Choose Today Whom You Shall Serve

This post is a little longer than most of my posts, but it is worth the extra few minutes to read. It most definitely has the potential to change lives. We all must choose the path we will take in life. There are only two choices for us. One is the path of least resistance, that would be the god of this world (Satan). He offers fleeting fulfillment through worldly riches and pleasure in this life. Although in the end it only leads to eternal destruction. The other choice is Almighty God, the creator of all things. This road leads to eternal joy and happiness for all of eternity. It is true that it is the road less traveled. It is not an easy road to travel, but the rewards both in this life and in eternity are beyond anything that we can comprehend. It seems that we in America have chosen the first of these choices. This is not a new phenomenon, the fall from grace has been underway for a long time. Like a good father God has been warning us of impending disaster for a very long time. It is true that He is long suffering and would rather that none would perish. We have ignored His warnings and His rebuke and have gone our own way. Now the time has come that the hand of God's judgment is upon us. I would like to give you a verse that describes just what happens when we decide to ignore His Word. Proverbs 1:24-33 "Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out My hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of My rebuke,I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, and when distress and anguish comes upon you. Then they will call on Me, but I will not answer; they will seek Me diligently, but they will not find Me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would have none of My counsel and despise My every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them. And the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to Me will dwell safely and will be secure, without fear of evil." At this point I would like to give you some startling facts about 2024. This past year ended as the second most active year on record for tornadoes, with 1880 primary reports and 1777 confirmed tornadoes. In 2024 there were multiple hurricanes that made landfall in the USA this was part of an above average Atlantic hurricane season with 18 named tropical storm . In June there were unexpected and serious hail storms in Texas and Colorado. In June and July we had wildfires In New Mexico. In September we had the riverside fire in California. In November the Ventura fire in California. December 5 a 7.0 hit Del Norte and Humboldt in California about 130 miles from the Oregon border with a reported 200 aftershocks. We still have the LA County fire burning. This list could go on for a very long time. These disasters caused at least 568 fatalities at a cost of 2.915 trillion dollars. Yes, I said trillion with a T. OK I think we can agree that any one or two or maybe even three of these could be chalked up to a bad year. But there is another 403 disasters I could not name because the list would just go on and on. This doesn't even take into account, the social unrest, and the total apostasy of the church. Let's just take a look at the church. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 " But know this, but in the last days perilous times will come; For men will be lovers of self ,lovers of money, boasters proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal despisers of good, traitors, headstrong haughty, lovers of pleasure, instead of lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power from such people turn away. " 2 Timothy 4:34 " For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around themselves a great number of teachers to say what they're itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth, and turn aside to myths. " These scriptures are a scathing report on America and preachers, teachers, ministers and pastors in America. I would contend that as many as 99% of the churches are doctrinally unsound at the very least. Most are in direct conflict or in denial of what scripture truly says. They refuse to teach the Bible in its entirety. Most Christians in America have never read the book of revelations, Jude, the writings of the apostle Paul. They've never read Jeremiah, Ezekiel or Daniel. Most teachers and pastors don't even want to touch the most important things they can do for their congregation and that is preach the truth. If the church doesn't even recognize what is going on around them, then how are we to expect the rest of society to know, they only know what they want to know. As the church and a nation, we must turn our hearts back to Jesus Christ. He is our only hope we must turn away and run from our idolatry, adultery blatant and rampant homosexuality the mutilation of our children. Abortion is still increasing, even after Roe versus Wade went down. That doesn't even take into consideration chemical abortion. How many of you know that contraception pills and devices are just other means of abortion. Take the pill for example, it only prevents a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine wall. A fertilized egg is a child that has been conceived. If we don't turn our hearts back to God and seek him now, this very day, we might well sit by and watch our country be destroyed. There is no doubt anymore. The hand of Gods judgment is on America. We can either stand firm in our rebellion and our country will be destroyed one piece at a time. Or we can repent of our sins and return to Him, He might well still have mercy on us, and restore our country. Rest assured, if we continue as we are now, the worst is yet to come. As proverbs 1 says he will laugh at our calamity, and if we go too far before we turn and seek him, then he will not be found. Each and every one of us must search our hearts and determine which road we will travel will it be the road to destruction or the road to glory? As for the general public in America? I must tell you that I work in retail. I am witness on a daily basis of the anger, hatred and overwhelming lack of regard for others. For those who don't know God they rely solely on their insatiable desire for self gratification. And those who think they know God, they are living in direct rebellion to him. We can't forget those who know, and openly oppose him, they are doing the bidding of their father the devil. God's hand of judgment has been on America for sometime. The decline of our country has been underway for more than 100 years and gaining momentum all the while. I believe that short of a major revival and move of the Holy Spirit across this land that the destruction of America is certain. It may be too late for America, but it's not too late for us on an individual basis for each of us to humble ourselves before the Lord, and receive his forgiveness and his protection it's not a cakewalk following Jesus Christ. In the society that we live in it will be anything but easy. God promises that those who endure to the end receive eternal life instead of eternal death and destruction. The mood in America has started to change in our country since the election there are so many who have placed their faith and their hopes in president Donald Trump. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to have him as president also but he is merely a man although he has the ability to change the political and financial climate in America, he does not have the power to save, only Jesus Christ can do that. We must not be lulled into a false sense of security. He cannot bring us into submission to Christ. We must look at the bigger picture. This life is temporary. The one who dies with the most toys does not win he dies, and still leaves this world with nothing. If we have our country restored, it can only be through Jesus Christ . If we continue in our rebellion towards God, and continue in our sins of idolatry we will be destroyed. We cannot put our faith and trust in any man. Christ said he who loves me will keep my commands. We must bring our lives in line with God's word. We must be obedient to God's will. The apostle Paul says we must work out our salvation on a daily basis with fear and trembling. This means daily living our lives for God's glory not our own. The richness and fullness of life can only be found in a life of submission to our God and Savior Jesus Christ. In the book of Joshua, Joshua said, choose this day, whom you will serve. Will it be the god of this world, Satan or will it be the one true God the creator and ruler of all. The choice is yours, but if you choose the god of this world, the prince of darkness, then don't be shocked when your terror, your calamity comes and destroys you and everything around you, if you wait until then to seek God then He will not answer and He will not be found because He has given you every opportunity to come to Him and you wanted no part in His counsel, Instead, you chose what Satan and the world has to offer. Man's life is but a mist here one day and the next day he is gone. My friends I will pray that God calls you unto Himself. Iwill also pray that you will seek Him while he may still be found. I love you and will not fail to mention you in my prayers. May God bless you and keep you safe.