A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 3 NO. 5                                            March 26, 2006

IT IS TIME TO TAKE A STAND

BY STEVE NIEMEIER

“For Jerusalem stumbled, and Judah is fallen, because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of His glory.  The look on their countenance witnesses against them, and they declare their sin as Sodom; they do not hide it.  Woe to their soul!  For they have brought evil upon themselves.”

When Isaiah heard the word of the Lord concerning Judah and Jerusalem it was evident that God was disappointed in what He saw in the people that were supposed to be His people.  He saw his people sinning openly and not being ashamed.  He saw them with the same pride and arrogance that the city of Sodom had.  Later in Isaiah the 66th chapter and verse 16 we find these words; “For by fire and by His sword the Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many.”  Those slain by the Lord will be those who refused to obey His commands and stand against Satan and his army.

Our country was founded upon certain principles that have made others in the world envious.  The thought of freedom in a time of slavery and heavy taxation brought hope.  The opportunity to be able to serve God without fear from government authorities brought humbleness and a fire of commitment that was not going to be quenched.  Our forefathers of this nation made the ultimate commitment to give us our freedom---even at the cost of their physical lives.  Many of our fathers fought in World War II to secure our freedom and many have husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters fighting today to try and keep our freedom.

Yet, what are we doing with this freedom that costs so much?  We live in the greatest nation of this world.  God has blessed us.  His Son's church has many local congregations in this great country.  Yet, it seems that our country is losing its battle against Satan and his army.  WHY?

The Lord has always stated that the home has to be a home that He is the center of.  He has given husbands, wives, fathers, mothers and children instructions that they must keep pertaining to the home.  Unfortunately, the typical American home has forsaken these instructions for the pleasures that Satan has tempted them with.  Just one of them can tell us about what has happened to the home --- when fathers are not the head of the house as they should be then the home suffers (Ephesians 5:23-24).  Of course another is when wives and mothers are not the keeper of the home (Titus 2:3-5) and not in subjection to the husband the home suffers.

The workplace is one of Satan's largest grounds of temptation.  From office “pools” to the office “romance” to the office “corruptions” the one who professes to be a Christian is being bombarded by the ultimate enemy --- Satan.  Of course, for those who are stronger members of the Lord's army that would not give in to those things mentioned previously Satan camouflages his intentions with such things as overtime or even a perceived need of a part-time job to cover the “necessities” of life.

Sometimes Satan will just use the sniffle of a nose or a headache or even “I am tired” to weaken one who is supposed to be a soldier for Christ.  One might feel this way when thinking about attending worship services but finds that they must go to work the next morning to Satan's pleasure.

As a result of the untiring efforts of Satan's army we now have some of his major weapons in our homes --- the television and DVD/VCR players.  We do not have to leave the comfort of our homes to enjoy the pleasures of Sodom as we can see them in our easy chair.  We can be persuaded to participate and not even blink an eye.

Not wanting to get behind in the war Satan did his research and found that the computer/internet would be a valuble weapon if he could get the opportunity to show the sins of Sodom to all ages.  This he accomplished.  Don't you wonder where he will strike next?

Surely he would never be able to get our government leaders to forsake the wishes and ideas of our nation's forefathers would he?  He wouldn't stoop so low as to get our lawmakers to legalize the killing of babies or allow homosexuality or to encourage parents to allow their children to have “safe” sex before marriage.  He wouldn't go to the extreme and try to go against our founding father's wishes to have a country that was based on the principles that God set forth in the Bible would he?

The answer to the above questions and many others that we may ask along these lines is a resounding YES!  But my friend he has not stopped there.  Not only does America need to stand or it could find itself in the same position as we read of Jerusalem and Judah in Isaiah, but so does this congregation.

IT IS TIME TO STAND---GREENWOOD!

This congregation of the Lord's people has many faithful and dedicated children of God in it.  The Lord told the church in Sardis in Revelation 3:4, “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.”  He was speaking of those who had overcome the temptations of Satan and were walking worthy by following His commandments.  We have members here who are doing the same and for that we are so thankful.

However, the Lord also said to the church in Sardis these words, “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.  Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.  Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”  (Revelation 3:1c-3)

When we still have “soldiers” that are coming in late or have gone AWOL for “roll call and training” (worship and Bible Study periods), “soldiers” that are suppose to be “drill sergeants (teachers)” that are not prepared to teach or do not show up to teach, “soldiers” that let Satan the enemy lure them away with flimsy excuses so that they do not fulfill their responsibilities to their Supreme Commander.  So many times these “soldiers” talk strongly about their commitment to the Supreme Commander but their actions tell a much different story.  So long as we have soldiers that do that we are in trouble!

Yes, members of the Lord's army here at Greenwood should start standing---standing for the will of God---standing for the gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ---standing firm, clothed in the whole armor of God---standing against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).  Standing in such a way that the leaders of this great nation know that there is a God in the United States of America and that He is loved, respected and obeyed to the fullest by His soldiers here in Greenwood.

IT IS TIME TO STAND---GREENWOOD!