Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Sharing Faith Begins at Home

Psalm 78:1-7 “O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.” (NLT)

I was listening to one of the local Southern California Christian radio stations today (KWVE 107.9) and the Pastor was talking about how our society has digressed in character and morals today. As the culture has taken its focus off God and Christ and the Bible for its moral compass and guide, the nation and the world has lost its way and its identity. This is not a surprise; just about everyone I know thinks that the populace is in the worse state of disorder they have ever seen and in need of revival. The radio pastor spoke about times past, not so long ago and that I remember, where the virtues of courtesy, politeness, honor, respect, modesty, purity, honesty, patriotism, faithfulness, loyalty, hospitality, integrity, thoughtfulness, and spirituality were the standard and acceptable manner of daily live. Children and adults were offended, confronted and corrected improper and unacceptable behavior because we followed a biblical morality and our parents taught us this in our daily upbringing. Today, the vices of pride, lust, vanity, profanity, lewdness, promiscuity, envy, willful disobedience, malice, strife, deceit, lying, stealing, cheating, and lawlessness stand unchecked and unabated. The answer is clear, but being missed. Jesus Christ changes hearts, that in turn changes lives.

I heard that Satan baits the hook and the god rejecting world dangles the bait in front of the flesh, but it is the flesh (our carnal mind, will and emotions) that ignores the hook and takes the bait. How are we to “walk in the Spirit” if we do not abide (live) in the word, will and way of God; if we do not read and study the Bible, seriously pray in commune with our heavenly Father, hang and worship with brothers and sisters in the faith, parents that teach their children about the Lord and hold them accountable, and Christians that stand up for virtues and stand against vices in the eyes of God Almighty. John 3:17-18 “He who believes in Him (Jesus) is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” What the world, the society and the culture needs is faith in Jesus Christ – the Savior of the world. There can be revival in America today. And sharing faith begins at home, then out to the community, the state and nation. Unbelief is big, but belief is bigger and God is in control.

In Christ, Brian

2 comments:

Larri said...

Amen! Excellent post, Brian!

This hits home more than you realize. We're experiencing a re-birth in our home as our children have come to know Christ. The older boys are looking at the world with new eyes. LittleGirl is gaining an understanding of sin and Satan's trap. Revival begins at home, so we can carry it out to others. We're taking one step at a time and relying on God to lead us on His path. Happy Wednesday! :o)

Anonymous said...

Amen Brother Brian! Revival begins at home! Although I'm a firm believer that Christians should vote for the most Godly person running for office but what America really needs is a spiritual revival.