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"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience." (Ephesians 5:6) Is America still blessed of the Lord?? By: Pastor L. R. Simas, Sr. 11-3-09 |
Who are we that we should not hear the Lord? Has America become like
Judah of old? A back slidden nation? Maybe we have not noticed. Maybe
this is the reason for some or all of the problems America is having and has
had lately?? Maybe God is trying to get our attention?? Could it be that
God is not happy with those of us who call themselves Christians?? Sure
does make one wonder. Are you wondering too?? Maybe you should.
Those of you that read the last writing (Destroyed) just might have a clue. I
think that it is at least one of the possible reasons.
Since about 1901, America in her pride has been striving with God to have
her own way. I've heard it said that America was founded on Christian
ideals. If so, what has happened to them?? When was the last time you
heard someone say, "O my God" and meant it with respect to God?? When
was the last time you heard someone say, "Thank you Lord for what you
have given me." Or some such thing?? Have we lost God's blessings??
Have we had God's blessings?? Remember the song "God bless
America"?? Was the writer asking for a blessing from God?? Or were the
lyrics expressing a command?? As the lyrics go, "God, bless America, land
that I love...." Was that writer asking or telling??
Please don't say it's God's fault, for it isn't, it's ours. Take a look here:
Isaiah 1:4 "Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of
evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD,
they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone
away backward." Does this remind you of today?? Does it seem to fit with
the shape America is in today?? Sure does to me. Are we a people or
nation seeking God?? Not as far as I can see. God said it Himself, "The
LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if
there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone
aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth
good, no, not one." (Psalms 14:2-3) Also see Romans 3:10-12.
Now, before someone starts to say that's not me, think!! God's word says,
"...for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." (Psalms
138:2) To me this means, His word must be important! Wouldn't you
agree??
Well, then read this: God has provided us with His book! Perfect and
trustworthy. A book to learn of Him and more. What has man done with
His book, and for that matter, God? Done as man sees fit! In other words
"...but every man did that which was right in his own eyes." (Judges
17:6) However, Jesus told Satan (and us too for that matter) "...Get thee
hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,
and him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:10)
So who are you going to obey?? Who will you listen to?? As Joshua said,
"...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua
24:15)
Some may see me (and a few like me) as legalistic and if that's what I seem
to be, so be it. "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded
that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against
that day." (II Timothy 1:12) I think that God is not pleased when the
country seems to be moving more and more away from what the Lord has
said and taught in His word. As you can tell by going into just about any
store, church etc... Trying to find the bible that contains all of God's words.
Someone wrote a song that says if loving you is wrong then I don't want to
be right. Well, when man says I'm wrong, God says I'm right! Jesus gives a
hint as He stated, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me
before it hated you." (John 15:18)
In this day when America is bound by the "PC" law and the hate speech
wing of the seemingly self righteous, what can folks that love God and His
word do?? In a word, pray!! Isaiah expressed this time by saying in his
time, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put
darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes,
and prudent in their own sight!" (Isaiah 5:20-21) How can we talk to
folks when the laws, policies, and words (as they are called) prohibit or
protect those that consider their rights.
What about the freedom of religion?? How about one of the reasons
thirteen colonies left and became "the land of the free and the home of the
brave"! Tell me, I pray, where do your rights end and mine begin?? When
some say, "he, she, or they are intolerant or insensitive". May I suggest that
the very same could be claimed of them that feel that way. Could this be
the reason that America may have (or has) lost God's blessings?? Could it
be that God is protecting His own by the seeming withdrawal of his
blessings?? Maybe the way things are going in America is the chastisement
of the Lord??
The Lord said to: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
the world." (Matthew 28:19) How can one do what is commanded by the
Lord when hindrances of man interfere. If you believe this then you must
also believe that Jesus also said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) The key word is "make"! " I
am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me." (John 14:6) The key word here is "Truth"!
How or can we as a nation regain God's blessings?? One way might be to
undo what we've been doing and repent!! I rather doubt that that will
happen as one has to know something is wrong and be willing to amend it.
Another way would be to offer God prayers asking what (if anything) is
wrong and do what is suggested by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Oh,
but, there is that "I'm not doing anything wrong" protection again!! Hmm,
lets see, ask and accept what God describes as a blessing and desire it!!
Websters 1828 dictionary gives 9 definitions and examples of
"bless"as follows:
1. To pronounce a wish of happiness to one; to express a wish or desire of
happiness.
And Isaac called Jacob and blessed him. Gen.28.
2. To make happy; to make successful; to prosper in temporal concerns;
as, we are blest with peace and plenty.
The Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thou doest. Deut.15.
3. To make happy in a future life.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Rev.14.
4. To set apart or consecrate to holy purposes; to make and pronounce
holy.
And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. Gen.2
5. To consecrate by prayer; to invoke a blessing upon.
And Jesus took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to
heaven he blessed them. Luke 9.
6. To praise; to glorify, for benefits received.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me. Ps.103.
7. To praise; to magnify; to extol, for excellencies. Ps.104.
8. To esteem or account happy; with the reciprocal pronoun.
The nations shall bless themselves in him. Jer.4.
9. To pronounce a solemn prophetical benediction upon. Gen.27. Deut.
33.
It appears the blessings of God are best described as having God's favor
and an action that accompanies it. In the case of America, the blessing of
God may have been gaining God's favor (or gift) which America seems to
have had in the form of protection. The accompanying action may have
been that America (as a nation) has done things with God's providence in
mind. Since it appears that God has seen America's sin or our turning from
him, which has been apparent as of late. Can America convince God to
return His blessing back to America?? Without doubt, if America will
repent and return to God!
Let me close by sharing what Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall be
ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful
generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he
cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38)
Although Jesus spoke to the people and nations of His early time it applies
to this time as well. May America and her people return to God, his way,
and by His word!! Remember Jesus died for you, will you live for Him??
Please feel free to e-mail or write at the address below.
Remember Jesus died for you, will you live for Him?? Please feel free to
e-mail or write at the address below.
With love in Christ, I am His servant and yours,
Pastor Popeye,
pastorsimas@hyannisbaptistchurch.org
Or write snail mail at:
Hyannis Baptist Church
Po Box 34
West Hyannisport, Ma.
02672-0034
Psalms 12:6-7 and Ephesians 3:8
Join us now on the web!!
http//:www.hyannisbaptistchurch.org
Where The Truth Shall Make You Free!!
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