Stand Up For America

I been thinking a lot about America and the decline of Christian values and morals over the last 40 years or so. If I had been in a coma for the last 40 years and suddenly woke up I might think I did not live in America anymore. Abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell, cloning, In Vitro Fertilization, redefining marriage, same sex marriage, trans-gender bathroom issues, widespread violence in our families, schools, cities and streets, etc. The list goes on and on.

What are we Christians going to do to combat this culture of death we now live in? I just attended along with about 2700 to 3000 people a Christian rally at the State Capitol in Helena this week. It was sponsored by Billy Graham's son Franklin Graham called: Decision American Tour 2016.

“America is at a crossroads, and I believe we should take every opportunity to stand up for the things of God and His Word.” –Franklin Graham.

It was very inspiring to see so many Christians gathered together to pray and to take a stand. He encouraged us to study the issues of what each candidate stands for, pray and most importantly vote. He encouraged us especially on the State and local level to study the issues and get behind the candidates that best represent our Christian values. He also stated to pray, fast and repent for our own personal sins and those of our country. He stated that in past elections there were so many Christians that did not vote. When I stand before God someday, I believe I am going to have to answer why I did not stand up and defend our Christian faith.

A small group of us gathered together recently and were sharing the Scripture readings for Sunday Mass, August 14. The one that spoke to my heart was Jeremiah 38: 4-6, 6-10. Take a few moments to read these verses. I compared Jeremiah with America. Jeremiah the prophet was called by God to speak the truth whether it was popular or not. He wasn't concerned about being politically correct but about being obedient to God. In past years America had high moral standards and values. We lived and spoke the truth. Now it seems it is not safe or politically correct to speak up against the things that are not of God. What did they do to Jeremiah to shut him up? They threw him into a cistern with no water or food only mud. He sank into the mud. Left there to die. The evil one is trying to get America thrown into the cistern and sink in the mud of sin. It is happening before our eyes. The evil one wants to silence the Christians by insisting that they keep their morals, values and faith inside their places of worship. Its not too late for America. If we turn from our sins, pray, fast and speak out, we can begin to climb out of the mud that has blinded our eyes. When all seemed lost for Jeremiah, the king ordered three men to draw the prophet out of the cistern.

It takes each Christian to do their part: repent, fast, pray and take action. Not all of us are called to run for a political office but we can encourage Christians that are called to political office and support them. But we are called to stand up for the truth. We have the Holy Spirit that lives within us to give us the words to speak when necessary. Let us continue to gather together in prayer and begin to get America out of the mud hole one soul at a time.