WHAT’S WRONG? WRONG THINKING?  #335

Good Day, Meetpastordan Readers…I’d like to open with a question to start you thinking.  Where do you think the rest of this paragraph came from? “In the last days, there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and they will love pleasure rather than God.  They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the very power that could make them godly. They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes (and minds) to win the confidence of vulnerable men and women who are burdened with guilt of sin and controlled by many evil desires. They are forever following new teachings, but they never understand the truth.”

Well, what is your guess? Truth be told, I didn’t get this from the news media, the entertainment industry, or from any of the demigods that are held in such high esteem today. No indeed! I got this from that musty, outdated and irrelevant book called, Holy Bible. To be exact, that passage is from 2nd Timothy 3:1-7, when Apostle Paul was explaining to his mentee, Timothy, the cultural depravity that would be found in the last days. Do you see those traits in our culture today?

Apostle Paul’s wise advice to Timothy was, “You must stay away from people like that.” (vs.3:5) He goes on to remind him that, “All Scripture is inspired by God and useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.  It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing He wants us to do.” (2Timothy 3:16-17)

The unfortunate truth about our culture today is…it is hard to refer to our culture as godly. I say that because of the public ridicule of God and His Word and Christian traditions, the increasing rejection of the Judeo-Christian principles that used to be the spiritual and moral compass of our great country, the flourishing abortion industry, the increasing assault on the nuclear family structure, while at the same time championing same sex marriage and the gender-identity debate, and the preponderance of idol worship (movie stars, entertainment icons, political figures, sports figures) rather than the one true God Jehovah of the Old and New Testament. (Humm…I wonder how many people could answer the question, “What is the first of the 10 Commandments?)  Can you see – or can you not see – why God might be angry with our disobedient behavior?

It is easy to look at our country today, and the crazy times in which we are living, and point a finger at one political party or the other, COVID 19, or to even blame China for its role in this viral mess. But personally, I think we would be missing the mark. Looking at our culture specifically (because I, too, want to Make America Great Again), we have drifted so far away from God and His teachings that there is a preponderance of ignorance concerning God’s Truth. If you jump back up two paragraphs to 2Timothy 3:16-17, it tells us that no prophets or scribes started talking or writing because they had something to say, but rather, the words were inspired by God so He could reveal His Truth for our benefit. But unfortunately, the culture’s choice to revere the teaching of Man over the Word of God has taken us to where we are today. What you are seeing and experiencing is Man’s best attempt at playing god. As Albert Einstein so aptly stated, “You can’t solve a problem with the same thinking that created the problem.” In other words, spiritual problems cannot be solved by worldly thinking. The Old Testament is a history book that drove that point home page after page after page!

We can’t forget that America was dedicated to God the evening of George Washington’s inauguration. Washington, his cabinet, and the entire congress adjourned to St. Paul’s Church and, on bended knee, asked God to bless this country. In return, we would follow His guidance to become that example of hope and freedom for the entire world. However, throughout the Bible we find that if people or nations that God promised to bless turned away from Him, He withdrew His blessings (until they repented.) In fact, that observation can be summed-up in the age-old proclamation, “Repent! Turn from your Sin and turn to God.” That was Jonah’s proclamation when he saved the city of Nineveh; that was John the Baptist’s proclamation when he baptized in preparation for Jesus’ coming; that was Jesus’ proclamation in Matthew 3:2, and more recently, those powerful words were used by Billy Graham.

I believe right now we are in a period of reprieve. God is giving us an opportunity to repent (change our ways) and to return to Him. Look at what we, not only our country, but the world, are experiencing now with the coronavirus pandemic. Throughout the Old Testament, He had many ways of getting the attention of both people and nations: fire and brimstone, wars, floods, famines, natural disasters, pestilence, and plagues (viruses).

So, you might be asking yourselves, “What does repentance look like?” I believe it starts with prayer. Specifically, prayer for our country, prayer for His mercy, and prayer for revelation in the hearts and minds of those who do not know Jesus Christ; and prayer for direction as to how we, as Believers, can further His Kingdom here on earth. I believe this is the time for His light to shine through us as we display the confident assurance, the strength and courage, the peace and serenity that can only come from being in Christ. James 5:16 tells us that “the prayers of the righteous avail much.”   Look at the effect Abraham’s prayer had on sparing the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah.  I believe our collective voices will have the same effect today as we pray to our loving and merciful Father.  His mercy always trumps His judgement!

Feel free to respond to this message, and please “Like” and share it with other social media friends.

May God Bless You abundantly,

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

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