Are We, in Prosperous America, Being Swept Away?

 

Written in 2006, by another author-

The waters are rising. The rivers are overflowing their banks. Take heed as to where you stand lest you fall and the rising floodwaters of dissipation overwhelm you. You are aware of the flood of dissipation, aren’t you? Surely, you heard about or witnessed its destructive power? It is truly all around us. Christians must prepare themselves to rise above this flood. Dissipation is evident where there is wasteful spending or consumption. It is obvious when there is a lack of moral constraint, recklessness, or over indulgence in sensual pleasure, gratification of various appetites or desires. It lurks where there is amusement or diversion — something that turns aside or distracts the mind. Dissipation has destroyed kingdoms, caused governments to stumble, made businesses large and small to crumble, and devastated big cities and small towns. Preachers, politicians, business leaders, entertainers, community leaders, and ordinary moms and dads have succumbed to its disastrous lure. The church bears marks of its floodwaters which has brought disgrace because of the actions or inactions of some recognized as people of faith. We must not allow this wicked flood to overtake us. We are called to be holy. We are stewards who will give account of our very lives to the Almighty God, our loving creator and faithful sustainer. God has called us to use well the resources that He has entrusted to us, not carelessly burn them up to satisfy our lusts. He has called us to be faithful to Him and not to be idolaters, promiscuous, adulterous in and with the world. He has called us to be content with such as He has blessed us with and not to be covetous, wickedly craving corruptible, temporary treasures. He expects of His children total commitment and not a part time religion fit into a schedule that we have cleverly created to give maximum time to accomplish our own ambitions and little time for seeking, serving, knowing, and growing in Him. Noah refused to be overtaken by the flood of dissipation of His day. He bravely chose to live godly in an ungodly world. So must you and I. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to surrender to paganism. They, openly and obediently, chose to worship and to serve the one true and living God even at a time when it was unpopular and dangerous while living in a foreign land. So must you and I. Peter, Paul, and the early followers of Christ laid aside their lives of self-seeking for comfort and ease, and chose to build up the kingdom of heaven rather than their lives on earth. So must you and I. They chose to live lives under the authority of the Holy Scriptures and the guiding of the Holy Spirit. So must you and I. The early church chose to relish the joy of knowing Jesus and to suffer with and for Him rather than the short-lived joy of having stuff or more appropriately for this time-stuff having us. As Christians, we, too, were carried away, flowing with the currents of this world. Every Christian once lived to satisfy their sinful nature. Without true hope, for we were without Jesus in this world. We all were sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore. Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more. Then the Master of the sea heard our despairing cry, from the water lifted us. Now, safe are we. Now, let us swim against the world’s tide. For, Jesus buoys us. He is the ark of safety, the old ship of Zion. Once we are truly on board with Jesus nothing can pluck or throw us overboard. He tenderly, yet securely holds us in His powerful hands. He said in John: 10, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” Hallelujah!!! Thank you Jesus!!! Glory to His name!!! Come hell or high water, we are safe in the Master’s hands! Children of God stand against the wiles of the devil clothed in the whole armor of God. Servants of God minister on as Christ did aiding the poor, healing the sick, freeing the unjustly oppressed and dispensing hope in a hopeless world. Preachers of God keep preaching whether they will listen or not preach the unadulterated Gospel, the whole counsel of God until He says to you well done. To those without Christ, seek Him and He will be found. If your soul is in danger look above, Jesus completely saves! He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves! He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey. He your savior wants to be, be saved today! Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved … ( Acts 16:31)

P.S. by Patti-Even though many were once in the ark, who is Jesus, they have chosen to jump overboard. How can a parent, (using the natural) do anything about their children when they resist the protection gained by obedience?