Sunday, December 28, 2014

The End

Gtcotr/ss122814

God is getting you ready for that which He already has ready for you.

Habakkuk 2
2 Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.

Throughout the Bible God calls attention to beginnings and endings. (Genesis – Revelation) At the end of the book of Revelation we read:

Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

I am Alpha & Omega Beginning and End, the First and the Last … The scriptures also say that we should:

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Look to Jesus who is both the Author and the Finisher of our faith …” and that:

Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

We are “Made partakers of Christ”, if we keep on holding on to the very first act of our faith, which is the salvation of our soul, unto the very end.

Furthermore we are told that:

Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

God knows the end from the beginning and has known from the ancient days the things which are yet to be done …” And, He has decided that when it is all said and done, He is going to end up “pleased” with the outcome.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

For some reason it seems that God has a greater consideration for end of a thing more than the beginning thereof. And He evidently thinks more of those who exhibit patience than of those who are proud and hasty in spirit.

Suffice it to say, God appreciates a good finish.

John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.

In fact, Jesus said that He was all about finishing the work of God.

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and he bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.
This He did on the Cross of Calvary when He took upon Himself the sins of the world and completed the work of redemption. “It is finished!”

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

The Apostle Paul took this same mind unto himself when after continual physical hardships and overwhelming persecution he declared that he was not going to be moved but would “finish his course with joy” as a testimony to the grace of God. What a testimony it is.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Right near the end of the Apostle Paul’s life he wrote to his son in the faith and told Timothy that he had fought a good fight and “finished his course” and kept the faith which had once been delivered to him in Christ Jesus.

Both heaven and earth, as well as each one of us, appreciate a good finish. We know first impressions are important but we also realize that:

Last impressions are lasting impressions.

At first impression Judas Iscariot was chosen to become an Apostle of the Lamb. (Mark 3:14) Jesus chose Judas along with the other 11 to be with Him and to send him out to preach. However, first impressions can be deceptive … be patient … not every first impression will be the right one.

I don’t mean to be critical, judgmental or insensitive but only stating the fact that the beginning of a thing reveals little if any substance of the outcome of the matter … however … the end speaks for itself just as our text for today declares. (Write the vision down – wait – in the end it will speak) This is just the way of life -

  • Abraham’s promise of being a father of many nations spoke louder at the end than at the beginning.
  • Moses’ declaration that God had sent him as a deliverer spoke louder after they crossed the Red Sea than before.
  • Joseph’s dream spoke louder at 110 than when he first told it at 17
  • David anointing to be King over all Israel spoke louder at the end than at the beginning (BTW – there was a long road in between)
  • Ruth’s commitment to her mother-in-law spoke louder at the end of her life than when she first made that commitment.
  • The sacrifice of Mary’s alabaster box of fragrant oil speaks louder than it did when she first used it to anoint Jesus.

From Judas to Zacchaeus, from the young rich ruler to those spoken of in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 … last impressions are lasting impressions and finishing well is important. We may never get the new thing right if we do not finish the old thing well. Finishing well may be more important than we first realized.

We have come to the end of another year. 2014 is, for all practical purposes, gone and a new year will soon burst onto the stage.

Some of the most difficult challenges we face in life deal with things which are over – things which have simply come to their end. It is hard with:
  • Things we love
  • Things we have enjoyed
  • Things we have depended on
  • Things we have grown used to

We don’t possess the ability which God possesses. The prophet Isaiah said that God sees the end from the very beginning. (Isaiah 46:10)

Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

In order to get a greater understanding of this truth we might look back at the original meaning of this word “better” and employ some of its original synonyms.

Better = more beautiful; pleasing; beneficial; fulfilling; complete; precious; costly; revealing; better understood

Things are better understood at the end than they are at the beginning. At the beginning one cannot see the purpose, intent or impact of a matter as clearly as one might judge it at the end.

The end of a matter reveals more about the matter than does the beginning.

We cannot know what 2015 will bring and if it will be a good year or a bad year, if we will end the year better or worse … it’s only the beginning. However, we do know what 2014 dealt us … but … 2014 is over.

Just because 2014 is gone does not mean it is forgotten, nor should it be. When things end, we must put them in proper perspective. Some things seem to end on their own and yet there are other things are just as over but they haven’t ended yet.

How do you deal with something that’s over? What do you do with those things that are over and need to be ended? How do you end something that’s over so you can start something new?

These are questions are more common than some may realize. Even Jesus faced beginnings and endings in life and ministry. He also felt the pressure to get things right. Seeing that we are at the close of another year and a New Year is about to begin allow me to share 3 simple truths pertaining to ending the old and beginning the new.

  1. Be prepared for things to happen suddenly.
    1. It may be a long time coming but things begin and things end suddenly
    2. For things to truly change something will have to happen suddenly.
    3. Don’t be surprised or thrown off track when things happen suddenly.
    4. There will scarcely be a breath between 2014 & 2015 … Be prepared … things can and often do change suddenly!
  2. We cannot fully embrace the new thing until we completely let go of the old thing.
    1. No man can enjoy either life or death with one foot in the grave and one foot out.
    2. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters.”
    3. There is a vast difference between memories and dreams. We must overlook one in order to focus on the other. Whichever one we hold to will control our day and determine our destiny.
  3. Change will happen with or with you.
    1. When you work with God, He prepares you for the new thing which He brings about is His timing.
    2. Don’t be afraid to embrace the new thing and all it brings when you know God brought it.

There is a grace given us by God to bring things, both good and bad, to a successful conclusion and to a final end. God is a God of new beginnings and in order to have a new beginning we must allow the old to end.

This coming week the old year will end and a new year will begin. It will happen suddenly and there will be less than a breath between the two. Along with the new year you will be given an opportunity to change some things in your life as well.

What are some things which need to end in your life? These things can end today and suddenly you can begin a brand new walk with God and a new pathway of life. Next year does not have to be like the last year. However successful change will require your participation.

Today we are going to offer those things in our lives we believe need to change up to God on the altar of prayer. There is no reason for you to carry old things that keep you bound or afraid into your new year. 2015 can bring a sudden change for your life and believe me, you are more prepared than you may realize. you see,

God has already gotten you ready for that which He already had ready for you.

God is bigger than your past, greater than your fears, stronger than your enemies and better than your hopes and dreams. Give Him a chance to show just how wonderful He is and just how much He loves you. Give Him that chance right now … God has written His vision on the tables of your heart and He will also bring it to pass. Can you see that vision? Are you ready to run with it?

God is both Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, He helps you in each new beginning and He guides you through each end. His part is to prepare you and your part is to embrace the sudden change and let the fresh will of God begin in your life. I’m going to run with God in 2015 … how about you?


Altar close … 

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Christmas Miracles

Gtcotr/ss122114
Key Scripture: Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (NKJV)
Christmas is filled with miracles. Today we will discuss four.

I.
The Miracle of Incarnation
John 1 NKJV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

A. Isaiah prophesied that a virgin would conceive and bear a Son, who would be called Immanuel, meaning: God with us.

B. Jesus is both: The Son of Man and The Son of God, God Incarnate, God made flesh.

C. How can this thing be? It’s a miracle … the miracle of incarnation – The Word became flesh.

II.
The Miracle of Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5: 19 … God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself …
A. The death of Jesus did not save every person, but did make salvation available to every person. This is the miracle of reconciliation.
Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
B. Reconciliation has little to do with winning the sinner back to love and loyalty to God. Reconciliation speaks rather to the restoration of God’s forfeited favor and the removal of His merited wrath. God’s anger was appeased and therefore mankind was reconciled.

C. Sin demands death; Justice demands punishment; Reconciliation demands sacrifice. Jesus restored God’s opportunity to forgive. Justice was satisfied, anger appeased, the wall of separation was abolished, all by the death of our Savior, God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah made possible by that first Christmas.

D. The miracle of reconciliation restored man to a place where God’s favor and grace could be accessed by sinners who were once disallowed appeal and pardon.

E. The death of Jesus satisfied justice and made God friendly toward sinners, at peace with mankind, no longer enemies and opened the door of salvation to all who would sincerely apply.
Reconciliation makes salvation a possibility … your decision makes salvation a reality.

F. Both the miracles of incarnation and reconciliation were acts of God on behalf of all mankind. Through these miracles God made a way for us to be saved.

G. This brings us to the next miracle …

III.
The Miracle of Salvation
John 3 NKJV
16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

A. When the Angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God who was Messiah of her people and Savior of the world, her answer was simple and yet so powerful:
Luke 1:38 Mary responded, "I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true." (NLT)
B. Whatever He wants! What does God want?
1 Timothy 2: 4 He wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (NLT)
C. We are saved by grace through faith and all of that made possible because of Christmas.

D. Christmas reminds us of the miracle of incarnation, the miracle of reconciliation, the miracle of salvation and:

E. God wants everyone to be saved and He needs your help to make it happen. This brings us to our 4th miracle:

IV.
The Miracle of Participation
1 Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.

A. The miracles did not stop with the birth of Jesus, or the shepherds visitation, the wise men’s gifts or even with the death of our Lord, oh no … these things were only the beginning of miracles.

B. The Miracle of Participation is a miracle of our earthly involvement in a heavenly plan.
1. From Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and wise men, to the angels in heaven, God involves others in His plan.
2. He is a: Whosoever will; He that hath an ear; lest at any time kind of God.
3. God always planned to include each one of us in the Miracles of Christmas.

C. You see, it is true: God has a plan, He will succeed and you have a chance to participate.

D. The Continuing Miracles of Christmas are all about you!
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ …

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

The Christmas Story demands that we who have received the Good News Ambassador from Heaven, become Good News Ambassadors for Heaven.

Decide right now that you are going to share the Good News with someone else this Christmas. Decide to be someone’s Christmas present this year, sent from heaven’s hand to their hurting soul. Let’s all make this Christmas about the Christ Who came, born of the Virgin Mary in a stable manger in the town of Bethlehem.

This Jesus the Incarnate; Jesus the Reconciler; Jesus the Savior, wants to partner with us as we participate together in His Father’s plan.

What will be your answer? Will you participate? Will you be saved? Will you be someone’s Christmas present this year … sent by heaven’s hand to a waiting soul? Why not today!

Let God know your answer right now as we pray together.


Thursday, December 18, 2014

Sunday Circles - The Christmas Story

Sunday Circles
        Building Your Family With Friends
Church On The Rock
Gtcotr/sc122114

Prayer
Hymn: Joy to the World
Memory Verse: Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Lesson: The Christmas Story

Pastor Ron’s remarks and intro of first principle

First Principle: Why Christmas?
Scripture Reference: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Question: Why did God send his Son?
Follow Up Question: Was there any other way?
Conclusion: Why Christmas? Because we need a savior.

Pastor Ron’s remarks and intro of second principle

Second Principle: How can this thing be?
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Question: What is the significance of the virgin birth?
Conclusion: How can this thing be? The miracle of a virgin birth.

Pastor Ron’s remarks and intro of third principle

Third Principle: Is there a gift for me?
Scripture Reference: Romans 10:13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Question: Saved from what?
Follow Up Question: What are some gifts God gave us through His Son, Jesus?
Conclusion: Is there a gift for me? Yes. You can be born again as a child of God and receive every good and perfect gift from God including eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Pastor Ron’s closing remarks

·        Connect Cards; Offering and Prayer
·        Memory Verse
·        Pre-Praise & Worship Prayer will be hosted by the LeBlancs

 in the Sanctuary Studio. Worship will begin in just a few minutes.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Sunday Circles - Promised Land

Sunday Circles
        Building Your Family With Friends
Church On The Rock
Gtcotr/sc121414

Prayer
Hymn: Joy to the World
Memory Verse: Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Lesson: Don’t stop short of the Promised Land to live in:

Pastor Ashley’s remarks and intro of first principle

First Principle: Don’t stop short of the Promised Land to live in fear or frustration.
Scripture Reference: Numbers 13:32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature.
Fear wants to freeze us in our tracks.
Sometimes our enemies seem more powerful than us.
Following fear filled leaders will frustrate the will of God.
Fear is a poor manager of life’s decisions.
Question: What are some enemies people commonly fear?
Follow Up Question: What are some things we can do to avoid letting fear dictate our decisions?
Conclusion: Courage is not the absence of fear but rather how we move forward in the face of our reasons to fear. When we choose to do God’s will, fear can sometimes attempt to make us stop short of God’s promise. When God wants us to stop, it feels different than fear. Fear should not be the dominant reason for the decisions we make in life.

Pastor Ashley’s remarks and intro of second principle

Second Principle: Don’t stop short of the Promised Land to live in comfort or compromise.
Scripture Reference: Numbers 14:4 So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.”
Of course, the children of Israel were more comfortable in Egypt than they were in the wilderness.
Sometimes we must go through something we don’t want to get to something we do want.
The path to the Promised Land is not always easy.
Fear filled leadership caused frustration and gave the people a opportunity to compromise their walk and choose comfort over courage.
Question: What does the word compromise mean to you?
Follow Up Question: Do you imagine it could ever be God’s will for you to be uncomfortable?
Conclusion: Our comfort may not always be the most important thing to God. When His purpose requires an uncomfortable journey, we should embrace our opportunity to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.

Pastor Ashley’s remarks and intro of third principle

Third Principle: Don’t stop short of the Promised Land to live in criticism or complaint.
Scripture Reference: Numbers 14:2 And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!”
God chooses leaders who are bold, courageous, and confidant.
A godly leader does not draw their confidence from their own abilities but rather from the conviction that they are called by God.
Godly leadership is not moved by fear or frustration, comfort or compromise, and neither do they give credence to criticism or complaint.
Leaders are called to follow the orders of the one who called them.
If leaders are chosen by the people, then they must of right, lead according to the people’s wishes.
However, if leaders are called by God, they cannot afford to be driven by poles or popularity.
Question: Describe some qualities every God-called leader should possess.
Follow Up Question: What are some ways we can discern if we are following a godly leader?
Conclusion: Stubbornness does not equal the confident boldness which comes from knowing you are doing God’s will. When God speaks it sounds different than fear, frustration, comfort, compromise, criticism, or complaint. Every person is called by God to lead in some point of life, even if it is only over our personal decisions. Don’t stop short of the Promised Land because of yourself or others who try to influence you.

Pastor Ashley’s closing remarks

·        Connect Cards; Offering and Prayer
·        Memory Verse
·        Pre-Praise & Worship Prayer will be hosted by the LeBlancs

 in the Sanctuary Studio. Worship will begin in just a few minutes.

Sunday Circles - Decisions

Sunday Circles
        Building Your Family With Friends
Church On The Rock
Gtcotr/sc120714

Prayer
Hymn: Joy to the World
Memory Verse: Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Lesson: Decisions

Pastor Ron’s remarks and intro of first principle

First Principle: Bad things left to themselves do not get better, only worse.
Scripture Reference: Luke 15:13-14 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.
From flat tires to bad hairdos, bad things won’t fix themselves.
A sinking ship won’t repair and restore itself.
Nothing changes until something changes.
Question: What happens when bad habits are left to run their course?
Follow Up Question: What advice would you give someone who needed to change?
Conclusion: One of the first steps to fixing a problem is to own it and own up to it. Bad decisions, even when made for good reasons, are still bad decisions. When bad attitudes or actions in our lives are left unchecked, unchallenged and unchanged, we can expect for things to get worse.

Pastor Ron’s remarks and intro of second principle

Second Principle: You are never more than one decision away from being right.
Scripture Reference: Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you …”
Life is filled with choices.
A bad decision, even when made for good reasons, is still a bad decision.
Every day is another opportunity to make the right choice.
Question: What are some types of problems people face that are but one decision away from being fixed?
Follow Up Question: How should we react when others make a decision to change and start doing better?
Conclusion: Life is filled with choices and each decision we make can affect others for good or for bad. If we or others happen to make a bad decision it does not have to be the end of the world. Each day we have the opportunity to turn our lives over to God’s will and begin our journey anew.

Pastor Ron’s remarks and intro of third principle

Third Principle: Everyone is blessed when one person decides to do right.
Scripture Reference: Luke 15:7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Repentance is the result of a decision to change your mind and direction.
Many of life’s biggest problems can begin to be fixed with a single decision.
Question: What does it take to be right with God?
Follow Up Question: At what point in life can a person turn their lives toward God?
Conclusion: Anytime, from any place in life we can turn from our mistakes toward God and He will guide us straight to His will for our lives. Bad decisions, wrong decisions and costly mistakes do not have to be the last word on the matter. Every person can make a right decision after having made a wrong one. When we turn toward God, He runs to us.

Pastor Ron’s closing remarks

·        Connect Cards; Offering and Prayer
·        Memory Verse
·        Pre-Praise & Worship Prayer will be hosted by the LeBlancs

 in the Sanctuary Studio. Worship will begin in just a few minutes.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

One Thing

Gtcotr/ss120714

Luke 18:22  So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

The young rich ruler wanted everything except one thing …

Today marks the 73rd anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in 1941. More than 2400 people, (2335; 2403; 2500), lost their lives that day in the unprovoked early morning (7:55am) raid that woke the sleeping giant and brought America to the forefront of WWII.

On the same day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor they also attacked Guam, Wake Island, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Thailand. While Emperor Hirohito was exercising his aggressive belief that Japan was to be ruler of the world, halfway around the globe Germany’s Hitler had already been hard at work to make every person and everything fit the picture of his idea of perfection. All either of them wanted was everything.

As a result of 2 men wanting everything, except one thing, WWII claimed the lives of an estimated 72,468,900 lives of which an approximate 34 million were innocent civilians who never chose to enter the war. (http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/world-war-2-statistics.asp)

What led/motivated these 2 men to attack an innocent world … it was because they wanted everything. When people will do anything to get everything they end up with nothing. The young rich ruler of Luke 18 wanted everything but he lacked the one thing that could give him everything … From the Roman Empire to Bernie Madoff, from Hitler to Hirohito - Those who want everything without having the one thing end up with nothing.

Everything does not belong to man … Everything belongs only to God. And, God gives what He wills to whom He wills – nobody takes anything from God. However, God is willing to give us everything …

How can we get everything given to us from God’s own hand? All we need is “One Thing!” What do you want for Christmas? Let’s look at One Thing.

Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

This scripture is taken from a passage in Matthew which records Jesus speaking to the multitudes on a hillside in the Galilee. Jesus had just made a statement which needed some clarification. The statement Jesus is clearing up is found in verse 24:

Matthew 6: 24  No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

The bad news is that no person can have more than one master but the good news is that we get to choose which master we will serve.
·        The Young Rich Ruler of Luke 18 chose money and possessions to be his master. He imagined it was everything and indeed it was everything to him. Why then did he end up with nothing?
·        Hirohito chose aggression and world domination as his master. He served this master because it was everything to him.

What means everything to you? What or Who will you serve?

Just a bit of advice from a near 60 year old man … Don’t try to get anything, let alone everything you want, without Jesus. What are you trying to do without Jesus? Remember last Sunday’s word: “If you can get Jesus to help you, you can do anything!” But:

If you try to get everything without the one thing, you will end up with nothing …

If you will Make Jesus the “One Thing” and God will give you everything you need

Now that’s a Merry Christmas! (James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift …)

Additional Notes of Interest:
One day before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor with 420 airplanes, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent the following message to the Showa Emperor of Japan. (Source: Dept. of State Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 129, Dec. 13, 1941)
Release Date: 12/06/1941
Message From the United States President
to the Emperor of Japan
December 6, 1941
 The following message from the President to the Emperor of Japan was dispatched Saturday afternoon, December 6, and public announcement was made at that time that this message to the Emperor had been sent by the President:
Almost a century ago the President of the United States addressed to the Emperor of Japan a message extending an offer of friendship of the people of the United States to the people of Japan. That offer was accepted, and in the long period of unbroken peace and friendship which has followed, our respective nations, through the virtues of their peoples and the wisdom of their rulers have prospered and have substantially helped humanity.
Only in situations of extraordinary importance to our two countries need I address to Your Majesty messages on matters of state. I feel I should now so address you because of the deep and far-reaching emergency which appears to be in formation.
Developments are occurring in the Pacific area which threaten to deprive each of our nations and all humanity of the beneficial influence of the long peace between our two countries. Those developments contain tragic possibilities.
The people of the United States, believing in peace and in the right of nations to live and let live, have eagerly watched the conversations between our two Governments during these past months. We have hoped for a termination of the present conflict between Japan and China. We have hoped that a peace of the Pacific could be consummated in such a way that nationalities of many diverse peoples could exist side by side without fear of invasion; that unbearable burdens of armaments could be lifted for them all; and that all peoples would resume commerce without discrimination against or in favor of any nation.
I am certain that it will be clear to Your Majesty, as it is to me, that in seeking these great objectives both Japan and the United States should agree to eliminate any form of military threat. This seemed essential to the attainment of the high objectives.
More than a year ago Your Majesty's Government concluded an agreement with the Vichy Government by which five or six thousand Japanese troops were permitted to enter into Northern French Indo-China for the protection of Japanese troops which were operating against China further north. And this Spring and Summer the Vichy Government permitted further Japanese military forces to enter into Southern French Indo-China for the common defense of French Indo-China. I think I am correct in saying that no attack has been made upon Indo-China, nor that any has been contemplated.
During the past few weeks it has become clear to the world that Japanese military, naval and air forces have been sent to Southern Indo-China in such large numbers as to create a reasonable doubt on the part of other nations that this continuing concentration in Indo-China is not defensive in its character.
Because these continuing concentrations in Indo-China have reached such large proportions and because they extend now to the southeast and the southwest corners of that Peninsula, it is only reasonable that the people of the Philippines, of the hundreds of Islands of the East Indies, of Malaya and of Thailand itself are asking themselves whether these forces of Japan are preparing or intending to make attack in one or more of these many directions.
I am sure that Your Majesty will understand that the fear of all these peoples is a legitimate fear inasmuch as it involves their peace and their national existence. I am sure that Your Majesty will understand why the people of the United States in such large numbers look askance at the establishment of military, naval and air bases manned and equipped so greatly as to constitute armed forces capable of measures of offense.
It is clear that a continuance of such a situation is unthinkable.
None of the peoples whom I have spoken of above can sit either indefinitely or permanently on a keg of dynamite.
There is absolutely no thought on the part of the United States of invading Indo-China if every Japanese soldier or sailor were to be withdrawn therefrom.
I think that we can obtain the same assurance from the Governments of the East Indies, the Governments of Malaya and the Government of Thailand. I would even undertake to ask for the same assurance on the part of the Government of China. Thus a withdrawal of the Japanese forces from Indo-China would result in the assurance of peace throughout the whole of the South Pacific area.

I address myself to Your Majesty at this moment in the fervent hope that Your Majesty may, as I am doing, give thought in this definite emergency to way of dispelling the dark clouds. I am confident that both of us, for the sake of the peoples not only of our own great countries but for the sake of humanity in neighboring territories, have a sacred duty to restore traditional amity and prevent further death and destruction in the world."