God:
“Ever since the
time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept
them. Return to me, and I will return to you.” Malachi 3:7a
God
isn’t just speaking to the ancient Hebrews! What God describes seems to become increasingly
applicable with each generation.
Consider
this: When the US was founded, the 55 delegates to the 1787 Constitutional
Convention contained this assortment of religions:
28
Church of England (Episcopal), 8 Presbyterian, 7 Congregationalists, 2 Lutherans,
2 Dutch Reformed, 2 Methodists, and 2 Roman Catholics. Others, notably Benjamin
Franklin and Thomas Jefferson followed Jesus but not within an organized
religion, and Thomas Paine believed in a “God-the-Creator.”
While
their worship styles were diverse, the desire for “freedom to worship” was
universal. Our founding fathers intended for all to have the freedom to worship
and to follow the traditions of their denomination. Note that it’s freedom TO
worship, not freedom FROM worship – they never anticipated that Americans
wouldn’t worship, or that some people would be offended by worship.
Today, if
you survey the US, 40% will claim they’re “regular attenders” on Sunday. But if
you actually count heads in churches, it’s more like 18%. Either way,
churchgoers are now a declining minority in our country.
But
remember that it’s God’s desire that no one would perish. (2 Peter 3:9) God is more faithful than
mankind, when he promises, “Return
to me, and I will return to you.” We know God’s promise is still good when He
says, “I the Lord do not change. So you … are not destroyed.” Mal. 3:6
Repent and return, America!
Norton
Lawellin
Friday, May 17, 7pm, I’ll
be teaching David’s Psalm 5 for Chapel at New Hope Center, 28th
& Cedar, Minneapolis.
Jesus in the City
Fellowship (JICF) meets at 10:30am Sunday, May 19. We’ll look at Luke 9:46-50, who
is the greatest, and how we can use the name of Jesus. We gather in the North
end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. See you at
church!
NL
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