Billy Graham and his son, Franklin, have been calling upon America to repent. I applaud their stance on the deterioration of our society’s morals, and agree wholeheartedly that we need to repent.

One thing that comes to mind with repentance is that I find it easy to shine the light on your need for repentance. Ye ole index finger pointing at you, but not noticing three fingers and a thumb pointing back at me.

Could it be that the biggest failure in our repenting is that we are usually waiting for the other guy to repent. We don’t need to. No wonder the world is in such bad shape. You need to repent!

Now I am certainly not insinuating that Billy and Franklin Graham are of this attitude. No, I am saying this on my own behalf. Each of us needs to start, not in our neighbor’s back yard, but in our own. Maybe I’m the one who needs to repent.

I have stated in the past that I don’t believe we have it in us to repent, but I hope I’m wrong. I still do, hope I’m wrong that is.

Let’s consider two things concerning our repenting as a country. Before we do that however, just what is repentance? In both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, repent means “to turn back from the direction we are headed or reverse course” and “to change one’s mind for the better.”

Now for what it does not mean … It does not mean “to feel sorry.” Feeling sorry may get us to the point of repenting, and it may not. Judas felt sorry for betraying Jesus, but he did not repent. On the other hand Peter felt sorry for denying Jesus, three times no less, and he repented. So what did Peter do to repent? He recognized what he had done. He asked forgiveness, and he made a decision to walk a new course. He put it behind him, then trusted and followed Jesus.

Now I’m not saying that we just cold and calculatingly ask God to forgive us without there being any regret for our actions … feeling sorry. I am saying, that feeling sorry, or let’s say, feeling remorse needs to be followed up with repentance. Otherwise, it does no good to feel sorry about our actions. It’s meaningless, unless we follow-up with repentance.

To go on, this is what we in this country so desperately need to do. We need to recognize that what we are thinking, doing and not doing is in direct conflict with the will of God. We need to ask forgiveness, and whether or not we mean it, will be proven by the direction we take in our life after repenting.

The First Consideration:

The first thing we need to consider is this. Should we expect those who do not know Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord to repent? I strongly believe the answer to that is “No.” Those who do not belong to Jesus are spiritually dead. They are lost in Satan’s demonic maze. Their father is Satan, not God the Father of Heaven.

So who is left? Well, those who do know Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord; i.e. true Christians. We Christians, the Church, need to repent for the condition our country is in. We are the ones, who need to go to the Father in Jesus name and confess our sins, asking His forgiveness, and asking for mercy on behalf of our country. It is His children that God is waiting to hear speak. He wants to hear from us.

It is my opinion, and I believe I am correct, that far too many of us who call ourselves Christians, look at the fallen world around us, and inwardly voice, “They need to repent.” No my friends, it is we who need to repent, for the reason I have already stated.

Maybe there are a few of us without “blood” on our hands, but most of us, and I’ll stand at the front of the line, need to re-examine our lives.

When the churches of America endorse and ordain homosexuals as pastors, we have a sin problem. When the churches of America turn a blind eye to church members living together who are not married, we have a sin problem. When the churches of America sit silent while millions of babies are murdered, we have a sin problem. When get rich quick schemes, feel-good sermons, name it and claim it pep rallies, and make me feel good soliloquies keep flowing from the pulpits of America, we have a sin problem. When the churches of America turn a blind eye and foment hate toward the apple of God’s eye, Israel, we have a sin problem. We need to repent!

Many of the churches of America have become bastions for all that is cowardly and evil. We toss syrupy sweet false love in one direction and spew hatred in another.

I’m not saying that every church in America fits the bill, but I am saying it’s hard to find one that isn’t. Is it possible for any church to be perfect while in this world? No, it is not. The local churches are composed of sinful people, but hopefully saved people. Yes, Christians are just sinful people who have been saved. We are perfect in Christ, but not within ourselves.

The fact is many of our churches have strayed so far from the path of righteousness, they have sold their souls to the pleasures of the world. No wonder the world can see no difference between themselves and us, who call ourselves Christians. The Christian should never put on an air of “I’m better than you,” but if we are living for Jesus Christ as we should, we will be different.

So we the Church need to repent of our own sins, but in addition, we need to recognize the sins of the world around us and confess them to God too. We need to ask for His mercy, and hope that it is His will. If the church, which consists of many individual Christians would fall on its face before God and repent of our evil deeds, maybe He will stay His hand of judgment upon us. Otherwise, judgment is right around the corner, in my opinion.

When Jesus sent out the twelve, they “preached that men should repent.” (Mark 6:10)

Peter said to Simon in Acts 8:22, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”

Jesus said to the church of Ephesus, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Revelation 2:5)

He said to the church of Thyatira, “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.” (Revelation 2:22)

He said to the church of Sardis, “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” (Revelation 3:3)

The Second Consideration:

The second consideration is returning to what I said in the beginning, we need to take this personally. Rightly so, churches need to repent as a group, but repentance must come from individuals, or there will be no group repentance.

One of the most dangerous times in a Christian’s life is when he or she thinks they’re okay and everyone else is rotten. Let us spend much time in front of the mirror instead of the window. Until we can remove our gaze from our neighbor and fix it upon ourselves, we will not repent.

We need to cry out to God as David when he said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139:23-24)

As the Apostle Paul gave instruction, let us, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Is it possible for this once great country to be turned back to God?

“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27)

The Scriptures say:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Is this a guarantee that God will stay His hand of judgment upon America? Not necessarily. The previous verse was one of many specific promises to Israel, but we are not Israel. However, the principle can be applied to us and remember, our God is a merciful God.

“Nevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.” (Nehemiah 9:31)

The question now is, “Have we crossed the line in our sinfulness against a Holy God?” Whether we have or have not, we need to call upon the name of the Lord before we “get taken out behind the wood shed” by our Heavenly Father. We are long overdue.

Grant Phillips

Death is not a subject most people like to talk about, listen to, or read about. However, the older we get, the more often it comes to mind, even though it is no stranger to any age. Death is an equal opportunity acquaintance and is no respecter of persons.

One thing that is great about living in Kentucky is the distinction of the four seasons. Now they are not as distinct as they were when I was much younger, but  it is still easy to distinguish Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter from each other.

In these four seasons we notice birth (Spring), maturity (Summer), then aging (Fall) and finally death (Winter). Death is all around us, whether in nature, the animal kingdom or with us humans. There is nothing born that does not eventually die.

But know this; those who have come to Jesus and put their faith in Him have nothing to fear from death. The Apostle Paul says,

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)

The Lord Jesus has already “broken the ice” so to speak, and the way is clear for those who belong to Him.

Death visited our house this week, but not to a human. A pet we have had for over twenty one years, a cat named Peanut, died. I had mentioned him in another article, “Could It Be This Year,” not realizing that this would be his last year to be with us.

I realize he was just an animal, and I certainly don’t equate the death of an animal with that of a human being. A human being is made in the likeness of God, and is very precious. I will eventually get to a point with this.

Even though he was an animal, it still hurts when you lose a pet, especially one you have had for so long. He was a big part of our lives and everyday living just won’t be the same for some time. Even now, less than a week later, both my wife and I have thought we heard him calling for us at the back door, but of course he wasn’t.

I have had several pets over the years, cats, dogs, even birds, but have always liked cats best. I have grown close to several of those pets, but none as close as Peanut, perhaps because of the many years he, Debbie and I have been together, and all we have been through together.

One of the things I have noticed with pets is that they accept you unconditionally and trust you wholeheartedly. They are always ready to forgive and forget and love your company. Something I can’t say, unfortunately, about many of my own human species.

The sad thing with pets is that when they die, that’s it. There is nothing beyond death. Debbie and I will never see Peanut again, nor he us. Perhaps that knowledge is what is most disturbing about this incident, but that’s the way it is.

The good news is that when we lose a loved one (human) particularly if we both are a Christian, we will see that loved one again and be able to enjoy each other’s company in absolute bliss.

Many in my family have passed away. Friends I once knew are now gone. But in all of these cases, for those who knew Jesus as their Savior and Lord, there is not that knowledge of “they’re gone, never to be seen again.” I lost my Dad in 2003 and my Mother in 2008, but I know I’ll see them again. That is a great comfort.

Jesus has made something possible for mankind that only He could do. He gives life, eternal life, to those who will put their faith in Him. He says “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Proverbs 116:15)

When sin entered the world, death was right on its heels, but in Jesus there is life everlasting. “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.” (1 Corinthians 15:21)

When the final curtain is drawn and all the actors have left the stage, death will be destroyed once and for all. “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26)

There is coming a time, very soon in my opinion, that we who claim Christ will forever shed these mortal bodies and be clothed in a body like our Lord’s. “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54)

The gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the message that saves all who will come to Him. “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:” (2 Timothy 1:10)

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) I’ve always wondered about this verse. Why will there be tears in our eyes for God to wipe away? Is not Heaven a joyful place? Perhaps there will be tears for God to wipe away, because of the heartache on judgment day over so many that refused Jesus and will be condemned to the Lake of Fire. Perhaps those tears will be tears of joy, over all that Jesus has provided to those who love Him. We know the unworthiness of our own sin-filled hearts, but yet He saved us. He didn’t have to, but there we stand in His very presence because of our simple child-like faith and His boundless grace.

We each have one life to live. We are free to do as we please with that life, even over the Gospel message that rings in our ears. We can accept it, or we can reject it. It’s our call. Unfortunately, for those who trample the name of Jesus by slapping His hand away when He reaches out to them will have to endure the wrath of a holy and almighty God.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

Yes, death is not a popular subject, but to a Christian it is a mere gateway to go home, our real home. On the other side waits our Savior with open arms. There is nothing to fear, only eternal joy with the Lord Jesus Christ and all that He is.

“25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [emphasis mine] 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.[emphasis mine] Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26)

I see in this passage two points Jesus makes: (1) if those who are spiritually dead will believe in Him, they will be born again spiritually and shall never die spiritually, and (2) even though we may die physically as a believer, we never actually die. We just enter our new home in Heaven, and our body will join as at the Rapture.

Grant Phillips