2021 Archives

  Are you and God on speaking terms?  The Bible has much to say about prayer.  The book of James tells us, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16).”  The word translated “availeth” in this verse means, “has much force.”  Someone wisely said, “Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.”  Peruse the prayers of the Bible and you will be amazed at their display of power.  History too, is replete with illustrious stories of how prayer changed the course of the world and the lives of the prayerful.

  Another verse that boggles the imagination is, “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (James 4:2).”  According to this verse, divine aid and blessing is forfeited when we neglect prayer.  Consider for a minute how this truth might affect you.  For example: Let’s say you were about to take a trip and decided to pause for a moment and ask God to get you to your destination safely.  This verse says that your brief prayer could make the difference between having an accident or not.  Don’t misunderstand here; I’m not suggesting that prayer is like the proverbial genie in a bottle with a promise that your every wish will be granted.  We must remember that God uses the trials of life to make us more like Christ, nevertheless, some blessings are forfeited because I refuse to pray.

  We live in a day in which we truly need God’s intervention.  Our country is divided and economic strain is wide spread; churches have drifted away from the fundamental truths upon which they were established, and the family has been redefined, etc.  We need the Lord desperately!  Could it be that we have neglected our blood bought privilege called prayer?  Could it be that our nation, churches and families could be spared some of the turmoil and hardship that we face if you and I would give ourselves to prayer?  “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (1John 5:14).”

  We have all heard stories of individuals “climbing the corporate ladder,” and passing, either peacefully or spitefully, over those who might “get in the way.” It has always stirred our imaginations to consider the lives of those who are perched on the top rung, calling all the shots.  A corporation has its CEO, a ball team has a coach, a courtroom has a judge, a classroom has a teacher, a ship has a captain, the mob has a boss, the police have a chief, etc.  Wherever there are people with a cause, there will always be someone who will rise to the top—someone to be in charge.

  In the case of the family, it is you, Sir, …and it doesn’t matter that you don’t feel up to the task, or don’t want the job, or don’t have time, or can’t afford it, the responsibility is yours, and God holds you accountable.  “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (1Timothy 5:8)” God’s flow chart for the family looks like this, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (Ephesians 5:22–23)”  But there’s more, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25)” 

  To fathers, the Almighty requires, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)” “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)”

  If our nation is to be strong, it will require strong families, and strong families require strong, spiritual leadership.  Like it or not, It’s Your Job, Sir!  If you are not ready for the task, I suggest that you spend some time in the Field Manual—the Bible.

“Passing the buck” has been around since the beginning of time.  The first crime ever committed by mortals was blamed on others.  Adam blamed Eve for inducing him to disobey the one and only law that God had issued, and Eve blamed the satanically inspired serpent who had misled her concerning the consequences of breaking God’s law.  The blame game has been one of the world’s most common defense tactics ever since.  Examples abound.

  We, who call ourselves “Christians,” are no exceptions when it comes to deflecting the blame.  We like to say that times are tough and things continue to spiral out of control because of the debauched character of those who don’t know or worship our God.  While it is true that abject godlessness has destroyed morality, civility, justice and liberty in growing proportions, the blame does not rest entirely upon the shoulders of those who avoid God.  We, who know God personally through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, are also at fault.  God does not bless a nation because of the thoughts and deeds of the “unsaved,” but because of the thoughts and deeds of those whom He calls His children.  Many years ago, He said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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)” Notice, God blesses a nation when His people within that nation humble themselves and obediently walk in the light of His Word.  Obviously, we have missed the mark.

  Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is my fault that this world is in the condition that it is in, and it is your fault that things are as they are.  We have failed at being salt and light.  “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:13–14)”  Forgive us neighbor, for living in such a way as to spurn God’s grace, and provoke His wrath upon our nation.

  While all would agree that it is commendable to change the oil in our cars, the filters in our HVAC systems, or the diapers of crying babies, most folks get to a point in life at which change beyond these essentials is unpleasant and threatening.  Nevertheless, it is obvious to those who study the passage of time, that nothing stays the same.  Change is an inevitable fact of life, and those who won’t accept it seem destined to days of misery—or do they?

  No one can deny that we live in a day of change, or that the rate of change is greater than at any other time in modern history.  We have seen the slaughter of innocent babies increase from year to year (abortion), we have witnessed the redefining of families to include perverted sexual preference and transgenderism.  We have observed the acceptance of radical, humanistic ideologies that promote lawlessness and anarchy.  We have witnessed generations of children brainwashed by sociopolitical pundits who are out of touch with reality and absorbed in the promotion of ideas that history has proven fatal.  A forward glance confirms to any honest onlooker, Change Is Still In The Air—and many modern movements have become global.

  God’s Word reveals that these changes of our day will increase sin, suffering and sorrow.  “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)”  …BUT, we can be thankful that God Himself will never change, nor will His plans and promises be thwarted.  He is described as the One, “…with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17b)”  To those who have accepted His forgiveness, and have become part of His family, He offers peace in today’s turmoil, and deliverance from future divine wrath, ALL in exchange for our faith.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)”

  If you are frustrated with the changes you see, and frightened by the bleak outlook that our present course implies, you should consider the promises of God to those who trust in His Son.  He is SO good to His children!