AMERICA - IN GOD WE TRUST BUT SELECTIVELY FOLLOW

I love America! I was born in midwest America and raised to honor this nation to the core! I live and I'd die for this great nation. Which is why I am compelled to ask a question.Can America continue in strength while only following God when it feels good or when it doesn't inconvenience our lives? I was in a time of study this morning and came across a powerful verse that prompted me to finish writing this post that I began almost a year ago.

Can a corrupt throne be allied with you – a throne that brings on misery by its decrees? - Psalm 94:20

Wow, what a question by David. Can a corrupt throne be allied with you? Its a question, but I think we can all see its really a rhetorical question that has an obvious, "no" as the answer. American cannot continue to reject the biblical principles our nation was built on and yet still claim the favor that only comes from standing on those foundations. Gods Blessing on America flows from our original declaration that #InGodWeTrust. Our individual lives and our nation cannot continue to stand if that original declaration changes.

If you reject the foundations you forfeit the favor.

America built its foundations on the Rock. Like the parable in the Bible states, when you build on the rock you withstand any storm. And America has. We’ve always prevailed! But the builder who builds on the stand, will be washed away.I am an encourager to my core, I'm not a doom and gloom person, but America must wake up to the reality of what our decisions are costing us. It's only a matter of time until complete destruction is inevitable. Unless, we repent and Return to God. There is a great verse that speaks to this kind of wake up call and is a verse you maybe have heard before but is one we need to follow.

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

So, what do we need to do? Great question, the answer is found in 5 simple words: Repent, Return, Listen, and Follow.

1. REPENT: Admit that what we're doing is off course and isn't working. Ask God for forgiveness for rejecting Him and His word.
2. RETURN: Thank God for grace! With God it isn't about earning our way back to God, it's simply about returning to Him. Lets return first to a relationship with Him and return to the principles our nation was founded on.
3. LISTEN: Regardless of our feelings or personal preferences we must lean in and listen to God's way of doing things. This means taking the time to read the Bible and have a seasoned and accurate interpretation of scripture.
4. FOLLOW: Its simple but this is the hard stuff. As a nation, we cannot just pay "lip-service" to God's principles, we must follow them. Individually and as a nation. His principles may not always be politically correct but they are always correct. We must align our ways with His word.

God's ways are not difficult or painful, but they are often different from cultural norms. But please remember that His ways of doing things are for our individual and national benefit. His desire from the beginning has been to see favor and blessing come to you, and that desire has not changed. As we recognize and shift and adjust our hearts and lives back towards him, we'll see God continue to bless us individually and as a nation.I'm praying that God blesses you and like many great presidents have prayed, "may God continue to Bless America!"