When you go back and read the sermons and writings of Preachers in the early to late 1800’s you really realize how so many Preachers have watered down the gospel here in America. No wonder we are where we are at. The Church has lost its salt, that is for sure. The great writers in our past wrote such Godly writings.
Poet Henry David Thoreau wrote:
“It’s only by forgetting yourself that you draw near to God.”
“If Nature is our mother, then God is our father.”
“When you knock, ask to see God — none of the servants.”
“As I stand over the insect crawling amid the pine needles on the forest floor, and endeavoring to conceal itself from my sight, and ask myself why it will cherish those humble thoughts, and hide its head from me who might, perhaps, be its benefactor, and impart to its race some cheering information, I am reminded of the greater Benefactor and Intelligence that stands over me the human insect.”
Read more American History this morning at FGGAM.ORG
I beleive that the Church has tried to fit into the secular world instead of standing strong in God’s Ways and Words. Many Churches have turned into a “Hollywood Performance” on Sundays.
Give me salt.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Matthew 5:13
When you are absorbed with God, He shows you how to love and hold yourself and your congregation accountable to the Lord. We used to call that ‘tough love.’ You can share tough love only if you are so very close to God, because God will give you the words. Too many Preachers have a tough time showing ‘tough love.’
Way too many people are pointing fingers at others for the problems in this country and world, they just need to look into the mirror.
Let me share a Memorial Day writing with you from Billy Graham:
Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have served in the armed forces and sacrificed to protect American citizens — this is a tremendous example of love for one another. Just because soldiers fight a nation’s enemies does not mean that they do not do so in love for their fellow citizens they swear to protect.
Likewise, Christians are called on to be good and faithful soldiers in the Army of God. The word army simply means to organize a large number of people for a particular purpose.
Living the Christian life is not a game; it’s a battle. God does not call His children to a playground, but to a battleground. We are to stand firm on God’s truth and be willing to put on spiritual armor that will enable us to be victorious in proclaiming God’s truth which speaks of His love, but also His judgment for disobedience to Him.
The Bible tells of a faithful soldier — Joshua. He is called a captain, commander, general and the leader of the Israelites. He led the charge against the city of Jericho. By God’s power the city was destroyed. What is most wonderful about the biography of this great leader is that in all the victories Joshua had — and there were many — he never failed to praise the Commander and the Captain of salvation, saying, “(God) did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful … forever” (Joshua 4:24, NLT). Joshua’s mighty legacy is his testimony for God.
