America, What Happened?

Once there was an eagle soaring high in the sky and as it flew, almost out of sight, it became unsteady and suddenly began to fall. It plunged to the earth in a pasture near two men. When the men went to the eagle they found the bird shaking and trembling. In its claw was a rattlesnake. The eagle had caught the reptile, soared into the sky, and finally lost the battle when the snake bit it. Now there it laid holding onto the very thing that killed it! People are the same way. The things from which they hope to derive some pleasure, like the eagle in the story, are fighting a losing battle by holding on to the very thing that will cause their spiritual death. How sad it is to think of a soul being lost simply because a person is too proud or too stubborn to free themselves of the things that are destroying them! Take this scenario and multiply it a few hundred million times.

As a nation, we have lost our way. We have become a nation that has forgotten its God. We are a wealthy nation that has become the biggest debtor in the world. We tout our country as a “Christian nation,” but tolerate and promote a very un-Christian agenda. We consider our nation the world’s great superpower, but our people are weak spiritually and lack the courage to get its house in order. What happened to our once great nation? God has become a parachute. God used to be invoked often and petitioned constantly. Our nation’s leaders, like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, used to call on the country to turn to God with gratitude and repentance. Now, God is scarcely mentioned by our leaders, except for the obligatory benediction at the close of speeches, “God bless America.” But, our national leaders will not inform the public on what is required of the people to receive God’s blessings (Proverbs 14:34; 2 Chronicles 7:14). Where is the leader who will tell Americans, “Before God will bless us, we must serve and obey Him”? We used to be a worshipping people. Now, church buildings are being abandoned and neglected while sports stadiums and retail malls are full and growing. During days of national crisis, as with the 9-11 tragedy, there is a rush to the houses of worship, but within a few weeks it’s all but forgotten. Our God, for far too many people, has just become a rip-cord to pull when trouble arises. Morality has been forsaken. A nation which once stood opposed to immorality and even codified such in its laws, now openly encourages and flaunts its embrace of every evil thing. Our national leaders now speak of “tolerance” and “acceptance” of homosexuality and transgenderism as natural and socially acceptable. From the highest ranks of government on down, our officials tell us that our opposition to this immorality is intolerant, un-American, and against the “civil rights” of individuals. If God ever even comes up in the discussion, He is misrepresented and His law is perverted. God’s Word is abundantly clear on this subject (Genesis 18:16 – 19:29; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20). The home is deteriorating and being destroyed. Divorce, once considered evil, has become “the norm”. Drug use and alcohol consumption are at an all time high, and many are clamoring for the easing of laws in regard to marijuana, which is known to be a “gateway drug” leading to worse drug use. The so-called “woman’s right to abortion” has killed millions of innocent children and given us a modern day holocaust that makes Hitler look like an amateur. We all need to pray it’s not too late to turn America around. If Nineveh could repent, why can’t we (Jonah 3)? The snake of evil is about to kill America’s eagle.

Choose Who You Will Serve

“Ten Little Christians” by Vernon Leslie Smith: Ten little Christians standing in a line, One didn’t like the preacher, then there were nine. Nine little Christians stayed up very late, One slept on Sunday morning, then there were eight. Eight little Christians on the road to heaven, One took the lower road and then there were seven. Seven little Christians got in an awful fix, One didn’t like the music, then there were six. Six little Christians seemed very much alive, But one lost her interest, then were five. Five little Christians wishing there were more, But they quarreled with each other, then there were four. Four little Christians, cheerful as could be, But one lost his temper, then there were three. Three little Christians knew not what to do, One joined a sporty crowd, then there were two. Two little Christians, our rhyme is almost done, Differed with each other, and then there was one. One lone Christian won her neighbor true, Brought her with her to the church, and then there were two! Two earnest Christians, each won one more, That doubled their number, so then there were four. Four sincere Christians worked very late, But each won another, so then there were eight. (Eight splendid Christians, but nothing rhymes with “sixteen,” So we simply note that in seven more jungles There would be one thousand and twenty four Christians; Which would be quite a church-full)

Mrs. Dean Judd commented, “In reading the poem, “Ten Little Christians,” I was disappointed that it ended abruptly just when the earnest Christians really got going. So I’ve added a few verses to help them on their way. Here they are:” Eight Christians fasted till they were lean; Worked and prayed until they had sixteen. Sixteen Christians! What did they do? They so lived the Gospel, there were soon thirty-two. Thirty two Christians! Who would want more? They did, and prayed till they had sixty-four. Sixty-four Christians stayed very late — Had all night prayer for one hundred twenty-eight. One hundred twenty-eight Christians the devil couldn’t lick; So he left them alone and there were soon two fifty-six. Two hundred fifty-six Christians didn’t think of themselves; But went out to lost sinners till they numbered five hundred and twelve. Five hundred and twelve Christians! Did they need any more? Yes, I guess so, for they kept bringing them in till there were ten twenty-four. Building a church, hurry, don’t be late! At the rate you are going there’ll be two thousand, forty-eight. And so you can see, by that lone little one Who stood fast with Jesus, just what can be done.

[Joshua 24:14-24] “...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...” Satan is at war with God for the souls of mankind. He has been deceiving man since the creation. Satan is constantly sending the wrong messages, placing many under bondage to him and blinding those who are under his control. In our fast-paced world, it is all too easy to neglect our duty to study God’s Word, pray, and serve the Lord as we should. We must learn to seek the better things in life, and the best things are truly found in Christ. Through diligent and thoughtful study of the Word of God, one will come to understand that happiness, peace of mind, joy, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith and love are found in Him (Galatians 5:22-23). We are either servants of the Lord or servants of Satan. There is no neutral position where we can just sit back and wait to see who will win. The Bible is very clear as to who will win this great battle; God will be victorious! Our efforts are greatly needed, teaching the gospel, and bringing the lost to Him, before it’s too late.

Who Guides You?

In 1992, Dennis Lee Curtis was arrested for armed robbery in Rapid City, South Dakota. In his wallet, police found a list of rules Curtis had written for himself -guidelines for his robberies. For example, he wrote: * “I will not kill anyone unless I have to.” * “I will take cash and food stamps - no checks.” * “I will not rob mini-marts.” * “If I get chased by cops on foot, I will get away. If chased by vehicle, I will not put the lives of innocent civilians on the line.” * “I will rob only seven months out of the year.” * “I will enjoy robbing from the rich to give to the poor.” This may seem odd, but Dennis Lee Curtis was a thief with some standards. But when he stood before the court, the judge did not consult Curtis’ list of rules. He pulled out the laws of the state by which to judge him, by which to convict him. In the same way, when we stand before God, He won’t consult man-made rules and standards. He will judge us by His unchanging Word, the Bible.

Think about a boat on the river with no one in it just going with the flow; side to side, bank to bank, and not knowing where its journey will end. It could end up stuck next to the bank with branches all around it and not able to move any farther. It could end up at a waterfall, going over, and being broken into pieces. Without someone guiding the boat it has no hope. That is how we are without God: no hope, no direction, just walking around, just like that boat that no one is guiding. Jesus came to guide us and to save the lost (Luke19:10). God loves us and he doesn’t want us to be like that boat (John 3:16). Jesus is coming back; “...I am going there to prepare a place for you. ...I will come back and take you to be with me” (John 14:1-6); and he wants us all to be saved. We need to be going in the right direction, toward heaven, because tomorrow might just be too late.

[Psalm 16:11] “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Don’t let the devil get you caught up in the world. The devil is like a roaring lion that walks about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Don’t be in that boat that no one is guiding and go over the falls. Jesus said, “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day” (John 12:48). Observe: by God’s standards we are ALL guilty of sin. “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one’ …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 23). But the GOOD NEWS is that God is not only willing to forgive us, He has made a costly Provision for our salvation from sin. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). On the cross, Jesus, the Son of God, paid the price for our redemption from sin. “He is the atoning sacrifice (propitiation) for our sins, and not for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). Those who accept His offer of salvation through obedience, will receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life; “In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he has lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:7); “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Let’s be sure to live by God’s standards, not our own. For God’s Word is THE standard of judgment. Let Jesus be your guide! “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior...” (Psalm 25:5)

A New Year's Plan

The start of a new year is an ideal time to reflect on the past, take account of your Christian walk, and consider the direction God may want to lead you in the coming days. Set aside some time to pause and evaluate your spiritual condition as you seek God's presence with this prayerful collection of poems for Christians.

** A New Year's Plan - Christian New Year's Poem - by  Mary Fairchild > I tried to think of a clever new phrase – A slogan to inspire the next 365 days, A motto to live by this coming New Year, But the  catchy words fell flat to my ear. And then I heard His still small voice, Saying, "Consider this simple, daily choice: With each new dawn and close of day, Make new your resolve to trust and obey. Don't look back caught in regret, Or dwell on the sorrow of dreams unmet; Don't stare forward anchored by fear, No, live in this moment, for I am here. I am all you need. Everything. I Am. You are held secure by my strong hand. Give me this one thing – your all in all; Into my grace, let yourself fall." So, at last, I'm ready; I see the way. It's to daily follow, trust, and obey. I enter the New Year armed with a plan, To give him my everything. All that I am.

** The New Year --Martha Snell Nicholson > Dear Lord, as this new year is born, I give it to Thy hand, Content to walk by faith what paths I cannot understand. Whatever coming days may bring, Of bitter loss, or gain, Or every crown of happiness; Should sorrow come, or pain, Or, Lord, if all unknown to me, Thine angel hovers near, To bear me to that farther shore, Before another year, It matters not — my hand in Thine, Thy light upon my face, Thy boundless strength when I am weak, Thy love and saving grace! I only ask, loose not my hand, Grip fast my soul, and be, My guiding light upon the path, Till, blind no more, I see! ** Dear Master for this coming year, Just one request I bring: I do not pray  for happiness, Or any earthly thing -- I do not ask to understand, The way You’re leading me, But this I ask: Teach me to do, The thing that pleases You. I want to know Your guiding voice, To walk with You each day. Dear Master make me swift to hear, And ready to obey. And thus the year I now begin, A happy year will be — If I am seeking just to do, The thing that pleases You. --Unknown Author

[Psalm 51:10-13] “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.” ** His Unfailing Presence > Another year I enter, Its history unknown; Oh, how my feet would tremble, To tread its paths alone! But I have heard a whisper, I know I shall be blest; "My presence shall go with you, And I will give you rest." What will the New Year bring me? I may not, must not know; Will it be love and rapture, Or loneliness and woe? Hush! Hush! I hear His whisper; I surely shall be blest; "My presence shall go with you, And I will give you rest." --Unknown Author ** There’s hope for tomorrow, even when things look dim. There’s hope for tomorrow, when you put trust in Him. Though darkness surrounds you, He’s always there. With arms that will hold you in His loving care. Just when you thought you had lost everything, He’s right there beside you, with comfort to bring. And you’ll know with assurance, He’ll never depart, For He’s dwelling inside you, right there in your heart. I pray God’s blessings for you in 2019, and God bless America!