Night in America. Darkness Prevails.

Fri, Nov 9, 2012

"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God."

Abraham Lincoln 1863
From Church and State in the United States
New York: Harper and Brothers, 1950.

Lincoln's words ring loud and clear. We have forgotten God. Because of this, as the Apostle Paul declares, we have exchanged the truth of God for the lies of the devil.

"They exchanged the truth of God for a lie..."

Romans 1:25

According to Carl Zimmerman’s research in his book, Family and Civilization, eight specific patterns of domestic behavior have signaled the downward spiral and imminent demise of every culture:

1. Marriage lost its sacredness; it was frequently broken by divorce.

2. Traditional meaning of the marriage ceremony was lost. Alternate forms and definitions of marriage arose, and traditional marriage vows were replaced by individual marriage contracts.

3. Feminist movements appeared, and women lost interest in child bearing and
mothering, preferring to pursue power and influence.

4. Public disrespect for parents and authority in general increased.

5. Juvenile delinquency, promiscuity, and rebellion accelerated.

6. People with traditional marriages refused to accept family responsibilities.

7. Desire for and acceptance of adultery grew.

8. Increased tolerance for sexual perversions of all kinds, particularly
homosexuality, with a resultant increase in sex-related crimes.1

1 Family and Civilization: Carle Clark Zimmerman; edited by James Kurth; 2nd ed., rev. and abridged. Wilmington, Del.: ISI Books, 2007.

In light of the moral condition our country is in, read the following:

"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader ... If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security."

Samuel Adams
Father of the American Revolution, instigator of
the Boston Tea Party, signer of the Declaration of Independence, member of Congress

I wonder what Samuel Adams and Abraham Lincoln would think and say now?

Where do you think we are as a nation on the ever worsening scale of 1 through 8 from above?

We believe we are in the final stages.

If we, as a people, do not turn back to God from sin and self focus, beg His forgiveness, and, once again, embrace the truth of Holy Scripture, our nation, our communities, our churches, and our families will sink into the mire of tolerance, mediocrity, and compromise. As biblical counselors, we know many marriages and families are falling apart. It does not matter who the couple is or what faith they say they follow. Disintegration of the family unit and a falling away from reverence for God are directly related. Few people look to God's inerrant, inspired Holy Word, the Bible, as authoritative for all areas of life.

Chuck Swindoll said, “It is at home where life makes up its mind .”

Our nation is in crisis! People today are hurting and wounded in their personal lives. Many have simply lost hope. Many are living in sin and refusing to acknowledge their iniquity before Almighty God. They know they are in sin. They just don’t care! We live in an increasingly pagan land where barbaric values are replacing the godly, humble virtues that forged our country.

Here is the great danger.

When a nation rejects God's truth, whoever is in power determines what is right. The ruling philosophy becomes:

Might determines Right.

This is what happened in Nazi Germany. Since Hitler had rejected God and had the power, he determined what was right. Millions lost their lives as a result! Roughly only 1 in 7 pastors refused to pay the required homage to Hitler and His 3rd Reich. They suffered dearly. Many were imprisoned and died from the harsh treatment.

America, as a nation, has rejected God. Politics has become a power struggle. The victor determines who and what is right. The victor also determines who and what is wrong. Money and image have become false gods. Christians who seek the truth found only in God's Word must embrace it, love it, and stand up for it. If we don't, who will? We have been lied to and many of us are in bondage to these lies.

"Truth is so obscure in these times and falsehood so established that unless we love the truth, we cannot know it."

Blaise Pascal (1623—1662) French Philosopher, Mathematician, Scientist, and Christian

“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.”

2Chronicles 7:14

The aging grandfather looked to his beloved granddaughter and asked her, "Do you believe that darkness will come into your life?" She thought for a moment and then said, "Yes, Grandfather."

Then he looked deep into her eyes with a caring, steadfast love from God and asked, "And what if the darkness prevails?" The sadness on her face was slowly replaced by a smile of growing proportions. She took a deep breath, looked into his eyes, and said with resolve:

"Then I will light a candle!"

When we choose to dwell in the darkness, we snuff out a lot of candles. Instead, Barbara and I want to light as many candles for the Lord as we can. We want to cheer the hopeless, encourage the crushed in spirit, and bring comfort, joy, and light to those still swallowed in darkness. This is our prayer!

We want to introduce as many people to Jesus, our Lord and Savior, as we can. We want to prevent souls from going to Hell and, instead, help them go to Heaven someday.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

Edmund Burke, 1729-1797, Irish political philosopher, Whig politician and statesman who is often regarded as the father of modern conservatism.

America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. Both were fought for. Both must be fought for again, not with bullets, but with moral courage and conviction. These must be rooted in the eternal Word of God, the Bible.

We must ask God to help us become men and women of courage.

Courage enough to face ridicule, loss, threats, and marginalization. Courage enough to stand up for the honor of God and country, and for marriage and the family. Courage to defend our Constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. Courage to stand against the quickening currents of tolerance, disrespect toward Christian convictions, and celebrated gross immorality. Courage to pray humbly to Almighty God, the One who blessed this nation into being.

“Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.”

Maya Angelou, American Poet and Pulitzer Prize Winner.

Let us pray for courage.

Then let's stand and be courageous for the Lord and this blessed land.

If you are not absolutely sure of your eternal destiny…if you are concerned about your relationship with your Creator, the Living God of the universe, then check out:

https://marriageanchors.com/2012/05/18/your-anchor-dont-leave-port-without-him/

"If you truly love your Saviour, and would honour Him, then "hate evil.'" Charles Spurgeon Devotional June 7th.