Becoming a Godly Nation

Verses: But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power ; Avoid such men as these. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Does that sound familiar? One only has to step out their door to realize that this describes the current status of America. How many advice shows exhort the virtues of putting your own needs and pleasures before others? Businessmen are constantly preaching that nothing matters besides money. Children are publicly disobedient and disrespectful to their parents. Biblical values and those that support them are constantly derided by the media. Churches are full of people that leave their faith at the door after Sunday morning service. Is it any wonder that our country is suffering morally and financially? As long as we continue to substitute Gods ways with our ways we will continue to decline.

While many will say that we need to elect officials that will fight for Godly principles, in reality that is only the tip of the iceberg. Real change will only come as Christians begin to share their faith not with strangers but with the people who really care about what they have to say: Their friends and family. Change will only take place when Christians stop bowing to peer pressure and start standing up for God in their workplaces. Change will only take place when Christians begin to show the world the love of God with their actions and not just their words. There are many voices out there that are not afraid to speak out for what they believe in, and they are slowly but surely drowning out the voices that speak for Christ. True change will only come for the nation as it comes to it's individuals.

Prayer: Dear Lord- Thank you for your love and patience with us. Please help our nation to find you once again. Help me to do my part by taking my relationship with you seriously. Help me to reach out to others and to stand firm for you. In Jesus name- Amen.

Relationship not Religion

Read: Matthew 23:27; Matthew 6

 The world is full of religions. Men and women all over the world are engaged in activities designed to prove their individual worthiness or righteousness to a higher power. Many abstain from dancing, smoking, drinking, playing cards, movie attendance, swearing, eating meat, wearing provocative clothing or makeup, in a bid to prove their piety. Still others attend several services a week, pray in a certain direction, pray a certain amount of times a day, cover their heads, use beads to count how many prayers they have said, even wear special clothing, all while volunteering for every religious activity they can fit in their schedule.

 While there are certainly some good things that can be said for religious activity, it is important to look at what Jesus had to say about those engaged in exhaustive religious practices in his day. He was quick to point out that it wasn't the practices that made the individual righteous in God's eyes but it was their hearts. While the pharisees appeared to be very pious in truth their hearts were far from God. God doesn't want your religious practices, He wants your relationship. He's not as interested in how much time you spend in church as how much time do you spend alone with him. If you are seeking righteousness, why search anywhere else other than the presence of God? If you only spent one or two hours a week with your significant other it wouldn't be long before you would find yourself having trouble in your relationship. Is it any wonder why many feel dissatisfaction in their relationship with God? Starting today, make it a daily practice of spending time with God reading (scripture), talking (prayer), and listening (meditation).

Prayer: Dear Lord- Thank you for your love and kindness. Please help me to be more like you every day. Help me to put you first in my life both in what I say and what I do. In Jesus name- Amen.

A Nation Divided

Read: Matthew 12:25

 One has only to look at the incessant political ads to see that our country has become divided. The polls show that the race is split right down the middle with both sides slamming the other in hopes that they will sway those who have yet to decide. The positions of each side could not be more different than the other. It's interesting to think if we could somehow trade places with our ancestors and have them decide the election just what position would be more enticing to them. One thing is for sure. As history has shown a society that is divided against itself cannot stand.

 If you look back at the history of America's shining moments such as the Revolutionary War or World War 2, We see how our citizens bound together for a common goal and stood rock solid against the opposition. Could you imagine what would have happened if our revolutionary congress had fought against each other instead of concentrating on mutual goals to write the declaration of independence? Or if American citizens refused to support the war effort during world war 2? It's sad to think that if our ancestors could see us today they would be shocked to see how selfish we have become. Like the over privileged child, we have taken the legacy that was left to us and have spit in the faces of those who have given it to us. We have twisted the meaning of the powerful words of freedom handed down to us to support our own selfish wants and desires. Until we wake up and stop using our freedoms to undermine our great nation we will continue to head down the slippery slope and I shudder to think what is waiting for us at the bottom.

Dear Lord- Please forgive us for our selfishness. Help us to wake up out of our slumber and once again become a nation of brothers and sisters working together to bring back our nations greatness. Help us to never forget who we are or how we got here. In Jesus name, Amen.