THE KEY TO BEING AN OVERCOMER IN 2025

An Important Lesson from Paul and Trump

I am in no way comparing Donald Trump with the great Apostle. I am merely pointing out a characteristic in Trump that was highlighted by Paul in his letter to the Philippian believers.

This characteristic came alive in my heart New Years Eve while enjoying a quiet time of prayer and fellowship with the Lord. When I asked if there was anything He wanted to say about 2025, I was immediately drawn to Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:12-14 about the importance to, “Press On!”

Paul “Pressed On” through Every Trial and Difficulty

In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul delineates how this was so important in his own life. He wrote this while under house arrest in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier. He said,

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me. I do not count myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The word “press” in this passage is from the Greek word diokow, which is a very intense word that means to "chase," "pursue," and "hunt down." In vs.12, he tells what he is pursuing. It is to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus had laid hold of him.

Christ Jesus had laid hold of Paul for a purpose and he is now pressing on to lay of that purpose, which is his Divine destiny and calling. To fulfill his Divine destiny, he must continually “press on” and not yield to the attacks, challenges, and disappointments. Consider some of the things from which Paul had to press on.

In Antioch Pisidia he was persecuted and expelled from that region (Acts 13:50). He pressed on!

In Iconium he had to flee a mob that wanted to kill him (Acts 14:5-6). He pressed on!

In Lystra he was stoned, dragged out of the city and left for dead (Acts 14:19). He pressed on!

In Philippi he was arrested, publicly beaten and jailed with his feet in stocks
(Acts 16:22-24). He pressed on!

In Thessalonica he had to leave town at night to escape a vicious mob
(Acts 17:5-10). He pressed on!

In Jerusalem he was attacked by a mob but then rescued by the Romans who sent him to Rome for trial where he was placed under house arrest, chained to a Roman guard (Acts 21:30-31; 28:17-31). He pressed on!      

As Paul Pressed On He Saw the Hand of God at Work

It was from this Roman imprisonment that Paul wrote the Philippian letter exhorting his readers (and us) to press on. As he pressed on through each challenge and difficulty, he saw God work mightily all along the way.

For example, when he and Silas prayed and sang praises to God at midnight in the Philippi jail, a mighty earthquake came that shook the foundations of the prison, caused everyone's chains to fall off, and opened every prison door. There was also a spiritual earthquake with the jailer and his entire household turning to Christ as well as many of the prisoners who refused to leave the presence of Paul and Silas, even when all the prison doors were opened.

Now under house arrest in Rome, he is guarded by the elite Roman unit known as the Praetorium, which also was assigned to guard Caesar’s palace and household. A rotation of these soldiers was chained to Paul 24/7 but he was free to receive visitors and write letters (Acts 28:30-31).

It is obvious that many of these guards are coming to Christ and spreading the word about why Paul is incarcerated—because of his faith in Jesus Christ. Paul spells this out in chapter one where he says that the things that have happened to him have turned out to the furtherance of the Gospel.

Then, in his closing, he says to the Philippian believers, All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:22). Because Paul continued to press on through every challenge and difficulty, there are now Christians in Caesar’s household.

Trump Pressed On

Whether or not you voted for Donald Trump, you cannot help but admire his resilience, perseverance, and “never quit” attitude. He "pressed on" through two impeachments, numerous lawsuits and indictments, his home being raided by the FBI, continual attacks and smears by the media, two assassination attempts, and so much more.

While many would have given up along the way, he pressed on, won an overwhelming victory in November and is now the 47th president and far more popular than he was during his first term.

Final Exhortation

So, no matter what kind of disappointment you experienced in 2024, you must press on in 2025. No matter what kind of loss you suffered in 2024, you must press on in this New Year. As we press on in 202,5 I believe God will surprise us with unexpected blessings and breakthroughs, for Ephesians 3:20 says, Now to Him who able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is a revivalist, Bible teacher, and revivalist historian. He is the founder of the "1726 Project" whose purpose is to educate the nation regarding America's overt Christian birth. He has written over 20 books, including 1726: The Year that Defined America, which documents how the First Great Awakening had a direct bearing on both the founding of America and the ending of slavery on this continent.

HOW WE CAN SEE GOD'S POWER MAXIMIZED IN 2025

A Divine principle taught in Scripture is: “God purposely chooses weak human vessels through which to display His power.” This principle is vividly illustrated in the Christmas Story itself, in Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel, in Paul’s experience, and in the experience of a world-renowned pastor.

God Visited this Planet Without Human Fanfare

When our Creator chose to visit this world, He did not choose a red-carpet entrance. He did not choose the temple in Jerusalem with Levites blowing trumpets and robed priests announcing His arrival. Neither did He choose to make His entrance in Rome, introduced by Caesar with all the pomp of imperial Rome.

Instead, He chose to enter this world in the humblest of circumstances—a stable in a small, insignificant village far removed from the centers of religious and political power. He chose, not a queen, priestess, or starlet, but a poor Middle Eastern Jewish girl through whom to make His entrance.

We know that Mary and Joseph were poor, for when they took the infant Jesus to the temple to offer up the required offering, they offered the alternative offering of two pigeons or two doves, which was allowed for those too poor to afford a lamb (Luke 1:22-24; Leviticus 12:8).

This is not how the modern Church would have planned it, but it is God working according to an immutable, spiritual principle. Paul articulated this principle in I Corinthians 1:27-29, But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are mighty . . . that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Mary's Response Illustrates this Principle

When God needs someone to do a task, He does not choose the egocentric, self-confident person whose response is, “No problem God; I can handle that.” Instead, he chooses the person who recognizes their own human inadequacy and even wonders why God would choose them.

When, for example, the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive and bear a child who would be called the “Son of the Highest,” Mary responded in awe and wonder, “How can this be since I do not know a man?” In other words, “What you are telling me is humanly impossible.”

Gabriel’s answer for her human impossibility was, The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you and the power of the Highest shall “overshadow” you (Luke 1:35). The word “overshadow” in this verse is from the Greek word episkenose and it means to “rest upon” or “abide upon” or “overshadow.” 

It is the same word used of the cloud that came and “overshadowed” Jesus and His three disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:34). It is also the word used by Paul in delineating how he learned the secret of God's power "overshadowing" His people.

The answer to Mary’s “how can this be” is also the answer for the impossible challenges you and I will face in 2025. The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you and the power of the Highest shall “overshadow” you .  

Paul Learns this Principle

Paul tells of learning this principle in II Corinthians 12:9. This principle was revealed to him after he had prayed that a difficult, debilitating situation be removed from his life. God responded by saying, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

The word “strength” in this passage is a translation of the Greek word dunamis, which in other places is translated as “power.” The word “perfect” is a translation of the Greek word teleos, which means “end,” “destination,” or “maximum.” A more literal translation of this verse would be, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is maximized in weakness.

After learning that God’s power will be maximized in his weakness, Paul says in II Corinthians 12:9b, Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities [weaknesses], that the power of Christ may “rest” upon me. It is important to note that the word “rest” in this passage is a cognate form of the very same Greek word that is used of Mary in Luke 1:35 where it is translated as “overshadow.”

Paul is not being negative and wallowing in his pain. He is saying that since learning this principle, he feels no need to boost and enhance his profile. He is free to acknowledge his own human inadequacy and admit how much he needs God. In doing so, he finds God’s power being maximized in his life.

A World-Renowned Pastor Learns this Principle

In 1988 I spent one week with the late David Yonggi Cho who was the founder and pastor of the largest church in world, which at that time, had over 700,000 members. In a pastor’s conference with over 600 Christian leaders from around the world, he told of a great crisis he went through in his early years in which he learned this principle of God’s power being maximized in our weakness.

He had already achieved remarkable success as a pastor but plunged his congregation and his family into financial turmoil after making some bad business decisions regarding the purchase of land and then setting out to build condominiums and a massive new cathedral. However, an unexpected recession hit the country and he was no longer able to pay the contractors, who stopped working and began filing lawsuits against him and the church.

With unfinished condominiums and a large hole in the ground where the church was supposed to be, people began leaving the church and the stress seemed to daily increase. In desperation, he sold his home and moved his family into one of the unfinished condominiums.

Then, one day, in an argument with his wife, he hit her and broke her nose. She packed her suitcase and left, saying, “I always wanted to marry a Pentecostal preacher, but I never thought it would be like this.” He hit rock bottom and climbed out on a ledge intending to jump and commit suicide. However, a thought crossed his mind, “If you have enough courage to commit suicide, why don’t you redirect that courage and persevere through this.”

The Great Cho Died

He told this audience of Christian leaders, “That was when the great Cho died.” He laid aside his ego and went to his mother-in-law’s home where his wife had gone. He humbled himself and admitted how wrong he had been and, on his knees, begged for her forgiveness. After much pleading, she forgave him and they were reconciled.

He then went to church on Sunday and humbled himself before the people, saying, “Please pray for me.” He went on to acknowledge that he had brought on the terrible situation they were in by bad decisions and not listening to others, including his wife. He asked for their forgiveness and prayers. Something marvelous then occurred.

The Power of God Overshadowed Him

The Spirit of God fell and the power of God seemed to “overshadow” the congregation. People began standing to their feet and saying, “We are going to put our home up for sale this week, move into one of those unfinished condominiums with your family, and give the proceeds to the church.” Young people began standing and saying they were going to get a second job and give the proceeds to the church. Women who were poor cut their hair, braided it into rugs, sold them on the street, and gave the proceeds to the church.

It was a defining moment. The money poured in and every need was abundantly supplied. From that moment, the Yoido Full Gospel Church exploded in unheard of growth. When I was there in 1988, the 25,000 seat colosseum was complete and with other campus auditoriums, connected by closed-circuit TV, they could accommodate 50,000 in a single service. Each Sunday they had seven services to accommodate the crowds. I heard Lester Sumrall say that it was not only the largest church in the world, but also the wealthiest church in the world.

 

Cho encouraged those hundreds of pastors to be honest with their congregations and let them know they need their prayers. He said, “My people love me and pray for me because I do not hide from them; they know I am a frail human being and need their prayers.” God’s power was being maximized in his weakness.

We Can See God’s Power Maximized in 2025

Do we want God’s power to rest upon us and be maximized in 2025? Then we must get rid of the religious facades and acknowledge that even with all our religious paraphernalia, great choirs, singers, preachers, and musicians, we are in desperate need of God. His power is still maximized in human weakness—in those who recognize and acknowledge how much they need Him.

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is a Bible teacher, revivalist and historian who has authored over 20  books on the overcoming Christian life and spiritual awakening. His book, 1726: The Year that Defined America, is a must read for those who hunger to see God move in another Great Awakening across this land. His books are available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.

AN AGNOSTIC ARCHAEOLOGIST DISCOVERS EVIDENCE FOR THE VIRGIN BIRTH

 

Of the four Gospels, Luke gives the most detailed account of the Nativity and mentions Mary 12 times, more than any other biblical writer. In addition to the birth of Christ, he also gives special, detailed attention to the birth of John the Baptist and many see his gynecological interests to be a result of his training as a physician.

The agnostic Oxford professor and archaeologist, Sir William Ramsay, thought he would scientifically prove Luke to be a bogus, unreliable writer by retracing Luke’s account of Paul’s travels in Acts. However, after years of retracing Luke's account of Paul's travels and doing archaeological excavations along the way, Ramsay completely reversed his view of the Bible and first-century history.

He Sets Out to Disprove Luke

Ramsay, considered one of the greatest archaeologists of all time, was a product of the skeptical, German higher criticism of the 19th century. According to these critics, the New Testament was written in the second century by individuals far removed from the events described and, therefore, filled with inaccuracies, myths, and legends.

Ramsay set out to prove these theories, which he taught and had become accepted as facts in much of academia. However, after many years of archaeological research he became convinced that Acts was written in the first century by Luke, the traditional author, and he acquired a very high regard for Luke as a historian. He wrote,

Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense; in short, this author should be placed along with the greatest of historians (Hyatt, Christmas is for Real, 10-11).

In 1896, Ramsay began publishing his discoveries in a book entitled St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen. The book caused a furor of dismay among the skeptics of the world, for its affirmation of the biblical record was totally unexpected. The evidence was, in fact, so overwhelming that many atheists gave up their atheism and embraced Christianity.

Over the next 20 years, Ramsay published other volumes showing how he discovered Luke to be accurate in the tiniest details of his account. In his book, The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament, he wrote, "You may press the words of Luke in a degree beyond any other historian's and they stand the keenest scrutiny and the hardest treatment" (Hyatt, Christmas is for Real, 11).

To cite just one example, Luke’s use of the term “politarch” to describe officials in Thessalonica was widely considered to be a bogus term since it was unknown in all other ancient literature. But in his archaeological excavations, Ramsay uncovered the term no less than five times in ancient carvings in the city, demonstrating beyond doubt the authenticity and reliability of Luke’s authorship. 

The evidence piled up and became overwhelming. Ramsay eventually gave up his agnosticism and came to faith in Christ. He concluded that if Luke was this careful to get right the most minute facts about words, dates, roads, waterways, and different cultures, then he could also be trusted to have gotten his facts right about the supernatural things he described such as the Virgin Birth.

Indeed, at the beginning of his Gospel, and just before describing the angel’s visit to Mary, Luke says that he has utilized eyewitness accounts of the events described. The detail Luke presents about the Virgin Birth does indicate that he has derived his information from a primary source, either Mary herself or someone to whom Mary had relayed the intimate details of the event.

Conclusion of the Matter

The famous Oxford historian, A.N. Sherwin-White, carefully examined Luke’s references to 32 countries, 54 cities, and nine islands, finding not a single mistake. The noted New Testament scholar, F.F. Bruce, noted that where Luke has been suspected of inaccuracy by modern critics, archaeology has again and again proven Luke to be right and the critics wrong.

The evidence begs the question that if Luke was this careful to get his facts right about names, places, events and dates, can we not be confident that he was just as careful to get his facts right concerning the more important things about which he wrote, such as the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ?

Charles Wesley, the Anglican cleric and Methodist revivalist, believed so and wrote his magnificent hymn, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” after hearing London church bells ringing as he walked to church one Christmas day. He wrote,

Hark the herald angels sing,

Glory to the newborn king.

Peace on earth and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled.

 

Joyful all ye nations rise,

Join the triumph of the skies.

With angelic hosts proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

This article is derived from the book, Christmas is for Real, by Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt and available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehhyatt.com.

TEXAS, THE BIBLE & THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

The inclusion of Bible stories in Texas Public School curriculum is being challenged with the claim that it violates the U. S. Constitution. This, however, is a fallacious claim, based on a contorted interpretation of the First Amendment wrenched from its historical setting.

The truth is that the Bible in public schools is in complete harmony with the thinking of America’s founding generation. This is obvious from the following examples from America’s early history.

The first English Bible printed in America in 1782 included an endorsement from Congress. The producer of this Bible, Robert Aitken, called it, “a neat Edition of the Scriptures for the use in schools.” Congress enthusiastically responded to his request for an endorsement and offered the following recommendation, which was included in this first English Bible printed in America.

Resolved: That the United States in Congress assembled, highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitken, as subservient to the interest of religion as well as an instance of the progress of the arts in this country, and being satisfied from the above report, of his care and accuracy in the execution of the work they recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States and hereby authorize him to publish this recommendation in the manner he shall think proper.

This was neither surprising nor controversial for the Bible was the most popular book in America at the time of its founding. America’s founding generation found in the pages of the Bible its moral compass, its guide for ethics, and the intellectual underpinnings for its worldview.

This is why, on September 5, 1774, the First Continental Congress opened with the reading of the entire 35th Psalm followed by an extended time of prayer. John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, of the impact of the Bible reading on the delegates, which included himself, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, and other founding fathers. He wrote,

It was enough to melt a heart of stone. I never saw a greater effect upon an audience. It seems as if heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read that day. I saw tears gush into the eyes of the old, grave pacific Quakers of Philadelphia. I must beg you to read that Psalm (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 108).

A ten-year study to determine where the founders got their ideas for America’s founding documents discovered that they quoted the Bible far more than any other source (Hyatt, 1726: The Year thatDefined America, 167-68). This is why no one was surprised when George Washington took the first presidential oath of office with his hand on a Bible by which he made clear that he saw this public act as a sacred oath before God.

A December 27, 1982 article in Newsweek magazine, entitled “How the Bible Made America,” highlighted this profound impact of the Bible on America’s founding generation. The authors wrote,

For centuries, the Bible has exerted an unrivaled influence on American culture, politics, and social life. Now historians are discovering that the Bible, perhaps even more than the Constitution, is our founding document: the source of the powerful myth of the United States as a special, sacred nation, a people called by God to establish a model of society, a beacon to the world.

The First Amendment, which reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or hindering the free exercise thereof,” was formulated to block Congress from ever establishing a government-run national church. That it was created to keep the Bible out of the public arena, is a new and novel concept rooted in a secularist worldview.

The First Amendment was created to keep government influence out of the church, not the other way around. We must remember the words of John Adams, who as America’s second president, declared, “Our constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other” (Hyatt, 1726:The Year that Defined America, 168).

This article is derived from Eddie Hyatt's book, 1726: The Year that Defined America, and is available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com. He is the founder of the "1726 Project" whose purpose is to recover America's Godly Heritage of faith and freedom. 

THE CHRISTIAN ROOTS OF OUR "THANKSGIVING" HOLIDAY

America’s national “Thanksgiving” holiday is rooted in the nation’s overt Christian origins and the custom of its first immigrants to set aside special days for giving thanks to God for His goodness and blessings. This custom was continued by succeeding generations and eventually found its way into the national consciousness and calendar. 

The Pilgrims Maintained an Attitude of Gratitude Even During Great Loss

The Pilgrims who landed on Cape Cod in November of 1620 were devout followers of Christ who had left the comforts of home, family, and friends to pursue their vision of a renewed and reformed Christianity. Although facing insurmountable challenges and much suffering they maintained an attitude of gratitude through every trial.

They were a thankful people. They never wavered in their faith even during their first winter in the New World (1620-21) when sickness ravaged their community and half of them, about fifty in number, were taken away in death.

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims the following fall of 1621 after they had gathered in their fall harvest. Although their hearts were still heavy from the losses suffered the previous winter, there were at least 3 areas for which they felt particularly grateful to God: (1) With the arrival of spring the sickness that had immobilized the community and taken many of them in death had lifted; (2) their new Native American friends who were such a blessing, serving as guides and interpreters; and (3) the abundant harvests they had experienced during the summer and fall of 1621.

The Pilgrims were not whiners. They were not complainers. They were the ultimate optimists because of their faith in God and their firm belief that He had called them to this New World.

The First Thanksgiving Day

An approximate equal number of English Pilgrims and Native Americans attended the first Thanksgiving. In addition to the natives who lived with them, such as Squanto, Samoset, and Hobomok, Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoag, arrived with ninety of his people, and five dressed deer to add to the meals the Pilgrims had prepared.

The Pilgrims did not seek to force their faith on the Indians but neither did they hide their faith. After all, in the Mayflower Compact they had stated that they had come to the New World “for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.” Their approach was what some modern missiologists would call “friendship evangelism.”

One can only imagine the emotions that filled their hearts as, in the presence of their new Native American friends, they joined their spiritual leader, Elder William Brewster, in lifting their hearts in praise and thanksgiving to God.

The day turned out to be more than they could have imagined. Not only did they enjoy meals together with thankful hearts, but they engaged in shooting matches and other friendly forms of competition. It was such an enjoyable time that the one Day of Thanksgiving was extended for three full days.

And yes, it is almost certain that there was turkey at the first Thanksgiving. According to the account of an unknown Pilgrim, Governor Bradford sent out four men to hunt for “fowl” who returned with enough “fowl” to last them an entire week.

“Fowl” probably refers to ducks, which were plentiful at that time of the year. Bradford’s account, however, specifically mentions turkeys in addition to the fowl. He wrote,

And besides waterfowl there was a great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. (Hyatt, The Pilgrims, 47).

A Day of Thanksgiving During the Revolutionary War

Special days of Thanksgiving continued to be observed by the Pilgrims and new immigrants, especially those who settled in New England. As the colonies began to form themselves into a nation, these days of Thanksgiving began to be nationalized and made part of the national consciousness and calendar.

For example, during the fall of 1776, when the morale of the Revolutionary Army and the American populace had sunk to an all-time low because of poor harvests and hardship on the battlefield, Congress proclaimed December 11, 1776, as a Day of Prayer, Fasting and Repentance.

After this National Day of Prayer, there was an amazing turnaround, that in 1779 Congress issued a proclamation setting aside a Day of Thanksgiving because “it hath pleased Almighty God, the father of mercies, remarkably to assist and support the United States of America in their important struggle for liberty” (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 124).

This Day of Thanksgiving was observed throughout the newly formed nation with people gathering in churches and other public venues to give thanks to God for His mercy and help in their time of need.

George Washington Continues the Tradition

Shortly after being sworn in as president, George Washington issued a proclamation designating November 26, 1789, as a Day of Thanksgiving, which was the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the new national government of the United States. The proclamation reads in part,

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Abraham Lincoln Proclaims a Day of Thanksgiving

A Day of Thanksgiving to be observed on the last Thursday in November 1863, was proclaimed by Abraham Lincoln in the midst of the Civil War. As in the Revolutionary War, this Day of Thanksgiving came on the heels of a remarkable turnaround in favor of the Union after a designated Day of Prayer and Repentance on April 30, 1863.

Although still at war, Lincoln enumerated the many reasons the inhabitants of America had for being thankful to God and then said,

It has seemed to me fit and proper that these blessings should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

The final Thursday in November, set by President Lincoln, continued to be the observed “Thanksgiving” until December 26, 1941 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a joint resolution of Congress changing the national Thanksgiving Day from the last Thursday in November to the fourth Thursday.

Concluding Thoughts

This national holiday that we know as Thanksgiving was brought forth by people of faith who knew the importance of nurturing a thankful heart in every situation. It was their faith in God that enabled them to be thankful even during the greatest of trials. They maintained an attitude of gratitude through it all.

This Thanksgiving let us remember our heritage and determine that we too will be a thankful people, as were the spiritual foremothers and forefathers who brought this nation into existence. Let’s follow them and the words of the old hymn that says,

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

This article is derived from the books, 1726: The Year that Defined America and The Pilgrims by Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt. They are available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.

HOW SOCIALISM ALMOST DESTROYED THE PILGRIMS

 

Before the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, and Venezuela, socialism was tried right here on American soil and utterly failed. The Pilgrims, who established the first permanent English settlement in New England in the fall of 1620, at first attempted a socialist style of living. They disbanded it, however, when it became obvious that their community could not survive with such a system.

Socialism Forced on Them

The Pilgrim’s journey to America was funded by a group of venture capitalists who provided the ship and supplies for their journey to the New World. In return, the Pilgrims agreed to live communally until the debt, including interest, was paid. Everyone would receive the same recompense for their work, and everything above their basic necessities would go into a common fund to be used to pay their creditors.

In other words, there was no economic inequality. Income produced by farming, fishing, and fur trading was spread around and evenly divided among members of the community. They were all equal with only one economic class. They had what modern politicians call "equity," which is a guaranteed equal outcome 

William Bradford, who served as governor of Plymouth for many years, told of the challenges of this socialist system and how it almost destroyed their community (Hyatt, Pilgrims and Patriots, 36-38).

Four hard lessons the Pilgrims learned about socialism were: (1) Socialism destroys initiative; (2) Socialism fosters irresponsibility; (3) Socialism extinguishes hope and generates strife; and (4) Socialism is incompatible with human nature.

Lesson #1

Socialism Destroys Initiative

Under this socialist system, everyone received the same recompense for their work. No matter how hard, or how little, they worked, all received the same income. With no reward tied to their labor, initiative was destroyed, and everyone put forth their least effort.

Why work and dream when you are trapped in a socialist system that mandates equality of outcome for everyone? This socialist system destroyed initiative and almost destroyed the Pilgrim community.

Lesson #2

Socialism Fosters Irresponsibility

Young men, Bradford said, resented getting paid the same as older men when they did so much more of the work. As a result, they tended to slouch and slack since they knew they would receive the same no matter how hard they worked.

Knowing they would receive the same no matter how hard or how little they worked, the women often refused go to the fields to work, complaining of sickness and headaches. To have compelled them to go, Bradford said, would have been considered tyranny and oppression.

With no individual reward tied to their innovation and labor, everyone gave their least effort. Irresponsibility became obvious throughout the community and many became gripped with a sense of hopelessness.

Lesson #3

Socialism Extinguishes Hope and Generates Strife

This socialist system led to a widespread sense of hopelessness. With everyone locked into a closed economic system, there was nothing individuals or families could do to improve their personal lot. Feeling caught in a trap, bickering and strife began to emerge.

The older men, Bradford said, felt they deserved more honor and recompense because of their age and resented getting paid the same as the youngsters in their midst. The young men, on the other hand, resented getting paid the same as the older men when they often did more of the work.

This sense of hopelessness and the ensuing strife drained energy and discouraged innovative thinking and led to very serious complications for the community.

Lesson #4

Socialism is Incompatible with Human Nature

Bradford believed that socialism did not work because it runs counter to human nature as created by God. In Scripture, God rewards individuals for their labor and good works. Capitalism works because it is compatible with the reality of human nature and the world in which we live.

I will never forget visiting eastern Europe shortly after the fall of the Soviet Empire. I was struck by the grey, drab environment. Even the buildings seemed so plain, flat and lackluster.

It was obvious that the Marxist system had robbed the people of life, energy and creativity. I am here reminded of the words of Winston Churchill, “Those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.”

To Survive, They Had to Change

When it became obvious that lack and perhaps starvation would be their lot, Bradford and the leaders of the colony decided to make a change. After much prayer and discussion, they decided to dispense with that part of the agreement with their creditors that required them to live communally until their debt was paid. In its place, they implemented a free entrepreneurial system that included private ownership of property (Hyatt, Pilgrims and Patriots (Second Edition), 34-36).

They Experience the Blessing of Free Enterprise

According to Bradford, they divided the land around them, allotting to each family a certain portion that would be theirs to work and use for their own needs. Bradford said there was an immediate change. The young men began to work much harder because they now knew they would eat the fruit of their own labors.

There were no more complaints from the older men for the same reason. And now the women were seen going into the fields to work, taking the children with them, because they knew they and their family would personally benefit.

Instead of lacking food, each family now grew more food than they needed, and they began to trade with one another for furnishings, clothes and other goods. They also had enough excess to trade with the Indians for furs and other items. In short, the colony began to prosper when they got rid of their socialist form of government and implemented a free, entrepreneurial system.

Of their experience with socialism, Bradford wrote;

This community [socialism] was found to breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort . . . and showed the vanity of that conceit of Plato’s, and applauded by some of later times, that the taking away of property and bringing in community into a commonwealth would make them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 25).

Christianity & Capitalism

During the recent presidential election we heard Kamala Harris and those on the Left using the word "equity." Equity is not equality. Equity would use government mandates to guarantee equal outcome, not equal opportunity. Equity and its twin sister, DEI, are innocent sounding phrases designed to slip Marxist ideology into the thinking of an unsuspecting public.

As Christians, our responsibility is to call people to Christ and help them live out their Christianity in the real world. Living out our Christianity means a life of responsibility, not looking for government hand-outs but working and prospering in a way that we can give a hand-up to those in need.

We desire the best for the greatest number of people which is why we must reject the contemporary vision of those on the Left for government-mandated socialist system in America. The Pilgrims would wholeheartedly agree.

This article was derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt’s books, 1726: The Year that Defined America and Pilgrims and Patriots (Second Edition), available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.