As a pandemic peters out, our nation implodes with rampant rioting, looting, and destruction. Spilled blood, ashes and rubble can in no way reveal actual ruined lives, grieving hearts, and fearful, anxious souls.
While I do believe in peaceful protests, rage and depravity are deepening brokenness and painful divisions. What say You Lord, to those who mourn for a country, their city, their community that they love?
For American Christians, the hard truth that should order our lives and structure our perspective is this:
“Love not the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (I John 2:15)
The Apostle Peter and others note our standing in this world…
“To God’s elect, strangers in the world…live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear….Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world...”
Because of America’s freedom, opportunities, and the prosperous fruits gained from moral living and hard work, American Christians have so intertwined and blended in with unbelievers that the Gospel message has no distinction and worse, our contented lives leave no true longing for God’s Kingdom…
…until perhaps, our world begins to crumble.
When our world is crumbling, we must remember who we are, the ‘ekklesia’ – “the called out ones”, God’s people called to live as strangers and foreigners.
There is a foray of racial, political, and criminal fervor beckoning us all to jump in at some juncture. But believers are called to navigate the narrow road – God’s word, God’s call, God’s way. Jesus said, “…narrow is road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” I want to be one of that few!
Would you put your money here? Neither should we invest our heart in this world.
As a social worker and retired law enforcement officer, I care deeply for my community. I avail myself to serve and pray to be a light. But I know that this world cannot be fixed, it will not improve, but will, in fact, downward spiral into further darkness and chaos toward that day of judgment. Whether we push a broom or sit as CEO, now is the time to hear from the Lord, “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” and we need the reward of His presence and infilling more than ever.
From Genesis to Revelation, an overriding truth is evident: for God’s people, strength comes from separation – separation from this world, separation unto God. God is not partial to Americans, but to His “treasured possession”, the Body of Christ, and we are from “every tribe, every nation, every tongue”.
Injustice, loss, grief and utter destruction are real and painful. But may the Lord detach our hearts from the things and fervor of this world. I pray that the Holy Spirit lift our heads and focus our hearts as our spiritual forefathers’, “…they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
Everything that can be shaken will be shaken so, “Love not this world….”
“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” (Hebrews 13:14)
Maranatha!
theburninglampdotcom 
Amen, Lisa Beth. So well said!
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Thank you brother, for reading and encouraging – I appreciate it! I hope you and your family are well.
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Thank you for this beautiful piece. It’s comforting to hear your clear voice
in these scary, confusing times.
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Martha! It’s so good to hear from you. Thank you for your visit and uplifting comment. These really are “scary” times! I hope you are well. May the Lord strengthen you with His peace. 🌿
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Lisa Beth, thank you for this excellent post. I support your sentiments 100%. The Puritans mixed faith and government after they arrived on American shores and that’s been the prevailing attitude ever since. When we are born-again into the family of God, we become primarily sojourners and ambassadors in this world. Our devotion to the temporal should become less and less and our devotion to the King and His Kingdom more and more. While I don’t relish chaos, these challenging circumstances can prompt unbelievers to consider the instability of this world and search for the eternal Rock of salvation.
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Wow Tom, I never thought of these historical points. That brings clarity to the spiritual foundations of our country, which is so important! Thank you brother, I hope you and all in your home are well.
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Thank you, sister! We are doing well and I hope you and yours are doing well, also!
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I just finished reading the book of 1John and yes, it’s only going to get worse until the day of judgment. My heart is breaking; having to see a man die a torturous death, his life sucked out of him by a soulless sinner. Lord, have mercy on us. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Bless you Lisa Beth.
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AMEN. I hate to think of what future generations will face if there be any future generations!
Blessings~💖
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Yes indeed Robbye, not only will they face worse conditions but most will do so without knowing God. Thanks sister for your visit and comments, I appreciate it! 🌷
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I know, and that ist what I fear most for future generations. So many have already turned their backs on what God can and has done. It scares me to think of how their lives will be.
You are so welcome! Thank you for your visits, comments and blog.
Blessings~💖
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Thank you for this relevant and encouraging post Lisa Beth. I will reblog.
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Thank you so much Cathy!
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The Lord does call us out, into a new Kingdom, to be His children and He adopts us from every race and nation under the heaven…
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Amen sister. Thanks for visiting, I appreciate your comments. 🌷
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Another great and timely post, Lisa. We are definitely seeing Hebrews 12:27 playing out right in front of our eyes. After everything in my life was shaken by ALS, this verse became so real to me. It’s the verse that gave me the name of my blog.
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Wow Bill, I so appreciate your encouraging comments and even more, I’m just so happy to hear from you!
You and Mary are veterans of faith, shaken and still standing. We love you both. Looking forward to more Unshakable Hope!
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Thank you for your prayers and friendship. I was so sick, but with help from Mary, the Lord pulled me through again. I am so looking forward to the Unshakable Kingdom. I am more there than here.
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Powerful. ❤
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Thank you Anna. Your blog and posts give a lot to think about. God bless you.
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How are you in New York with all of this?
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Thank you so much for asking. This chaos is very discouraging, esp as so many youths are so misguided. Thankfully, it has stirred my heart deeper into God’s word – our only true refuge and unchanging truth.
Press on Pastor.
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Thanks for sharing; this season has prompted me to pray for our country at a different level
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Thank you Pastor for your encouraging comment.
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God bless you
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