I just read the headline–“Jersey Village Sinks 2 Inches Per Year”. Since I live nearby, that got my attention. The article went on to say, “A sprawling area of Harris County is gradually subsiding, but the points in Jersey Village are sinking fastest. The area is roughly—18 miles by 18 miles”.

Being from Missouri, I’m very familiar with sink-holes, but an area this large is mind-boggling. I sure wouldn’t want to build a house in that area. That is sad news for a lot of people, but there is something that troubles me a lot more than that. This story is a fit illustration of what is happening in a lot of lives. They are going down, down, down.

I’ve often said that backsliding is more like a slow leak than a blow-out, and I believe that is true. It generally happens so slowly that people aren’t aware of the danger–until things come crashing down!

It is heart breaking to watch people get further and further away from God. You know it’s just a matter of time until they are swallowed up by the pit of their own making. I’ve seen it happen many times. I’ve watched as some of the most dedicated people I’ve ever known drifted away from God until they lost all.

Maybe this would be a good time for all of us to examine ourselves. It just might be that little by little your life has been going in a downward direction—your love has grown cold, your joy has faded, your peace has evaporated, your faith has shrunk, your duties are being neglected, etc. If that’s the case it’s time to turn things around and get back on solid ground in your relationship with God. Think about it.

In case you haven’t noticed, the mood in America is somber. We are going through tough times, you could say the road is rough and rocky–that reminds me. I just finished an article by Lloyd Marcus that blessed my heart and ,I think, would be a blessing to you. You can read the article at this link: http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/09/will_the_american_spirit_survi_1.html

In these discouraging days we need all the encouragement we can get. Lots of folks doubt that we can ever recover and restore the American dream. If you are one of those who have just about given up hope, I think you will find this article refreshing. I would, in fact, encourage you to read everything he writes. In my opinion, Lloyd Marcus is a voice that needs to be heard.

Remember the old saying,”When the going gets tough, the tough gets going”? Remember the movie, “Rocky”?—-oh, wait, you’ll have to read the article. I hope you will and that you’ll think about it.

If there is any one word that sums up the founding and history of America it is the word “Providence”. It seemed to be on the tongue of every leader and in every document from the days when our beloved nation was founded. It is the word we use in reference to God’s activity on our behalf.

I could spend hours quoating from documents and reading from history books about Providence. For example, if you’ve never read about the founding of Providence, Rhode Island you ought to do so. But, for time sake I want to mention just one reference to Providence from our history. The one I’ve chosen might seem odd to some people, but it illustrates my point as well as any.

The example of which I speak has to do with the treason of Benedict Arnold. I’ll try to keep it short. Jane Hampton Cook tells this story in her book, “Battlefields and Blessings”, one of my favorite books.

Cook says, “The task of communicating to the army the news of America’s most disloyal general fell to George Washington’s most loyal general, Nathanael Greene.”

Listen carefully to these words from General Greene in his proclamation to the army.”Treason of the blackest dye was yesterday discovered. General Arnold, who commanded at West Point, lost to every sense of honor, of private and public obligation, was about to deliver up that important post into the hands of the enemy.”

Then General Greene immediately announced the good news that Arnold had failed. He said,”Such an event must have given the American cause a dangerous, if not a fatal wound; but the treason has been timely discovered, to prevent the fatal misfortune.”

“Greene knew the treason would send shock waves through the army like an earthquake. To prevent fissures of fear, he decided to uplift the army’s spirits by pointing them skyward. He appealed to their view of heaven and God’s role as commander-in- chief on earth. If God was the Author of liberty, He was also the Protector against forces opposing liberty.”(Cook)

Now, note carefully the next statement from General Greene: “The providential train of circumstances which led to it affords the most convincing proof that the liberties of America are the object of Divine protection. At the same time that the treason is to be regretted, the general (Washington) cannot help congratulating the army on the happy discovery.”

Greene then used the proclamation to warn the army against aftershocks by the enemy. He had no way of knowing at the time if Arnold was the only American general, officer, or soldier involved in the plot. Mrs. Cook said,”He went on to repeat that although Arnold had escaped, his accomplice had not—Once again God’s protection had intervened in the Revolution. If Arnold’s accomplice had escaped, Arnold might have succeeded in helping the British seize West Point. He also might have captured Washington. Had he been successful, Arnold would have received a royal title, such as duke. George Washington would have been hanged as a traitor. But because of Providence’s protection, the seismic tremors created by Benedict Arnold’s act of treason were not catastrophic.”

Dear friend, in this we see an example of what it was that gave our forefathers such comfort and courage. If we have faith in Providence it will do the same for us. The word “Providence” is defined in the dictionary as, “God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny”. It speaks of God’s intervention over the world, that things are controlled by the Lord, not luck! It was this fact that enabled Paul to joyfully accept his plight as a prisoner in Rome. He knew that God was in control and would use the bad for some good (Romans 8:28). That was the message he communicated to the saints in Philippi (Philippians 1:12-20).

Here’s the bottom-line. Every event, the good, the bad, and the ugly, is but a link in the chain of life that is forged by the hand of our ever-loving, all-wise Heavenly father, who causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him. Nothing is unrelated or unimportant. When we rest in this reality we have joy unspeakable and full of glory. Don’t be troubled by the strange events that seem to work against you and harm you. God is still in control!

Maybe you’re saying,”I wish I had that kind of faith”. You can! Do something about it. Paul said, “–faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”(Romans 10:17). Build your hopes on God’s unchanging, never-failing Word and you will find joy for the journey! Think about it.

I just happened to be reading an article this morning that was dated exactly two years ago today. I believe it is worth some thought. Here’s what the article said:

This serves to remind us of what Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:23 “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.” The man mentioned above wasn’t the first, nor will he be the last person to claim that he is Christ. The amazing thing is that some people believe them! It’s like I’ve always said, “You can stand on any street corner in the world and preach anything, and if you yell loud enough, long enough you can gather a following.” We see it all the time. People are so blind they will believe almost anything, vote almost anyway, and follow almost anyone. History proves that is the truth.

I don’t have any idea where Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda is, but I know where he and his followers will be if they don’t repent. They will all be in hell. Now, most of us would be deeply troubled if someone we love was a follower of this man, and we should be, but the truth is some are in just a bad condition. You don’t have to be a follower of a false Christ to go to hell. Every religion on earth, including many denominations that call themselves “Christian” is  just as bad as the others when they teach a false gospel. Those who trust in their baptism, church membership, or good works are just as bad off as the followers of Mr. Miranda. We need to be concerned, deeply concerned for our loved ones who are guilty of this. Some people would get very vocal and do everything in their power to warn their friends and family not to follow a known false Christ. Shouldn’t we do the same when it is a “church” that doesn’t preach the truth about salvation? Think about it!

I suppose the most often asked question is, “Why?”. I would also guess that the most common complaint is, “It isn’t fair!” We go through life confused and complaining about things being unfair. We apply that to just about everything, from the ref’s call in a ballgame to death and a lot of things in between. Right now you could make a long list of things you consider to be unfair.

Just about everyone wants to be treated fairly and we are very resentful of those who do otherwise. Some folks even get angry with God, because He seems to be unfair toward them. They live everyday with bitterness in their heart and they are miserable. This isn’t a new problem.

In Matthew chapter 20 we read a story, told by Jesus, about the owner of a vineyard who had hired workers to labor in his vineyard. Some were hired early in the morning, others at 9am, noon, 3pm, and 5pm. All were promised a fair wage. Then at sundown the wages were handed out, beginning with those who were hired last. That’s when the trouble began! When those who were hired first saw that those who were hired last received the same pay “they murmured against the goodman of the house”(Matt. 20:11). Although they had agreed to the wage they received it seemed unfair to them that others, who had worked less, received the same. The owner’s response was,”Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?”. Of course we all know that the answer is “yes”, but we conveniently forget that when it involves us. We feel God has short-changed us, and we don’t like it, and we feel justified in complaining about it.

The men in that parable had no right to complain. They were treated fairly. They only complained because they were coveteous. That’s what got them into trouble and it’s the same with us. The problem is that we don’t understand that everything we have is a result of grace, not merit.

We get all bent out of shape when things don’t go our way, because we think we deserve more, bigger, and better. We suppose that we are earning our way with God and we think we know what the reward should be. We complain because God doesn’t live-up to our expectations.

The cure for our complaint about life being “unfair” is to realize that we don’t deserve anything. I know–that’s a blow to our pride, but it is the truth, and that’s the only thing that will set us free. Pride causes us to be self-righteous, just like those Jesus was dealing with in this parable. That always gets us into trouble.

If we could see ourselves as we really are, sinful and vile, we would see no reason to complain. If we got what we deserved we would all be in hell–that would be fair! It is only because Christ suffered, bled, and died to pay our sin debt that we can be delivered from getting what we deserve. No, God isn’t “fair”–He is gracious and that’s a lot better!

Regardless of all the bad and painful things that could happen to us, we all have it better than we deserve. Although, at times I do complain, and I am ashamed of it, I have no right to do so. I’m just a sinner saved by grace, supplied by grace, and sustained by grace. I am undeserving of every good thing I have and I deserve worse than the worst thing that could happen to be. I have no reason to complain about anything. I’ll tell you what isn’t fair—it is unfair to accuse God of being unfair! Jeremiah helps us put it all the proper perspective. He said,”It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed—.”–Lamentations 3:22. THINK ABOUT IT!