THERE IS HOPE

A few years ago Ruth and I were sitting in the lobby of a hotel in St. Petersburg, Russia.  We were in the lounge area observing the folks who shared the room with us.

A few feet away sat a couple of teenage Russian girls.  They were chatting with each other as teenagers everywhere do.  In addition to talking, they were smoking profusely.  After observing them for a few minutes I started a conversation with them.  No matter where we have been in the world we have found that the younger generation speaks very good English.  In the course of our conversation I asked the girls, “Why do you smoke, don’t you know that smoking will shorten your life expectancy?”

Their answer was profound but not unexpected.  They answered, “Why not, we have nothing to live for anyway, there is no hope.”

As I write this article I am back in the Arctic region of Alaska where I spent several weeks last summer. I have returned to help finish the pastor’s house that we started last summer.

Hopelessness is as pervasive here in Northern Alaska as it is in Russia or in the lower forty eight, or any other region on the planet.

Webster defines HOPE as “To desire with expectation of or belief in fulfillment.”

As I follow what is happening to our country, it seems that tomorrow’s news couldn’t be any worse than today’s, but then tomorrow comes and it is worse.

The foundations of our country seem to be crumbling before our eyes.

The homosexual debasement has marched boldly out of the closet and into the public squares and its full blown ugliness is now showing up in our churches of all places.  God help us, how much more disgusting can it get?

The financial towers of strength are about as strong as the moral towers.

Listen folks, Islam is not just another religion.  It is a religious ruse disguised as a religion of peace but purposed to impose Shirah Law which has as its main goal to dominate the world whereby we either convert to its diabolical enslavement or die.

This too has crept into some of our progressive churches where the parishioners are encouraged to pray to Allah, Buda, or any other god that meets their fancy.

As we try to discern what is the world is going on with our beloved country some of us are asking, “Is there any hope?”

It was the preachers in the pulpits of this fledgling nation over two hundred years ago that woke up America so she could throw off the tyranny that was imposed upon us.  It will take that same kind of courage and sacrificial willingness to save our nation that it took to found it.

It will take the preachers of America, Godly voices that have been placed in those pulpits, for such a time as this--to arise and stand for truth without compromise.

Our foundations are being attacked and the sad thing is that most of us do not even realize that it is happening.

Preachers, open the Word of God and pour some truth into your veins so you can stand for righteousness.  The old adage applies to you, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”

The seeker friendly gospel that you are preaching may be pleasant to the ears of your listeners, but it does not please God.

 I wonder when He will say, “Enough is enough?”