|
Dear Brother Gene,
I enjoyed reading these thoughtful
replies to your questions.
We are definitley entering an era
of political change. We have had a conservative president for many years now and yet abortion remains widely available,
states continue to legalize gay marriage and other immoral policy continues to be codified into law. I pray that President-elect
Obama will excel at the job of President: shape up our economy, end the war in Iraq and implement programs to assist people
with health care and education expenses. However, I think if we want to see our land healed, the church must make the
change:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will 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
It's up to us as God's people to
get sin out of our lives if we want change!
---------
Do you believe that we are entering an era of even greater change in
> our Nation.
Change is here...Liberal thinkers want change to bigger government, socialized
meds, etc. Change is not bad if it involves following God's laws...render to Caesar what is Caesar's, ie, we must follow man's
law until it interferes with God's laws. Abortion, gay marriage and gay lifestyles are a hug departure from scripture and
God's will.
> Do you think it will be better or worse?
> All great nations that have not been obedient to God's will have failed.
We are on that path. Remember God allows things to happen but Satan's influence is predominate in the world today.
>
>
> What do you think it will take to bring us back to being a God-fearing
> nation?
> Christians must be more assertive in our approach with the lost. We
need to be more active in following the footsteps of Jesus Christ and sharing the gospel to all mankind.
>
>
> Will it happen?
> God rules in the kingdoms of men...it is up to us to concentrate on
planting the seed and watering it so God will give the increase. We must focus on what we do in this life to prepare for the
next life.
>
>
> What are you doing, or going to do, to face the change that may before
us?
> Be faithful to God's word, share the gospel, lead by example and follow
the footsteps of JC.
>
------
Do you believe that we are entering an era of even greater change in our Nation?
yes
Do you think it will be better or worse?
I hope better
but I think worse
What do you think it will take to bring us back to being a God-fearing nation?
I hope better
but I am afraid worse
Will it happen?
yes
What are you doing, or going to do, to face the change that may before us?
------
Hi Gene,
I was hoping to put my "two cents" in on your questions. I hope I have answered them all but if I missed any I'd love to interact further.
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Okay, here they come:
BEGIN
Do you believe that we are entering an era of even greater change in our
Nation?
Yes I do. We have forgotten
the moral/religious foundations upon which the nation was built and as we have done this we have embraced everything, no matter
how silly or sinful.
Do you think it will be better or worse?
Absent a wide-scale revival it will get worse. So I guess “the jury’s still out” on that one. I am always amazed at how patient God
is with us even as we continue to “Slouch Towards Gomorrah” to borrow from a famous book title.
What do you think it will take to bring us back to being a God-fearing nation?
James 4:6-10 says it best.
Will it happen?
I have no idea, but I do hope we will “smarten up” and humble
ourselves before it’s too late.
What are you doing, or going to do, to face the change that may before us?
Not enough, but I do plan to spend more time at our state capitol when the
next legislative season commences, getting to know them, praying with them and for them – if they’ll let me. We are also educating our children at home and encouraging our neighbors to do the
same.
-----
Gene,
Interesting questions and interesting replys.
God is the one who has established powers and authorities. God is the one who raises up leaders and God is the one who causes them to fall, that goes for nations
too.
We would all do ourselves a big favor to spend some time in the OT learning
about God, his purposes and how he works. National pride as well as party pride
may well have to take a back seat.
Your thoughts?
-----
Sorry, Gene, when I disagree.
You need to change your
thinking in one thing:
What did you say, a God-fearing
nation?
Is Bush, his oil war God-fearing?
Is Silicon Valley God-fearing?
Is Hollywood God-fearing?
Is the life style of most
Americans, the financial crisis etc. a result of a God-fearing people?
Is NewYork, Florida or
California, the leading states of America, God-fearing?
Just because of 12'000
churches of Christ in the States I would never say that America is God-fearing!!!
Or, do you count all the
denominational churches to the God-fearing people, which spread so much irreparable lyes to the entire world?
I am sorry, Gene, but I
believe God-fearing is something total different.
I believe that America
is God-foreign like never bevor.
America is not any different
than the rest of this world!
Stop throwing sand in your
eyes!
Sorry, for your new president,
but probably, he will do a better job than the old has done.
In Christian love
---------
Hi Gene,
I say "yes" to the first question.
I say
"worse" to the 2nd question.
Q 3: What will bring is back...?
A: Much is required. There must be change of
thinking and attitude by the citizens. We have spent decades in the public school system brainwashing the people of this nation
with secular humanism (atheism). A large ship is not easily turned--neither is the thinking and direction of a nation.
Clear
preaching and teaching of God's word. That is our task.
A to Q 4: Who knows? Did it change Rome?
It must be done one person at a time.
A to Q 5: One of the reasons I returned from the foreign mission field is because
I have seen the negative direction of our own nation. Realizing there is a need, I have resolved to educate as many people
as possible on the fallacies of atheism and humanism, along with the need for respect for the inspired word of God, and the
love of God.
------
Gene,
I am afraid of what I see happening. Even if Obama does not get elected he probably will run for the office on the next election
or even worse would be some "good citizen" like or equivalent to Chavez... He made promises to the people and when elected
he changed everything to make himself a powerful dictator. I am seeing people who have not been very "religious" CHANGING
and atleast recognize that there is a God. Maybe this is God's work to wake people up!
Something else that scares me is
that a lot of young people are blind and are being misguided by people like Obama.....He has proved that he is a liar and
is misguiding a lot of young people.
May God Help us and May He Bless You.......Prayer helps me a lot.
--------
Dear Gene,
It is somewhat difficult to find an answer to some of the concerns we all
who are Christians have. I do believe we are entering, or continuing to drop deeper into, changes that will
be very difficult to cope with. However, we must remember that God is still Lord and King of our lives. He still rules
in the affairs of our lives and will help us through what ever difficulties we may have.
I am concerned that things will be worse. It is hard for me to think of abortion
of unborn babies, same sex marriages, homosexuals teaching our children and know that we will be compelled
to support it with our taxes. Of course, we have done and will continue to do everything we can to prevent it.
I believe our nation will lose it's freedom if we continue in that direction.
I am certain that we as God fearing Christians must pray earnestly about this problem. I intend to attend every service of
the Lord's church, Pray and participate in reaching out with His Word, and do all I can to loyally serve and honor our
Great and Wonderful God, as I know you will.
I believe that as long as the world stands, there will always be good and evil, righteousness
and wickedness; but, I will continue to pray, study God's word, and God being my helper, never lose hope because there
is a better world we all are looking forward to. I know economical problems may be a burden, but I will be frugal and
thankful for all God has given me.
God bless, and Thank you for giving me an opportunity to read your thoughts and giving me a chance to respond.
Please continue to keep in touch.
-------
Gene,
Great
to hear from you. It was good to see you at the Workshop in Orlando. We had a good Sunday in Sarasota. In
answer to your question. I don't what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. I firmly believe that
God is in control. My prayers are that whoever wins, he will allow the God to influence his decisions. See ya!
-----
Gene:
Yes, there will be chellenging times and people
and things in the Church and in our nation. We must pray-pray-pray 24/7. Read
and Study our Bibles, attend Church services when scheduled and obey Gods will.
WE CAN DO IT!
------
Do you believe that
we are entering an era of even greater change in our Nation? Yes I do.
Do you think it will
be better or worse?
Worse
What do you think it
will take to bring us back to being a God-fearing nation?
To be brought to our
knees by losing power, money, etc.
Will it happen?
If God thinks we need
it to happen it will.
What are you doing,
or going to do, to face the change that may before us?
I have been praying
that we will become a God fearing nation.
------
Do you believe that we are entering an era of even greater change in our
Nation?
I surely see this happening and it seems it's at a breakneck speed.
Do
you think it will be better or worse?
Our nation is getting
further away from God so this is definitely, worse.
What do you think it will take to bring
us back to being a God-fearing
nation?
Repent and pray for forgiveness and god will heal our nation. In a few hours, we
will know if we have a President who is willing to do this.
Will it happen?
It will happen if we do what God has told us to do.
What are you
doing, or going to do, to face the change that may before us?
Keep doing what I've been doing...Being a good American, living as close to God
as I can and trying to take advantage of as many opportunities as I can handle.
I would love to hear your thoughts
about where you think we may be going and
what we should be doing. Let me know if you receive this.
------
Ontario (Canada):
An interesting question that you posed: "Do you believe that we are entering
an era of even greater change in our Nation?"
Yes, i believe that we truly are entering an era of greater change in North
America, both in the United States and in Canada. Our culture is changing and being shaped by technology. Also, our youth
are less disciplined than previous generations. Many parents are afraid to even spank their children for fear of who might
be watching and will report them as child abusers. Psychologists are pushing their own agendas, believing that they know better and
answers can always be found within oneself, while at the same time biblical principles are slowly being pushed by the wayside.
As Scriptures say, "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Ps.
36:1; Rom.3:18). Lack of discipline, lack of teaching of God's word and will in the home and in our schools, and an age where
everything and anything is readily available is ruining our nation. Why would there be a fear of the Lord? Our youth and many
adults are living the good life! God has taken a backseat to self.
All this being said, Christians, and God's word, are not to conform to society
and culture but rather society and culture are to conform to God's will. This was the Israelites mistake throughout the Old
Testament. This generation and era is no different than any other. People have always been far from God.
I
personally plan to do my part by revealing God to others through His word, to raise my family in the way of the Lord,
and reach out to as many lost souls as i can. People need to know there is a God and He wants a relationship with those who
will draw near to Him, acknowledge Him, and give praise and glory to Him through Christ Jesus our Lord!
------
Do you believe that we are entering an era of even greater change
in our
Nation?
Yes
Do you think it
will be better or worse?
worse
What do
you think it will take to bring us back to being a God-fearing
nation?
I
think the only thing that will change the way people are, is some MAJOR catastrophic event that affects every area in
the nation. While 911 woke a lot of people up and I'm sure permanently changed many people especially in NY, it was
short lived for those not directly touched by it. And hurricanes and floods really touch those it directly affects but
everyone else says "oh those poor people" and go about their busy day. To truly change us all I'm afraid it will have
to be something as devastating as an attack on and in our country, or an act of God like earthquakes causing NY and CA
to fall off the map on the same day.
Will it happen? I
think it's very possible
What are you doing, or going to do, to face the change that may before
us? I am trying to become debt free and to teach my children how to live
on less and to be more thoughtful and kind.
------
Hello Gene,
Your questions are truly profound
and probably most who will read your questions will have a negative answer for several of them!
In my awareness I see that
the ground has moved in the last couple of decades…more so in the last five or so years. I have said many
times in sermons of the last couple of years that I fear we are entering an era of low tolerance for Christianity. My
basis for these feelings of course, is formed by the things I see and read in the media, not so much the people I’m
around! However, occasionally I talk with those who seem to be “infected” with this high tolerance for falsehood
and low tolerance for truth, and both without a passion for getting to the bottom of things [truth] and sorting out the difference.
The public media [I think deliberately] pushes the images of a view of tolerance that is tolerant of everything and everybody,
except Bible-believing [authoritatively based] thinking. Somehow, people need to feel again [deep down in their hearts]
that there are differences that matter on the firm basis of logic and truth. Obama’s interview with Rick Warren
was rife with his postmodernism!
How do we produce again in
the hearts of people the importance of truth? I’m not sure, but one thing I’ve not been doing much is talking
about the consequences of judgment. Will “grace” cover our disregard of God’s voice on the matters
of life? Will God be disrespected…what does it mean to love Him with everything we have been given?
(Soul, strength, and mind?) It seems to me that a low tolerance for truth is close to equivalency with sinning against
the Holy Spirit of truth.
Gotta go for now…maybe
I can come back to this…. Thanks for asking these questions…I would like to see the answers you receive.
In His Great Love,
-----
That's an interesting question.
The basic liberal philosophy is that the government needs to be involved our lives directing us in one direction or the other.
While it might be pleasing
to us to outlaw abortions or close the liquor stores on Sunday, we have to first consider what our primary job on earth is.
I can't find any place in the bible where I am directed to identify the lost and then compel them to behave like the saved.
We are supposed to make the lost saved, not just pretty.
I can't see the benefit
of making the lost attractive to us, just to watch them take the final escalator down to hell.
------
Hello
Gene
This is a really good question! Having come to “The Lord” at the tender age of 43, I can remember
very well what it was like before I had “Christ” in my life. Worry about everything, and then when I didn’t
have anything to worry about, I would worry about what I was going to worry about next.
After accepting “Christ” as my “Lord and Savior” it started to get better, not
in leaps and bounds, but only very slowly. I had to retire when I was 52 years old, because I hurt my back at work, and there
was no way that I could do my job or any other job that I was trained for, or could be trained for. During this time I found
new ways to worry. Just a short time before I had thought that I was such a strong Christian. I prayed and prayed. I worried
myself into the hospital, and I had to have an operation on my colon because I worried so much that I gave myself diverticulitis.
Had God failed me, or had I failed Him?
I had not really remembered Hebrews 12:1-13 (God Disciplines His Sons) and I suffered for it. As
God’s Word tells us point blank:
Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are
not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:9
"As the heavens are
higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
I knew how I had prayed for myself to be able to return to work. It just wasn’t happening for me!
I was being disciplined and taught by “My Father” in heaven, and I didn’t even know it. He was teaching
me many, many lessons all at one time, and over time I learned some of them.
Below is part of an email that I received, about the election!
Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election
1. The Bible will still have all
the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
This is not only for the election, but for every circumstance that the “Lord God” sees fit to
put us in. Every
circumstance!
There are no
exceptions! And the sooner that we learn it, the easier life becomes. I know that I read somewhere to Rejoice in the Lord
always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. We need to remember who is in control.
I know that we all know this. We all need to be reminded. I need to be reminded constantly. Jesus showed us
on the cross. The early church showed us after they got over their fear of being persecuted. Steven showed us, the apostles
showed us, martyrs showed us all down through the centuries, and we are being shown today! Let us all remember the hope that
we have!
NUMBER 11.
Oh yes, Jesus is still
coming back!
1 Thessalonians 4 (NIV)
The Coming of the Lord
13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the
rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus
those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are
left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come
down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ
will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Every knee will bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is “Lord.”
|
