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| The Chicago skyline seen from the ferris wheel on Navy Pier |
Things that should be foundational are called into question.
Principles proven successful in past generations are ignored.
The government is moving toward the erosion of parental rights.
Discipline is called abuse.
Do you ever feel like you are standing in the middle of a crowd of people screaming at the top of your lungs and there is no sound coming out??
Children are encouraged to rebel and we call it "finding themselves."
Teachers are not allowed to maintain discipline and order so they can teach.
Someone doesn't work, even when they could, because they are owed a living.
Personal responsibility is exchanged for blaming someone, anyone else for the consequences of my wrong choices.
Consequences are circumvented because we don't want someone to suffer.
Virtue is called vice.
The victim of wrongdoing is vilified.
Adults refuse to be adults.
Parents refuse to parent.
We don't speak Truth because it might offend.
Isaiah 5:20 says this:
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
Yes, there has always been sin. But during my lifetime, I have witnessed a "darkening" of our culture. Values that used to be understood as part of the very fabric of our society are no longer honored.
Psalm 12:8
The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.
The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.
How have we come to this place?
Have we, His Body, forgotten our first Love? Have we compromised Truth?
Revelation 2
2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.
Revelation 2
2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.
Do we pursue personal holiness through the washing of the Word?
I value what I do and I do what I value. What do my choices on how I spend my time say about what is important to me?
Psalm 10:4 says:
4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
I value what I do and I do what I value. What do my choices on how I spend my time say about what is important to me?
Psalm 10:4 says:
4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
Do we compromise with the world in what we allow into our spirits through our eyes and ears? Do we truly believe putting unholy things into our minds doesn't affect our spiritual purity?
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Is that the standard we use to make our choices?
Psalm 101:3 says:
3 I will set before my eyes
no vile thing.
Does His Body look any different than than society at large? Are we "salt" and "light"?
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Is that the standard we use to make our choices?
Psalm 101:3 says:
3 I will set before my eyes
no vile thing.
Does His Body look any different than than society at large? Are we "salt" and "light"?
Or has the "salt lost its saltiness?"
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
Are we willing to give up anything He asks us to give up? Everything He asks?
Why is the Church not defining the culture?
Why is the Church failing to inspire its young people? Have we asked them to live for something we are not willing to die for?
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Lord,
We have not walked in holiness. Please cause us to hunger and thirst after righteousness. Teach us to walk in Truth. Quicken our spirits to more readily hear Your Spirit. Help us to hate evil; to truly hate anything that does not glorify You. Please purify our hearts, Lord. Let us honor you with every thought, word, and action. Teach us how to be salt and light to a world in desperate need of our Savior. Please forgive us for setting up in our hearts anything in Your place. Slow us down so that we intentionally recognize each choice we face. Give us wisdom to choose Your very best every time. We desire more of You, Lord. You are our very breath. May we not walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. May we delight in your Law and meditate on it day and night. May we be so passionate about Your reputation before the world, that we are not only willing to die to protect it, but willing to live in a way that brings glory to your Name. May our children be filled with your Purpose for their lives. Bring our nation to repentance and turn our hearts back to You.
I am, by the way, chiefest of sinners. Each of my children and husband could testify to this fact, if they weren't so merciful toward me! :)
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