FROM THE PASTOR
May 28, 2017
I grew up in an era that the day started the Pledge of Allegiance. For that, I am grateful. Recently I read of a school that determined saying the pledge could be offensive to someone and therefore deleted it from their routine. In fact, as hard as it is to comprehend, saying the pledge is one of our new ‘hot topics’ in THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN. In a recent unscientific poll the results showed that the split was 49% indicated ‘yes’ we should say the pledge in school and while 51% indicated ‘no’ we should not. In fact, one individual has suggested that the pledge be eliminated before sporting events for that very same reason
Yes, I understand that reciting the pledge to a country you are not a citizen of has no personal meaning. There are also those whose religious beliefs affect their decision. When I was in school there was a student who was part of the Jehovah Witness’ and declined to say the pledge. To the best of my knowledge no one ridiculed this individual and this individual was not ostracized from other activities. To those I give an exemption. Yet, in spite of our differences, we still recited the pledge daily because THIS WAS STILL AMERICA and we were proud of her.
Somehow though, so many today have gotten to the point that to be a PROUD AMERICAN, to be thankful to be born into or accepted by this amazing Nation, is something to be ashamed of. My perception of these individuals is that loyalty, commitment, honor, duty to country are simply adjectives for a past generation. Yes, there are exceptions and this does not apply to everyone, thank God! And to those exceptions I say, ‘stand tall’, be proud, KEEP THE FAITH.
That’s right ‘KEEP THE FAITH’. The writer of Hebrews described FAITH like this…
Hebrews 11:1 (NASB)
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Notice that the writer of Hebrews confirms that FAITH is both ASSURANCE and CONVICTION. We could make a lot from this single verse if taken alone, but the writer doesn’t stop there. In fact, the he includes 39 more verses proving that true FAITH has its foundation in God and in no one or nothing else. America began her downward spiral when she began to build on a different foundation than God. Yet, it’s still not too late if WE AS A NATION will only repent and change our ways. And it will begin with God’s own people first…
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NASB)
14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Pray for revival in AMERICA… pray it begins first in our own homes!
Thank You for your faithfulness! Pastor Larry
