America's Paradigm Shift

"America is no longer a Christian nation." Barrack Hussien Obama

From the pre-revolutionary war days, up to the end of world war two, America was begun and developed as a Christian nation.
When the first settlers arrived, they were sent by nations who's ideology and theology was Christian.
Plymouth Massachusetts was settled by people who were leaving the religious tyranny of Roman Catholicism. When the Mayflower stopped in the coast line of what is now Massachusetts, the people aboard found they had made landfall above the territorial claim of any European homeland.
Which meant they literally were now out of colony jurisdiction of any lands claimed by any of the colonial powers of Europe. The first political and religiously free settlers of America.

THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT


This is a copy of the original, first document by the settlers at Plymouth Massachusetts. Drawn up on 11 November 1620.
Note the first line of the second paragraph.
Having undertaken, for (the) Glory of God, and advancements of (the) Christian faith, and honor...
Over 390 years ago. The first free people of the world, began a colony that eventually became the threshold of the United States of America.

The Paradigm Shift

What happened? When, and why did the United States of America stop being a Christian nation?

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6: 12)

Since the dawn of man, Satan has been trying to usurp God given human authority.
Man comes and goes. In just a few decades he has to learn, work, and leave a legacy for his descendants.
Satan and his followers have no such limits on their life span. He and his demons have been in charge of knowledge and power of elements man has to learn about and become familiar with, with each new person born.
Satan knows human spirit and its abilities better than man does. And he knows how to use man's own mind, and needs against him.
Satan has infiltrated over the centuries the highest human offices of authority, by using man's own mind, will, and emotions against him. "...spiritual wickedness in high places."

Christians have lost the edge. They have become complacent. WE have let down our guard. WE have NOT DONE OUR JOB as Christians.

Its time to pick up the book, learn God's Word, pray for HIS Will. And stop being a looser generation.

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

What is Christian Discipleship?

Philippians 2: 8-KJV
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Hebrews 5: 8-KJV
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.
Galatians 5: 6-The Message
For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.

Galatians 5:6b.-dpv
Love is the power of faith.

The following is a paper from a Men's Breakfast, Thursday September 6, 2012 at Missionary & Alliance Church of Lewistown, Montana. With Pastor Jeff Towne.

The following is copyrighted: Copyright 2002-2012 Got Questions Ministries.

Question: "What is Christian discipleship?"

Answer: By definition, a disciple is a follower, one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. A Christian disciple is a person who accepts and assists in the spreading of the good news of Jesus Christ. Christian discipleship is the process by which disciples grow in the Lord Jesus Christ and are equipped by the Holy Spirit, who resides in our hearts, to overcome the pressures and trials of this present life and become more and more Christ like. This process requires believers to respond to the Holy Spirit's prompting to examine their thoughts, words and actions and compare them with the Word of God. This requires that we be in the Word daily - studying it, praying over it, and obeying it. In addition, we should always be ready to give testimony of the reason for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3: 15) and to disciple others to walk in His way. According to Scripture, being a Christian disciple involves personal growth characterized by the following:

1. Putting Jesus first in all things (Mark 8: 34-38). The disciple of Christ needs to be set apart from the world. Our focus should be on the Lord and pleasing Him in every area of our lives. We must put off self-centeredness and put on Christ-centeredness.

2. Following Jesus' teachings (John 8: 31-34). We must be obedient children and doers of the Word. Obedience is the supreme test of faith in God (1 Samuel 28: 18), and Jesus is the perfect example of obedience as He lived a life on earth of complete obedience to the Father even to the point of death (Philippians 3: 6-8).

3. Fruitfulness (John 15: 5-8). Our job is not producing fruit. Our job is to abide in Christ, and if we do, the Holy Spirit will produce the fruit, and this fruit is the result of our obedience. As we become more obedient to the Lord and learn to walk in His ways, our lives will change. The biggest change will take place in our hearts, and the overflow of this will be new conduct (thoughts, words and actions) representative of that change. The change we seek is done from the inside out, through the power of the Holy Spirit. It isn't something we can conjure up on our own.

4. Love for other disciples (John 13: 34-35). We are told that the love of other believers is the evidence of being a member of God's family (1 John 3: 10). Love is defined and elaborated on in 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13. These verses show us that love is not an emotion; it is action. We must be doing something and involved in the process. Furthermore, we are told to think more highly of others than of ourselves and to look out for their interests (Philippians 2: 3-4). The next verse in Philippians (verse 5) really sums up what we are to do when it comes to everything in life: "our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." What a perfect example He is to us for everything we are to do in our Christian walk.

5. Evangelism - Making disciples of others (Matthew 28: 18-20). We are to share our faith and tell nonbelievers about the wonderful changes Jesus Christ has made in our lives. No matter what our maturity level in the Christian life, we have something to offer. Too often, we believe the lie from Satan that we don't know enough or haven't been a Christian long enough to make a difference. Not true! Some of the most enthusiastic representatives of the Christian life are new believers who have just discovered the awesome love of God. They may not know a lot of Bible verses or the "accepted" way of saying things, but they have experienced the love of the living God, and that is exactly what we are to share.

Fatherhood vs. Dad

Fatherhood
If you are the father of children, it is not enough to expect they should appreciate having a roof over their head, clothes and food, without repenting of sin in your heart.
Continue in sin, when you know by the Word it is sin, and despite your going to church, toteing a Bible, preaching to your children like you have some kind of right to do so, and your children will continue to be escorted by the Devil to hell.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (Colossians 3: 21)

If your heart is not right with God, your children will see it. If your heart is right with God, they will see that to.
You can tell them to obey, but they will not obey you anymore than you obey your Eternal Father in Heaven.

 Any male can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad.