(continued from yesterday)

I am personally blessed with a spiritual heritage—indeed a legacy—which I had no part in making.

+  My mom was the faithful, hard working Proverbs 31 woman.  My dad had that chapter read at her funeral, so he got it.

+  My dad put hundreds of Bible verses in my head, and heart, through no effort of my own.  And the convictions that go with them are now imbedded in me—especially the convictions that let to his martyrdom thirty years ago, a hundred yards from where I am writing now.

+  Christian radio has influenced me for a lifetime—more so than any other person I know.  I did not realize the discernment I was gaining from the dozen stations in over six decades.

Growing up it was KSKY 660 in Dallas, and the mega, mega station across from Del Rio in the evenings, and Billy Graham every Sunday noon after dinner on KTEM 1400 in Temple.

Then three awesome stations in South Florida for 17 years.  Now 25 years back in Texas, with KBBW 1010 and AFR and AFR talk and KLOV.

What a blessing of amazing spiritual nutrition, plus spiritual fitness training with AFR talk.

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Then what?   “Unto whom much is given, much will be required.”

It is time for me to speak up, and write.

I’ve been posting articles from my convictions for four years now at AWordforThought.com, on a variety of topics.

If you are reading this somewhere else, I ask you to spend some time at the web site.

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I want to specifically address one subject here that impacts all others:

REVIVAL

Revival—when it comes, it is obvious, and it changes things.

—God hears from heaven.

—God forgives our sins.

—God heals our land.

Because—God responds to our prayer, our attitude, and our action.

—We humble ourselves.

—We pray.

—We seek His face.

—We turn from our wicked ways.

 

Humility—elusive when life goes well.

Praying—strong when life gets tough.

Seeking His face—deepest when we are desperate.

Turning from our wicked ways—not so popular if anyone gets specific.

 

John the Baptist got specific and lost his head.  But Jesus called him the greatest.

Telemachus shouted “In the Name of Christ, Forbear”, and the gladiator finished him off with his sword.  But the bloody entertainment in the Coliseum stopped from that day on.

Many reformers and Bible translators gave the Bible to the common people—and burned.  (Wycliffe was so hated that they dug up his bones and burned them, because they didn’t get to burn him alive.)  But we now enjoy the Word of God that lives forever.

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Today, what if the sin of God’s people, the “wicked way” that He is waiting for His people to turn from, is money in the wrong places?

What if Genesis 3:1 is at the heart of the holdup for revival in America?

“Did God really say . . . ?”

Did God really say, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and thieves break in and steal.  Do lay up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt, and thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Did God really say, “No one can serve two masters. . .  You cannot serve God and mammon (worldly gain).”

Did God really say, “Take no thought for tomorrow—what you will eat, what you will drink, what you will wear.  Your heavenly Father knows you have need of these things.  But seek first (only) the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

Did God really say, “You say to yourself that you have much goods laid up for many years—take your ease—eat, drink, and be merry.  But God says, ‘You fool, this night your soul will be required of you. Then whose shall all these things be which you have provided?’  So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Did God really say, “One thing you lack; go your way, sell whatever you have, and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  And come, take up the cross, and follow me.”  The person who heard this was sad and went away grieved, because he had ‘great possessions.’

Did God really say, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a person’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Did God really say, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!  (Jesus disciples were astonished at his words, but Jesus repeated them.)  Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

FACT—I have never heard a Christian leader address these Bible verses without a disclaimer (Did God really say?).

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After the economic trouble following 2008, very briefly I heard some Christians questioning the stockpiling of treasures where moth, rust, and thieves were wiping it out.  Then everyone got smarter and started getting better advice to avoid losing the next time.

Basically, back to business as usual, counting on the American dream—at least as long as it lasts.

Are God’s people investing smarter now, or more deceived by the financial culture with promises of guaranteed income for life?

Are God’s people committed in the world’s money system too deep to get out now?

Verses on the ant and grasshopper are quoted to justify the American financial focus and fit it into the Bible.  These verses were addressed to lazy sluggards (grasshopper), calling for diligent work (ant), preparing for the certain returning seasons, not for some uncertain someday when you don’t have to work.

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Does financial advice given to American Christians apply around the world?

Does financial advice given to American Christians apply to those without a portfolio for retirement?

 

We are told to SHARE SOME of our wealth with God.

We are not told to GIVE IT ALL.

When we share, we maintain control.

When we give, we lose control as soon as we give it.

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And finally, two more proofs that this could be the #1 wicked way that God is waiting for His people to turn from:

+ the guaranteed vehement reaction in defense of everything financial the way Christians do it in America

+ the fear the keeps anyone from speaking out and warning Christians to get out of the financial system of Sodom

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We worship with money something that is not in the Bible—retirement.

We worship with money something that God wants to provide—insurance.