COMFORTABLY DISTRACTED

Lately I've been feeling "unsettled".  As if God has been working behind the scenes to prepare me, and even my family, for greater service. Don't ask; I have no clue.

But the problem is... I feel very comfortable.  Even though I travel every week in our Family Ministry and live by faith.... I am comfortable.... but distracted.

A popular radio and tv talk-show host has recently been challenging his viewers not to be "distracted" by, what appears to be, major current events or issues they are hearing about in the news.  He exhorts his listeners to stay focused on the changes the government machine is trying to "ram" through Congress... changes that will morph our democracy into a socialist state by ignoring our country's Constitution, of which I agree would not be a good thing.

But I am concerned about something of even greater value and of greater importance.  If we Christians focus our attention on "saving" our Constitution and preserving our freedoms by making phone calls, attending rallies, alerting friends and neighbors, staying "in the know" on all the current events (that seem to be changing by the day....), I'm afraid that what we will be accomplishing, without realizing it, is allowing ourselves to become.... "distracted".  By focusing on saving the United States - our precious country as we know it - and focusing on preserving the integrity of our nation's documents, we lose focus of God's purpose for Christians here on this earth, especially in these last days.  Don't get me wrong, we have the right as citizens to cry out and demand that our representatives in government be held accountable.  We even have an obligation to pray for our country, our leaders, and vote our God-directed conscience.  However, we must not lose sight of the fact that times are changing and there won't be anything we can do about these prophetically initiated changes.  Let me explain...

Jesus is coming soon.  We believe that to be true.  But with Christians removed, it makes way for a change upon this earth never before seen - the Reign of Anti-christ.  Christian, I would expect you to be saying about now, "Praise the Lord, we won't be here; We will be forever with the Lord!" Amen.  I concur.  However, you are missing the reality of the changes that MUST take place, BEFORE Jesus returns.  Changes that we will, no doubt, experience.  Changes to prepare the world, and specifically, proud America, for the emergence of the Anti-christ onto the world stage.  Far too many of my brothers and sisters in Christ are living in the "lap of luxury" and don't even know it.  We are far too comfortable with the things of this life.  They honestly believe, here in our free country, that we will be little touched by pain and suffering before Jesus returns.  That the worst we will experience is, perhaps, an increase in the cost of food, gas, electricity, and, "Oh, if we must", the increase in the cost of computer games and entertainment.  We fool ourselves.  In case you haven't heard me, I will ask the question - "What would it take for proud America to fall to her knees, trash the Constitution, surrender her freedom, and concede her heritage and identity to a man from a foreign land to become a part of the "Global Community" - a "One-World Government" - if you will? What will it take?  An economic downturn the likes of which this country has never seen.  It will also take the failure of our government to lead us, help us, and protect us.  We will experience the heartache and frustration of "complete" disillusionment no matter what political party one associates with.  This will lead to an utter distrust of our system of government, and when the world has found their "savior", it will be a small thing, by this time, for our nation to yield itself up to be ruled by a man who hasn't the slightest understanding of what the "American Spirit" is all about.  That spirit will have dissipated in us long ago.  So in short, America will sell out... sooner than you and I think.  Mark my words.

So what am I concerned about for those of us who name the name of Christ? - A divided heart.

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." I am afraid, Christian, that many of us have traded God's Holy Spirit for the American Spirit, or, at least, for a worldly spirit bent on things and comfort.  Perhaps we have exchanged a passion for Christ (and His work on earth) with a "Love For God and Country" (not the same thing).  And, I am concerned that we have placed the Constitution of the United States on the same level as The Word of God.  No?  You believe I have gone too far in my assessment?  I believe not.  We are currently battling for the document, upon which this country was founded, with far more fervency than we have ever stood for the Scriptures? You know I speak the truth!  When was the last time you memorized a few Bible verses and quoted them to someone?  When was the last time you shared your salvation experience with someone outside the church?  Too difficult?  Okay.  When was the last time you were spiritually moved in your soul by certain Bible verses you had just read, and then openly shared those verses with your church family?  How much time do you spend "studying" the Bible? - listening to God's "still, small, voice"? I rest my case.

"Saving our freedoms and system of government" or "Apathetic to everything but our comforts and entertainments"... either way, your heart is divided.  Admit it.  Just listen to your Heavenly Father speaking to you.  God wants you and I to be His.  Passionately... His.  Totally and fully in love with Him, and set apart for His use.... Sanctified.  Has it been awhile since you've heard that word?  Come back next week to learn what it means for you.  No.... wait.  Maybe you don't want to come back and read the follow-up to this blog.  It might mean God will want you to make drastic changes in your life - your schedule and your priorities.  He may ask you to give up your comforts as well as your.... distractions.