Where is America going?

No human society has ever been able to maintain both order and freedom, both cohesiveness and liberty, apart from the moral precepts of the Christian religion. … Should our Republic ever forget this fundamental precept of government… this great experiment will then surely be doomed.

– John Jay, America’s First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

As I have read about our history as a country, we have come a long way the last 400 years since the Mayflower and about 230 years since John Jay. We are drifting away from our foundations of the Christian religion. We are now going the wrong way in regard to our morals, respecting others and everyone yelling — “It is all about me, me, me”!! We began as a unique country with our roots in God and religious freedom. As suggested by John Jay, our society may be losing our religious origins as a country and heading to our end. We are certainly moving away from the teachings of Jesus in the Bible.

What can we do as believers? Where do we start? How are our relationships?

Hebrews 10:24-25:  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

We need to work on ourselves first, being our relationship with God and spur others to be grounded in Him. Verses 22-25 talk of our relationship with God and our relationship with others. The four focus verses are actually divided into two topics. First topic is our relationship to God and the second is our relationship with others. This is actually similar with the 10 commandments. With my relationship with God, I work at prayer, reading and studying His Word. I also watch for idols in my life that may reduce or take away time with the Lord. For my other relationships, I enjoy reaching out and encouraging other men. This does take time to call, follow up and keep in touch. I talk to a friend in central Illinois a few times each month. We call each other for prayer support or just to check in with each other.  I also have four or five other friends that I check in with on a not so regular basis, either by phone or text.  Is there a relationship in your life where you can encourage someone or someone can encourage you on a regular basis? Pray through the following verses to see where you need to make adjustments in your walk with God and your friendships with others:

• draw near to God – verse 22
• hold to His hope – verse 23
• spur others on – verse 24
• encourage community – verse 25

AND remember to pray for our country and our leaders.

Hey, pray for both parties. Dale Hansen 05/11/21