Perhaps We Have It All Wrong?

It seems most everyone you know is in pursuit of happiness in one form or another. No doubt, pursuing happiness can be a wonderful experience; but, what is it you are really after? What is it that brings you happiness? What is it that will bring you contentment?

I have watched thrill seekers carrying out extraordinary feats yet never quite satisfied—always seeking for something just a bit more daring, a bit more adventurous. I have observed those who seemed to have everything going great for them and yet they still appear to want more, desire more—never quite satisfied.

Perhaps we have it all wrong? Just maybe all our lifelong pursuits are in vain? I’m reminded of the man who, by worldly standards, had it all—great riches and wealth, wisdom, insight, women, houses, palaces—you name it, Solomon had it. There was nothing in this world that he could not acquire if he so desired it.

Yet, as he was nearing the end of his life, he reminisced about his past life and this is exactly what he had to say about it: “Meaningless! Meaningless!…Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NIV). After assessing all that life had offered him, once again, he concluded: “Meaningless! Meaningless!…Everything is meaningless!” (Ecclesiastes 12:8).

Maybe it would help if we considered what James had to say about happiness and joy? He wrote: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4 NIV). The stretching of your faith as you learn to seek after GOD and His ways will increase your joy, strength and perseverance.

May we have had it all wrong for a long time? But, it doesn’t have to remain that way. Solomon closed out Ecclesiastes by instructing each of us to: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NIV). Nehemiah said: “the joy of the LORD is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Scripture Reading: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you” (Isaiah 12:2-6 NIV).

Personal Prayer: Father, help me to discover my Source of happiness and joy is You! Help me to enjoy Your presence and extended periods of intimacy with You. Help me to clear my head of the world and what the world declares to bring happiness and to discover it is only through You! I love You and praise You always…in Jesus’name…AMEN!

A Deafening Silence!

The recent absurd actions and decisions of our nation’s Supreme Court reveal how corrupt the majority of the justices have become. Recent decisions concerning LGBT rights that inflict harm upon our children and our society are inconceivable. The recent abortion decision is a stamp of approval upon the mass slaughter of innocent lives in abortion mills across America.

We, as a nation, continue to condemn Hitler for slaughtering millions of innocent lives during World War 2; while, at the same time, condoning our nation’s practice of slaughtering millions of innocent lives for the sake of convenience or choice.  In his strongly worded written dissent concerning the recent abortion decision by the Supreme Court, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote: “The court just makes stuff up to get what it wants” (Bre Payton, The Federalist.com). Thomas’ statement reinforces the notion that the court is corrupt to the core.

A young pregnant mother, Shanika Minor, was recently shot and killed in Wisconsin, killing her unborn child as well. The perpetrator is charged with two counts of murder? The mother could have gone to an abortion mill earlier in the day and had her baby torn out of her womb and it would have been an acceptable medical procedure. But, somehow, it is a crime to kill the baby otherwise? Idiotic? Preposterous? Senseless? Absurd?

A former college student, Emile Weaver, gave birth to her daughter in the sorority house and subsequently killed the newborn by throwing her in the trash (Associated Press, 06/27/16). Abortionists throw newborns in the trash every day and get paid for it? Emile Weaver will spend the rest of her life in prison while the abortionist returns home at night and gets rested up so he can return to his abortion mill and continue his cycle of slaughtering unborn babies. Ignorance? Ridiculous? Ludicrous? Absurd?

In June, 2016, an abortionist in San Diego, Robert Santella, stepped outside his abortion mill and began to rave and rant against the pro-life protestors gathered outside. His actions were recorded by a by-stander. At one point, he told the crowd that he loved aborting babies. His actions resulted in his relationship with the local hospital being terminated.

Former employees of a late-term abortion mill in Houston, Texas have testified that Abortionist Douglas Karpen would deliver fully formed, survivable babies whole and then twist their heads off or stick his fingers down their windpipe to prevent them from breathing. Then he would tie it all up in a plastic bag and go on to the next. And this is acceptable? According to our irrational Supreme Court, it is!

In his dissent, Justice Thomas also declared that some may call this decision a victory, but it is a loss for America. The impact of that particular decision will reverberate across America for years to come. The full effect upon our nation is unimaginable. The silencing of 65 million babies should be deafening. Their cries for vengeance should be driving us over the brink. When a nation allows itself to be dictated by the forces of evil, as America has allowed itself to be, destruction is imminent.

America is in a freefall to her death. The growing corruptness of our politicians; the devaluing of human life; the casting off of all restraints; the mass marketing of sex by Hollywood’s stars as they increasingly bare more of their bodies to the camera—all indicators that America’s future is extremely bleak.

However, the real failure lies within the church. Failing to stand up and speak out allowed evil to gain ground. Prayer was removed from our schools turning them into battlefields today rather than institutions of learning. The removal of the laws of GOD from our public property has enabled evil to grow and succeed. The legalization of abortion has wiped out over 65 million babies. Where was the church?

Did we not see the absurdity in all that was happening around us? Did we not care? Did we not heed the warning of Solomon that “the hearts of all people are full of evil, and there is folly in their hearts during their lives—then they die” (Ecclesiastes 9:3 NET)?

As the church, we can never assume that the world will better itself when left to itself. Genesis 6:5 warns us that “every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time” and will continue to be as such. The church is here for a purpose—to be a mouthpiece for the righteousness of GOD—to uphold right living and to run interference when evil attempts to dominate our society.

Church, we must get right with GOD and then we must band together and stand against the evil that has bound our nation while we still have an opportunity. It is time for us to declare a halt to the absurdity being perpetrated against our nation by rogue leaders. The cries from the trash-piles where millions of babies have found their final resting place are creating a deafening silence that we must address.

Scripture Reading: “The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the LORD said, ‘I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them’” (Genesis 6:5-7 NIV).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, our nation is in trouble. We have sinned against You and continue to do so. The recent Supreme Court decision reveals how much more wicked our nation is becoming. I pray for the church in America that she will repent and turn. I pray for our leaders that the Spirit of GOD would prick their hearts and change their minds. I pray for America as a whole that You would help us to recognize our only hope lies in You. Forgive us, O GOD, and help us to turn back to You before it is too late…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Has America Reached Critical Mass?

I wake up each new day to discover further destruction that has been wrought upon our nation by political advocates whose entire agenda is the destruction of the very fabric of our nation. We are now witnessing what our forefathers warned would happen if the government was allowed to follow its course unhindered by the intervention of true American patriots.

We, as Americans, have become servants to an out-of-control government led by three distinct branches of government that were originally designed to bring checks and balances to one another. However, today these three are too busy serving themselves to worry about what another is doing. Today, we find them functioning as separate entities with their own agendas and no one concerned enough to stop their progression of destruction.

Political maneuvering has created a rapidly growing number of Americans who have been duped into placing their entire dependence upon the federal government to meet their needs. In so doing, the amount of government handouts has far surpassed the ability of the taxpaying American to maintain; thus, our nation becomes more entrenched in debt every day.

Thus, we have become a society ruled by an elite political machine that buys votes and voices through promises of more handouts regardless of the debt accumulated and the consequences that are on the near horizon for our once-great nation.

The stark reality of our national situation will one day hit home, and hit home hard it will, to all who have found themselves sucked into the government machine of hand-outs. They will awake one morning to find that the source of their living is broke. The fountain has dried up. The cards and medical care are no longer available.

Americans will discover what many of us have long known, our nation is bankrupt. Those who have been taught to depend upon the government will find their outward hand is now an upward hand as they struggle to keep from going down with the great big ship that was once the United States of America.

Critical mass refers to the minimum amount of material necessary to create a nuclear chain reaction or, in a way we can understand, to create an atomic bomb with the ability to decimate a large parcel of land and its inhabitants.

A good question we should all be asking ourselves is: Has America reached critical mass? Has Washington taken us to a point beyond help? I believe the answer is a YES and a NO! If we continue to trust Washington, the answer is YES—there is no hope for America in Washington’s hands.

America has become a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah. The wicked laugh and appear delighted that our nation has become so wicked, defiled and sinful. GOD determined it was time for His judgement to fall upon Sodom and Gomorrah.

The Bible says: “The Lord said, ‘The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is immense, and their sin is extremely serious’” (Genesis 18:20 HCSB). Abraham pled with the LORD to withhold His judgement for the sake of the righteous in the cities. But, no one righteous could be found and the hand of the LORD soon fell and annihilated both cities in total.

I believe the outcry against America is immense today and our sinfulness as a nation before GOD is extremely serious. The blood of 65 million plus unborn babies murdered for the sake of convenience and choice with full approval from our government cries out to GOD for vengeance against the perpetrators of this most serious offense.

I feel like Abraham today crying out for mercy from GOD upon our nation and yet I wonder how many truly righteous people could be found? So many of our churches have turned against GOD’s ways falling prey to the pull of society. So many pastors have forsaken their calling choosing to sell out on the altar of money, fame or personal satisfaction.

Is there any hope for America? The answer can be a resounding YES, IF the churches of America rise up, repent, turn from the wickedness and their acceptance of our nation’s wickedness, and pray and intercede to Almighty GOD on behalf of America—there is still HOPE! The HOPE is JESUS!

The church is His presence in our senseless, sinful society. The power of the HOLY GHOST flowing through a revived church can bring back hope to a society destroyed by the powers of evil and the evil influence that has been allowed to reign supreme for much too long.

We can never change America outside of being the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And regardless of what eventually becomes of America, we can trust and know that Jesus Christ is still on the throne and, ultimately, HE wins out!

Scripture Reading: “Then the Lord rained burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah from the Lord out of the sky. He overthrew these cities, the entire plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and whatever grew on the ground. But his wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. Early in the morning Abraham went to the place where he had stood before the Lord. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of the plain, and he saw that smoke was going up from the land like the smoke of a furnace. So it was, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham and brought Lot out of the middle of the upheaval when He overthrew the cities where Lot had lived” (Genesis 19:24-29 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I need Your help in my life today. Please forgive me for not speaking up and speaking out about what is right and what is godly, choosing rather to be silent in the midst of the chaos. Please help me to live a righteous life; to speak out against all that is wrong and sinful; and to be an example of Christ in all situations and circumstances. I pray also for America and ask You to encourage Your church by the Holy Spirit to rise up from the ashes and become what You have called us to be…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Plenty of Leaders—But, Where are the Workers?

In my years of ministry, I have discovered that most churches have a great many leaders and a few dedicated workers. Simply put, most are willing and ready to run around telling everyone else what needs to be done but few are willing to step up to the plate and actually do what needs to be done. Every church has their fair share of these individuals.

I have people come up to me and tell me, “Pastor, you need to do this or that…!” My reply is simple: If the Lord has laid it on your heart, He intends for you to do it. Not the response they wish to hear and few go ahead and take care of it but definitely the truth of the matter.

Jesus set the record straight in John 13. Jesus said: “I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you” (John 13:3 HCSB). What was it Jesus had done that was to be a regular practice of those who followed after Him?

The answer may surprise you as it did some of His disciples that evening. He said “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:2 HCSB). The lesson was not the act of foot washing but the attitude and actions of the one normally responsible for carrying out the act—the servant.

Jesus assumed the servant’s role and indicated that the servant’s heart and actions exemplifies His “true” followers. Going back in the Scripture, we find it to say: “He got up from supper, laid aside His robe, took a towel, and tied it around Himself. Next, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him” (John 13:4-5 HCSB).

No one had to tell Him what to do, He simply did it. He recognized the need and fulfilled it. As a servant, you see the need, you step out of your comfort zone, and you make it happen. Begin to realize that we are all servants of the Most High God and as such our role is to serve in whatever capacity the Lord assigns us to.

Think about how much more effective the church would be if every member was serving as Jesus revealed in this one act? Think about how many more lives the church could impact if every member simply recognized themselves as a servant and fulfilled the role without question, without anyone begging them to—everyone simple recognized what needs to be done and does it!

That is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ! A church of action—a church where every member is engaged in the everyday operation and ongoing work of the ministry. Jesus said to His disciples: “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38 HCSB). Are you willing and ready to step up to the plate in service to the King?

Scripture Reading: “Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death-even to death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I realize I shirk my responsibilities to You and to Your church much too often. I realize I see myself “higher up” than I should. Help me to recognize myself as the servant You have called me to be rather than an individual who stands around shouting orders all the time. Help me to be Christ-like in my attitude and my actions. Help me to reflect love and service rather than considering myself to be in charge of passing out the daily work roster. Lord, I want to be like Jesus; help me! I love You and thank You for being the perfect Example You always were. Help me to do likewise for those around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray…AMEN!

Caving In Around You?

How often do you find your world caving in around you? It seems nothing is going right? Your friends seem to have become enemies? Life is dragging you down? All your dreams seem shattered? Maybe these things define your life right now?

King David found himself in a terrible predicament. 2 Samuel 15 tells us that David’s son, Absalom, rose up against him and encouraged the Israelites to do likewise. David’s royal officials warned him of the uprising and he encouraged him to run for his life.

As his world seemed to be caving in around him, David penned Psalm 3. He wrote: “Lord, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me. Many say about me, ‘There is no help for him in God’” (Psalm 3:1-2 HCSB). His life had turned into utter despair. He was running for his life, fearing the threats coming from his own son. What a horrible situation to find himself in!

Maybe you have been in a similar situation before—running to escape with your life, your reputation, your hope intact? Maybe you have searched frantically for a means of escape only to find none?

When his life seemed to be without hope, David remembered the One who could give him hope. He continued writing: “But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. I am not afraid of the thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side. Rise up, Lord! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; You break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; may Your blessing be on Your people” (vv. 3-8).

In the grave of hopelessness, David turned his eyes upward. He looked to God and placed his trust in Him for complete deliverance in the midst of his terrible crisis.

Today, whatever you may be facing; whatever life may be throwing at you; whatever lies and accusations others have concocted about you—you can trust that God will bring complete deliverance for you. It may not come in the way you would’ve planned it; but, it will come. Simply trust in God’s wisdom and ability to turn your caved-in world into a world of spiritual blessing.

Quit looking at what should’ve been and start dwelling on what God is doing right now. Focus on what He is trying to teach you through it all. Trust fully in His ability and know He will guide you to the place you need to be. He will strengthen you through the journey and bring you out refreshed and ready for the conflicts that will continue to rage around you—be ready to take on anything and everything in the power of His name.

Scripture Reading: “My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God who executes justice every day. If anyone does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has strung His bow and made it ready. He has prepared His deadly weapons; He tips His arrows with fire. See, he is pregnant with evil, conceives trouble, and gives birth to deceit. He dug a pit and hollowed it out, but fell into the hole he had made. His trouble comes back on his own head, and his violence falls on the top of his head. I will thank the Lord for His righteousness; I will sing about the name of the Lord, the Most High” (Psalm 7:10-17).

Personal Prayer: Father, my struggles have overwhelmed me. The attacks upon me have become almost unbearable. I don’t understand why people are so mean and so careless with their words and actions. Help me, Lord, to be able to look beyond the criticism, the hatred and the lies and to see that You are teaching me something new through all this. Help me to trust in You no matter what may come against me. Help me to be able to forgive those who have become my enemies and to love them through it all. I love You and thank You so much…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Keep Pushing Through to Victory!

Henry Ford once said: “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.” It’s easy to get distracted and pulled away from something you are struggling to attain. The noises of the world around can easily pull your thoughts away from the dreams you may be chasing.

Obstacles can easily distract you and prevent you from ever reaching that which you are so intent upon gaining. But, you must keep pushing through to victory! Don’t stop. Don’t settle for second best. Reach for the very best until you can grab ahold of it, and then hang on!

Maybe you are struggling with issues in your own life? Maybe there are things that are blocking you from pushing through? Satan loves to throw up roadblocks and obstacles to hinder your walk. Don’t allow these things to keep you from being what God has called you to be. Keep pushing through until you reach your victory!

The Israelites found themselves confronted by an obstacle they simply couldn’t overcome. An enemy army stood in their path preventing their forward progression. God told Moses to go out and hold up the staff that had symbolized his Source of victory against the enemies of Egypt. The Bible says: “While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed” (Exodus 17:11 HCSB).

The victory was not in the staff but in trusting God. As the story goes: “When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword” (vv.12-13). Moses and his friends were determined to see this obstacle come down. And come down it did! Victory was won simply by trusting God.

Your obstacles will become a part of the path you trod over as you put your trust in the power of the Lord to bring them down. Defeat belongs to those who try to go it alone! Whatever it is you are after, keep pushing—push through to victory! Understand that God has called you to live in victory through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Understand that “the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Keep your eyes on the goal and keep pushing through until you reach your victory!

Scripture Reading: “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance. Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:5-9).

Prayer: Father in heaven, I find myself crumbling before the obstacles that so often come into my path. I seem to be defeated even before the battle begins. I need strength from You to overcome. I need to learn to trust You and hang on to You as the Source of my victory. Help me, Lord, to be an overcomer. Help me to speak Your Words of truth to the enemies that try to defeat me and to watch them crumble before my eyes. Thank You for Your strength and ability. I love You and praise You in all things…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

On a Level Playing Field

As humans, we learn early and continue to discover that positioning is extremely important in this life. We discover that in many instances, the first child seems to be the most important; the one who receives the most attention and praise.

As we move on, we discover there are titles and positions of importance in the school-world that we must seek to attain, if we intend to be anybody special on campus. Finally, we advance into the work world where it becomes very apparent that we have entered a new phase in the dog-eat-dog-world we are working our way through.

It seems we spend a great deal of our life jockeying for bigger titles, greater labels of distinction, and higher positions of authority. This trek is often difficult, time-consuming, and requires a great deal of effort. It also tends to bring a great deal of disappointment and discouragement.

The problem I wish to confront lies in the false perception that this is how it is when we come before God as well. We have a tendency to want to consider our own earthly gains, titles and positions as we come before God expecting to bypass some of the responsibility and obligation He places upon all humanity because we think we are somebody important or special.

The simple fact for all of us lies in the simplicity of the truth Paul shares that: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 HCSB). From the king to the homeless man, we are all on a level playing field before God. All humanity stands guilty before God, drenched in the stains of sin. The result of this condition once again across the playing field is found in Paul’s words of warning that: “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

Our sin stains produce death within us—eternal separation from a Holy God! But, it doesn’t have to end there. The curtain doesn’t close with humanity standing helpless and hopeless in his sin. Paul went on to encourage us by telling us that “God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us! (5:8). And a chapter later, he said: “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (6:23b).

It doesn’t matter how far you have advanced in this world or if you are a very simple person unknown to most; you enter this life on a level playing field before God. You come in as a sinner needing something you are absolutely unable to attain on your own. You cannot buy it. You cannot do anything in your power to bring about your own eternal salvation. Only God, revealed through His great love for humanity, could provide the means. And, He did it through His Son, Jesus Christ.

All you can do is surrender your life to Jesus! The Bible reveals the simplicity of this surrender in these words: “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation” (10:9-10).

Don’t allow your position in this world to prevent you from discovering your great potential and the position you can have in Jesus Christ. Submit yourself to God and surrender your life to Jesus Christ today!

Scripture Reading: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God” (John 3:16-18 HCSB).

Prayer: Father, I recognize that I have spent a great deal of my life chasing after the things that would supposedly bring happiness and fulfillment only to discover discouragement at the end of each path. Today, I have arrived at the place where I realize I need You! I need You to forgive me of my sin and my sinful ways. Please, cleanse my sinful heart and purify my life with the blood of Jesus Christ. I surrender myself to You. I confess Jesus as my Lord and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will walk in the path of righteousness and purity seeking to please You in all things rather than myself. I do believe Jesus died for me and that on the third day, You resurrected Him to new life and because of that I can now have the new life You are granting me this day. Thank You so much for all of this and for all that is yet to come as You continue working in and through me…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Keep On…Keep On…Keeping On?

A.W. Tozer said: “The weakness of so many modern Christians is that they feel too much at home in the world.” Such a thought should make believers shudder but what I am discovering is that when confronted with that simple truth, many believers will rise up with animosity against you for “judging their lives.”

It is important to understand a frightening correlation that exists between worldliness and sinfulness—simply put, worldliness leads to sinfulness! In an attempt to “stay afloat” in our rapidly changing culture, many churches have succumbed to the wishes of “worldly Christians” and now serve more as a private social club than a house of the living God.

A growing number of Christians are succumbing to the pervading lackadaisical spirit with regards to holiness and purity. It is frightening to me to witness what believers consider to be okay in today’s world. The comfort believers have developed for society’s evil and sinfulness is terrifying. The lack of any difference portrayed in the behavior patterns of today’s Christians compared to the rest of the world bothers me greatly as a pastor as it should all pastors, church leaders and fellow believers in Christ.

Hebrews issues a stern warning to those who continue habitually compromising their faith through their sinfulness. It is a warning to “WAKE-UP!” and recognize the terribleness of sin and its ultimate consequences. Hebrews 10:26-27 says: “If we go on sinning after we have learned the truth, no sacrifice can take away our sins. All that is left is a terrifying wait for judgment and a raging fire that will consume God’s enemies” (God’s Word).

In other words: “If we Keep On…Keep On…Keeping On…willfully sinning, then there is no more remission for our sins for we have trampled underfoot the Holy Blood of Jesus who gave his life to pay for our sins. Repent – and feel the loving warmth of God’s grace” (Frances Knight, Author of Christianity Alive! With Prayer Power).

If you find yourself wavering today in your faith—you can remember back to when God, church and the Bible were important to you—repent, turn back to God, ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9) and trust that He will bring you right back into an intimate realm of fellowship with Himself (1 John 1:6-7).

It is time we, as believers, Keep On…Keep On…Keeping On…walking in the Light as He is in the Light, fellowshipping with one another and trusting the blood of Jesus Christ continues to cleanse us from our sins (1 John 1:7).

Scripture Reading: “Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. If we say, ‘We have fellowship with Him,’ and walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7 HCSB).

Prayer: Father in heaven, I find myself drifting away from Your truth at times. I have also discovered that the further I drift, the more difficult it seems for me to find my way back. I pray that You will help me by Your Holy Spirit to stay in fellowship with You always. Help me to remain in an attitude of willingness to approach the throne of Jesus and to seek His forgiveness when I do sin. Father, help me to recognize my sinfulness and to be striving to change and to become mature in my faith and understanding and to walk in tune with Your Spirit always.

Disclaimer: Rather than arguing the theological principles behind what the writer to the Hebrews might be saying, as a pastor, my concern is preventing people from drifting away. My responsibility, as a Christian, is pointing believers in the right direction—repenting and finding forgiveness for their sins rather than continuing to allow sin to accumulate and to grow and to become a regular ongoing permanent lifestyle (see Hebrews 10:24-25).