Week Ten, 2025
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments (Exodus 20:2-6).
He is one of my favorite pastors. For thirty-six years he was pastor of Moody Church in Chicago. He has written more than twenty books. His latest, The Eclipse of God, chronicles modern culture’s attempts to redefine God and calls Christians to return to the God of the Bible. He is Erwin Lutzer.
We all have seen the drifting away from God, especially with the younger people. Just 16% of Americans say religion is the most important thing in their life, according to a new report released this week by the Public Religion Research Institute. A 2020 survey found that the average congregation size across Christian denominations is less than half what it was in 2000 — down to 65 from 137. It also found that on average, a third of churchgoers are 65 or older, twice that age group’s representation in the general population. These numbers held true for Protestants, Evangelicals and Catholics alike. Only congregations of other faith traditions — including Islam, Baha’i and Judaism — are seeing increases, the survey said.
But the church is not just withering from the outside, it is also withering on the inside, by many churches, in order to be culturally attractive. The church has to get back to the Biblical concept of God and not the gods of popular culture. Americans say they believe in God as long as they can choose the god in which they believe. Even many in church believe it is okay to sin because we are under grace and not under the law. Even pastors have slid into this culture; in order to keep modern members coming and giving. Tolerance has become the byword on issues like abortion, same sex marriage and the like.
Luke had an answer in Luke 6:46: Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Paul laid it on the line in Romans 8:7: For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Lutzer says the church has to decide if we interpret the Bible through the lens of culture or critique the culture through the lens of the Bible. We have to tell this generation that love and truth are not our enemies. They are the core of the Bible.
We all need to do our part both within and without our churches. The church and our culture cannot long survive if we continue to slide down the slippery slope of Christian modernization.
Sometimes True Stories
Love and faithfulness are two of the greatest attributes of human behavior. It is important to do a self-examination of these two qualities and equally important to instill these qualities in others. Jesus sent His disciples to all corners of the earth to spread the good news that He is the Truth, the Way, and the Light. If you are a believer in the commands of Jesus, then you are charged with being a disciple of God and spreading His word. We are not responsible for anyone’s response. We are only responsible for planting the seed. You cannot force a tree to grow, but you can provide the fertilizer and the water it needs to flourish. C.S. Lewis said, “No man knows how bad he is until he has tried very hard to be good.” Go out today and plant the seeds of love and faithfulness. Tony Ferguson
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6 million seniors in America are living below the poverty line.
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The cornerstone – Having its foundation upon the apostles and prophets, the church’s message is to be apostolic and prophetic. Still, we remember that Christ is the cornerstone.
A cornerstone was the first stone to be placed at a construction site when a building construction process began. Its function was to set the pattern for the building as a whole. Christ is thus given priority and is the one who sets the standard for all who follow. Ephesians 2:21 affirms this by saying the entire structure is built upon Him and joined together as one.
Quotes You Can Use
I rarely know where I am going in my life’s journey, but I look back and see that God has been leading my every step and I did not know it. A. W. Tozer
God doesn’t tell us to understand. He tells us to trust Him. Proverbs 3:5-6
If you are worried about it, that’s a sign that you need to pray about it.
Even if other people leave you, God will never abandon you.
God’s timing is better than your timing.
God knows what’s best for you. Trust the plan.
Love is not what you say. Love is what you do.
We have a Trojan horse full of enemies in the citadel of our hearts, enough inside to undo us.
Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in charge. It is not about being a star; it’s about lighting the way for others to shine.
A mistake that makes you humble is better than an achievement that makes you arrogant.
If money and material things make you believe that you are better than others, you are among the poorest people on earth.
Before you mock people who still believe in Santa, remember there are many adults who believe everything they read on Facebook.
You’re not grown up until you know how to communicate, apologize, be truthful and accept accountability without blaming someone else.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity and I am not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein.
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