Saturday, January 21, 2006
11:50 pm
Okay here's another long overdue post. =P Sorry if I'm flooding all at once. But if I don't get this all done now I'll never ever get it done. Remember last week when David told us that we are blessed for a reason and we have to be disciplined with our blessings? Here's something interesting:
If the apostle Paul had not brought the Gospel to Europe, the foundational principles such as freedom and human dignity would not be part of the American heritage. Because the Holy Spirit instructed him to turn away from Asia and go West, America has been blessed with its systems of law and economics - the principles that made it rich and free. In addition, American is the only nation in the world founded by believers in Christ who made a covenant with God - dedicating a new nation to god. Born into affluence, freedom and divine blessings, Americans should be the most thankful people on earth. But along with the privilege comes a responsibility. The Christian must ask not only why, but what he or she should do with these unearned favors?I find it very interesting because America was the ONLY modern nation dedicated to God, and it is no wonder that they are so blessed! Read on:
Religion, I discovered, is a multi-billion dollar business in the United States. Many North American Christians live isolated from reality - even from the poor in their own cities. I found that believers are ready to get involved in almost any activity which looks spiritual but allows them to escape their responsibility to the Gospel.I can't remember who it was that spoke to us during one of our services at Wesley, but it was someone from somewhere that oversees the Churches in Singapore. He was telling us about how much they pray for wisdom for the government such that God's judgement does not fall on Singapore. And I really believe that Singapore is so blessed today because of this community of people who are actively praying and seeking God's will for the nation.
What we discussed this afternoon is very pertinent to this issue, because I think that it is very true and real that we as a nation, and as individuals (I'm guilty of it too!), are succumbing to materialism, as the author above believes that America is guilty of. He has also been urged by God in miraculous ways to warn America as a nation that if there is no change, a huge judgement will fall upon America. (and yes, he is a credible person, not some siao guy on the street.)
C.T. Studd, the famours British Athlete and founder of Worldwide Evangelization Crusade, was one who gave up all achievements in this life for Christ's sake. He was challenged to his commitment by an article written by an atheist. That article in part said: If I firmly believed, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another, then religion would mean to me everything. I would cast away earthly enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity. Religion would be my first waking thought and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness. I should labor in this cause alone. Earthly consequences would never stay my hand, or seal my lips. Earth, its joys and its griefs, would occupy no moment of my thoughts. I would strive to look upon eternity alone, and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly happy or everlastingly miserable. "Love not the world," says John in his first epistle.... Watchman Nee, an early Chinese native missionary, in his book
Love Not the World:
When material things are under spiritual control they fulfill their proper subordinate role. Released from that restraint they manifest very quickly the power that lies behind them. The law of nature asserts itself, and their worldly character is proved by the course they take.(I have to stop here because I'm feeling quite blur and sleepy now. Hope it was an enriching read!)
You were blessed by Jocelyn
