Stand Up, Church!

by Aleta Kay



     Is anyone besides me appalled at the state of this country? I have never in my lifetime (almost 60 years) seen the economy this bad. I have never in my lifestime seen such violence and rampant pedophilia. I have never in my lifetime seen so many single-parent homes where the children have no idea who their fathers are. When I was growing up we never heard of teachers molesting their students. We never heard of parents encouraging their kids to beat up other kids. We never heard of parents killing cheer leaders or coaches or children killing their parents.

     We now live in a day and age where so-called Christians want to be told how good they are. It's a name-it, claim-it society. The television "preacher" (I prefer to call him an orator because he doesn't preach the true gospel) will say things like "You just speak to that check book and tell it there is money in that account. And if you send me a gift of ___________amount God will bless you. How dare they tell such lies!? If you follow their advice your check will bounce, your account will be in worse shape, and you'll be in trouble for lack of sufficient funds. God does not honor stupidity. Making a television preacher rich at the expense of the local church (which is where your tithes belong) will not honor God and you cannot expect God to bless you because you chose to have your ears tickled.

     Church, we need to "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unseen thing, and I will receive you saith the Lord Almighty," 2 Corinthians 6:17. We have the blood of lost people on our hands because we want to play church instead of being real. We are sending people to hell because they see right through our posturing. They see us for the hypocrites we are. The world knows what a Christian is supposed to be and we are letting them down. Judgment will begin in the house of God.

     If we want to see our nation turn around; if we want government that will do what is right; if we want God to bless America (the United States--we are not the only America), then it is time for Christians to act like Christians. It is time for us to make a difference. It is HIGH TIME we show the love of Christ to a lost and dying world. We need to stop apologizing for our faith. We need to stop being afraid of their faces. Joshua 1:9 says, "Be strong and of a good courage, neither be afraid for the Lord thy God is with thee." It is time for us to live what we say we believe. It is time for us to stop cursing, going to the bawdy movies, stop accepting all the lewdness and decadence. It's time for the church to start speaking the truth in love. It's time for us to show people we care about them.

     It's time for us to practice 2 Chronicles 7:14--"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." We need to repent collectively and individually, not just for our own sins, but for the sins of our nation, and for sitting back and allowing things to get to this point. Psalm 33:12 says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

Pro_14:34
We need to repent for the sin of prayerlessness, the sin of laziness, the sin of apathy, and the sin of lack of concern for the lost. Only when we turn our hearts toward God and really commit ourselves to Him, persevering in prayer for our country and the lost will we see God's hand in our nation again. WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO EXPECT ANYTHING FROM GOD WHEN WE ARE COMPLACENT, TAKE HIM FOR GRANTED, AND DON'T LIVE IN OBEDIENCE TO HIM! WOE UNTO US IF WE HEED NOT HIS WARNINGS! God is not a celestial teddy bear or Santa Claus. He is a just and holy God who has conditions attached to His blessings. If you want our nation to be prosperous again--if you want God's blessings on your own life: follow him. The word 'Christian" means follower or imitator of Christ. It has nothing to do with your denomination or religion. Christianity is NOT a religion. It is a RELATIONSHIP with almighty God.
     Let's stop playing and pretending. Let's get real. Let's get on our knees, fast from TV, partying, watching movies, whatever you spend most of your time on. Let's put God to the test and really, earnestly pray for this country, our military. Let's make a difference and see if we can once again really be ONE NATION UNDER GOD.
     I don't mean any harm against anyone. I love all people. But this country was founded on a strong belief in God. It broke away from England in order to give people the freedom to worship as they chose. I have no problem if you don't want to hear it. You have a right to say "no." But you don't have the right to tell the rest of us that we can't hear it. Atheism has ruined our youth as morality has been thrown out the window.
     If you are one of those people who opposes our right to hear the gospel, this is still a somewhat free country. You have the right and the freedom to move to any country where you will not hear it: most any country in Europe: France is primarily agnostic or atheistic. There is not a large Christian influence in Sweden, Switzerland, or Germany either. Please understand, whether you want us to or not, we will pray for you. You can't stop us. I am sorry for whatever caused you to hate God, but God still loves you. You can't make Him stop loving you. Hell will be your destination in spite of His love. He will not force anyone to go to heaven. He leaves the choice to you.
     RISE UP CHURCH!