PREACHERS WITH THE RIGHT STUFF RIGHT NOW

A NEW LEARNING
When economic times stumble and prosperity flows from the hole in the bucket and ordinary people are helpless in the midst of loss and concern, then the preachers of righteousness need to stand up to humbly speak for God that it’s not all about us or our money. This is about God and godliness and getting ready for heaven. Preachers should be agents of hope. So perhaps you can detect that I am utterly opposed to opportunistic preachers using the chaos of a downturned economy to pretend to be visionary prophets announcing something new. It is easy for compelling leaders to exploit hard times using fear and simplistic answers and empty promises. I am very supportive of preachers who do not ignore the times but speak about God’s omniscience and compassion and readiness to forgive and receive repentant people. It appears to me that scripture models for us that God’s representatives should be telling people not to let their hearts be troubled but rather put faith exclusively in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

For so long in the western world of nations we have become accustomed to a current reality of prosperity and exhilaration and progress and advancement. The focus for most of us, whether believer or unbeliever, has been upon pleasure and gratification. When that present reality develops an oppressive overcast sky and the wells dry up, the focus can easily become despair and discontent. Doesn’t it make biblical sense that God’s spokespeople should tell all who will listen that right now would be the time to improve our vision? Should we not be counseled to clearly look ahead and into the distance? The better place and the most secure future are not here but there. It seems that we only catch on when we experience some suffering and loss. Generations in the past understood as they set their hopes on things that are “above.” The glory that lies ahead should shape the way we live today.

IT’S AS PLAIN AS THE VERITABLE NOSE ON YOUR FACE

A NEW LEARNING
Why is it that we miss some things that should be so obvious to us?

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal and a bottle of wine they lay down for the night, and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend awake. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see." Watson replied, "I see millions and millions of stars." "What does that tell you?" Holmes questioned. Watson pondered for a minute. "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?" Holmes was silent for a minute, and then spoke. "Watson, you idiot. Someone has stolen our tent."

We are presently living in a worrisome time but we may be missing the point. The Stock Market indexes are still falling. Perhaps we are mistaken about the true nature of crisis. Maybe this is not about the economy at all. The most serious issues that this world is facing may not be economic. America and Canada have been degenerating for some time into godless societies. The world economic crisis may simply be a warning that the eternal God of the universe is profoundly displeased with world ethics and morality.

Our churches are visible certainly and the US has more of them and larger churches but churches appear powerless to reverse the downward spiral and the speeding secular currents. Religion is up but morality is down. We have little impact on our societies. In fact the influence of cultures is permeating our churches so that we are seduced by the social agenda of wealth and pleasure. Our two countries are stalled in moral and spiritual crises. The only hope is a revival from God. If a spirit of holiness captivated God’s people, of how much would we all need to repent?