THERE IS TROUBLE IN THE LAND

This week the United States of America celebrates our status as an independent, free nation. We are blessed to be citizens of this great country, aren’t we? Did you know the Fourth of July used to be called Independence Day? Our founding Fathers had a vision of a country where we would not be under the control of a state religion. They envisioned a day when men could worship the Creator in any fashion they chose to. In fact, this vision of freedom would actually allow men and women to not worship a spiritual being at all if that is what they desired. We don’t hear about that too often, do we?

Welcome everyone to your 24/7 week long, online church service. Everyone is welcome and loved in this place. I am so thankful to God for the freedom this country affords. In I Chronicles 16:34 there is a prayer of thanksgiving that seems appropriate here.

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.”

You know, church, God is good and his mercy does endure forever. I am sure when God looks on this nation he is oftentimes disappointed. Yet, because he hears the prayers of his children, he spreads his love and his mercy upon us. This country, founded upon Christian values such as love, peace, mercy and grace, has been a lighthouse and a guiding light to peoples of all nations. It’s no wonder we are a country of immigrants. After all, who does not want to be free?

July Fourth is always a time of remembrance to me. Looking back in time I can still see our five children and my lovely wife, Vicki, enjoying the celebration at Clawson Park. All the oohs and aahs as the fireworks lit up the sky. The misty eyes as the Star Spangled Banner played on radios and at the ball parks. Observing people gathering together to celebrate the land we were and are blessed to live in.

Those are the good things. Yet, if we are to be honest this Fourth of July, we must admit there is trouble in this land. As we ponder the Christian values this land was founded on, we can ask the question, what has happened to us? Love for our fellow man as God loves us was at one time shown in abundance. But now, in many cases is replaced by hatred. Jesus gave us the recipe for love in John 3:16-17. Jesus said:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not parish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

The reason I introduced this scripture into this message is very simple. Jesus said we are to be as he is. It is the love of the Savior that causes him to bless this nation. It is precisely his lack of condemnation toward us that draws men to him. The problem is, our country is drawing away from love and more and more into condemnation of others. Ladies and gentlemen, we must stop it now.

We are a nation that talks Christian values but are showing just the opposite values. We are replacing love with hate. We are replacing peace with war. Mercy is something we have lost somewhere along the way. We seem to be a country that puts wealth and greed and corporate dominance over the needs of the poor and middle class in this land. This is a call to those who love God and his ways to take a real stand for this country. This is not a political problem, this is a spiritual problem.

It’s time for us to truly humble ourselves and to pray for our nation. My plea is that we begin to love again. Race, wealth, gender and even religion should never be a barrier to love. My prayer is that we will turn this country over to God again. What I am trying to say is this: Let us never forget that without the leading and guidance of God in our personal life, our contribution to our country will dissolve into nothingness. I am saying to each of you, love and serve God first and always love and serve the United States of America. Always pray for God’s blessing upon this country. Psalms 117:1-2 gives good instruction for us on this July Fourth. It reads like this:

“O praise the Lord, all ye nations: Praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord.”

So what is the truth of the Lord, my friends? It is to show love, mercy, peace and grace to one another. That, my friends, is what builds a great country. Thank God for all his provisions and thank God for watching over us and our country. Happy Fourth of July everyone..

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob