Will America Self Destruct
By Norman H. Wells (an excerpt)
America has veered so far from its Christian course that it is about to self destruct. America has gone from being a Christian nation to a non-Christian nation in one lifetime, and is now one step away from becoming Satan’s society. (This)…is not to be exaggerated into thinking there was ever a time when the majority of Americans were born again Christians, because that condition never existed.
Let us try to refresh our memories as to what it was like in a Christian America. In the first place, it was generally accepted that truth existed and that the Bible was the truth. It is hard to remember, but it hasn’t been so long ago that this fact was hardly questioned. It seems strange now and a little difficult to understand, but even those who did not believe nor obey the truth accepted the fact that it was truth and it was there. And what seems even more difficult to understand now is, that in the Christian America of yesterday, truth was accepted as absolute. It was truth that was perfect, complete, unconditional, and unchangeable. It is hard to recall the kind of difference this made in America. There was always the assurance that there was something sure and safe to fall back on–something that would always be there. It was something that was fixed and established and that could always be relied upon in any circumstance. There was a foundation–a final appeal. This gave a cohesion to the whole nation: this acceptance of the fact of an absolute truth is what held it together and gave all a common bond. There was truth in the Christian America: a truth that had been proven in every conceivable situation and thus gave a real assurance for solving all of tomorrow’s problems.
Again it must be said, our memory of a Christian America is not to be interpreted that everyone in America ever lived by the truth: but it does mean that nearly everyone accepted the fact that absolute truth was there and that is what made the difference. It was there–even if it wasn’t always used.
Another thing about a Christian America that is a little difficult to explain to today’s generation is that, not only was it accepted that absolute truth existed, but anything that denied, or was contrary to the truth, was error. Now to an older Christian, with a good memory, this might bring a smile–the idea that it has to be said that there is truth, that which is opposite or contrary is error, seems so simple. Why, surely, everyone knows that. Back in a Christian America, only a few intelligent philosophers would have challenged this fact–and no one listened. The difference is that today, we have a whole nation of intellectual philosophers and things like this have to be explained. Truth–error. Right–wrong. Pure–impure. The Bible spells out this fact in one verse.
“Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:6
In a Christian America, truth and error could be defined. Truth was being faithful to fact and reality. Truth was true in relation to being, knowledge, or speech. Truth was right according to divine revelation. In a Christian America, the Bible was the accepted truth. It made this claim for itself and was accepted as such.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life” John 14:6. Jesus spoke as one having authority when He said, “I am the truth.” The Bible speaks of a God that cannot lie (Titus 1:2). What God says in the Bible is truth, absolute truth. He cannot lie. How strange this sounds in today’s babel of confusion.
SHARING
It’s In The Valleys I Grow
Sometimes life seems hard to bear
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It’s then I have to remember
That it’s in the valley I grow.
If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God’s love
And would be living in vain.
I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountaintops
But it’s in the valleys I grow.
I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do
But I’m very sure of one thing
My Lord will see me through.
My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan’s loss.
Forgive me Lord for complaining
When I’m feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it’s in the valleys I grow.
Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.
Thank you for the valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know,
The mountaintops are glorious
But it’s in the valleys I grow.
–Jane Eggleston
SHARINGThe Power Of Our Words
–By Caleb Deininger
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Proverbs 25:11
Seldom do we say exactly the right thing at exactly the right time. In fact, we usually take about ten steps away from a conversation before kicking ourselves over what we should have said. But there are few things sweeter than when a downtrodden soul hears the words they need to press on, or when a sinning brother or sister gets a much needed and unwavering reproof.
“A word fitly spoke” can be a word of encouragement: few words uttered by man have held the weight of Christ’s timely comfort in Matthew 11:28-30, for “heavy laden” Christians everywhere. It can also be a firm rebuke: in 2 Samuel 12, Nathan’s four words to David, “Thou art the man,” were probably the most powerful, most affecting, and most beneficial words David could have heard.
On the other hand, the tongue can be a tool of destruction: Absalom’s deceitful tongue “stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (2 Samuel 15:6) and inspired mutiny against King David. And, of course, Satan’s simple and “sensible” persuasion in the Garden of Eden cast the curse of sin upon all mankind
All too often, God’s children fall prey to the temptations of evil speaking, backbiting, talebearing, etc., while failing to be mindful of the power of our words. James 3 offers a profound insight into the duality our speech can yield. How can the mouth that curses man be fit to praise the God who created him? And the line between playful jesting and cruelty isn’t a line at all–it is a slippery slope. These things can introduce elements of bitterness and insecurity into the fellowship that would otherwise be foreign. When we use our speech in such harmful manners–even if it is unwittingly–we can chip away at the very bonds that hold the church together and sow the seeds of discord and strife.
We must never underestimate the effect our words have upon others. They can either lift up a weary soul, or further dishearten him. They can either set God’s erring child right, or sheepishly consent to his transgressions. And they can either strengthen our congregation, or tear it apart. May our words contribute to the church’s spiritual well-being, and be those “apples of gold in pictures of silver” that someone may need to hear.
SHARINGBlessed Are The Punctual
Webster defines punctual as = carefully observant of an appointed time; carefully observant of the nice points of behaviour and ceremony.
Being punctual might very well fall under the categories of : virtue, strength of mind, diligence, devotion, honor, respect, uprightness, consideration, zeal, exampleship, initiative, watchfulness, readiness, interest, enthusiasm, as well as a host of other good ingredients that make our living sacrifices to have a sweet savor before the Lord. The better we make our service rendered unto the Lord, the richer God’s blessings are in return. AND being punctual is something that costs nothing, and EVERYBODY CAN DO IT!!!!
None is so observant of our service rendered as God is. God takes everything into account, from the widow’s mite, to a cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple. Just as God takes note of every effort of honor on our part for His name’s sake, He also sees and responds to every sleight, such as was the case with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5).
Punctuality seems to have nothing to do with the clock, or the starting times of the services. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it be morning or evening, slow time or fast time, as none of these variations figure into whether one is punctual or not.
According to Webster’s dictionary, punctuality has everything to do with a person’s own observance of an appointed time. Thus, punctuality is a matter of choice, more so than anything else. It is a matter of personal priority and application of self. It is the exercise of judgment and doing the math. It is the matter of making personal adjustments, through using good foresight. It is personal management and decisive thinking. It is the matter of forming a good habit, instead of allowing an inferior one. It is putting forth good business, rather than lagging behind.
Right consideration and good understanding will conclude that nothing is more deserving of good punctuality than the business of our Lord and Saviour.
“Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?” 1 Chronicles 29:5 GOD WILL BLESS US for honoring His work by being punctual. Do you value God’s blessings? Is it in your heart to please the Lord in what you do? What if God started showing up late when we needed Him? MAY GOD HELP US TO SEE PUNCTUALITY AS BEING A PART OF OUR CALLING TO PRESENT OURSELVES A LIVING SACRIFICE UNTO HIM!
SHARINGToo Blessed And Too Anointed
–Bob Ford
I refuse to be discouraged,
To be sad or to cry.
I refuse to be downhearted,
And here’s the reason why:
I have a God who is almighty,
Who is sovereign and supreme.
I have a God who loves me,
And I am on His team.
He is all-wise and powerful;
Jesus is His name.
Though everything else is changeable,
My God remains the same.
I refuse to be defeated.
My eyes are on my God.
He has always been here with me,
As through this life I’ve trod.
I am looking past my circumstances
To Heaven’s throne above.
My prayers have reached the heart of God.
I am resting in His love.
I give thanks to Him for everything.
My eyes are on His face.
The battle is His; the victory is mine;
He will help me win the race.
I repeat, “I’m too blessed to be stressed.”
