Changing TimesI am always hearing people say that things used to be better when they were young. We must admit there is a lot of truth in this thinking. We cannot argue with the pillars of the past; trends that can be documented and compared with the present are realities to be reckoned with.
Statistical studies of behavioral trends in America over the past three decades give us a good indication of how much things have changed. “Since 1960, while the gross domestic product has nearly tripled, violent crime has increased at least 560 percent. Divorces have more than doubled. The percentage of children in single-parent homes has tripled. In 1940 teachers identified the top problems in America’s schools as: talking out of turn, chewing gum, making noise and running in the hall. In 1990, teachers listed drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, suicide, rape and assault.” Today it is students killing students.
Things certainly have changed. We do not have to look at the statistics and studies, we can see for ourselves. What is the reason for such great moral decline? The answer is, I think very simple, it is the result of turning away from a holy and loving God. We don’t have to look very hard to see this do we? God has been restricted from our schools and many other public places. The Ten Commandment are now seen as objectionable. You would think that it would be good to have the words “Thou shall not kill” posted in our schools.
Today, right and wrong are no longer being determined by an absolute standard, but by judgments based on human opinion and feelings. Truth has become relative to whoever has the voice.
What is the answer to this dilemma? It does not take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. We need to put God back in our nation. How do we do this? One person at a time. You! You need to ask yourself: “What do I believe?” Do you want to keep your children and family from being a statistic of the moral decline of our times, or do you want them to live above the depravity?
The patriarch Joshua, who also lived in such decadent times, said to the Israelites: “choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15. Like Joshua, you and I need to choose today who we are going to follow. Rather than becoming a statistic of the times, we need to find out what God has to say about our lives, our family, and our need for being reconciled and obedient to Him.
I encourage you to get involved in a good Bible teaching church and go regularly. Spend time with your children, teach them what God’s Word says about their own heart, and the world, and how to stand when it is falling.
Would you like to know more? Call us at 425-432-0634, we would love to talk with you, pray for you, and help you discover God’s truth for life. You can also contact us at www.taylorcreekchurch.org, or join us this Sunday. Our service times are 9:00 AM for Sunday school and 10:15 AM for Worship. We are located at 21110 244th Ave S.E. Maple Valley WA.
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