(2 Chr 7:14 KJV) 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.
If you listen to most of the tele-evangelists you will see that they are trying to pass the buck of responsibility for what is wrong with America. They will not humbly evaluate themselves by asking the question "Am I part of the problem?" An individual's beliefs will dictate how they behave. Many are busy blaming the world (humanists, atheists, satanists, ect.) for all the problems of America. God does not expect a child of Satan to live morally. He knows that without Christ they cannot live a righteous life. When I speak to an unsaved person, I don't tell him/her to obey the ten commandments. I tell them that they need to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and then Christ can help them obey His commandments.
(2 Pet 3:9 KJV) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
We see many examples all through the Old Testament where God warns his people who have trusted in him and have backslidden to repent and turn from their evil ways. God warned the children of Israel many times that he would raise a pagan country or people to punish (correct) them in order to bring about repentance in their lives and turn them back to God. It is obvious that when God said "If my people, which are called by my name" he was not talking about the unsaved. The Bible says:
(John 8:44 KJV) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
If you are unsaved you are not God's child, you are the child of Satan. According to these verses we know that God was talking about those who have put their trust in his Son Jesus Christ.
(2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV) 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.
The Bible says in (Mat 5:13 KJV) 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.
(Mat 5:14 KJV) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
The Bible says that we are supposd to be the salt and light of the world. We stand around in our stupidity and wonder why Christians don't have the influence on the world and the revival in our hearts that we once had. The answer is easy when you take an honest look at the Bible. The light that is talked about in the Bible is referring to Christians. Light always shuts out the dark; the dark can never shut out the light. However when the light begins to burn out, the dark automatically and naturally manifests itself. The only way dark can manifest itself is through the absence of light. The same principles can be applied to spiritual light. When spiritual light begins to burn out then spiritual darkness overtakes.
The reason why this country is going downhill morally is because so-called Christian people who are supposed to be the light of the world are yoking up with the world. Therefore, one cannot discern the difference between Christians and non-Christians (the unsaved). Christians do not see a need to be different from the world in the some of the following areas: 1) the way they dress, 2) the music they listen to, 3) their language, 4) their business practices, 5) the places they go (theaters, dances, taverns, etc. and 5) the things they watch on TV, the internet, etc. Their lights are burning out and darkness is overtaking this world.
We as Christians are instruced in the Bible to be a peculiar people. (Titus 2:14 KJV) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
How are we supposed to win people to the Lord when the world cannot tell the difference between Christians and themselves? They cannot see Christ in us when we behave just like the world. The majority of Christians in this world are behaving very similar to the world. THE LIGHT IS BURNING OUT.
Let us remind ouselves that we cannot expect God to bless America and heal our land when we have no intention of repenting of our sins. The problem with America is not the atheists, the humanists, the satanists, or the public schools. They are only a symptom of the problem. I repeat once again, the problem with America according to the Bible is Christians who are not willing to repent of their sins and are yoking up with the world. Unfortunately that includes the majority of Christians. We need to repent and then and only then will God heal our land.
(2 Chr 7:14 KJV) 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.
(Amos 9:10 KJV) All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.
This is exactly what Christians are saying today in America. Christian Americans no longer take God's warnings seriously. They no longer take worship services seriously. Many church services are theatrical performances. It seems that many people in churches have become haughty. Often the only people that are allowed to serve in some churches are those with an impressive education and those who are affluent. God looks on the heart and not on what we have or what we look like. I have noticed that many times when these kind of people are put into leadership positions they do not have the right biblical qualifications. One of the big culprits in this area is the Trinity Broadcasting Network. They are bringing shame to the name of Christ and those who are truly following Christ. Paul Crouch is the leader of this network. His methods and beliefs are heretical and when the world sees the behavior of this man and the people that are on his show and many of the charismatic and ecumenical leaders, they say "if that is what Christianity is all about then I don't want any part of it."
How can we have the audacity to say "GOD BLESS AMERICA" when so many are not living up to the standards God has set forth in His Word? Christianity is being turned into a feel-good-anything-goes religion. Many heritical Christians are teaching the "LOVE GOSPEL" that came out of the Catholic Church - that God is love and he doesn't judge anyone. They say all we need to do is love one another and come together and lay down our differences. We need not argue or debate Biblical doctrines because that is not loving. The majority of Christians do not want to hear the truth. They would rather compromise and fulfill Bible prophecy.
READ THIS
(2 Tim 4:3 KJV) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Jesus predicted that some time in the last days that Christians would compromise Bible doctrine so radically that he would have to ask the question "will I find any faith when I come back?" That is a warning to you and me to stay separated from the world.
(Luke 18:8 KJV) I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Paul predicted that in the last days compromising Christians would become so desperate for solutions to the world's problems that they would compromise Bible doctrine for almost any solution. When we see this happening then know that Christ's coming is near, and that the anti-christ is soon to be revealed.
I have always taught that the ecumenical movement is... (Rev 17:5 KJV) ... MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. It seems that the Catholic Church is trying to lead out in this movement. I still believe that this is correct. I also thought that the pope could possibly be the anti-christ or the false prophet. After some thought regarding the anti-christ, it seems more deceptive to have the anti-christ come out of a fundamental Baptist Church. I am not saying this dogmatically. I am just throwing out some thoughts to make us all think about Satan's deceptive nature.
We see an example of this when we follow Baptist church history back to the time of Christ and the disciples. Now days the word Baptist is used so freely that it has no meaning any more. Most Baptist churches are basically protestant churches but that is another big subject. Remember Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve. The Bible says that the twelve cast out demons and healed the sick. Even Judas may have led people to the Lord and yet he was a type of an anti-christ. Judas had some of the most fundamental Bible believers deceived (the other eleven disciples). THINK ABOUT IT!
(2 Th 2:3 KJV) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
In other words Christ will not come back until there is a falling away of Christians. We can see this especially in light of church attendance, and churches closing their doors for good. Christians are violating one of God's simple commands. (Heb 10:25 KJV) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
(Mat 10:8 KJV) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Even Judas did this, which is why doctrine is so important in churches. More and more churches are neglecting the strict Biblical doctrines which are needed for the protection of their churches.
This is why so many churches today have members similar to Judas.
(Mat 24:24 KJV) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Keep in mind one of the greatest Christians to ever live was Paul, he was "the very elect". Think about it!
I want to relate to you the following stories that I have personally observed. These stories show that many Christians do not think or act any differently than the world. We are definitely in the last days. The following instances remind me of the fact that if we as Christians want God to bless America once again then we better humble ourselves and quit pointing fingers at the world and blaming the world for all the problems. Christians need to start evaluating their own lives and repent of their evil ways - THEN GOD WILL BLESS AMERICA.
Many years ago I overheard a group of high school girls at a big church discussing the movie "Top Gun" and talking about how good looking the main actor was, Tom Cruise. It was not until years later that I found out that there was a sexual scene in the movie with some nudity. Point is, here are all these so-called Christian girls who go to a filthy movie on Saturday night and then they come to church on Sunday with unclean thoughts because of what they saw on the movie. It disturbed me to see that they were not even ashamed of this - it didn't bother them to discuss it in public. People do not feel ashamed of things anymore. I know of a person in a Baptist church who has the movie "Top Gun" in his home. One day his children will be very lenient in what they watch on TV or at the movies if their dad does not see his wrongs and repent. It is my belief that Christians have no business attending movie theaters in the first place. When we do we are supporting a filthy industry and it is not abstaining from the appearance of evil. It is troubling to see that we sit around in our stupidity and ask what is wrong with America and cannot see that it is our own lifestyles that are destroying America.
(Hosea 4:6 KJV) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Many years ago I was talking to a relative about Bible Prophecy. She claims to be a Christian. This is how she responded to me and I quote. "Mark, I do not want to hear about Bible Prophecy. I have a husband, children, and a wonderful marriage. I don't want to hear about prophecy and the world coming to an end, because my family and I do a lot of things together and go on vacations." All I can say is, at least she is honest about her feelings.
BUT THE BIBLE SAYS
(2 Tim 4:3 KJV) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
(2 Tim 4:4 KJV) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
WHAT IS REALLY SAD IS THAT SHE IS REPRESENTING THE GROWING MAJORITY OF SO-CALLED CHRISTIANS.
AND WE WONDER WHY NO REVIVAL!
I know of a pastor who has 5 daughters. He would stand behind the pulpit and preach how we all need to put Christ first in our lives. It was very important to him that all his daughters were involved in sports at their public school. When the church or the youth group planned a social function we would have to plan them around his daughters' sporting events. His actions spoke louder than his words and everyone soon came to realize that sports came first in his life. If anyone dared challenge him about this matter he would say that he was using it as a way to reach out to others for the ministry. It is interesting to note that on Wednesday nights for prayer meeting he would preach for about 5 minutes, but he could stay and watch all the girls' basketball and baseball games and even travel all the way to the coast to watch a game which was about 4 hours away, but he could not or would not minister to his own flock. I guess ministering to his church was not his main priority. Many so-called ministers of the gospel will become a minister to athletes or entertainers not necessarily because they care about lost souls but because they like entertainment or sports. Responsible Christians have the obligation to question motives.
Another instance was when I attended one of his daughter's basketball games. This pastor had the nerve to stand up in front of the whole crowd and chew out a referee because he disagreed with the call he made. This was probably a real stumbling block for a lot of people - it was for me. We are to be more concerned with the eternal things than the temporal.
(2 Tim 2:4 KJV) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
(Col 3:2 KJV) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Did you read that? These verses are saying in plain and simple words that if you are soldier of Christ you will not be so entangled with this world - the eternal will matter more than the temporal. In a thousand years it will not matter who won the basketball game but it will matter if someone's life was affected for the Lord. I don't really have an interest in waching sports and this has never hurt my spiritual walk with the Lord. Many readers can name at least 10 football teams by memory but probably can't even name all twelve disciples. I am not saying that it is wrong to watch or play sports but I am saying that there is definitely something wrong when people take it as far as this preacher did. It must make the Lord sad when he sees that Christians are always faithful and prompt for sporting activities and then will name every excuse in the world before they can go to church. If they go to church, many times they come dragging in late. It must grieve the Lord when he observes how we as Christians complain about the sermon lasting too long or a business meeting lasting too long but they will sit at a game for hours or go home and watch a movie on TV for hours.
AND WE WONDER WHY NO REVIVAL!
Now back to this pastor I was telling about.
Many years later I saw his oldest daughter's wedding picture. I was shocked! Her wedding dress was very immodest. There are some worldly people that have more decency than her. When I see married girls dress this way I have a question. What motivates them to dress that way? Are they not pleased with their husband's sexual performance. They advertise themselves so that other men can look and lust after them. What I have just said may sound very shocking to you, but I thought the only reason why prostitutes dress so provocatively is for advertisement purposes. Why then do so many so-called Christian girls dress like they are advertising (like prostitutes)? Where are the parents in all this? Are they asleep too?
AND WE WONDER WHY NO REVIVAL!
I know of another disturbing case of a Baptist Church that was without a pastor for a while. This church decided to call a man from another town to fill the pulpit. This man told the church on a Sunday morning worship service that anyone who has convictions is a baby, and mature Christians don't have convictions. What this man taught is so incredibly wicked, and doctrinally in error, that it leaves me in utter astonishment. The Bible specifically points this problem out.
I will assure you that Baptist Chruch was only Baptist in name not in practice. Today most Baptist churches are just overglorified protestant chruches.
(Isa 5:20 KJV) 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!
(Isa 5:21 KJV) Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
(Isa 5:22 KJV) Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
(Isa 5:23 KJV) Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
AND WE WONDER WHY NO REVIVAL!
I got to know a person at a Christian college who believd he was called to preach. He was taking pastoral classes at this college. He explained to me that it was ok to look at pornographic material as long as it did not give you bad thoughts. I don't think I could have been more shocked. It was also disturbing to me that this man had been going to this Christian college for four years. I began to wonder if this college was teaching proper Christian living, maybe this person just simply had no common sense.
Why else would a person look at pornography, except to think bad thoughts.
(1 Th 5:22 KJV) Abstain from all appearance of evil.
I reserved one of the most disturbing stories for last. I will make this one short. I know of a single man who is a member of a so-called fundamental Baptist church who chauffeurs another man's wife around town. I used to see them together a lot without her husband and I always thought it was kind of strange. This is shocking for more than just one reason. Why? Because this man is a member of a "Baptist" church and yet as far as I know no member in that church has done anything about disciplinary action or at least confronted the man about this matter. Now, about the woman, she is married to a man that started his own ministry (this ministry that he started is not under the authority of a scriptural local church). I realize that there are many stories out there that are much worse than this but I wanted to make a point. It just seems that there is not much hope for America with this kind of behavior going on in churches. Church discipline is lacking. Members are no longer being held accountable to their churches. Our churches will no longer be affective when we as Christians become calloused and apathetic to the Word of God. We, for the most part, no longer know how to "rightly divide the word of truth."
(2 Tim 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The apostle Paul told the Corinthian church not to look over matters in order to make themselves look so spiritual. In fact he accused them of being puffed up.
(1 Cor 5:1 KJV) It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
(1 Cor 5:2 KJV) And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
Many churches try to expose liberalism but they can't even see the most obvious signs of compromise right in their own church.
It is sad to see so many so-called Christians turn Christianity into an anything-goes religion. Don't expect the world to come to Christ when they don't see a difference in Christians.
(1 Th 5:22 KJV) Abstain from all appearance of evil.
AND WE WONDER WHY NO REVIVAL!
I believe some of the most disturbing events going on in the name of Christianity that have hurt the name of Christ and the testimony of Christianity is the Charismatic and Pentecostal movement. I believe they are being used to usher in the Anti-Christ and fulfill the, "falling away" that is prophesied to happen in 2 Th 2:3 "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"
The only power that Satan has is the power (we christians) that we give him.
(James 4:7 KJV) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Satan is only as powerful as we are yoked up with the world.
(2 Cor 6:14 KJV) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
(2 Cor 6:15 KJV) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
If you were to ask me what is the most prideful, arrogant, conceited, naive statement a person could ever make it would be someone who says "I would never do that" or "My children would never do that because they have been taught right" or "My children would never do that or this because they have a good heritage and we follow the traditions of our parents" or "My spouse would never do this or that because he or she is a Godly person" or "This will never happen to our church or family because we have set up certain parameters in our church or family so they would never do that or this."
This type of sentiment is growing fast. This is a big concern, because it displays a lack of humility and knowledge to judge ones-self.
AND WE WONDER WHY NO REVIVAL!
(Prov 16:19 KJV) Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
(Mat 23:12 KJV) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
(Mat 23:12 KJV) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
(Mat 18:4 KJV) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(1 Pet 5:6 KJV) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
(Hosea 4:6 KJV) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee,...
These kind of people are very inconsistant in their beliefs. For example, if you really want to find hypocracy you will find alot of it in the King James Camp. I hate admitting to that, because I am one of those King James only people. It is deplorable and disgusting to hear some people defend the King James version. Some people have no room to do so, because some rarely read the Bible that they have. The way some people live who have the King James Bible may as well be reading the NIV. It would be a snowy day in July before they read more then a chapter a day to keep the devil away. They spend more time watching the TV (their idol) and or other recreational activities then spending quality time reading the Bible. In fact in most Christian homes when it comes time to finally read the Bible it is just something to read and get over with so that the individual can get on with bigger and better things. Even if they did read the Bible on a consistent basis it would not help because the Bible is a spiritual book and you have to want to understand what it has to tell you and you have to be willing to do what it commands you to do. You have to have a profound interest in the Bible to get anything out of it.
