Discussing our Country

[mississippi_jesus_chic]

As long as things are simple and easy and satisfying it doesn't matter.  We have slowly let things creap in and now it's just about too late.  We (Christians) are suppose to be standing against things that are unholy and ungodly, but too many of us don't.  And personally, I think that is how we have gotten ourselves into the position we are in now.  What you put into your heart is what's going to come out.  Just take notice to the way people talk and conduct themselves.  Look at the movies and the music that are on the top of the lists now.  And people just eat all of it up like candy.  In many places in our country, you can barely tell that there have ever been Christians present.  I am blessed in this area.  Where we live there are churches everywhere,  but the problem is that there aren't any of them full!  Basically, there are a lot of people who claim to be Christians when they are behind closed doors, but outside the four walls of the church, we are a minority.  This is a sad situation.  People say that some of the things that have happened recently have just been punishment, like the war for example.  The thing is, if it is punishment, no one seems to be able to figure out what it is that we're being punished for.  I think that if you look at the state of our country and the people in it, there are plenty of things to be punished for.  We have gone from "In God We Trust" to "God is almighty.  He doesn't need us, so we can just go and do our own thing."

Another problem is over indulgence.  No matter what it is everyone wants more.  Whether it be food, money, clothes, a bigger house, better vehicle, or anything else.  I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with dressing nice, or being wealthy, or driving a 2010 vehicle in 2007.   But the problem is that people tend to put these types of things ahead of God.

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 6:24

We need to settle down and be satisfied with what we have.  God will give us what we ask for, until it comes to the point that we are asking for idols.  Then there is a problem.   God will provide what we need, and that should be good enough for us all.


If I'm wrong about anything that I ever say, I would like for someone to let me know.  It may just be a misunderstanding but I would appreciate the criticism. 

[Debp]

No criticism here.  We have such an abundance and freedom to hear God's Word and are so blessed in our country, that it seems like some either don't want God or have become lax in realizing our many blessings.  I am not rich by a long shot, but still feel so blessed by God for even the simple things I have.

[Soldier4Christ]

Amen! Yes many do put worldly things ahead of our Lord and Saviour. Seeking the things of this world instead of the riches that count. The most important riches are those of eternal life.

[mississippi_jesus_chic]

Some people just amaze me.  There are a couple of people I went to church with for a while.  Then I got to know them at work, outside of the church and they were totally different people.  Their speech and actions and lifestyles just amazed me.  I don't think that ANYBODY that we go to church with has any idea how these people really are.  I don't understand how people could live that way and live with themselves.  I know that I would be completely miserable. 

[Debp]

Some people just amaze me.  There are a couple of people I went to church with for a while.  Then I got to know them at work, outside of the church and they were totally different people.  Their speech and actions and lifestyles just amazed me.  I don't think that ANYBODY that we go to church with has any idea how these people really are.  I don't understand how people could live that way and live with themselves.  I know that I would be completely miserable. 

I'm sorry to hear about those people.  Just curious, were they younger people or older adults?  Yes, I agree, when you know the Lord and don't walk with Him, it's a miserable life.  When a person has known the peace of a life lived with God, I don't know how they could settle for less.  Maybe some people drift off and don't know the way back is so simple....1 John 1:9....simply confess and accept God's cleansing.

[mississippi_jesus_chic]

The two people I was talking about are both about 25-30 years old.  What's bad is that they both have children.  One of the had a little boy and a little girl.  What a bad way to bring children up.  The world is bad enough, but I think that the way kids are raised has a lot to do with how they will face life in the world.

[Soldier4Christ]

the way kids are raised has a lot to do with how they will face life in the world.

This is a fact. It is important that children should be raised in the ways of the Lord and it is never too early to start teaching them.

[Brother Jerry]

Amen to that.  There is no doubt that the children are our future.

There is but one thing we are to leave behind when we die.  That is our name.  The Bible teaches us that we are to leave a good name behind.  One that when our grandchildren and their grandchildren hear our name they remember that we were good Godly people. 

This basically teaches us that we are to live by example.  If we walk in accordance to the will of God then our lives will reflect that.  Our children will be raised that way...and their children after them....and so on and so on.  We are not only responsible for our fates but how we deal with this greatly determines the fates our of ancestors to come.

I pray for a lost friend of mine not only for his soul's sake, but also his daughte who is a giftedly intelligent girl for her age...and she is already rejecting Christ because she was raised in that environment.

[russ44k]

Heb 13:5-6  Let your character be free from the love of money ,being content with what you have ;for He Himself has said "I will never leave you nor will I  forsake you so that we confidently say  The Lord is my helper,I will not be afraid. What shall a man do to me?

1Tim6 :6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain ,when accompanied by contentment.
I've seen a lot of Sunday Christians   alot that talk the talk but the walk is reveling to there true goals.
I suppose I would like to have more than I do .I have a 1977 Suzuki motorcycle  it runs ,a 98 Explore .My own business and I use a 78 dodge for work.
I'm content with what God has provided for me to be able to do what makes me happy.

we as Christians need to learn to be content on what God gives us,instead of trying to top the Johnsons.Focus on doing Gods word and not just hearing.
Rev 3;16 God will spit out the lukewarm. I DONOT DESIRE TO BE LUKEWARM

[Debp]

The two people I was talking about are both about 25-30 years old.  What's bad is that they both have children.  One of the had a little boy and a little girl.  What a bad way to bring children up.  The world is bad enough, but I think that the way kids are raised has a lot to do with how they will face life in the world.

What makes this extra sad and bad is that these children might reject Christ because of the hypocrisy of their parents.....seeing their parents attending church weekly, but seeing the opposite type of behavior elsewhere.

I don't think we need to stuff the Bible down children's throats....but do send them to Sunday School and church, and most importantly, be an example of a godly parent.

[Soldier4Christ]

I'm not sure what you would consider stuffing the Bible down our children's throats. There are some that would consider any training at all to be doing so. Personally I think that in addition to Sunday School and church there should be family devotional time. It not only builds the child in the word but it also helps to strengthen the family bond. I also believe that a child should have daily education in the Bible just as they would have math and reading. This is best way to do as the Bible tells us ... to raise the child in the ways of the Lord.

[Debp]

I'm not sure what you would consider stuffing the Bible down our children's throats. There are some that would consider any training at all to be doing so. Personally I think that in addition to Sunday School and church there should be family devotional time. It not only builds the child in the word but it also helps to strengthen the family bond. I also believe that a child should have daily education in the Bible just as they would have math and reading. This is best way to do as the Bible tells us ... to raise the child in the ways of the Lord.

That's good that you have family devotions....of course, I'm not talking about that.  I just mean that I think a godly example of a parent means so much more to children.  I'm sure you must know of people that have pushed too much on children but those same people have not lived a true, loving Christian life.  I think this can be detrimental to the children, and can possibly cause rebellion in the future.

[Soldier4Christ]

I see what you mean. Yes, in addition to appropriate training we must apply that same thing to our own lives as an example to our children. If we do not live the life that we tell our children to do then it will cause confusion in them and a tendency to go against that training.

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

If children liked everything we were doing as parents, we wouldn't be doing our jobs as Godly parents. Maybe "respect" would be a better word that would work in both directions. Godly parents are the first adult role models of children, and it's critical to have parents that are worthy of respect. This puts a burden on the parents to pray often and ask GOD to help us be worthy role models.

In terms of teaching the things of the LORD, that isn't a question in my family. That WILL be done in my family in many different ways. If there is resistance, different methods will be tried, but nobody will be giving up. This would be a million times more important than teaching a child to leave electric sockets alone. There are many ways to teach the things of the LORD in a way that children enjoy it and look forward to it. So, it's simply a matter of Christian parents learning what works.  Our children WILL be taught the ABC's and many other things that aren't nearly as important as the things of the LORD. There are some children who don't like being taught the ABC's, so that also becomes a matter of a teacher using other methods. Regardless, the ABC's WILL be taught, and so will the things of the LORD in Christian homes.

Parents have many responsibilities that aren't subject to the whims of their children, and that's all part of being a parent. If we love our children, there are many things we will teach and require, regardless of what the child wants or doesn't want. When they get old enough, they can raise their own children in whatever manner they see fit. Letting children be the authority figures in a home is a BAD mistake, one that will cost dearly for many years. Christian parents can be Godly authority figures and earn real respect at the same time, especially if they pray often for GOD'S Help.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Galatians 2:20 NASB  "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

[Debp]

Brothers and Sisters,

If children liked everything we were doing as parents, we wouldn't be doing our jobs as Godly parents. Maybe "respect" would be a better word that would work in both directions. Godly parents are the first adult role models of children, and it's critical to have parents that are worthy of respect. This puts a burden on the parents to pray often and ask GOD to help us be worthy role models.

In terms of teaching the things of the LORD, that isn't a question in my family. That WILL be done in my family in many different ways. If there is resistance, different methods will be tried, but nobody will be giving up. This would be a million times more important than teaching a child to leave electric sockets alone. There are many ways to teach the things of the LORD in a way that children enjoy it and look forward to it. So, it's simply a matter of Christian parents learning what works.  Our children WILL be taught the ABC's and many other things that aren't nearly as important as the things of the LORD. There are some children who don't like being taught the ABC's, so that also becomes a matter of a teacher using other methods. Regardless, the ABC's WILL be taught, and so will the things of the LORD in Christian homes.

Parents have many responsibilities that aren't subject to the whims of their children, and that's all part of being a parent. If we love our children, there are many things we will teach and require, regardless of what the child wants or doesn't want. When they get old enough, they can raise their own children in whatever manner they see fit. Letting children be the authority figures in a home is a BAD mistake, one that will cost dearly for many years. Christian parents can be Godly authority figures and earn real respect at the same time, especially if they pray often for GOD'S Help.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Galatians 2:20 NASB  "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

I am not saying anything wrong about teaching children the Word of God and about our faith.  I was talking about people who push the Bible, etc, on their children....and do not truly walk with the Lord themselves.  This can include being self-righteous, but not exhibiting the love of God out of one's life.   This is what can possibly be detrimental to children.