With all the upheaval, riots and protests arising in the hearts of men and women everywhere, and people demanding death to Israel and death to the U.S.A., aligning in goal and purpose to achieve world dominion through Sharia Law and Islamic revolution — causes me to pause and remember:
Do you remember the controversy—the pastor who burned the Quran?
I must confess this article reflects a bit of the carnal side of me. I have loved my country. I’ve loved being an American, small town born and raised right in the heart of America. I grew up going to church Sunday mornings (Sunday school and service), Sunday nights, Wednesday nights and also choir practice because my mom was the church pianist.
I grew up when you actually “hauled hay.” The American flag wasn’t something you burned but held in highest esteem. Sitting in a lawn chair, eating homemade ice cream and listening to the sound of “God Bless America” during the Fourth of July is a vivid childhood memory.
Playing pool at the local Dairy Queen with a man who had two hooks for hands lost in WWII and hearing his heart of passion for this country remains in my heart.
We would go the Friday night football game and everyone, everyone, placed their hands over their hearts… because we were: “Proud to be Americans.”
“God’s country” is a phrase I’ve heard mentioned many times in my 46 years.
But as an American, I’ve watched things tear at the very heart and soul of this place I’ve called home: Abortion on demand, same sex “marriage,” Adult entertainment(a leader in the industry).
People used to leave their doors unlocked, ADT signs are now everywhere. Kids have shot-up their own schools, we’ve “entertained” ourselves until nothing shocks or moves us. We let kids play video games where they habitually practice killing others. Girls wear less clothes on beaches now than what used to be acceptable only for grown women.
And because of all of this, we’ve sinned our way into a condition, where, like in the days of Jeremiah, the enemies of our very existence have come to and are inside our borders. Some have bought us and enslaved us with debt. (The debtor is enslaved to the lender byover 17 trillion dollars.)
What infuriates me and causes my flesh to rise is what I have witnessed through the last two decades. It is whatwe have been forced to accept in the name of “tolerance.” Liberties given to the very enemies of this nation as they are allowed to come here and preach their indignation against us and cry out for our destruction, and yet, we are scolded not to speak against them or we are accused of “hate speech.”
On 9-11-2001, I sat in horror and watched what was happening unfold right before my eyes. I cried and prayed and hoped beyond hope that God would take that awful day and turn it into a time of a great awakening.
Churches were filled all across the nation as memorials and vigils were held, but those given charge over the people did NOT have a word from God but rather self-help, humanistic, self-centered sooth-saying messages. Instead of calling men and women everywhere to repent, they chose to extend the outreach of “tolerance” even further.
Now a decade later, we have a Muslim sympathizer as commander and chief; wolves are truly guarding the hen house and the enemy who flew planes into our collective hearts have now cut off the head of a U.S. journalist. And yet demand free reign here in America.
These people who desire the death of Jews, Christians and “infidels” of all kinds—demand freedom to worship the god of this world, who has come to steal, to kill and destroy. And we are not only allowing it, we are cozying right up to them appeasing their every wish—even as there is talk even now of riots brewing in the USA demanding Sharia Law.
Seriously.
Yet at the same time, those very same people will not allow anyone outside their Islamic family to enter into a mosque. They won’t allow you near their Mecca. They will kill you for carrying a Bible. They will cut your head off and YouTube the gruesome scene.
So YES, I can relate to that pastor in Florida when I allow my carnal selfish nature to rise and to think on such things.
But that could be a titanic mistake if I allow that to blind me from God’s greater truth, that this is not my home. I’m destined for the place whose Maker and Builder is the Lord God Almighty!
And all those who have come to kill, to steal and destroy in Allah’s name are not my enemies, for I wrestle not against flesh and blood (I say that in faith with my teeth gritting, “Okay Lord”). And in fact, I’m to love those who spitefully use me, to bless those who persecute me and none of that is possible unless we, the remnant church arise in this hour by bowing on our knees in prayer and repentance.
The reason our nation’s homes were once unlocked was because we loved and served a God who sent His angels to charge over us.
The reason school violence consisted of a fight here or there and guns were on gun racks in pick-up trucks was because we prayed in school — and one better than that: WE PRAYED TOGETHER IN CHURCH.
The reason neighbors helped neighbors put up hay or help fix their cars was because they prayed beside their neighbor in a pew on Sunday. But the Bible makes it clear that this world isn’t going to be getting any better. Love will continue to wax cold, wars and rumors of war will fill the headlines, and people will be lovers of themselves more than lovers of God.
It’s clear we are living in such a time.
But we’ve been given a charge to: “Redeem the times for the days are evil.”I liken that charge as one surely given during the sinking of the Titanic.
I’m sure at some point the people were having a great time, so in love with the comfort and surroundings of the Titanic, but once that great and mighty ship struck the iceberg, and the reality of the destruction that was taking place, they didn’t have time to mourn the loss of the Titanic, they had to find a lifeboat.
I’m sure some folks were at work trying to save the Titanic, but then there came a point where it was time to only to “save lives.” It’s that time again.
Should the Lord tarry, I will be crying and praying for God to revive this nation.
However, I believe there is a greater urgency. Our enemy would love us to fight for the here and now and forget what’s most important. Sometimes good can be the enemy of God.
Ask yourself this question:
Am I as passionate in my speech for Christ as I am for this country? Am I longing more for this place than a place whose Builder and Maker is the Lord? (Remember Lot’s wife.)
Again I’m not saying I’m not going to vote and be passionately rooting for a conservative victory in future elections (should the Lord tarry). I’m talking about the believers perspective.
During the sinking of the Titanic there was a story told of a very rich woman who had brought great amounts of money and jewelry with her on the journey. This same woman upon realizing the ship was going down, headed for one of the life boats, but in haste forgot something that was extremely valuable. She turned and ran back to her room bypassing the safe which held her precious jewelry and money. Instead, reached for oranges that sat in a bowl in her room; something that might save her life. Her perspective had greatly changed from just hours before, as did all those on board that “unsinkable ship.”
During this very perilous time, as everyone is busy running to and fro trying to fight for the life of this sinking ship USA—instead of placing your hope and faith in what Man can do to save the here and now—be pointing others to a more sure salvation—Jesus Christ, our Lord and King!
So instead of burning Qurans, and burning with anger for what we seem to be losing, may we burn with passion and renewed urgency to see Jesus lifted-up high, that He might draw all men unto Himself while there is still time.
Remember what God’s Word says in Psalm 9, that the nation that forgets God should be turned into hell. Let us make sure we do just the opposite. (Let us know Him and make Him known.)
The Bible also says in Psalm 92 that when we see the wicked spring up like grass, it is so they may be destroyed forever.
“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1).
The charge of our Lord and Savior of this hour is nothing less than “laying down” our lives for our friends.
HOW?
By spending time praying/interceding and then by willing to reach out by any means necessary to those whom our Lord puts on our hearts. Write letters, send emails, handout tracts, be willing to look a fool (Like Noah), believing by faith that God’s forewarned time, the Day of the Lord is at hand.
“Lord, if there be the righteous will you spare?”
Righteousness exalts a nation. As long as we are still here, we are to be the salt and the light, pointing the way—while trusting that the “effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much” (James 5:16).
And when we pray we will hear from God and realize what He has said.
“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:27-31).
Until we hear that trumpet: Cry loud and spare not Jesus Christ and Him crucified for it is the power of God unto salvation!
Maranatha,
Tim Cameron