Quiet-Time Reflections by Pam Crawford
Despite which side of the fence you reside on, I believe it is safe to say that when you scan the horizon these days, it might be hard to concur that things are moving in a positive direction in America in 2023. With deep sadness in my own heart for all of mankind, and from my personal viewpoint, I see evil in the sight of the Creator of the Heavens and the earth being called good, and good being exploited as hatred of mankind. I see deceptive messages and false symbols of pride swaying in the wind. I see divisiveness with the word “Choice," and "Rights" being used as a pawn to advance that division. I see compromise and the condoning of sinful behavior, both within, and outside of the American church. I see the word “intolerance” being used as a weapon of destruction against anyone who dares to align with the Word of God.
It's hard to imagine how disappointed the founding fathers, along with their families would be to see the evolution of the society that we now reside within. Unfortunately, those of us who are alive today don't need to wonder what is happening in our world. Depravity, moral corruption and wickedness is definitely on the rise and out in the public square. It is being endorsed and celebrated in ways that I personally could have never imagined either. Religious persecution is also on the rise. America was once a nation considered to be respectful of Christian values even if one didn't necessarily agree with them. Ironically, you don't have to be a person of faith to understand right from wrong. And, you don't have to believe in God who is represented in the Holy Bible to determine that harming anyone intentionally is injustice at its core.
You may, or may not agree with me, but my eyes see depravity, immorality, and injustice being celebrated as something that is good from the top on down. Without apology, I concur that something is terribly wrong when murdering babies in the womb is considered “healthcare” and argued to be a woman’s right. Something is terribly wrong when body parts are being removed from children, and they are being taught that they can decide their own gender. Something is terribly wrong when parents are being left out of critical life decisions which relate to their own children. Parents have been given responsibility over their children until they reach the age of maturity, not government.
So much insanity encircles the public education system today. Something is terribly wrong when school curriculum's indoctrinate false narratives and pushes the racism card as a default. Something is terribly wrong when school board members argue that Critical Race Theory and components of the Social and Emotional Learning agenda are not designed to further divide and confuse children. Something is terribly wrong when a society would rather eliminate historical atrocities instead of continuing to work at not repeating them. Something is terribly wrong when books in the juvenile section of your local library depict pornographic images and provide content to our children to further confuse them.
This country was once a strong defender of its women. Today something is terribly wrong when women no longer have private spaces in a public dressing room or a restroom to feel safe in. Something is terribly wrong when posers of the opposite sex are able to compete in sports with an opportunity to win over the weaker gender, within that sport.
America has become a pseudo society. Something is terribly wrong when a culture has so many self-made gods that promise much, and deliver very little. Something is terribly wrong when free speech is only a one-way street. Something is terribly wrong when speaking out against any of it is viewed as hatred, intolerance, or a malicious act of bias toward a particular group in society.
Today, so many people fear calling out sinful behaviors or dealing with false narratives. There is even a fear of speaking truth, even if it is in the spirit of love. Why is that? Because we have become a people who fear offending man over honoring the God of Creation who requires our allegiance to His Holy Word. It also appears that we have become a people who rightfully fear the powers within government and the bias of media influence that works overtime to demonize anyone who would dare to call evil what it is, wrong. It is time to wake up! It is time to pay closer attention to the deception.
Watch out for twisted language. Frankly, I knew something was terribly wrong when a slogan "Make America Great Again," was turned into an acronym "MAGA." It is really hard to fathom how those four words became a weapon of destruction in America, but it happened. I have to admit, the strategy at hand to not actually say the words, well that was quite brilliant. Call me an optimist, but I would have thought that "Make America Great Again" would have been embraced as a good thing, by a majority of people. However, to agree with that statement these days puts a target on your back.
Then we have the battle within religion in our culture. Something is terribly wrong within the body of believers when a soft gospel is presented and where sin is tolerated under the false pretense that you are unloving if you call sin, sin. Something is terribly wrong when you are considered to be unloving and void of grace, if you turn the tables upside down in the Father’s house to require your brothers and sisters to repent of their sins against God. To be clear here, this is exactly what you find Jesus Christ doing within His Fathers house [Temple] in the historical account of His life when the people were turning God's house of prayer into a marketplace [John 2:13-16, Matthew 12:12-13, Mark 11:15-18]. Tragically, today we see churches all over America turning their buildings into a place of interior design and entertainment space, rather than a true house of worship, prayer and instruction. A place where God is at the center without compromise. Unfortunately church traditions of old are no longer valued so anything goes.
Make no mistake, there are people within this society who desire to silence the voice of every Christ-follower, and they are working to pass laws to do just that. The language they use within the proposed legislation often sounds reasonable, but be careful and take time to do your own research. Not everything that sounds good, is actually good for all people. One particular piece of legislation that you may want to familiarize yourself with is the so called Equality Act. At first glance, you may think who doesn't embrace the concept of equality for all? Unfortunately, this legislation goes far beyond just protecting sexual preferences and the equal rights of one particular group in society. If signed into law as it is proposed at this point, it appears to ensure that no one of faith will be able to exercise their religious convictions. Make time to understand for yourself what is before you. Don't just listen to every good sounding tune.
https://www.heritage.org/gender/commentary/the-dangers-the-equality-act
https://billygraham.org/story/cissie-graham-lynch-on-the-dangerous-implications-of-the-equality-act/
For those of us who are parents, do we not desire for our children to listen to our guidance? Do we not desire that they respect us? Do we not want them to do things in life that will bring about a blessing over a harsh consequence? If your heart is for your children, then you should be able to relate to what the heart of God wants for you also. Instead of obedience to His Word, we argue it. Some reject it completely. Others simply twist it in order to make it say something that it does not say in order to continue in the lifestyle that they prefer. I often ask myself, and I will leave it here for now; "how is that working for you?" Is it bringing more peace into your life? Does it remove the anxiety, worry, fear and hopelessness that abounds? Are you able to rest well in the decisions that you have made? Is it well with your soul?
Revelation 21:6-8
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." [NIV]
In the end, will it be man that sustains your soul? Oh how I encourage you to choose well.
In Christ by faith,
Pam
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