I received this from a friend who is a Missionary in Japan, Nils Olson...
I don’t think there is anybody in the world today who hasn’t noticed how much our world has changed in the past couple of years. I mean really changed.
“It’s scary!”
“It’s crazy!”
“It’s unbelievable!”
There is no need to go into detail. The world-wide web lets us know every second the details. Have you ever noticed how on weekends, the world seems to take a break from criticism, rumors, economy, politics and religion? Really! News anchors take the weekend off and non-famous newscasters-in-training read the weekend news. People rarely are seen in church anymore. Then first thing early Monday morning, what my Dad used to call “the rat race” begins all over again. Competitors and commentators vie for first place and the highest ratings.
Even though we think the condition of our world is unbelievable, it is nevertheless 100 percent believable. A man named Paul wrote to a young man whom he considered a son and said,
“But you must realize that in the last days the times will be full of danger. Men will become utterly self-centered, greedy for money, full of big words. They will be proud and abusive, without any regard for what their parents taught them. They will be utterly lacking in gratitude, reverence and normal human affections. They will be remorseless, scandal-mongers, uncontrolled and violent and haters of all that is good. They will be treacherous, reckless and arrogant, loving what gives them pleasure instead of loving God. They will maintain a facade of ‘religion' but their life denies its truth. Keep clear of people like that.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 The New Testament in Modern English, J. B. Phillips).
When reading over and over the above list that describes our world, our own country and what’s happening in our economy, politics, and religion, it should be no surprise to us; it shouldn’t scare us. We should be shouting out to God from the depths of our hearts, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
We, as citizens of America, and especially as citizens of the Kingdom of God, should be seeking the Lord while He can be found; we should be calling upon Him while He is near; we should forsake our wicked ways and our unrighteous thoughts; we should (by all means) return to the LORD, so that He will have compassion on us and abundantly pardon us.
“But,” you may say, “I don’t fall into that list of people; I pray; I fast; I attend worship; I tithe and offer.” If we call ourselves American, we are members of America, one nation. More easily understood, “we are members of one another.”
“Oops! I never thought of it that way before,” you might say.
Let’s transpose a scripture without changing its meaning, okay?
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Rom 12:5) So we, being many, are one nation (because of the grace God shed on the USA), and every one of us (whether saved or not saved) are members of one another.
As Americans, especially in the days in which we are living now, we should . . .
Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute us: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in our own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in us, live peaceably with all men. (Rom 12:9-18)
Our nation, the United States of America, doesn’t seem to be “one nation under God with liberty and justice for all” anymore. What in the world is going on?
We (Americans) need “to seek the LORD while He may be found.” There will come a time when He cannot be found anymore.
We (Americans) need to “call upon Him while He is near.” There will come a time when He is not.
We (Americans) need to “forsake our wicked way and unrighteous thoughts.” The ways we are choosing may seem right, but the end of those ways are leading us to death, separation from God.
We (Americans) need to “return to the LORD.” Perhaps then “He will have mercy upon us.”
We (Americans) need to “return to our God.” WHY? Because “He will abundantly pardon” us.
How many remember Junior High School typing class when we typed this on our Remington typewriters to determine our personal typing speed and accuracy?
𝙽𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚖
𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚒𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚌𝚘
We (Americans) should all take heart to the meaning and become doers of this word. Let us be quick and accurate in our prayers for the United States of America this weekend and always.
