IS THERE AN ANSWER TO OUR CULTURE’S DEMISE? YES!

Good Morning, My Friends.  Even at this dark hour, I am wide awake and still basking in the magnificent performance of the Saint Louis Wind Symphony yesterday as we opened our eighteenth concert season.  What a spectacular group of musicians, and what a privilege to be able to stand on the podium.  That indeed is a grand source of joy in my life, and I thank God every day for such a blessing.  But today is a new day.  I’m off the podium now, and it’s time to tackle a new challenge. I have a cup of hot coffee with me; Cliff and Glenn have assumed their positions around my desk, so I’m ready to start writing blog #114.

As I have stated so many times in my writing, “what a crazy world we live in today”!  Everything is topsy-turvy!  What used to be respected, honored, glorified – and even worshiped – is today vilified, mocked and ridiculed.  For instance, if one has the courage to stand on their religious beliefs, they can be persecuted.  If one has the courage to speak honestly about their personal beliefs and concerns, they can be persecuted.  Conversely, what used to be shameful – or even sinful – is today center stage and basking in the spotlight.  If you doubt that, just look at the content of most of the new movies and TV shows – not only cable, but also the network shows.  The favorite themes of the media industry right now seems to be sorcery or witchcraft, the glorification of adultery and the gay life-style, or violence presented in the most “in-your-face” horrific manner.  Believe me, all of this affects the very heart and soul of a culture, and the end result can be nothing short of catastrophic.

God addressed this matter in a crystal-clear prophecy through Isaiah in 5:20,21,24; “Destruction is certain for those who say evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; the bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.  Destruction is certain for those who think they are wise and consider themselves to be so clever. Therefore, they will all disappear like burning straw.  Their roots will rot and their flowers will wither, for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty.”  Throughout history this prophecy has proven to be true.  The Babylonian Empire, Persian Empire, Greek Empire, Roman Empire, even modern-day movements such as the Nazi Germany or the Japanese Empire have all collapsed from within and ultimately faced defeat when they rejected the law of the Lord Almighty.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our culture learned from, and steered around, the mistakes made by others?

Unfortunately there is a movement within our own country called the “liberal-progressive movement” that is leading us down the same destructive path.  And how is that, you ask?  By chip, chip, chipping away at the two fundamental pillars of our society; the traditional family structure and religious freedom.  If those two pillars can be weakened and/or redefined, it becomes easier for the governing source to offer – or impose (ie. Common Core curriculum) alternatives that suit their purpose.  And what is their ultimate purpose?  The same purpose that was evident in the fallen cultures listed above.  Power and control.

I felt I had to present the above backdrop before I could turn to the subject matter of today’s blog.  I believe if anyone reading this will take time to reflect on the truth of the scenario presented above, it might open your mind to the truth that is coming below.

As I have stated before, I do not believe the answer to our culture’s dilemma will be found in electing a Republican, Democrat or Independent.  No doubt our current leadership is copacetic with the liberal-progressive agenda and hopefully a new leader would slow down the movement, but our culture now is experiencing a Spiritual malaise.  No doubt a political agenda – one that has been brewing for quite a while – has led us down this path by pandering to our most base human desires (referred to culturally as ”human nature”, but referred to Biblically as our “sin nature”.)  But the problem now is a Spiritual problem, and that situation can only be solved by a Spiritual solution.

First we have to be aware of what we are fighting.  (As I begin to write this next segment, I am reminded that there was a time when these words would have NEVER come out of my mouth, because I was a non-believer for half a century!  But the good news is… in 2000 I had an encounter with Jesus Christ that changed my life).  But I know that without Jesus Christ, it is easy to disregard or disparage the existence of the Devil.  And now I understand why that is true.  Without Jesus Christ, Satan has us right where he wants us, so he leaves us alone.  However, when we make a decision to change our ways and become a Christ-follower, we immediately become aware of the existence of an enemy hell-bent on ship-wrecking our efforts to change.  He will assault us with every kind of temptation, lie and deception to keep us firmly in his grip.  (All believers reading this will know exactly what I mean.)

So here is the truth of the source of ALL evil.  Apostle Paul warns us about the Devil when he tells us to be aware of his strategies and tricks.  In Ephesians 6:12 he tells us: “For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.”  But after this warning he gives us the solution in verse 13.  “Use every piece of God’s armor (Scriptures from the Holy Bible) to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.”   And believe me…it will be a battle, so we have to be prepared!

So how do we resist the Devil?  The same way Jesus did in the wilderness.  He resisted Satan’s temptation by rebuking him with the Word of God. (Matthew 4:3-11)  Therefore, we have to know the Word of God too.  That becomes the foundation of our faith and the truth with which we combat Satan.  We have the power of Jesus in us in the form of the Holy Spirit.  As His followers, we can pray in His name.  Do you know how POWERFUL that is??  When we resist the Devil in the name of Jesus and armed with the Word of God, he will flee from us. (James 4:7)

When most people think of God’s salvation plan, they think about forgiveness of our sins and eternal life.  However, for those of us still living in this fallen world and facing all the temptations of our culture, we know the gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s way of empowering us to rise above the quagmire of sin so we can yield to his purpose.  Prior to accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, none of this was on our mind.  We were just part of the world and lived to satisfy our own lustful desires.  But the same way God’s will does not trump our free-will, the Holy Spirit does not take over our being and turn us into “Jesus robots”.

But he does, however, empower us to do God’s will when we call on him.  That is the power we have that the world does not have.  In John 14: 16-17, Jesus explained it to his Disciples this way: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.  The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him.  But you do, because he lives with you now, and later will be in you.”  

Let’s refer back three paragraphs to the Scripture from Ephesians 6:12.  Satan not only tempts and infiltrates us, but he tempts and infiltrates the rulers and powers of this world.  It is quite clear the liberal-progressive agenda has its roots in evil, ie. the assault on Christianity; the abortion agenda:  the LGBT agenda; the assault on the Judeo-Christian principles on which this country was founded; and the lawlessness that abounds in both our government and businesses!  In fact, Satan has even infiltrated many of our churches, which is evidenced by many churches watering down the truth of God’s Word to yield to the direction of the culture. Yikes!  How, you ask, can this turn around?

Well, the good news is…taking place right along- side this grim presentation is a growing prayer movement in churches around our country.  God’s proclamation has never changed from Genesis to 2015:  “Repent!  Turn from your sin and turn to God.”  (Acts 3:19:  Acts 17:11: Matthew 3:2)  God gave us the “how to do it” in 2Chronicles 7:14-15:  “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.  I will listen to every prayer made in this place…” And again in James 4:10, “If you will humble yourself before the Lord (both people and nations) and admit your dependence on him, he will lift your up and give you honor.”  

This, My Friends, is the answer to our country’s seemingly unsolvable demise.  May God Bless America.

Please feel free to respond to this message, and feel free to share it with other social media friends.

May God Bless Ya…

Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)