“Mene Mene Tekil Upharsin” (Daniel 25:1b). Are we seeing the finger of God writing on the wall of our once great Christian country? Like the drunken and glutinous Nebuchadnezzar many are being shaken to the core as they watch and read the message, “You’ve been weighed in the balance and have been found wanting.”
The surprising thing is that after eight years of uncertainty and our rights being taken away surreptitiously and incrementally, we still seem to be asking for more of the same by putting God on the back burner or kicking Him to the curb altogether by choosing to do things our own way.
With so many apathetic people who profess to be Christians in our country not doing anything about the demise of moral and spiritual leadership, we may have missed the opportunity once again to salvage what’s left of our nation. Are we any different than the people who attended the Laodicean church, those who went to church only to be seen as nice people but were neither hot nor cold? Will Christ Jesus spew us out of His mouth? Well, maybe He’s already begun. We have turned our backs on God, and rely on our own form of godliness: “Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.” So we may be facing God’s wrath in the days to come.
Even as I write these things we can understand the worldly people, their point of view when they say with a worn weary yawn, “Oh, gosh. Since our fathers died these things have always been so. People have said ‘the end is near’ for the past two thousand years.” After all many of us have thought that very thing before we were saved. Now however, Scripture can’t be denied, even by most non-believers—as we are watching prophetic events unfold all across the globe.
Just look where we are today; all too often a person on the street can’t tell a Christian from an unsaved individual. We dress like them, we try to look like them and we take all our worldly pleasures just like them. We cheat like them, live like them, tell lies like them; we tell filthy jokes and … need I say more? We seek recognition and power over others; we put self on a pedestal and walk around as though we are all that. We are good at playing Church games.
First, it’s self-righteous piety, then speaking in a perverted rendition of biblical tongues (to show how holy we are); phony healings by the hand of Man and, the ultimate lie: prophesying. But be careful with the last one, because the voice you may be hearing in your head may be your own, or even satanic promptings.
But many of us think we are immortal and invincible, yet we are like a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow. In spite of our human frailties the human mind has the propensity to elevate itself to God-like levels of importance. “I will ascend to the uppermost reaches of heaven and …”
What is it going to take before we quit playing church? Will God have to reveal His awesome power before our very faces? Why can’t we see the uncertainty of life? Do you feel a foreboding fear of what’s going to happen next? Already, He is shaking the very foundations of this world to wake us up—with more earthquakes than we can count. Maybe some of us just don’t get it. God says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” In other words they just don’t read and study the Bible.
And when they do it’s only to study the geographical locations for a Bible class on Sundays. Remember, judgment will begin in the house of God. Far too many Christians are still drinking milk instead of eating meat. They need a good reprimand from God, for God chastises those He loves.
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. America and even lukewarm Christians need to repent; the sooner the better.
But, alas, it may be too late already for the country as a whole, and now it is every man and woman for themselves. If you sense a feeling of despair or fear about what lies ahead for our country, ourselves and our families, do yourself a favor and pray this prayer:
“Heavenly Father, I’m so sorry for having neglected you in my life, for not even thanking you neither for my daily food nor for life itself. I’m a sinner Lord, please have mercy on me, forgive me. Let me be born again. I repent in utter humility before you – at your very feet. Please forgive me and create in me a new heart, in Jesus Holy name, Amen.”
Then go and get baptized as soon as possible to show your sincerity toward Him.
By the way, the movie Miracles from Heaven continues to do business at the box office. It looks like some people want to believe in something or someone greater than themselves, a God who hears their desperate cries for help in times of trouble. “Call on me in your time of trouble and I will rescue you and you will give me praise.” says the Lord. Just when we are about to sink into despair He comes to our rescue if we cry out to Him in earnestness. I know this to be true, because I’ve been there on more than one occasion.
Don’t misunderstand, I’ve always considered myself a winner and not a whiner and have excelled in life. This could be because I’ve taken life seriously, and after receiving Christ I never looked back. I also try to strike a balance between being a concerned Christian and a happy one. One of the things that keeps me well-balanced is participating in life to its fullest by sharing Christ with others and praying for them. Daily reading of Scripture and prayer give me the power to do so.
(Today I prayed for a young man who was despairing of life right in the center isle of Home Depot.) He was very grateful I did.
Jesus said, Only those who throw their lives away for my sake will ever know what it really means to live.
Until next time…
YBIC Jim Torres “Towers”