Some of
the Root Reasons for America’s Condition
by
Chris Long
Many
right now are nervous and fearful regarding the economic situation which is
now affecting the entire world. What most everyone doesn't realize is that
the condition of the American economy is merely a symptom of a much larger and
more serious problem. If we solve the root cause, the economy will be taken
care of. If we ignore the root cause and focus merely on the economy (which
is what has been happening), we may or may not be spared a little in the
short term, but the problem will remain and eventually bring us down.
You can be quite sure that the condition of our economy is a symptom of our
spiritual problem. Honestly, it is yet another call from the Lord for us to
get things right with Him. He has been very gracious with America and we have
enjoyed much prosperity.
However, how long can we possibly continue to expect blessing from the Lord
when:
- we've murdered over 40 million (yes, MILLION) innocent babies by
CONSERVATIVE estimates!
- we're in the process, against God's word, of
making homosexuality = heterosexuality and of destroying the marriage
covenant that God has ordained and upon which all civilizations are based
upon!
- we've removed God out of every possible public forum
- we've taught our children, not about God, but about evolution and all forms
of perversion
- we've reveled in our prosperity and in getting
more and more stuff, while neglecting the things that really matter
- churches are filled with people, but for many it is all about them and what
the church can do for them....there' s a common, wierd
"Christian spirituality" in America where "yes I believe Jesus
died for me, but don't ask me to repent of my sin and work with Jesus to stop
sinning" is the order of the day. Many churches are not really teaching
the full counsel of God's word. Many churches are
like the large one down the street from me that USED to be full of the Spirit
of God, but has been reduced in recent years to merely holding series on
"how to have a better relationship" ,
"how to have a better friendship" over and over and over again,
rather than actually teaching the full Gospel and teaching the whole counsel
from God's book.
- we're more interested in the latest "reality" t.v.
show, entertainment star, the latest gadgets, then we are in following and
obeying Jesus Christ, or even making an attempt at it!
- we continue to try to make evil, good and good,
evil.
The Bible says in Proverbs 14:34 that:
"Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people."
For a nation that was birthed out of people wanting to practice their
Christian religion openly, without fear of persecution, you can be sure that
God has had His hand on America. But it is also because of this, that if we
as a nation continue to turn our back on Him, you can be sure that America
will lose our prominent standing in the world. God will not be mocked.
Ultimately He will have the final say on such things. He is gracious and slow
to anger, but there is a point at which He will do what He needs to do. Honestly,
one of the reasons I believe that God has continued to be so gracious to us,
is that we as a country have been friends with and defenders of Israel. To
our credit, both Sarah Palin and Joe Biden in their
VP debate, expressed their support of Israel. However,
as a whole, most people in our country (including even many pastors) do NOT
understand why this is so important and American public support for Israel
has become much less in recent years. Even with our policies and dialog
relating to the middle east, we have marginalized Israel and asked them to do
things we shouldn't have asked.
Listen, let's just be real here for a minute and follow the simple logic
flow:
If (as we say) there is a God, and if (as we say) He has given us what He
thinks about things (His Book), and if we as a nation were birthed out of our
desire to follow Him, and if we as a nation have subseqently
in recent years been trying to turn our back on Him (even trying to
"erase" our original founding documents - at least in
"intent"!), and if we have been turning to do the evil He has
forbidden and to embrace all forms of wickedness, THEN: we can be sure that
there will be a point at which God will not allow us to continue be a beacon
of light, pointing to Him, whereby other nations see us as a prosperous,
"Christian" nation. We will no longer be the city shining on the
hill.
It is very simple. America has been great because America has been good (as
the start of the famous quote says). We have been good, because at our core,
we have desired the things of the Lord. But that has been changing. And with
that, eventually the "greatness" will go too.
You must understand, the rest of the world SEES
America as a Christian country. The primary "Christian country" in
the world. I have dealt with several people over the years in other countries
who have written me asking me why America would do "such and such"
when America is a Christian country. Believers in other countries want to
know why we are so mis-representing Christianity.
Many non-believers use our conflicting actions/morals with our
"Christian" status to justify their dislike (or hatred) of America.
One can be sure that though God is compassionate and slow-to-anger, there is
a point at which He will remove His hand of blessing from America if we
continue the path we are on.
This whole economic turmoil is another shot across the bow, only this time, it is much bigger and much louder since we as a
country have ignored many previous warnings.
Listen, we can all rationalize the economic stuff in human terms. For
instance, I've seen the 1999 newspaper article where one can clearly see
where the start of all the economic problems came from (FYI: I'll include the
link where you can read this article yourself at the end of my comments - it
is an interesting read). But, this is all just human logic as to what
happened, etc. There certainly were bad financial principles applied and
certainly in that perspective, we are merely reaping the results of bad
financial decisions. That certainly is one way to look at it and it is the
way most everyone IS looking at it.
But, I am suggesting something much deeper. I am suggesting that God watches
over and even guides human events for His purposes. It is absolutely
conceivable to me that God - who is outside of time, back in 1999, could have
guided those bad financial decisions specifically because He wanted to use
this stuff as a warning shot (or worse) for us now. Obviously, to accept that
this could be a possibility one would have to accept that there is a
sovereign God and that His Word is true. For those that don't believe in God
and/or the truth of His entire Word, such a view would likely be seen as
"lunacy".
I wrote about a month ago now that I firmly believed that the upcoming months
were the most important in our nation's history. I wrote that because I
became absolutely convinced of it in my spirit. The Lord bore witness with my
spirit that it was so, and therefore I used the primary vehicle the Lord has
given me to get out such a message - Laugh & Lift - to spread the word.
This was all before the economic stuff really turned to the level it has
where it became a primary focal point.
I have a pastor friend, who around the same time that I was sensing the
strong call from the Lord that our country needed to repent "or
else...", also sensed such a call. He started walking and praying for
our state (California) and has thus walked over 300 miles, praying and
interceding for cities, counties, the state, and the nation. He, by his own
admission, HATES to walk. But he says he felt such an
urgency and that he clearly heard the Lord tell Him that is what he
was to do. And so he obeyed.
Others have said (both believers and not) that they believe this to be the
most important election in U.S. history. I agree, but I'm not just talking
presidential - I'm talking the entire range of issues on our ballot. I
actually believe that we as a nation are being completely weighed in the
balances based on our VOTES! (not our "rhetoric") Why? Because our
votes show what we as a nation really believe.
I mentioned homosexual marriage in my earlier notes and specifically how this
issue is upcoming in 3 states: California, Arizona, Florida.
I laid out why this is such a serious issue and why
these 3 states (especially California) hold the fate of the nation in their
hands. I was chided by some for saying such things and talking about
homosexuality in such serious terms. I provided a clear teaching on marriage
and homosexuality from God's word (still available via the "Hear this
week's audio teaching" link at the end of each issue) and exhorted all
to listen to all of it (even though it takes a few minutes to get going).
There are other serious Biblical issues, including abortion-related issues,
on the ballot all across the country. This includes California where another
one relates to keeping minors from getting an abortion without their parents
consent (this has FAILED, believe it or not, several times in the past). In
past elections, Californians felt it was OKAY for a 13-year-old girl to be
taken to an abortion clinic by a school nurse, have an abortion, and NOT even
tell the parents let alone get their consent! Of course, the school nurse
can't give out any aspirin without parental consent, but an abortion - no
problem...This is up again on the ballot this year.
For whatever reason, at this time, I believe God is making it quite clear
that He has drawn a line in the sand so to speak. We either
repent as a nation for our wrong and vote accordingly. Or we continue
in our errant ways and we will pay for it. I can't explain why the time seems
to be now, and why it wasn't 4 years ago, etc. All I can tell you is that God
has been gracious, but it looks like His judgement is coming and so we as a
nation need to get things right NOW.
I believe that this primarily is a call to those who claim to be Christians.
I believe that God is extremely grieved over the moral apathy and relativism
that has occurred WITHIN the body of those who claim to be followers of Him.
It is we who have not really believed God's word and what He says about a
whole load of things (INCLUDING, but certainly not limited to, homosexuality)
and instead have watered down our churches to the point where they are just a
bunch of love-fests each week where we all go to feel better about
ourselves... "me, me, me"...and be
confirmed IN our sin, instead of being lovingly, but firmly encouraged and
exhorted to flee from sin. Exhortation is a word you'll find regarding the
newly established church in the New Testament where it was practiced a LOT,
but exhortation RARELY occurs today within our churches. And when one (such
as myself) does do so, they got chided for not being
loving enough, being judgemental, spewing hate, etc.
The church is the one institution that God has established for His work to be
done and for cultures to really be changed for the better in what really
matters. But when the church becomes powerless because they have rejected His
truths, well then where does the light come from? It won't come from the government,
you can be sure of that!
You can be sure that all this economic stuff is a rattling by Jesus Christ
Himself and is meant to wake the church up from our serious slumber. We must
repent both for ourselves personally and for all of us corporately, and we
must turn to Him. If we will do that, I believe that He will use us to change
this culture and His blessings will remain on us. But if we refuse to repent,
well.....we' d better just pray that doesn't
happen...
This is serious boys and girls. This is not a joke. This is not a drill. We
are talking about the future of our country and the world. Because if America
goes down in a sea of Godless moral relativism, there will not be much light
left for the rest of the world, and actually it will be seen to confirm
(wrongly) for many in other countries that "Christianity is a joke"
because "Christian America" fell...
To whom much is given, much is required!
If there was ever a time to repent and fall on our faces before the Lord,
that time is now. We know instinctively that certain things are wrong and
certain things are right. We know instinctively that marriage is not to be
between a man and a man, a woman and a woman, etc. We know this. This is not
rocket science. We know that a woman is not physically made to reproduce with
another woman and nor a man with a man. Let's just get blatantly honest here:
We know instinctively that a person's anus, where our poop comes out, is not
made to have another man's penis put up inside of it. Sorry if me saying it
so blatantly bothers you, but we've been avoiding talking blatantly to our
own detriment for far too long. We know that all cultures throughout history
have been based on marriage between a man and a woman. We know that God
himself ordained marriage between a man and a woman. And we know that God
Himself has spoken out regarding the sinfulness of homosexuality. We know it
is not His plan. We know He did not make us that way. We've just chosen to
reject this knowledge so we can claim we are "loving" and
"non-judgemental" because, after all, wasn't Jesus loving and
non-judgemental? (yes, that's the ridiculous
argument used to try to silence the church). Who wants to deny two people who
love each other the RIGHT to be married to each other? You see how easy it is
for people who name the name of Jesus to be taken in by such incorrect
thinking? But we can't do that any more.
We must stand firmly for what is right and declare what is wrong in love. We
must repent. And then we must vote according to the BIBLE, the Word of GOD
Himself, and not according to any political party or any man or woman (and
yes, this includes the presidential candidates - I exhort you to ignore most
of their politcal "stump speeches" and
look at their records as it relates to the Bible). If Americans will vote
according to what the Bible says and not according to what they, in
sinfulness, want to believe, I can assure you that God will relent and we as
a nation will recover from all of this. But if we don't, I can assure you, in
the name of Jesus Christ, that what is happening will sooner or later (more
likely to be sooner) get worse and worse and worse. God will not be mocked
and He will ultimately have the final say. Never mistake God's patience for
His approval. Many have made that mistake throughout history...
Will you join me this month in spending some serious time praying and fasting
for ourselves and our country? I personally have set aside 3 days to fast
from all food and just spend the time in prayer later this month. Maybe 3
days is too much for you. Maybe 1 day is pushing it. Maybe you don't need to
fast from food, but maybe the T.V. for a week, etc. Be open to the Lord on
this. But, however you'll do it, will you join me this month in rejecting the
world and our fleshly desires and instead spend that time focussed on
repenting and praying for our nation?
If we repent, He'll relent. A rhyme I just made up that we would do well to
remember and take to heart.
Yes, I realize that I will be called "crazy" for stating such
things. People get offended at the thought that God could actually ultimately
be behind some chaos that occurs here in the world and that someone would
actually say this could be the case. Sometimes people say such things and it
isn't the case. But I honestly don't believe there's any doubt on this one.
We are being tested. We are being weighed. How we respond will determine what
happens. Take THAT to the bank!
Finally, I must end with a word of encouragement:
As things are melting down around us, we must remember that if we truly have
trusted in Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, that we "did not
receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the
Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba,
Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's
children." (Romans 8:15b-16). 1 Peter 3:13-17 says "Who is going to
harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if
you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear what they
fear; do not be frightened.' But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the
reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your
good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their
slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."
We as believers in Jesus Christ, after ensuring that we are indeed right with
Him, need to rest securely in this, without any fear of circumstances or of
men/women. We have hope in Jesus and we can be sure that He Himself will
provide and watch over us. It may not be the level that we have been
accustomed to because of what we THINK we need, but He will provide for us
according to what we REALLY need.
I'm reminded of this well-known passage from Matthew 6:25-34 which we would
do well to re-read (actually all of Matthew 6 would be a good re-read):
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat
or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important
than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the
air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by
worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field
grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed
like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which
is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more
clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we
eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run
after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will
be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
We are not to fear man and circumstances. We are to seek God and His
righteousness FIRST and He'll take care of the rest.
May we all seek Him and His righteousness today!
With love from your Brother in Christ,
Chris Long
P.S. - I promised earlier in the article that I would provide the link to
that 1999 newspaper article regarding the mortgage stuff. It is an
interesting read to see how Fannie Mae, on pressure from the government,
started the ball rolling. Here's the website to go to:
http://query. nytimes.com/ gst/fullpage. html?res= 9c0de7db153ef933
a0575ac0a96f9582 60
This document is provided as a ministry outreach via Laugh & Lift. http://www.laughand
lift.com
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