Your Choice America

"I ask that all of you keep these families and these individuals in your prayers today." Texas Governor Rick Perry said.

God said, "Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty." Malachi 3:7 NIV

Your choice America!! How loud must God call out to us before we listen?

This nation was founded on Biblical principles and Godly ideals. What has happened since then? For many years this nation has been in decline despite the appearance of success. We live higher, eat better, act refined, and appear to care. What all this amounts too is we have become self-centered, conceited and proud. Jesus addressed the religious community of His day when He called them white-washed tombs full of dead men's bones. (Matt. 23:27) This nation has become a nation of white-washed tombs. Like cups clean on the outside and disgustingly filthy on the inside. We battle in countries over oil and money but refuse to care for nations that are starving due to oppresive governments. We spend more on ice cream in one year in America than it would cost to feed nations. We spend billions of dollars to bail out mismanaged corporations while Americans suffer from the lack of affordable healthcare.

Young people are required to learn of alternative lifestyles and how to have sex without spreading disease but are not even informed of the thought of moral living that obviously comes from a moral law giver.

We cannot continue to turn our backs to God at every turn and expect Him to spare the rod of discipline. How quick we are as a nation to cry out to Him and acknowledge His existence when catastrophe hits. People around this nation are asking "Why God?" People around this nation today are praying for strength and healings. Today the military personnel are leaning on a God that would not have been acknowledged two days ago.

America and its leaders must today decide whom will you serve? Will this nation continue to depart from God or will it return?

I am thankful the Lord continues to protect this nation from the possiblities of evil destruction. The shooting tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas yesterday is but a glimpse of the devastation that will come when God lifts His protection only for a moment. If this nation is going to call itself a Christian nation then BE a Christian nation. If this nation will not BE a Christian nation, then hang on, for destruction is sure to come.

Consequence or Penalty

My son is a very smart boy with the need to do more than what his order can hold. Each night, the task of completing his homework in a timely manner is often a great difficulty; but it is something that has to get finished before the next morning. Often his procrastination leads to no television or video games before bed. This is not a punishment but a reality, a consequence of procrastination. The homework must get done even if it takes the whole evening to do it. Even a bad grade the next day is not a punishment but a consequence. Although he feels like the loss of TV or games is a punishment he continues to put off completion. Why is it that many times we feel like consequences are punishment and forgiveness removes all results of our choices. I can tell my son that I forgive him for disobedience for not finishing his homework and he wonders why I still will not let him watch TV. The consequence is that he must complete all other tasks for the day and TV is not a required task. Hence the consequence.

Adults think because we are forgiven of sin that the consequences should be removed because of forgiveness but only the punishment can be removed. For instance, the Christian husband who has an affair fails to forsee the consequences. The sin of adultery is forgiven by the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ. Death is the punishment for his sin but the penalty or punishment is conferred to his substitute, Christ. However the consequence of his sin remains; broken family, scarred children, lost trust and roles of leadership. One of the hardest concepts for people to understand about Christianity is Jesus' sacrifice transfers the penalty from one to another but the consequences remain with the original owner.

A consequence is the natural progression of effects following an action.

A person gains wisdom by realizing the consequences before an action takes place and chooses a different action based on the consequences, not because of the punishment. Too often people weigh the punishment and not the consequence.

Drinkers do not want to drink and drive because of fear of punishment, not because the consequence could be property damage, personal injury or injury or death to others bringing more consequence of rehab, broken and ruined families and lost opportnities. The punishment is fines and jail but the consequences remain.

"But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." 1 Cor 9:27 NKJV