God’s blessings

Dear editor:

For some time now, I have written most of my letters from a Christian viewpoint. Our nation, which began with strong Christian foundations, has unfortunately drifted further away from God and His ways and has become far more secular and overall weak spiritually.

It is a lot like what happened to the ancient Israelites who had been blessed by God. When Israel stayed close to God and obeyed Him, they continued to be blessed, but when they focused too much on the blessings and forgot that God is the source of all blessings — they suffered!

“God had revealed Himself to Israel. He had sent to the nation His Word, given them His law, revealed to them His ways. He had blessed them with peace, prosperity and protection.”

“It is written, ‘To whom much is given, from him much will

be required’ (Luke 12:48). Israel was given much. And much was required. The standards were higher and the judgment, when it came, more severe.”

“So too, has America been given much. The Word of God has filled its culture, and the blessings of God have filled its land. No nation in the modern world has been given so much blessing. But to whom much is given, much is required.”

“And its sins must be severely judged.” (Quotes from Jonathan Cahn, author of “The Harbinger” and “The Mystery of the Shemitah.”)

The Rev. Charles Stanley, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta, said that he considered the 9/11 disaster an example of God’s judgment upon America caused by a turning away from God as a nation overall! Rev. Stanley said that he believed that God had lifted His hand of protection over America so that this massive terror attack could happen. Remember that protection is one of God’s major blessings for America and Israel.

Notice how so many other evils have been falling upon America in recent times? Mass shootings and people being run over by vehicles and bombs going off? These are definitely not blessings!

What happens whenever either nation keeps turning away from God — the only one who can bless us?

“The smiles of heaven cannot remain on a nation that disregards the ways of God. If America turns away from God, its blessings will likewise be removed and replaced with judgment” (Jonathon Cahn, “The Harbinger,” Page 221).

God is calling on America to “return.” God is not pleased with our sins, apathy and lukewarm ways!

Christians need to be the first ones to repent!

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Recently, Rev. Michael Youssef said that after all of his years as a pastor, he has concluded that the main reason why our culture has become so ungodly overall, is because of the failure of the church to be the salt and light of the world! Lloyd Hoffman Hot Springs