Perilous Times
George Stiekes
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 Timothy 3:1
Do not look now, but perilous times are already here. The problem is that we have become accustomed to the times in which we live and we tend to fail to notice what is really going on in our world.
There is a massive abandoning of our Christian roots and secularizing of our culture. There was a time when America was friendly toward Christianity and our laws were based on a Judeo-Christian ethic. Now we have become a secularized sexually oriented society. There is enough corruption in our government that people no longer know if they hearing a lie or the truth. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid fabricated a total lie against Mitt Romney in the last election and then publicly confessed that it was all right to lie as long as it accomplished its purpose. Worse yet, many Americans would agree with Harry Reid and do not care when they are lied to as long as their felt needs are being met.
In communist and Muslim countries, leadership is decided by bullets or bombs rather than ballots. Thousands of Christians have experienced cruel torture and many more murdered for their faith in Christ.
Sadly, there are pulpits across America that are and will remain silent in the face of what is going on in our nation and in our world. Many Christians never think to pray for those in our world suffering persecution, ignorantly failing to realize that the same fate will be experienced in our own land in the near future.
It is most obvious that this is an election year and we are free to choose our next leaders. When you listen to the news or read the paper, there are moments when the word impossible comes to mind. We are at the place where we cannot even begin to imagine that we could get a president that would recognize our Judeo-Christian heritage.
If God’s people fail to repent of their sin and turn from their wicked ways, it truly will be impossible. II Timothy 3:2-5 provides a realistic picture of what is taking place in our land today. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Impossible? Jesus said: If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23). Pray today for America. Recognize that it is sin that is separating God from our nation (Isaiah 59:1, 2; Psalm 66:18). Confess any sin that might hinder your prayers and then pray for revival in our churches across this land. Pray for the Spirit of God to speak to our national leaders that there might be repentance for sin and that many would turn their lives over to doing God’s perfect will.
A Note of Praise: Missionaries in the Middle East are reporting many converts to Christ among Muslims. Many Muslims are disillusioned and simply want to know the truth.
Pray for the Muslim people today, that many more might turn to the Lord. Pray for missionaries and pastors working in Muslim areas that God will provide both wisdom in sharing Christ and protection in the midst of very dangerous areas.
George Stiekes held successful pastorates in churches in Michigan and Washington among other places. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.