King David said in Psalm 33:12, “blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” God’s Word gives us the promise that the Lord will bless the nation that honors and obeys Him. That nation will be a blessed or happy people. The history of the nation of Israel bears out the truth of David s words. When Israel gave proper honor and obedience to their God they were abundantly blessed. But, when Israel turned its back on God they lost His blessing and protection.
David s promise of God s blessing is not addressed to Israel alone, but to any nation or people group that will give the Lord the place that He deserves as God. It is obvious as you study the documents and speeches of America’s founding fathers that they were thoroughly Christian minded and were purposefully building this nation upon a biblical foundation. Not the Koran’s corruption; not Freud’s fraud; not Darwin’s deception, but upon the truth of the Word of God. That is a fact regardless of what those who seek to rewrite history say. Bible believing Christians must not leave go of their nation’s godly heritage.
America has been a great nation. America has been a nation blessed by God. For over 230 years, America has been a symbol for freedom around the world. Those who have sought relief from political, economic, and religious oppression have made their way to the shores of this great nation. America has been a place of hope, a place of new beginnings, a place where men could live their lives under God as their own conscience directed. Why? Because this nation’s God was the Lord.
That was true in 1776 and for many years thereafter, but is that true in 2008? As our nation has pulled away from its Christian moorings we have become more and more a “has been” nation. Especially a “has been” in significance for God.
Please, do not get the wrong idea. Every Sunday morning our church begins our worship service by reciting our pledge to both the Christian flag and the flag of the United States of America and we joyfully sing “God Bless America.” We love our country very much and desire God s blessing upon it, not His damnation. With that said though, it is fair to examine the spiritual condition of our nation and ask ourselves; have we by our national rejection of biblical principles lost God s blessing?
Who are America s gods? Or maybe, a better question would be, what is America’s god? More than anything else it appears that our national god is the “almighty dollar!” 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” For some reason we think this refers to a problem of the rich. I do not think this warning has to do with the size of a person s bank account. Rather, it refers to the size of a person s covetous heart. Men from the beginning of time have neglected even sold their souls to get what they think will make them happy.
Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Love of money will cause a departure from the faith. Does the unbeliever depart from the faith? No, he does not have the faith to depart from. Paul is talking to Christians with these words. That is believers who get caught up in gaining possessions. He is saying that those who focus on acquiring things will find themselves departing from the faith. They drift from the godly priorities God holds dear. They will no longer have the spiritual values that were previously important to them.
The love of money will bring grief; “Pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” What happens while we are making our fortunes? While we are getting the house, the luxuries, the toys to amuse us: getting all the things we think we cannot live without?
Children get raised with no parents. Dad works two or three jobs while rationalizing that he has to provide for his family. Husbands and wives become strangers. And serving God is left for others to do. The sad thing is that not only individual lives and families suffer but even their nation loses God s blessing.
God pours out His blessing because of His gracious love but also in response to His people’s consecrated obedience. The person in right relationship with Jesus Christ enjoys the blessing of God. That person will give God all the glory and God’s blessing is passed on to the society in which he lives.
The lost man and the foolish Christian do not understand this. God blesses them yet they covet and lust for more. A great many professing Christians in America have sold out God for their own desire for material wealth.
God s people need to get honest, and recognize the situation. How does a nation lose God s blessing? They forsake God’s blessing when they cease to hold Him as their God. What is the answer to this epidemic? Get off the throne that belongs to God and worship, serve, and honor God who is Lord. He just may, out of His mercy return His blessing to our nation.
David s promise of God s blessing is not addressed to Israel alone, but to any nation or people group that will give the Lord the place that He deserves as God. It is obvious as you study the documents and speeches of America’s founding fathers that they were thoroughly Christian minded and were purposefully building this nation upon a biblical foundation. Not the Koran’s corruption; not Freud’s fraud; not Darwin’s deception, but upon the truth of the Word of God. That is a fact regardless of what those who seek to rewrite history say. Bible believing Christians must not leave go of their nation’s godly heritage.
America has been a great nation. America has been a nation blessed by God. For over 230 years, America has been a symbol for freedom around the world. Those who have sought relief from political, economic, and religious oppression have made their way to the shores of this great nation. America has been a place of hope, a place of new beginnings, a place where men could live their lives under God as their own conscience directed. Why? Because this nation’s God was the Lord.
That was true in 1776 and for many years thereafter, but is that true in 2008? As our nation has pulled away from its Christian moorings we have become more and more a “has been” nation. Especially a “has been” in significance for God.
Please, do not get the wrong idea. Every Sunday morning our church begins our worship service by reciting our pledge to both the Christian flag and the flag of the United States of America and we joyfully sing “God Bless America.” We love our country very much and desire God s blessing upon it, not His damnation. With that said though, it is fair to examine the spiritual condition of our nation and ask ourselves; have we by our national rejection of biblical principles lost God s blessing?
Who are America s gods? Or maybe, a better question would be, what is America’s god? More than anything else it appears that our national god is the “almighty dollar!” 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” For some reason we think this refers to a problem of the rich. I do not think this warning has to do with the size of a person s bank account. Rather, it refers to the size of a person s covetous heart. Men from the beginning of time have neglected even sold their souls to get what they think will make them happy.
Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Love of money will cause a departure from the faith. Does the unbeliever depart from the faith? No, he does not have the faith to depart from. Paul is talking to Christians with these words. That is believers who get caught up in gaining possessions. He is saying that those who focus on acquiring things will find themselves departing from the faith. They drift from the godly priorities God holds dear. They will no longer have the spiritual values that were previously important to them.
The love of money will bring grief; “Pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” What happens while we are making our fortunes? While we are getting the house, the luxuries, the toys to amuse us: getting all the things we think we cannot live without?
Children get raised with no parents. Dad works two or three jobs while rationalizing that he has to provide for his family. Husbands and wives become strangers. And serving God is left for others to do. The sad thing is that not only individual lives and families suffer but even their nation loses God s blessing.
God pours out His blessing because of His gracious love but also in response to His people’s consecrated obedience. The person in right relationship with Jesus Christ enjoys the blessing of God. That person will give God all the glory and God’s blessing is passed on to the society in which he lives.
The lost man and the foolish Christian do not understand this. God blesses them yet they covet and lust for more. A great many professing Christians in America have sold out God for their own desire for material wealth.
God s people need to get honest, and recognize the situation. How does a nation lose God s blessing? They forsake God’s blessing when they cease to hold Him as their God. What is the answer to this epidemic? Get off the throne that belongs to God and worship, serve, and honor God who is Lord. He just may, out of His mercy return His blessing to our nation.
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