My people inquire of a piece of wood

By: American Decency Staff

At our 25^th anniversary celebration on July 30, we paid special tribute to our volunteers and supporters. Many of them are well into their 80s and even early 90s. They are national treasures. We have grown to love them so very much. Some of them are  dealing  with health issues and many have been for some time. Still onwards they go – helping, serving, giving and praying as they go! What a blessing! What an encouragement they have been and remain. They are faithful in church attendance, in service, in prayer, in tithing and giving, helping others, and in worshipping God at the center of their lives. Is it any surprise that they exhibit immense spiritual fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, longsuffering, endurance, mercy, godliness.The greatest generation is like a wall of insulation to me.   They have been a line of protection for me. When I converse with them, they have passion for the things of the Lord. They understand. There is a caring level that is far beyond what I generally experience from those in my generation and younger. Amongst ministry friends there has been a nearly endless discussion over a number of years “How do we reach the younger generations?â€ÂÂ Â  With some exceptions, I haven’t found the answer to that significant question. Yet, as I read through the prophets, I see that this is no new phenomena and it isn’t necessarily an age issue alone.   It’s a falling away issue. You can pick up the theme of “falling awayâ€Â throughout the Bible.   Here is one such example: from Hosea: Hosea: 6-12 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.  The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame.  They feed on the sin  of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity.  And it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.  They shall eat, but not be satisfied; they shall play the whore, but not multiply, because they have forsaken the Lord to cherish  whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.  My people inquire of a piece of wood, and their walking staff gives them oracles. For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray, and they have left their God to play the whore. God calls us to honor Him, to worship Him, to glorify Him, to thank and obey Him, to center our lives around Him. It seems so simple really yet having a sinful nature we so easily succumb to the sins so common; the innumerable temptations that surround us. I don’t know how much we can really do about everyone else but there is a lot we can do about ourselves.  That much I am convinced of. By His grace, we don’t have to go a whoring – seeking after temporary pleasures that lead us astray. The list is endless. A vital part of walking with Christ is starting your day with Him in worshipping Him and honoring Him and asking for His help in your life. Has God taken His hand of protection and grace off America? Is that why we see such an ever growing abundance of evidence of corruption, wickedness, desecration of God’s standards and of His Holiness in our culture today? Are these evidences of beginning stages of God’s judgment upon America? A strong case could clearly be made for this. Yet, nothing should really change for the true believer: Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,  while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom  you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. [II Timothy 3:12-17] And continuing: I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound  teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,  and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.  As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. [II Timothy 4:1-8] ========================================== Your support is important to our ability to make a difference: donate online at: Donate online: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/donate.php American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org www.twitter.com/billwjohnson

---