November 7
Ezek 16:42-17:24 | PS 106:13-31 | Prov 27:7-9 | Heb 8:1-13
"It's as American as apple pie". That was a nice wholesome saying. There are many other things which are attributed to America, such as the fourth of July, barbecues, etc. But, sadly, what is also as American as apple pie, as it originated in our nation, is the "Drag Queen story hour" in San Francisco in 2015, the turning point for the LGBTQ movement in New York's Greenwich village in 1969, the BLM movement (which is a socialist movement, having nothing to do with the betterment of these individuals) in 2013. As we come to another election cycle, we should vote with our bibles. Our nation was at one time a beacon of light, but has become a horde of darkness. Like the frog in the boiling pot of water, we often can't see it, because we are in it. We might want to believe that there is a bandaid that can be placed over our problems, but this is not the case. Darkness cannot simply be taken away, unless it is replaced by something. The darkness which we have permitted to be called the United States, must be invaded by the light of Jesus Christ. This and this alone will make the darkness flee. We have forgotten our roots. We have forgotten what we stood for. Like Israel, who forgot, as we read in Psalm 106:21, "They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt,".
We like to play the comparing game. You know, we might be bad, but we are not as bad as, "...". As long as we continue to play that game we fail to see the depths of our own depravity. Look at the realization of Judah, as God, through Ezekiel, compares her to Samaria and Sodom in Ezekiel 16:47-51, "You did not walk in their ways nor act according to their abominations; but, as if that were too little, you became more corrupt than they in all your ways. “As I live,” says the Lord God, “neither your sister Sodom nor her daughters have done as you and your daughters have done. Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit. “Samaria did not commit half of your sins; but you have multiplied your abominations more than they, and have justified your sisters by all the abominations which you have done."
I'm sorry, we no longer have the right to point our fingers anywhere. We are morally bankrupt, and steeping ever deeper daily. As Americans there are a number of things which we must do. First, we must vote for those things which are of the light. This must be more important than personalities, economics, etc. As children of God, where God has spoken, that is where we must stand. Next, repentance is essential, personally. For many, minds have been corrupted simply by assimilating with the darkness: from school agendas, in universities, from peers, and at times through families. It doesn't matter how far you have fallen into darkness, God will lead you out, if you simply humble your heart and seek Him. We read in Hebrews 8:12, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” He actually forgets our sins, when we repent and place our trust in Jesus Christ. We have placed ourselves into this hole, and we have no one to blame but ourselves. But we don't have the strength to right our own course, this will only be through and by our Savior, Jesus Christ. Revival, nothing short of this will suffice.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: