Trauma in America

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Judgment">Righteous Judgment</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id337.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The physical and spiritual blessings of ">The physical and spiritual blessings of submission</A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I><B>“TRAUMA in Character”</B></I></div> <bR> <div> Does character matter to God when it comes to leadership ? _____      </div> <div> Where does placecountry-regionAmerica stand in the eyes of God today ? _____     </div> <div>                                                                                     </div> <div>      It never ceases to amaze me of how accurate God's Word always is, regardless of what history or age we talk about. </div> <div>      Let's take an honest look at the current <B>trauma</B> facing placecountry-regionAmerica.  <B>Trauma meaning </B>- a deeply distressing experience.  The placecountry-regionUnited States of America is now in the process of electing a president and we hear character assassination being slung left and right from the competition. </div> <div>      The news about Barack Hussein Obama has put the spotlight on him and his wife over their anti-American liberal (former) pastor of 20 years,  Jeremiah Wright.  And of Obama's wife's anti-white - anti American statements.  Barack Obama's liberal “unite” speeches on “change placecountry-regionAmerica and the world” are beginning to be exposed.  Mr. Obama is the single most liberal senator in the entire US Senate, says Ken Blackwell - who is a black columnist for the placeStateNew York Sun newspaper.  Mr. Blackwell continued to state that Obama promises to raise taxes on the rich and raise taxes on fixed Social Security; raise taxes on fixed medicare, all prescription drugs - colleges and social medicine!   Obama's solution to everything is to have a  socialist  government after he raises taxes. </div> <div>      Setting those thoughts aside for a moment and turning our attention to America in general, we can  not  help but notice how often we have listened to the spin doctors in Washington, on television and  in the news print mock conservative Christian values that many of us treasure.  We have seen and listened to them justify some of the most wretched and deplorable actions imaginable.</div> <div>      On the first day of Unleavened Bread this year, I  reminded the brethren of the changes that have taken place over the last 20 or so years.  I spoke of <B>Madeline Murray O'Hare, </B>who did not want prayer in schools and<B>  Dr. Benjamin Spock</B> - who said <U>we should stop</U> disciplining our children by spanking. <B>Then someone  else  said</B>, it should be OK to let our daughters have abortions without telling their parents - <B>and lets pass out </B>condoms to the boys and not tell their parents. <B>Then I  followed up with “The entertainment industry”  </B>who said -  let's make TV shows and movies that promote profanity, violence, illicit sex and encourage rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes. God's word tells us,  “<B>We reap what we sow!</B>” </div> <div>      How far back do we need to look?  The nation <B>today</B> “is reaping what it has sown” in just  the  past few years!</div> <div>      When comparing ex- president Bill Clinton's actions with the immorality of other past Presidents,</div> <div> it is hard for us to remain silent and just ignore what is going on today.  Some of our nation's governors and mayors recently have featured on the news. Why?  One: the prostitution scandals of Elliot Spitzer the  governor of placeStateNew York, who resigned from his job over having sex with a high priced prostitute. Next we saw the new sworn in governor David Patterson who replaced Elliot Spitzer, announce openly to the public all his - and his wife's acts of drug and adulteress sins.  It has not been to long ago that the governor of placeStateNew Jersey announced he was gay and had, had an affair with another man, so he resigned his post.  Recently, the mayor of placeCityDetroit, is battling in court over a sex charge. He is charged with perjury, obstruction of justice and lying under oath about  having an affair with  his chief of staff. </div> <div>      Looking at these news reports  provided us with a window to the nation's soul and what we are seeing is very disturbing.   </div> <div>      A question: have you ever taken a test or exam and wish you <B>had </B>the answers to the questions written down in front of you?  I think all of us at  times would have liked that.  Well, God gave us answers for the saving of this nation's soul when He inspired Moses to write Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28.  These are the conditions for blessings and the warnings for chastisements.  On these two chapters on blessing and cursing, stand the nations fate.</div> <div>      These governors, mayors and ex-president Bill Clinton's recreational  pursuits, has provided us with a perspective that shows placecountry-regionAmerica to be headed down the path  for correction!</div> <div>      Read what Isaiah has to say about this, <B>“Ah sinful nation</B>, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of </div> <div> <B>Evildoers</B>, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. Why should you be stricken any more? You will revolt more and more: <B>the whole head is sick</B>, and the whole heart faint.  From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.  Your country is desolate, and overthrown by <B>strangers” (</B>Isa 1:4-7<B>)</B>. </div> <div>       This once great nation of placecountry-regionAmerica  has fallen into Satan's sewer of thinking.  Our values about immorality are yawned at.  We wink at those lying under oath.  All we care about today is the economy, the stock market and the housing market.</div> <div>      Looking back at another leader's  example of 20 years ago, Senator Gary Hart withdrew from the presidential race.  Why?  Because it was obvious to him and those around him he was lacking in moral  integrity.  He could not secure the trust and support of the American people after being photographed on a yacht with a female who was not his wife.  Just 20 years later this type of activity will get you over 60% percent approval rating!</div> <div>      As a nation, placecountry-regionAmerica's soul is sick,  just as we were told in Isaiah, <B>“Ah sinful nation</B>,<B> a people laden with iniquity, a seed of Evildoers, children that are</B> <B>corrupters</B>: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward” (Isa 1:4 ).  </div> <div> <B>     The sad fact is this: </B>as a nation we have trampled on God's gift to us.  A gift we are told not to forget! “When you have eaten and are full, then you shalt bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.  But beware that you forget not the Lord your God, in not keeping His commandments, and His judgments, and His statutes, Which I command you this day: lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;  and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage” (Deu 8:10-14).  Vs.17-20 “And you say in your heart, my power and the might of mine hand has gotten me this wealth. But you shalt remember the Lord your God: for it is He that giveth you power to get wealth, that He may establish His Covenant which He swore unto your fathers, as it is this day.  And it shall be, if you do at all forget the Lord your God, And walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.  As the nations which the Lord destroys before your face, so shall you perish; because you would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God.”  </div> <div>      There is no sin greater nor more destructive to faith, as disbelief in God's statutes, commands and promises.  placecountry-regionAmerica has the politicians it deserves! They have the character to reflect an increasingly “character-less” country! They are the perfect icons for Americans sexual revolution. They are the ultimate expression of the “value-less” nature of having a liberal character imbalance and they are the premier example of “the end justifies the means” mentality!</div> <div>      Today, most of the nation is suffering from “scandal  fatigue” and want to throw their hands up  and do nothing.  Some become cynical. Some become frustrated. Some become despondent, and others become angry and just want it to go away!!</div> <div>      But as God's chosen - now is not the time to disengage!  It is not the time for us to be discouraged. We have been called to have faith in the return of God's kingdom. And to be the salt of the earth and a light to the world!</div> <div>      Edmund Burk, a 17<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >th</FONT> century author and orator from placecountry-regionGreat Britain  said: “All that is necessary for evil to triumph - is for good people to do nothing!” <B>How true.  </B>It is “business as usual,” let's just get on with everything and as long as the economy is forging ahead and we make money. That is all that's important.  In reality, as a nation we are drowning in sleaze.  From Jerry Springer to Howard Stern to Don Imus - to our  government elected officials. The soul of this placePlaceTypeland of PlaceNameAmerica is sick, and this nation's sickness has reached the point <U>that  it can't</U>  even see the sickness any more.  That's exactly what the Apostle Paul said would happen. God's judgment is against a group of people or a land, when they can't think straight anymore. They have a mind that has become clouded.  “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Rom 1:28).   </div> <div>      When people  refuse to acknowledge God, He abandons them to their evil minds, He lets them do the things that should never be done.  That is a good description of placecountry-regionAmerica today!!  Immoral acts of sex have complicated and profound  repercussions that go way beyond the moment. More  importantly, we need to think about  it in terms of what God has to say!</div> <div>      Notice in the book of Ephesians, “But fornication <B>[illicit sexual intercourse of all kinds], </B>And all uncleanness <B>[impurity, passing from holy love to that of unholy love to show how the most sacred sacrament can be corrupted], </B>or covetousness, <B>[greed for more] </B>let it not be once named among you, as becoming  saints;  neither filthiness<B> [shameful conduct], </B>nor foolish talking <B>[gossip], </B>nor jesting <B>[buffoonery], </B>which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the placePlaceTypekingdom of PlaceNameChrist and of God.  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  Be not you therefore partakers with them” (Eph. 5:3-7). God's says: Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity or greed among you, because, such sins should have no place among God's people!</div> <div>      Regardless of what the media tells us, morality matters, because it matters to God!  Morality matters because it is the basis of intimacy in relationships between human beings. It is the basis upon which trust is built and when trust  is gone, the relationship is gone!</div> <div>      This nation does not understand the nature of repentance - changing  direction. Repentance isn't confessing when someone has a gun to your head.  Example: as witnessed by many, of one well known leader who was campaigning for his wife to be president, would still be lying today, if there had not been DNA evidence on the infamous blue dress!  Bill Clinton lied for seven months until he found out about the stained dress.  His wife, Hillary Clinton is keeping things in the family: she was recently caught again in a (another) lie.  This time lying about being shot at when she was on her over seas trip to placecountry-regionBosnia with her daughter Chelsea.  </div> <div>      Repentance is a 180 degree turn away from what you have been doing wrong, to do what is a whole new path of life.  And repentance is more than saying “I'm sorry!” It is about <B>doing </B>- turning around and making amends and stop thinking like this world thinks!</div> <div>      But instead this nation is mindlessly applauding this corrupt  government's economy and immorality, thinking nothing else seems to matter!  That is dead wrong thinking!</div> <div>      The Apostle Paul sounds a warning alarm for us to  heed:  “Be not conformed to this world: but be you <B>transformed </B>by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2).  The Apostle Paul is saying:  Don't become so well adjusted  to your culture,  that you fit into it - instead, fix your attention on God.  Get beyond, the humanistic rhetoric and expose your mind to what the Bible says about God's expectations for a nation, its leadership and its citizens!</div> <div>      Being called and chosen involves having good and righteous character when given responsibilities.  Being in God's kingdom will carry a big responsibility. </div> <div>      There are three major points in God's Word that is required of a great  nation - in order to be remembered as a nation of character: 1.<B><U>  A nation must honor God; </U></B> 2. <B><U>It must have high moral values;  </U></B> 3. <B><U>And it must have wise leadership.</U></B></div> <div>      God says, “At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; if it do evil in My sight, that it obey not My voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said [in Lev 26 and Deu 28] I  would benefit them” (Jer. 18: 7-10).  The profound truth is here taught - that a nation stands or falls according to their relationship to moral laws. If a nation conducts its affairs uprightly, following the precepts of justice and mercy, it shall prosper.  We are told in the book of Psalms, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper” (Psa. 1:3).  If on the other hand: if a person or nation gives itself wholly to material and secular values, and disregards the norms of honesty, it shall perish as Psalms 1:6 says, “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”  </div> <div>      Honoring God and His directives are essential for continued blessings.  We are informed of that in the book of 1 Samuel.  “Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before Me for ever: but now the Lord said, be it far from Me; for them that honor Me I will honor, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed” (1 Sam 2:30).  </div> <div>      The Lord God of placecountry-regionIsrael is saying: “The terrible things you are doing can not continue. I have promised you a special relationship with Me.” He went on in this verse to say, “I will honor only those who honor Me  and I will despise those who despise Me.”  And as a nation needing good character in  leadership; are we  honoring God and His words?  The answer is painfully obvious!</div> <div>      We have banned the Bible from our educational systems!  It was the most coveted book by the founding fathers of placecountry-regionAmerica.  The book upon which <B>Andrew Jackson</B> said:  “That book sir, is the rock upon which our republic rests.” <B>George Washington</B> had this same thought, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without the Bible.”  <B>Thomas Jefferson said, </B>“The Bible makes the best people in the world.”  <B>Abraham Lincoln, </B>“But for this book we could not know right from wrong.  I believe  the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.” </div> <div>      Today prayer is outlawed  from most  public venues, the posting of the Ten Commandments is outlawed in our public buildings. We wink at deception!!  This nation's character -  is sick to the core!!!!</div> <div>      King Solomon the wisest man who ever lived said: “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Pro. 14:34).  All this nation seems to care about is its entertainment and its economy/stock market; especially the devalued dollar and the resulting high cost of gasoline. Who cares about the nation's morality?  The answer to that question: GOD DOES - and if He does - we should also!!</div> <div>      This is a tragic commentary on the character of placecountry-regionAmerica, when life isn't  nearly as important as the economy and our own pleasure.  I'm sure that the economy of CitySodom and placeCityGomorrah was good at one time too!  Until GOD said,  That's it!! I've had enough!!  And that is exactly what He is saying to placecountry-regionAmerica today!</div> <div>      As long as the influences described above continue in America - an America which is the world leader in pornography, promiscuity,  homosexuality,  drug usage, divorce, fatherless homes, violence, crimes like rape and murder, etc., etc., etc.; then we can not help but see that America has become a country in which the great majority can no longer distinguish between Right and Wrong; between Good and Evil.  Everything we discussed in this article so far, points to a nation which has forgotten God - as it has chased after prosperity, affluence, stock market profits, sensuality and after the so-called “good life.”         As God's called, who hate living with this  evil - but  love righteous living -  and understand the times in which we are living, then we need to be preparing spiritually for a period of great upheaval and a shaking up of placecountry-regionAmerica and all around the world which could lie ahead in the coming months.  </div> <div>      We all need to be on our knees praying for God's kingdom to come and to have His strength - wisdom, guidance and righteousness - for protection in the days ahead.  We must look to God and Christ for the protection they offer to each one of us.  Notice what David said, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not  fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Ps 46: 1-2).  Moses told the Israelites to exercise faith, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them.  For the Lord your God, He it is that does go with you; He will not fail you, nor forsake you. And Moses called Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all placecountry-regionIsrael, be strong and of a good courage; for you must go with this people unto the land which the Lord has sworn unto their fathers to give them; and you shalt cause them to inherit it.  And the Lord, He it is that does go before you; He will be with you, He will not fail you, neither forsake you; fear not, neither be dismayed” (Deu 31:6-8).    </div> <bR> <div>              Remember - God requires three things for a great nation to have character: 1. They must <B>honor God</B>;  2.  They must have <B>good moral values</B>;  3.  And they must have <B>wise leadership</B>.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> James Russell</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>