Past to Present

As a young man growing up, I remember a time when people respected God and each other. People believed and feared God. People would turn off R&B music on their car radios before driving onto the church property. In the last few years, there have been reports of people stealing from the church and allowing any and everything to come in to the House of God. In the last few years, we have allowed anybody and anything to enter the pulpit.

In my opinion, people have turned away from God and God is not pleased. We have only to look at the history of the Israelites to know that God is true to his word and He is a jealous God.  God has set out his conditions and he does not compromise his word.  “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows” (Mark 13:8). We see the hand-writing on the wall and the Bible being fulfilled. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having a form of godliness but denying its power”. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Before people became educated, they learn to live together and help one another. Now, people have become so educated to the point of selfishness. Twenty years ago, I don’t recall officers declaring “open season on Africa American men”. I believe the television show “cops” instigated and drew first blood. In this era, officers are killing men and children and their punishment is a slap on the wrist. Are they supposed to see the error of their ways by being placed on “paid administrative leave”? If God laws states: “Thou shall not kill and God have no respect of person”, how then shall anyone escape God judgment? Daily, we wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12) It is the abuse of power and the total disregard for human life. Yes, it hurts and makes me angry every time I hear of an unarmed person or child being shot down and no one is held accountable. It appears, the most precious gift God gave to mankind, can be taken away with no shame or regret. I asked “how long will God allow this evil to continue?” “My soul also is greatly troubled; but You, O Lord—how long”? (Psalm 6:3)

We all have someone we want Jesus to draw. If we lift Him up, he will do the drawing. Instead of talking about how great we are; lift Him up and watch Him draw. We can’t save anybody regardless of our preaching. While we are boasting, people are dying spiritually and physically. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Colossians 3:23)

Growing up, ministers and pastors preached “hell and brimstones” until people feared and respected God. Have we sold out? Are we preaching what “thus saith the Lord” or what people want to hear? Are we preaching feel good sermons? Have we become motivation speakers? We can’t do everything the world are doing and expect God to be pleased. If we want God to do something for us, we must “humble ourselves, repent, pray and turn from our wicked ways”.

Prayer: Father, take us back to the place where we feared and respected You. We realize there is no other name whereby we may be saved. We call on you during these perilous days. Look among us to see if there be one righteous person and you will spare this earth. We are praying that you will open the eyes of the Spiritually blind, the ears of the Spiritually deaf and let you word penetrate the hard hearts. We pray for a turning and revival among the unjust. Lord, we need to hear from you. Thank you for your love and patience. In Jesus name.