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America is spiraling out of control morally, financially, politically and spiritually, and we are headed for the judgement of God just like many nations before us. But where can we turn to find hope? Government cannot save us, nor can a better economy or a stronger military. Our only hope can be found in God alone. Today’s message outlines the steps that we must take in order to see the forgiveness of God for our sin, and His healing hand upon our country.
At the very same moment our founding fathers declared our independence from Britain, they were also declaring our absolute dependence upon God. Regardless of what revisionists say, the facts clearly prove that America was founded on the principles of God’s Word. Because of this, America was once a nation blessed and protected by God, but since we have now forced God out of our country, we are in decline like never before and are facing His judgement. This message is a wake-up call for all who will listen!
The great church in Philippi began, not through clever planning and brilliant strategy, but because of “failed” plans by a missionary team. They had planned to take the Gospel into Asia, but the Holy Spirit would not allow them to go there, and sent them instead to the city of Philippi where they were severely beaten and thrown into prison. Surely this could not be God’s will for them! Yet out of that hardship came a beautiful church. Are you learning to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, even when His plans don’t make sense?
Every day we are bombarded with messages telling us something else we need to buy in order to be happier, healthier or more comfortable. We are told that if we drive this particular car or wear this brand of clothes or live in this neighborhood, then we will be a notch above everyone else. But the problem is, as millions have discovered too late, none of those things are worth a dime when life is over. If we are ever going to be bold followers of Jesus, we must make absolutely sure we’re pursuing what really matters in the eyes of God.
There are many issues in the church that have caused heated debate and division over the years. Surprisingly, most churches don’t argue over major doctrinal issues, but over far less important matters like what type of music is right or wrong, which instruments are acceptable in the church and which ones are worldly, whether suits and ties are more pleasing to God than casual clothes, etc., etc. If we don’t learn to put these issues into their proper categories, we will end up confusing tradition with truth, and we will be guilty of exactly what Jesus warned us about — trading in the commands of God for the traditions of men!
Over the centuries, false doctrine has made its way into the church in many forms, and today there are millions of people being taught things that are absolutely untrue. Many people are told to pray to Mary, that she was sinless, that she is a co-savior with Christ, and even that she rose from the dead and ascended to heaven! How is it possible that churches can teach such things when there is not one verse in the entire Bible to verify these false claims? How did such lies make their way into the church, and what should our response be?
When Jesus died on the cross, He opened the way for every believer to have direct access to God through Him. This new relationship was one of the foundational doctrines of the early church, but in 312 A.D. Emperor Constantine of Rome forced a system of lies into the church that completely distorted this biblical truth. Pastors were no longer seen as “Shepherds,” but were renamed Priests and wore visually intimidating robes to elevate themselves above the common man. Church members were falsely told that they now had to go through a Priest in order to reach God, and this began the corruption of the church which continues to this very day!
As we live out our new life in Christ, we must realize that our enemy, Satan, is constantly trying to attack us. Where are your weak spots, and what are you doing to protect yourself from the enemy’s attacks in those areas? The Bible has given us everything we need to stand against Satan’s attacks… do you know how to use these spiritual weapons to protect yourself?
The topic of Predestination has caused a lot of debate among Christians over the years. The truth is, we will never fully understand this matter, and we must learn to simply trust God with the unknown parts. The Bible tells us that God is God and He will always do what is right, even when we don’t understand Him.
Have careless words ever gotten you into trouble? The Bible says that words have the power of life and death; the power to heal or the power to destroy. This look into Proverbs helps us learn how to guard our words so that they will honor God and bless those who listen.
Is heaven a real place or just a figment of our imagination? Is it merely the stuff of fairy tales and legends, or a real place that we can go when we die? How can we know for sure? If heaven is not real, then let’s live this life completely for ourselves and give no thought for eternity. But if heaven is real, what impact should it have on our lives right now?
Do followers of Jesus really need to be part of a church family? Can’t we do just fine living the Christian life by ourselves? What’s the point of the church anyway? Isn’t the church just full of hypocrites? Despite its flaws and failures over the years, the church is still the greatest and most important organism on this planet, because it is the living Body of Christ — the one and only entity that God has chosen to spread the message of salvation to all mankind! Find out today why we need the church and why the church needs us.
