Part of the Problem....

When I think about America and how far She’s fallen, I ask myself how much do I contribute to it? Do I think I’m better than others? Do I ignore all the signs of Her deterioration? What do I do about Her ruin? Am I ever arrogant about the way I live my life? Do I ever use God as a self-promotional tool? Do I ever turn a blind eye to justice? Do I ever turn someone one’s righteousness into bitterness? If I was being honest with myself I would have to say yes to some of these questions. I’m part of the problem. But I won’t allow that to defeat my purpose in spreading the Gospel, because I also know that I can be part of the solution. Guilt serves a purpose. It points us to the Savior. I just need to stop, pray, listen, and do what the Holy Spirit prompts me to do. I can’t allow myself to get caught up in the things the world deems important. I must press on towards the goal of Jesus, the one Who has forgiven my guilt.

1 What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem,and you who feel secure in Samaria!You are famous and popular in Israel,and people go to you for help.2 But go over to Calnehand see what happened there.Then go to the great city of Hamath and down to the Philistine city of Gath.You are no better than they were,and look at how they were destroyed.3 You push away every thought of coming disaster, but your actions only bring the day of judgment closer. 4 How terrible for you who sprawl on ivory beds and lounge on your couches, eating the meat of tender lambs from the flock and of choice calves fattened in the stall.5 You sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David.6 You drink wine by the bowlful and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions.You care nothing about the ruin of your nation.7 Therefore, you will be the first to be led away as captives. Suddenly, all your parties will end. 8 The Sovereign Lord has sworn by His own name, and this is what He, the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, says: “I despise the arrogance of Israel,and I hate their fortresses.I will give this city and everything in it to their enemies.” 9 If there are ten men left in one house, they will all die. 10 And when a relative who is responsible to dispose of the dead goes into the house to carry out the bodies, he will ask the last survivor, “Is anyone else with you?” When the person begins to swear, “No, by . . .,” he will interrupt and say, “Stop! Don’t even mention the name of the Lord.”) 11 When the Lord gives the command, homes both great and small will be smashed to pieces. 12 Can horses gallop over boulders?Can oxen be used to plow them? But that’s how foolish you are when you turn justice into poison and the sweet fruit of righteousness into bitterness.13 And you brag about your conquest of Lo-debar.You boast, “Didn’t we take Karnaim by our own strength?” 14 “O people of Israel, I am about to bring an enemy nation against you,”says the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.“They will oppress you throughout your land–from Lebo-hamath in the north to the Arabah Valley in the south. Amos 6:1-14