Good Morning Family,
Several times in sermons or letters, to you in past years, I have used this incredibly predictive quote by one of my most favorite people from history:
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” I stand with Lincoln on this one. I am more convinced of its truth now than then. If he could see this coming in the early 1860’s, I shudder to think what He would say now.
I hope to bring a message of hope for us as a nation this morning, but I am like a lot of you. I am praying God has not given up on us yet. While we pray for our nation as whole to turn back to God, that change of national direction only happens after people turn to Christ on an individual level. A society and culture is still only won to Christ one heart at a time and one family at a time. National renewal begins with individual renewal and family commitment to live out the precepts of Christ.
And we are seeing in dramatic fashion all around us, the result of a nation of individuals who are consistently turning their back on God and the Gospel of Christ. In many ways, we are seeing not only a turning of the back, but outright hatred, disdain, and blasphemy in our streets directed at the commands and precepts of the Word of God. Even as we watch the bizarre antics of the homosexual and gender bending groups played out in the media, on the internet, and in our schools, public libraries, and military bases; here is the sad truth: they really are “coming for our children” and our grandchildren. A parade of so-called “drag queens” the other day chanted this as they marched, exposing their true agenda as if we did not know this already.
We also ask where civility has gone in our government. It is gone in our government, because it first disappeared in our homes. It disappeared in our society in direct correlation to our nation’s disregard for the Word of God and prayer in the family circle and in our schools. The church is the only thing left to stand in the gap, not only during these times, but all throughout history. Until Christ calls us home through death or departure, we must not relent or let our guard down for a moment.
We must fill our altars at church with prayerful people of God, going to God in prayer for the souls of those around us who are depending on us to bring them the Gospel and demonstrate Christ’s love to them. Sometimes it feels like we are not making a difference. But, we do not always see the spiritual realm. God does not let our efforts go to waste. He wants to use this church in a mighty way to shepherd and guide those He calls to Himself in this area. It is our job to simply be faithful stewards and, at times “spiritual security guards” for Cape Fair, while we wear the full armor of God.
As always, my prayer is that we would all “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15.
Your Shepherd of the Hills,
Bro. Steven
Dr. Steven Gann
