Let's pray

Ok, I'm just gonna write.

Comments on my nation and maybe the church as well. These are two things that I have such deep convictions about.

On the nation politically --- everything is changing, the political climate, the economical climate, the moral climate. Things have been changing, declining for a while, but now it's all boiling over at once. It is obvious that America's citizens have made a statement by choosing for president a man who has no convictions and has stated little, if any, policy. His popular vote was based on appearance and celebrity status. That is what the media has fed us for decades and now, Americans believe that this is all that matters, there is no reason to have convictions or follow the Constitution or the heart and soul of our founding fathers. On one hand I think it is so great to have a black guy as president and I can definitely feel the freedom in the air concerning this issue. But on the other hand his agenda is so bad for America to say the least.

And by the way, it is not democracy that has made America great, it is the Spirit of God. "For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." When leaders at every level have made decisions based on Biblical principles and for the good of the many, then our nation has been strong in liberty, in the economy, and socially. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

On the nation economically --- it is apparent that we spend too much money on our whims and wants. There now has to be a change of habit in our lifestyles. We really don't need the newest, most loaded vehicles or houses. We really don't need the latest clothing items, or the newest electronic gadgets. We really don't need everything we want. We will suffer if we always get our way, like a child who only eats candy and sweets because that's what he wants. Let the nation make these choices for the better and let the business world re-configure to be balanced.

On the nation morally --- my cry is simply, Lord help and forgive us ! I know that it is the idolatry among us of worshiping the media, music, movies, tv that has brought a generation to it's knees morally. With a steady diet of murder scenes, sexual unfaithfulness, and God knows what else, our nation, and young people especially, do not have any moral compass. Whatever is cool is what we do, and whatever the movie stars say is upheld as true. These movie stars, rock stars, athletic stars, are really just like the gods of ancient Greece. They are only made up figures who are larger than life and everyone reveres them, heeds them, honors them. But in reality their persona is a hyped up, propped up, fake image that has to be maintained by greed. They are hollow with no substance and are usually quite the opposite of what people perceive their value to be; not the same as the roles they play. Pretty much like an idol. Lifeless, deceptive.

The home life of most is lacking in parental leadership to shape and discipline the children. Without fathers to oversee the home, there is an open door to the next generation for somebody to lead them and it's going to be the media.

On the church --- I read an editorial by J. Lee Grady about more downfalls in the charismatic circles. He wrote: "The wrecking ball of heaven is swinging. It has come to demolish any work that has not been built on the integrity of His Word."
I think it's poignant that the metaphor referring to buildings was used because so often the case is that many pastors who build churches (buildings) think that it really is more important to have this ultimate building and everything administrated concerning the building. The outward appearance is the indicator of the quality of the church body. Success is the number one goal. But concerns of the building of the people of God into a holy place is less important. Their spiritual health and administration of their needs, their ministries and outflow of power from the church is not really important. Once the buildings are built, then they have to be maintained...at any cost. The cost becomes the sacrifice of the power of the Word being taught, the sacrifice of taking a stand for righteousness and being ever so careful not to offend any members of prominence or prospective members so that we can keep the bills paid. (!?!?!) I'm sorry, I don't see any of this in the Bible. The only thing I see in the New Testament in the building of the church is that the apostles and leaders lived lives on the edge, worked hard and suffered persecution. Their concern was to build people, to pour the word of God into them and establish THEM. They did not build any buildings or promote their ministries or work to get their name out there "so they could win more people". They did all of this to the point of physical persecution and death. That's all I see concerning the building of the church.

Well, I better stop, I've said too much already. Let's repent and let's pray.

Psalm 37:1-8

Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Trust in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

And He will make your uprightness go forth as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked, devices to pass.

Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself, it only tends to evildoing.