Americans have been blessed above all the nations on earth. We are a privileged people, and totally undeserving. We today have done nothing to create the “American way of life”. The blessings we enjoy are the result of what our forefathers did. We drink from the well they dug. We are reaping the fruit of their labor. We prosper because they suffered.

Now, however, we are in a struggle. What has been called “The American way of life” is being threatened. There is much at stake. For the past several years we have been divided, but more and more we Christian conservatives are becoming the minority. Most people today do not agree with our values, etc. At the current rate, soon we won’t be able to vote out the bad and install the good. We will have less and less power to direct our nation. As this division increases things could get ugly. There are strong feelings on both sides and many are willing to shed blood to get what they want. We have good reason to be greatly concerned about what lies ahead, especially as it relates to the welfare of our children and theirs.

Will they have the courage to stand, the wisdom to lead, the strength to endure, and the willingness to sacrifice? Will they be able to stem the tide and turn things around, or will they be crushed beneath the feet of the enemies? The answer to those questions depends largely on what we do. Our actions will have great ramifications for years to come. Just as we still reap the benefits of what our founders did, coming generations will either enjoy the blessings we provide, or endure the curse we cause by our failures.

We enjoy our blessings because someone else cared enough to do what was necessary to provide our freedom, our needs, and our security. Can we be so ungrateful as to refuse to do the same for the generations to come? Surely not. Let each of us then contribute however we can to the betterment of our beloved nation. We can’t afford to do otherwise.

We can’t all be president, but we can all vote. We can’t all govern a state, but we can get involved on a local level. We can’t all be the mayor of a city, but we can do our best to govern our own household. Each of us, through common acts of courtesy, charitable contributions, and conformity to God’s commandments, can make a big difference in our little part of the world–and that is no small matter. If ten righteous souls could have spared Sodom, perhaps we can be a part of the number that it takes to save America. If I didn’t believe that was possible there is a good chance that I would get discouraged and quit trying, but I believe that with all my heart. Whether you believe it or not will be revealed by the course you take. Those who care do, and those who don’t won’t. So, where do you stand?

After our evening service Sunday, someone sent me an email saying, ” I live for days like today!” I responded by saying, “Me too!” That morning we had seven come for church membership–3 by letter, 1 by statement, and 3 by baptism. During the evening service we had an excellent video presentation of church camp and testimonies from the counselors and campers before the message related to the Lord’s Supper. After the service one of our boys came to tell me that he had trusted Christ as his Savior at home the day before.

It was one of those days that we yearn for, one of those days we live for! Nothing is more exciting than seeing people saved and added to the church. A day like that makes you wish every Sunday would be the same. Who knows–it could be. There is no telling what great things God might do, if we do our part. If we repent of every known sin, live in obedience to God’s Word, worship Him “in spirit and truth”, and yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit, God will do amazing things. He will meet our needs and do things for us and through us that we never imagined. Indeed–when we do our part, God never fails to do His. Think about it!

I just read a sad and interesting article from one of our local TV news web site. The headline read, “Deputies Warn Church-Goers of Woman Targeting Purses In Pews”. The article went on to say that “Harris County Sheriffs Office detectives—are investigating as many as 10 different cases where the same woman is suspected of grabbing the contents of purses” while people were worshiping.

This just goes to show that no place is safe. Most people don’t thing about being robbed while at church, but it happens. Thieves are everywhere!

Now, here’s something that might surprise you even more. There is a sense in which people are robbed in every church, every service. Really! It’s true. However, unlike the woman who was captured on video, this thief is invisible. His work is described in Matthew 13:19 which says, “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in the heart–“.

Satan will do lots of things and use lots of things to rob us of the blessings God desires for us. There is actually a gang of thieves. While Satan is the ringleader, self, sin, sports, etc. can all deprive us of the good God wants for us. Satan has a lot of tools in his workshop. If he can’t deprive you of blessings in one way to will try another. He uses deception, distractions, diversion, dissension, divisions, delay, doubt, and discouragement, or anything else to rob you of blessings.

Too avoid loss we must be vigilant, ever on guard, lest our enemy get the advantage on us. We don’t attend church to be entertained, but to be fed and nourished by the Word of God and to worship God. Don’t allow anything or anyone rob you of that, it is far too valuable. Think about it!