose of controlling
public morality. They were set down by the first government
of New Haven Plantation.
The reference to the color blue stems from the rumor
that the laws were either written on blue pages or bound in
blue books.

"The Land of Steady Habits"

This is another one of the Connecticut state nicknames with
reference to proper conduct. It came about as a result of
efforts to raise a high level of moral consciousness in
Connecticut.
It is obvious that Connecticut was founded upon moral
principles. Thomas Sowell writes: All across this country,
the undermining and destruction of the values that children
were taught at home is going on in public schools. One of the
first things a family tries to teach its children is the difference
between right and wrong. One of the first things our schools
try to destroy is that distinction.
The up-to-date way to carry on the destruction of
traditional values is to claim to be solving some social
problem like drugs, AIDS or teen-age pregnancy. Only those
few people who have the time to research what is actually
being done in "drug education," "sex education" or "death
education" courses know what an utter fraud these labels are.
For those are courses about how right and wrong are
outmoded notions, about how your parents' ideas are no guide
for you, and about how each person must start from scratch to
develop his or her own way of behaving.

What to do:
Morality: dont leave home without it!
********************

Delaware
September 8

Bible Reading: I Peter 2:9-16

Key Verse: Verse 16 As free, and not using your

liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the
servants of God.
Key Words: your liberty

Delaware is known as the diamond state because of

Thomas Jefferson who flatteringly compared Delaware to a
diamond: small in size but high in value. Jefferson also said
about the state of Delaware that is was: a jewel among
states due to its strategic location on the Eastern Seaboard.
The state motto is Liberty and Independence. Isnt it
interesting how in the early years of our country people were
motivated by morals and liberty?
As born-again believers we know that true liberty only
comes through our Savior Jesus Christ. If the Son therefore
shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36).
We know this lovely lady as Lady Liberty, and she
stands there in New York Harbor with a crown on her head
that has seven spikes. The spikes speak of seven seas and
seven continents. In other words, no matter where you are in
the world, you can come to America. You can come with all
your mess. You can come with all your problems. You can
come with all your burdens. You can come with all your
needs. You can come because Lady Liberty is holding a torch
to show you the way.
At the bottom of Lady Libertys feet is a chain that has
been broken. She is inviting the broken and bruised people
who have been held hostage in one situation or another. No
matter where they are in the world, they are welcome to come
to America to find freedom.
God is holding the same promise of freedom to those
who are looking to escape bondage. He welcomes all to come
and to bring their problems, burdens, and needs. He is
faithful to show us the way.
True freedom comes only from Christ. He is your
liberty.

What to do:
Remember where your liberty comes from.

Florida
September 9

Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine

heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Key Words: Trust in the Lord

The Florida state motto is identical to the United

States motto. The Florida motto was adopted by Florida
Legislature in 1868 as part of the state seal but was not yet
accepted as an official state motto. It was only as late as July
1, 2006, that the belief affirmation In God We Trust became
the official state motto of Florida.
Tony Evans writes: When my oldest son was small, I
bought him a bicycle for Christmas. It came with a manual
that explained how to put it together. I did not intend on
using the manual. After all, I was finishing my doctorate
degree. After studying for twelve years past high school, I
considered myself to be a smart brother. The bicycle that I
had bought for my son had all these nuts and bolts and
various parts, but I had decided that I didnt need this
manual. Id had too much edu-ma-cation. I decided to
depend on my own human intelligence.
Eight hours later and with just the handlebars on, my
wife, Sister Evans, came to the door and said, Why dont you
read the manual? Could it be, just maybe, that the bicycle
maker knew more about bicycle fixing than I did? Could it be
that the Life Maker knows more about life living than you
do?
That is why we need to trust in God, not man, money,
or machines.

What to do:
Make sure the foundation of your faith is in God.

Georgia, Part One

September 10

Bible Reading: Proverbs 1:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 2 - To know wisdom and

instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
Key Words: To know wisdom

There is not only one Georgia state motto, but two in

fact - and that is a rare occurrence. One of the mottos is used
more than the other.
The Georgia mottos were adopted as part of the state
seal in 1799.
The reason for two state mottos is that the Great Seal
has two sides: the front of the Seal with the three pillars of
"Wisdom Justice Moderation" - the most popularly
recognized Georgia motto - and the reverse of the seal
"Agriculture and Commerce" - the somewhat less known and
seen Georgia motto.
Godly wisdom is putting knowledge, Godly knowledge
into action.
There's a story about a proud young man who came to
Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the muscular
philosopher and said, "O great Socrates, I come to you for
knowledge." Socrates recognized a pompous numbskull when
he saw one. He led the young man through the streets, to the
sea, and chest deep into water. Then he asked, "What do you
want?" "Knowledge, O wise Socrates," said the young man
with a smile. Socrates put his strong hands on the man's
shoulders and pushed him under. Thirty seconds later
Socrates let him up. "What do you want?" he asked again.
"Wisdom," the young man sputtered, "O great and wise
Socrates." Socrates crunched him under again. Thirty
seconds passed, thirty-five. Forty. Socrates let him up. The
man was gasping. "What do you want, young man?" Between
heavy, heaving breaths the fellow wheezed, "Wisdom, O wise
and wonderful..." Socrates jammed him under again. Forty
seconds passed. Fifty. "What do you want?" "Air!" the young
man screeched. "I need air!" "When you want wisdom as you
have just wanted air, then you will have wisdom."

What to do:
Remember this: wisdom comes from a lifetime of
listening when you would have preferred to be talking.
********************

Georgia, Part Two

September 11

Bible Reading: Genesis 18:23-33

Key Verse: Verse 25 That be far from thee to do

after this manner, to slay the righteous with the
wicked: and that the righteous should be as the
wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of
all the earth do right?
Key Words: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do

right?
Georgias motto implores three things: wisdom, and
secondly, justice, and moderation.
We serve a just God. He will always do right even
when government doesnt, God does!!
Supreme Court Justice Horace Gray once informed a
man who had appeared before him in a lower court and had
escaped conviction on a technicality, "I know that you are
guilty and you know it, and I wish you to remember that one
day you will stand before a better and wiser Judge, and that
there you will be dealt with according to justice and not
according to law." Surprised while burgling a house in
Antwerp, Belgium, the thief fled out the back door, clambered
over a nine-foot wall, dropped down the other side, and found
himself in the city prison.
Thats justice.

What to do:
Remember, injustice is relatively easy to bearwhat
stings is justice.

Georgia, Part Three

September 12

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:1-14

Key Verse: Verse 5 Let your moderation be known
unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Key Words: Let your moderation be known
The third part of Georgias motto is moderation which
means restraint, under control.
The Great Wall of China was built over many hundreds
of years to keep Chinas northern enemies from invading. The
Great Wall is so wide that chariots could ride across the top. It
is one of the few manmade objects that astronauts can see
from outer space as they look back on the earth. But the Great
Wall did not keep the enemy out. Do you know why? All the
enemy had to do was bribe a gatekeeper. Despite the massive
wall, there was an enemy on the inside that let the enemy on
the outside in. So it is in our lives. The gatekeeper of our
hearts must be faithful or the walls of restraint, the laws of
Gods Word, will do us no good.
Let your moderation be known to all men!! What a
great motto, but only when we put it into action.

What to do:
Let your moderation by known.
********************

Hawaii
September 13

Bible Reading: I Timothy 6:11-21

Key Verse: Verse 11 - But thou, O man of God, flee

these things; and follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Key Words: follow after righteousness

The motto of Hawaii is Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka

Pono. Translated it reads, The Life of the Land is
Perpetuated in Righteousness.
Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono has been a motto of
Hawaii for over 160 years. It is generally claimed that it
became the motto of the Kingdom of Hawaii when King
Kamehameha III spoke the words on July 31, 1843. This was
the day that sovereignty was restored to Hawaii by
proclamation of Queen Victoria following a five-month-long
rogue British occupation.
On May 1, 1959, Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono was
adopted as the official motto of the State of Hawaii by Joint
Resolution No. 4 of the 30th Territorial Legislature.
James Dobson said, When I went to my old high
school in Texas I found my tennis trophies thrown away in the
trash heap to make room for new ones in the trophy case. It
made me realize that all human accomplishments are really
nothing but trash that will not stand the test of time. It made
me realize that we should put our emphasis not on human
achievement like tennis championships, but on enlarging the
quality and quantity of His kingdom and righteousness.
Our school motto is exalting righteousness. Isnt that
what we should be doing anyway?

What to do:
Exalt righteousness.
********************

Idaho
September 14

Bible Reading: Malachi 3:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 6 - For I am the LORD, I change
not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Key Words: I change not

Like some others, Idaho has accepted as their motto

Esto Perpetua which is on their state seal. Translated it
reads It Is Perpetual.
The word perpetual means that which is unchanging.
Now we know that people change, laws change, states change.
The only unchangeable one is God.
When Lloyd C. Douglas, author of The Robe and other
novels, was a university student, he lived in a boarding house.
Downstairs on the first floor was an elderly retired music
teacher, now infirm and unable to leave the apartment.
Douglas said that every morning they had a ritual. He would
come down the steps, open the old man's door and ask, "Well,
what's the good news?" The old man would pick up his tuning
fork, tap it on the side of his wheelchair, and say, "That's
middle C! It was middle C yesterday, it will be middle C
tomorrow; it will be middle C a thousand years from now. The
tenor upstairs sings flat, the piano across the hall is out of
tune, but my friend, that is middle C!" The old man had
discovered that he could depend on one constant reality in his
life, one still point in a turning world. For Christians, the
one still point in a turning world, the one absolute of which
there is no shadow of turning.
What to do:
Put your trust in the only true perpetual One.
********************

Illinois
September 15

Bible Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Key Verse: Verse 37 - For with God nothing shall be
impossible.
Key Words: For with God nothing shall be

impossible

Like many state mottoes, the Illinois state motto, State

Sovereignty National Union, was not approved as an

official state motto, but rather, was adopted as an element of

the State Seal.
The word sovereignty means supreme power. It
carries the idea of state government making its own rulers,
ruling itself, not likely in todays world.
If a state refuses to allow homosexual marriage they
lose federal funds. If a state refuses to adopt national health
insurance, they lose federal funds so in reality no state today
is a sovereign state. All states have federal intrusion. The
only true sovereign one is Jehovah God.
A story is told of a small group study that was done
each week in a church. Each week it would be held in a
different members home and the host would provide snacks
and the opening prayer. One young lady always provided the
best food, had the cleanest home, etc. But she could never say
the prayer; she was terrified at the thought of praying in front
of people. Finally after years of trying she told the pastor one
night Tonights the night, Im going to pray. Everyone
came, they snacked and talked and when it was time to start
they all rose, bowed their heads and waited. After a moment
the pastor began to wonder and looked over at the young
woman. She was visibly shaking, tears in her eyes she quietly
prayed: Lord, Help! A-men. What a perfect prayer. It says it
all
LORD
(acknowledging
sovereignty)
HELP
(Acknowledging Need) A-MEN (So be it).

What to do:
In life, both the good times and bad, remember God
is the only Sovereign One.
********************

Indiana
September 16

Bible Reading: Proverbs 14:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 12 - There is a way which seemeth

right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of
death.
Key Words: but the end thereof are the ways of

death
Indiana motto is The Crossroads of America which
signifies the importance of waterways, railroads, highways,
and other transportation facilities in the state, viewed by
many as some of the finest in the nation.
There is another crossroad in life - one that requires a
decision, a crossroad where the decision is an eternal one.
In Yellowstone National Park, there are large signs
that say Dont Feed the Bears! Tourists always disobey it.
They feed the bears, and every year the park rangers have to
pick up dead bears. The bears get used to being fed by the
tourists and they lose their ability to fend for themselves in
nature. They wind up looking for a handout, and when the
handout is no longer there, they die.
Satan offers us handouts a party here, a relationship
there, a thrill here, and he gets us so used to him that we
forget God. When he stops handing things out, when you lose
the job, when life turns upside down on you, then you dont
know where to go. Satan has a strategy of tricking people into
relying on cheap substitutesand the end thereof is the way of
death.
What to do:
When you come to the crossroad of life, choose
God.
********************

Iowa
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:28-34

September 17

Key Verse: Verse 33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of

God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall

be added unto you.

Key Words: But seek ye first the kingdom of God
The motto for Iowa is Our Liberties We Will Prize and
Our Rights We Will Maintain.
A prize is something that one values.
I have
discovered in my years in the ministry that ones prize or
values change. At the time of tragedy, everyone wants God
while before no one had time for God.
I have known people who admitted that they seldom if
ever prayed but adversity drove them to prayer.
During times of trial our values change. On April 14,
1912, 10:00 p.m. the Titanic crashed into an iceberg in the
mid-Atlantic and four hours later sank. One woman in a life
boat asked if she could go back to her room. She was given
only three minutes to do so. She hurried down the corridors,
already tilting dangerously, through the gambling room piled
ankle-deep in money. In her room were her treasures waiting
to be taken, but instead, she snatched up three oranges and
hurried back to the boat. One hour before she would have
naturally chosen diamonds over oranges, but in the face of
death, values are seen more clearly.
What to do:
Prize your liberties, maintain your Godly rights, but
seek ye first the kingdom of God.
********************

Kansas

September 18

Bible Reading: James 1:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 12 - Blessed is the man that
endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath
promised to them that love him.
Key Words: when he is tried

The motto for the state of Kansas is Ad Astra per

Aspera which means To the Stars through Difficulties.
Kansas has been the home for some outstanding
characters. Dodge City was home to Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill
Hickok, and Bat Masterson.
The state motto for Kansas could be one for us
individually. It is going through the difficult times of life that
we rise above our circumstances. There is an old saying that
goes, Difficulties do not make us; they simply reveal what we
are made of.
Warren Wiersbe writes: "Our values determine our
evaluations. If we value comfort more than character, then
trials will upset us. If we value the material and physical more
than the spiritual, we will not be able to count it all joy! If we
live only for the present and forget about the future, the trials
will make us bitter, not better."
Success is to be measured not so much by the position
that one has reached in life as by the obstacles (trials) that one
has overcome while trying to succeed.
So shoot for the stars but for the glory of God!

What to do:
Remember, its the trials that reveal our true
character.
********************

Kentucky
September 19

Bible Reading: Psalm 103

Key Verse: Verse 2 - Bless the LORD, O my soul, and

forget not all his benefits:
Key Words: and forget not all his benefits

Kentucky is known for several things such as the

Kentucky Derby and Kentucky basketball, but to me the motto

of Kentucky is what stands out: Let Us Be Grateful to God.

Now, thats a motto I can appreciate!!
We all have things for which to be grateful. For
example, a man needed his pants ironed. His wife, as she
ironed the pants for him, burned the pants. These pants were
brand new pants that he was looking forward to wearing. Her
husband started to get mad but stopped to think before
reacting and said, Lord, thank you that my leg wasnt in those
pants. There is always a reason to give thanks. (Be anxious
for nothing, but in prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving.
And how about Matthew Henry, the famous Bible
scholar, who wrote in his diary, Let me be thankful first,
because I was never robbed before; second, because although
they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, let me be
thankful that although they took my all, it was not much; and
fourth, because it was I who was robbed and not I who
robbed.
Let us all be grateful to God.
What to do:
Dont forget the benefits of God.
********************

Louisiana, Part One

September 20

Bible Reading: Matthew 12:22-37

Key Verse: Verse 25 - And Jesus knew their thoughts,

and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against
itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house
divided against itself shall not stand:
Key Words: house divided against itself shall not

stand

Louisianas state motto is Union, Justice, and

Confidence. Lets break Louisianas motto down into three
parts beginning with union.

The word union means the act of uniting two or more

things together. Marriage is a union, the uniting of a man and
woman together. Salvation is a union, the uniting of God with
man. When we are a union or united, we become stronger.
A story is told about a father who catches his two sons
quarreling. He calls them in and gives the oldest one a small
stick and asks him to snap it. The son did so with a rebellious
smirk on his face. The father handed him two sticks together
and asked him to snap them which he did easily. Then it was
three, four, five and six sticks and by this time the boy was
straining to snap the sticks. Finally with seven sticks he had
to admit defeat. Then the father cautioned his sons that A
house divided cannot stand. You can be defeated one by one
but if you stand together your united strength will cause your
enemies to have second thoughts.
May God grant you the strength and wisdom to stand
united in your marriage, in your church, and in our nation.

What to do:
As a church if you are not united together, you
will simply fall apart.
********************

Louisiana, Part Two

September 21

Bible Reading: Job 8

Key Verse: Verse 3 - Doth God pervert judgment? or
doth the Almighty pervert justice?
Key Words: doth the Almighty pervert justice
The motto for Louisiana is Union, Justice, and
Confidence.
Bildad asked this question of Job, Doth the Almighty
pervert justice? The answer, of course, is no. God never
perverts justice but rather performs justice.

Mark Connelly tells of Andy Fastow, the former CFO

of Enron, the following:
Andy Fastow was a brilliant kid in my high school
graduating class in New Providence, New Jersey. He was one
of the really good kids. In fact, he was the student body
president of my senior class. He went on to get a great
education and a fantastic job. He climbed his way up the
ladder until he became the Chief Financial Officer of his
corporation. In fact, he became one of the most powerful
businessmen in America. But in order to climb that ladder he
had to cheat. Im sure he didnt start out his career thinking
hed cheat his way to the top, but somewhere along the way he
decided to negotiate his sin rather than eradicate it.
Eventually he spun one of the greatest webs of sin corporate
America has ever seen. You may have heard of my classmate
Andy Fastow, because the corporation he was CFO of was
Enron. He was indicted on 78 counts of fraud, money
laundering, and obstruction of justice. When you try to
negotiate sin, you just continue to weave a web and justice will
eventually find you out.
It always does!

What to do:
Be honest, because the wheels of Gods justice
may grind slowly, but they grind surely.
********************

Louisiana, Part Three

September 22

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:1-11

Key Verse: Verse 3 - For we are the circumcision,
which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ
Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Key Words: have no confidence in the flesh

Louisiana has a great motto: Union, Justice, and

Confidence.
Confidence can be a great thing if our confidence is in
God and not the flesh.
Lou Nicholes, in his book, Conquest of the Promised
Land, writes the following.
I heard a story recently which illustrates the idea of a
resting heart in the previous chapter.
An American
missionary couple and their family were home on furlough,
and spending their vacation at a cabin near a lake. They had
three children, ages twelve, seven and four. One day the fouryear-old slipped away from his brother and sister, went out on
the dock to play, and fell into the lake. He didnt know how to
swim and he wasnt wearing a life jacket. The screams of the
two older children alerted the father to the danger. He ran to
the dock and the kids pointed to where their brother had
fallen in.
The father dove into the lake. He went all the way to
the bottom and felt around frantically for his little boy.
Finally, he ran out of air, came to the top, took another huge
gulp of air, and went down again, searching for his son. On
his way down a third time he felt his little boys leg. He
turned and found his four-year-old son with his arms and legs
wrapped tightly around one of the pilings, about three feet
below the water. The father pried him loose, carried him onto
the lawn, and they both caught their breath. After about thirty
minutes, when things had calmed down and were restored to
normal, the father asked, Son, what were you doing down
there, hanging on to that piling? The little boy answered, I
was confident that my daddy would rescue me.
As believers, we must have the same confidence in our
Heavenly Father. Its Him we should be confident in, not the
flesh.

What to do:
Have confidence in God.

Maine

September 23

Bible Reading: John 16:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 13 - Howbeit when he, the Spirit of

truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he
shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall
hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things
to come.
Key Words: he will guide you into all truth

The motto of Maine is I Direct or I Guide.

The seal upon which this motto appears, give some
insight into the meaning intended by the Maine state motto.
"...as the Polar Star has been considered the mariner's
guide and director in conducting the ship over the pathless
ocean to the desired haven, and as the center of magnetic
attraction; as it has been figuratively used to denote the point,
to which all affections turn, and as it is here intended to
represent the State, it may be considered the citizens' guide,
and the object to which the patriot's best exertions should be
directed."
While I am thankful for such things as the moon which
guided Israel and the sun which one can use as a compass for
guiding, Im more thankful to the Lord for the Holy Spirit
which guides us.
When our family visited Brazil some years ago, Joe
Hawkins took us on a tour of the Amazon Jungle. We had a
young guide who took us through some dangerous places,
snakes, poisonous spiders, and other creatures. This was an
adventure I could have never taken without a guide. So it is in
this life, without the Holy Spirit as our Guide, how could we
make it through? I doubt we could. Then praise God for His
direction and guidance.

What to do:
Make sure you have the right Guide for your life.

Maryland, Part One

September 24

Bible Reading: Nehemiah 6:10-19, Acts 9:36

Key Verse: Verse 19 - Also they reported his good

deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And
Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
Key Words: they reported his good deeds

The motto for the state of Maryland is Strong Deeds,

Gentle Words.
This is a motto we, as believers, should live by. Strong
deeds: deeds can be both good and bad. The deeds mentioned
for Marylands motto were strong good deeds.
Lou Nicholes, missionary and author writes: My
daughter Beth was about three years old when one night she
asked if her mother or I could help her in getting undressed. I
was downstairs and she was upstairs, and I remember asking,
Do you know how to undress yourself? Yes, she explained,
but sometimes people need people anyway, even if they do
know how to do things by themselves.
One of the things I do to encourage others is one good
deed each day done for someone. Lets be an encouragement
through our words and our good deeds.
What to do:
What good deed have you done today?
********************

Maryland, Part Two

September 25

Bible Reading: Proverbs 25:1-11

Key Verse: Verse 11 - A word fitly spoken is like

apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Key Words: A word fitly spoken

The state of Marylands motto is Strong Deeds, Gentle

Words. How fitting, encouraging and comforting a gentle

word can be. Our words reveal us they reveal our spirit, our
heart, our personality.
It was 1898 and Ben had left the East eight years ago
to head out West in hopes of making his fortune. Well he
wasn't rich, but he had accumulated over 300 acres of good
land and built a comfortable farm house on it. He raised
wheat, corn, and all of his vegetables. He had managed to
build his herd of cattle to over 200 head. Having
accomplished all of this in only eight years, he decided that it
was now time.
The ad that he placed in the New York newspaper said,
"Wanted: A good woman willing to be a pen pal. Marriage is a
possibility for the right woman." Before long, he began
receiving letters from Molly. Their correspondence soon
turned into love for each other. Now, here he stood in the
Kansas City train station waiting to finally meet her.
When the train arrived, there were a lot of women
getting off. Suddenly, he yelled, Mollyover here!
She looked his way, walked over to him, smiled and
held out her hand. He took it for a moment, then let it go. She
said, "How did you know who I was?"
He then reached into the back pocket of his overalls
and said, "From these here letters."
"But there are no pictures in them."
He dropped his head a bit and said, "Oh yes there are!
There are lots of pictures in your words." You see, he had
spent hours reading every word-- looking for every little clue
that would tell him who Molly really was. He had fallen in love
with her words-- words that had painted her portrait.
And so do our words!

What to do:
What portrait do your words paint?
********************

Massachusetts

September 26

Bible Reading: John 14:15-31

Key Verse: Verse 27- Peace I leave with you, my

peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I
unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it
be afraid.
Key Words: my peace I give unto you

Massachusetts, also known as the Bay State and the

Baked Bean State because the population used to eat baked
beans and bread on Sunday, because they would prepare them
on Saturday and they were ready to serve after church on
Sunday.
The state motto is By the sword we seek peace, but
peace only under liberty.
We live in a world seeking peace; but the people can
find no peace because they are not free, they are bound by this
world and sin.
Tim Hansel in his book, Holy Sweat, writes:
In my late twenties, a bunch of my friends and I
decided to sail around the world. I have to admit, though, at
the time I was a bit worried. I hadn't ever sailed before. I was
uneasy and anxious. So I spent a lot of time reading the Bible
and praying about it, until it dawned on me that God was
whispering,
"Tim, I'll give you peace if you read some books on
sailing. The reason you're anxious is not due to lack of prayer,
but to your lack of sailing knowledge."
I wasn't unprayerful; I was unskilled. So I took a step I
needed to take to "let" God work his peace in my heart. I
began reading about sailing.
If you want real peace, start reading Gods book of
peace, the Bible. Its there you can find how to have Gods
peace.
What to do:
Get some real peacethe peace of God.

Michigan

September 27

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:25-30

Key Verse: Verse 28 - Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Key Words: Come unto me
The Michigan state motto is a Latin motto which in
English means, If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about
you. The Michigan motto was adopted in 1835 as part of the
states coat-of-arms and state seal.
The word pleasant means to be consoling, delightful,
mild; pleasant means to put at ease.
Im sure that a family get-away to the peninsula of
Michigan (in the spring and summer) is a delightful thing. I
am even more sure that the arms of the Lord are more
consoling than any one of us or any state has to offer.
Tony Evans tells the following.
A few months ago, I had some problems with my car.
I had to pull over on the side of the road because the problems
were so severe. I got out of the car, opened up the hood, and
pretended like I knew what I was looking for even though I
didnt have the slightest idea. On top of all that, I discovered
that one of my tires was flat.
Now, you can get mighty dirty and sweaty fixing a
flat. I was dressed in my three-piece suit. Having to change a
tire in a three-piece suit can ruin a day.
I picked up my phone and called AAA. They sent a
tow truck. My car wasnt going anywhere, but that truck
backed up its back to my front, and yoked my car onto the
truck. I sat with the driver as he pulled my car to where it
needed to go. My car wasnt cooperating. It wasnt going with
the program, but AAA sent me a yoke, and the man who drove
the truck took over. All I did was make the call. Because I
have a relationship with AAA, when I need them, they come.
They took care of everything. They got my car to where it
needed to go and then made sure that all of the necessary
work was done. I got to ride.
Jesus Christ is inviting us to come to Him and to take
on His yoke. Being connected to Him has its benefits.

And it is quite consoling.

What to do:
There is no rest quite as sweet as resting in the arms
of the Lord.
********************

Minnesota

September 28

Bible Reading: Revelation 22:12-21

Key Verse: Verse 16 - I Jesus have sent mine angel to

testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the
root and the offspring of David, and the bright and
morning star.
Key Words: bright and morning star

The Minnesota state motto, LEtoil du Nord (the Star

of the North) shows the strong influence of the French
explorers and voyageurs who lived and worked in the Western
Great Lakes region and vast prairie lands spreading to the
Rocky Mountains.
Now, Im not sure about the Star of the North, but I do
know Who the bright and morning star isdo you? Do you
know Jesus as your Savior?
Adrian Rogers, some years ago, shared the following
letter.
Dear Adrian Rogers:
I hope you are doing well. I just wanted to write you a few
lines for the first time to tell you how much I enjoy your
sermons. Your presentations are so plain and easy to
understand.
I accepted Christ as my Savior about two years ago. Since
then I have read the entire Bible three times, taken eight Bible
study courses, mostly through mail. I have not been watching
your program very long, but ever since I first listened to you

on Sunday morning, I sit waiting for your program with my

Bible and pen and paper.
You see, I cant do much anymore. God is my strength and
salvation every day. Praise the Lord. I am an inmate in the
state penitentiary on death row. I look forward to that great
and glorious day when Christ comes to take His saints up into
heaven. I got my dad listening to your show also. He even
records them. I just wanted to give my thanks to you for all
your wonderful preaching. With all my heart I say thank you.
Adrian Rogers wrote back saying, Friend, you are not
on death row. You are on life row, because Jesus said, And
whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die (John
11:26).
Praise God for our Bright and Morning Star!!

What to do:
Its not a northern star we are looking for; it is our
coming Savior!
********************

Mississippi
September 29

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 10:1-7

Key Verse: Verse 4 (For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to
the pulling down of strong holds;)
Key Words: For the weapons of our warfare
The state motto is By Valor and Arms. Now, if you
know anything about the south, you know that all country
boys in the south bear arms. As a matter of fact, they bear
more than one.
As believers, though, we understand our arms
(weapons) are not of this world, but are of God.

Some years ago when our family returned home from

a mid-week prayer meeting, we were greeted by a robber
holding us at bay with a .38 revolver. We were not aware that
this same robber had killed two other people after robbing
them. Anyway, when I saw him with a pistol, I instinctively
held up my Bible. When I did, his whole countenance
changed. He took a few items from us and left in a rapid
fashion. The only reason we are alive to tell the story is
because on that night Gods Word was literally our weapon.
Gods Word was not only the tool that God uses to convict us
and bring us to the saving of our soul, it also was used to
deliver us physically from the hands of one who wanted to
harm us.
Matthew Henry, the author of the Matthew Henry
Commentary of the Scriptures, was robbed once after which
he said.
I am thankful for several things:
1. I am thankful that I was not harmed;
2. I am thankful that I did not lose much; and
3. I am thankful that it was I who was robbed, and
not I who was robbing.
Amen!!

What to do:
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
********************

Missouri
September 30

Bible Reading: John 10:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 10 The thief cometh not, but for to
steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they
might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly.
Key Words: I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

The state motto of Missouri is The welfare of the

people shall be the supreme law (Salus populi suprema lex
esto in Latin.
Some funny mottos and slogans of Missouri:
Put us out of our Missouri.
This place is Missouri.
Missouri: Loves Company!
The Show Me State. You show me yours and
Ill show you my rifle.
The motto of Missouri is about the welfare of the
people. But what about the peoples spiritual well-being?
Isnt that why Jesus came? So man could not only have life
but an abundant life? The abundant life isnt just being born
again. Its being born again that brings about the fulfilling of
Gods will and living for Him. That is the abundant life.
Toasters don't find themselves. Refrigerators don't
find themselves. Appliances don't find themselves because
their purpose has been assigned by another. A toaster doesnt
have to find its reason for being; its just got to do what the
manufacturer had in mind.
Christians dont have to look for themselves. God has
already consigned to us a divine reason for being. Our
purpose is to fulfill it. If we are not fulfilling His purposes,
days, weeks, and months go by as we watch more television,
hook up with more friends, and try to get better jobs and
our lives still feel empty because we are disconnected from the
purposes of God. Dont just live; live abundantly.

What to do:
Dont just live a life; live an abundant life.

I deeply appreciate the

help of
Mary Parsons
Glenda Myrick
And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these

people to help, this
devotional would not
have been possible.
Dr. Mike Rouse

is a ministry of

5568 Chalkville Mountain Road

Birmingham, AL. 35235
(205) 854-2741
www.mountainviewbaptist.org