MOVING THE ANCIENT BOUNDARIES

This summer has been hot, dry, and explosive. At home and abroad.

We have seen and heard horrific reports from Iraq and Syria. Brothers and sisters in Christ are losing their children, their homes, their possessions, and their lives because they chose to stand for Jesus Christ rather than bow down to the threats of men in black hoods, brandishing swords and guns. Heinous men who give no thought to slicing off the heads of babies, children, and adults who stand in their way or challenge their thinking. All for the demented thrill of obedience to an evil ideology. Men whose ungodly beliefs determine their criminal behavior.

This world is lost. Lacking understanding and wisdom. Deceived sheep with no shepherd. And time has run out for many and is running out for all of us.

Would you leave all you’ve worked for and go to the mountain to die for Jesus? You may well have to make that decision, and my heart twists and mourns for our nation and our people. A nation divided and far removed from the principles and precepts of God’s righteousness and His Holy Word. Because we’ve considered, condoned, and decided “it’s all good.” We don’t need God.

No, it’s not good. And we need God—desperately.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures, or the power of God?’ (Mark 12:24 NAS).

* * *

I pulled into the parking lot and couldn’t tell which direction was North, East, South, or West. A series of twists and turns left me totally disoriented. The sun was high in the sky—no help there. Nothing looked familiar.

Just last week I considered, then rejected, a GPS System for my car and phone. I didn’t like the sound of the female guide’s voice on that stupid machine.

A small voice in my head whispered, “Get out of the car and ask directions.” But the neighborhood looked rough. Menacing looking people lurked on the curbs and in doorways of buildings. God says numerous times in the Word, “Do not be afraid.” But my hands were slick, my stomach knotted, and tears rimmed my eyes, ready to rush-in-a-gush.

Opening the console, for what must’ve been the twelfth time, I shuffled through the contents hoping a map would magically appear. I cried, “Oh Lord, give me something or someone to get me out of this mess and back on the right road.”

But isn’t that where most Americans live today—lost in life’s grungy parking lots, having rejected God’s GPS? Living a lie certain to bring death and separation from Him forever.

The church sat silent, while atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hare and her team of reprobates led a successful assault to have prayer and Bible reading removed from schools and Roe v. Wade made it legal for pregnant moms to kill their babies. And kill they have—over 55 million of them since 1973.

“So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it” (Numbers 35:33 NAS).

“So innocent blood will not be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance, and blood-guiltiness be on you” (Deuteronomy 19:10 NAS).

But during the early ‘60’s these shadowy delinquents mounted a frontal assault on the principles and precepts our forefathers died for. Public schools became the battleground and our children the prize, while Situation Ethics, survival games, and other programs with varying names, taught the children “it was okay to do anything you wanted to do, if you have a good reason for doing whatever.” And we wonder why the horror of Combine repeats itself?

Sleazy politicians slid in and out of the shadows, serving special interest groups, while the Ten Commandments were snatched from our government buildings, courtrooms, schools, or any public facility. And drugs, immorality, social diseases, and lies took their place.

The past couple of years have seen references to Christmas sliced-and-diced in an attempt to make this holiday solely secular, with even an attempt to change the season’s name. Displays of the Christmas manger on government property are forbidden. And students are forbidden to mention Jesus name at football games or graduations.

Parents and churches ducked behind closed doors, never uttering a peep, consideringeducators and legislators surely knew best, while God and His Word were systematically banned.

For fifty plus years we’ve condoned radical education methods and educators rather than stand for righteous principles that made America one nation under God. And we’ve ended up with what Dr. James Dobson calls the “dumbing-down of America” and an attempt to force national acceptance of the federally funded rogue system Common Core.

This nation whose motto was “In God we trust,” has rejected God’s GPS. We don’t like His voice, His intolerance of unrighteousness, or His directions—they’re too straight and too narrow. We decided to take life’s scenic tour without Him. And now, when we cry to Him as a nation, He has turned his back on us. Do you wonder why?

Fifty years ago the nightly news would not have talked about or tolerated the broadcast of behavior that is called news today. Fifty years ago many of the actions classified normal and acceptable today would have been crimes. Fifty years ago parents raised children. Children didn’t raise parents.

But it’s take-to-the-bank certain, throughout the history of man considering and condoning have always greased the slippery descent into the pit of condemnation.

My mom repeated relentlessly, “Don’t pick friends with standards lower than yours. You won’t bring them up to your standards, they will drag you down to theirs.” And right along with that profound wisdom she advised, “Be careful! Water always seeks its own level.” In other words, water runs to the lowest point.

And the attitudes, actions, and allegiance of many children, teens, and adults of this generation prove her counsel to be correct. Birds of like plumage indeed hang together. And like bad diseases, they are contagious.

Americans have welcomed and embraced as normal values and beliefs they know are wrong. Homosexuality, sex trafficking, drug trafficking, abortion, same sex marriage, illegal immigration, pornography, spousal abuse, child abuse, legalized drugs, bribes, and gambling. And that’s just skimming the surface. Why? We don’t want to shake the boat, stand against the crowd, or be perceived as being politically incorrect.

Let me take this opportunity to affirm I am neither conservative, independent, nor liberal. Democrat or Republican. I live, act, and vote according to the principles and precepts of the Word of God as best I can. Am I a sinner? Yes. A sinner saved by the grace of the Lord God Almighty and the blood of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

But by silence or out-right acceptance we have, as a nation, condoned ungodly actions and people, allowing pagan practices to become the law of the land, and our children are confused. Our kids and our grandchildren have lost the ability to discern right from wrong because of our behavior. The lines have not just been blurred. They have been erased.

So what can we do—you and me?

Educate yourself on the issues. All of them. Don’t stick your head in the dunes. Educate yourself on every candidate. Decide who you will support. I would love to see a test given before citizens can become registered voters. Ignorance is defeat. And elections become a crap-shoot, a mockery, and a farce. Character matters. And perhaps God’s mercy will extend to us if we, in lock-step, put our shoulder to the wheel, return to God and follow His law as our forefathers did, so God can turn this battered ship called America around to walk in His ways.

Be informed and never miss an election. Voting is a privilege not a pain. Make yourself known to your city, state, and federal representatives. Phone calls, letters, emails, attend local meetings with those who represent you. Hold them accountable for votes they cast or their absence from a necessary vote. Otherwise they become divas, believing their press and elevating their status.

Refuse to participate in or allow your children to participate in organizations known to fund, support or agree with deviate practices. Let your hard-earned dollars speak. Don’t buy products from companies who support actions and organizations against your beliefs. Support businesses who claim the name of Jesus.

Challenge your church, your pastor, your teachers if they don’t teach and practice the absolute truths of the Word of God and loving the brothers and sisters. God tells us “judgment must begin at the house of God.” Just being a believer doesn’t give you or me a hall pass.

I’ve gotta wonder if ISIS has a conservative or liberal branch? Hmmm. Probably not. And gay rights and single parents aren’t recorded anywhere in their rule book. They kill the perpetrators—no testimony, no trial, just mutilated or dead.

Decide what you believe and know why you believe it. Remember I mentioned in the first few paragraphs—Your belief determines your behavior. Well, your doctrine determines your duty.

King Solomon said, “Behold, there is nothing new under the sun.”

And there sure isn’t. These same things were recorded several thousands of years ago in the nation of Israel. Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel screamed for the people to change directions, to slam on the brakes, toss away their false gods, and return to the Lord God Almighty.

The Book of Ezekiel records God giving this prophet a sneak-peek behind the scenes in the temple. Like many preachers today, the priests were participating in things of Satan. God finally had enough. His grace was done and He walked out of the temple in Jerusalem. Never to return, even to this day.

But one day He will return, in love to those who love and obey Him. But, in judgment for those who reject Him. God is not one dimensional. His character also requires justice, righteousness, and truth. And when these attributes are violated there must be condemnation and judgment

“And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:2-3 NAS).

This first week in September, 2014, America teeters on the precipice of God’s condemnation. Look at the droughts in the southwest. Floods and storms in the east and mid-America. Fires and earthquakes in the west. God’s warnings? Probably. But our betrayal of Israel may be the nudge over the cliff to our destruction. The road out of hell’s descent is still the same—Repentance—Being sorry enough to never rebel against Him again.

To know God is to love Him. And the only way to know Him is through the power of His Word and cleansing by the blood of His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s Protective System—GPS—is still available to those who repent and believe. But there will come a time, like with Israel, when God’s grace is done.

“The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”(1 John 1:7 NAS).

God’s promises are the only truth. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NAS).

* * *

A soft-spoken old man, in dirty jeans and a Methuselah beard, walked toward my car and asked if I was lost. I said, “Yes sir.” He smiled and gave me directions to the nearest freeway. I thanked him and thanked God for him. Don’t know if he was an angel or someone God prompted to help this lost old woman. But I was grateful for his directions and followed them immediately.

How about you, I’ve given you the only sure directions out of the mess our nation is in. What will you do with these eternal truths? Will you stand and share them with others? Will you get on your knees and ask God to forgive, cleanse, and restore you? Will you follow Jesus, regardless of the cost—like those men, women, boys and girls in so many places in our world today—hiding, tortured, dying?

And remember: There could never be a heaven without a hell, And Jesus loves you enough to let you decide where you want to abide.

“And He said, ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true.’ And He said to me, ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death’ ” (Revelation 21:5b-8 NAS).