THURSDAY 31 December, 2015
New Year’s Eve
Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” - 1 Samuel 7:3
As the year comes to an end, it is hard to reflect back and not recognize the great tragedy of the church. There has been a tremendous escalation in Christian and Jewish persecution around the world and even here in the United States, a nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles.
While persecution is growing against believers, the church has remained somewhat silent. There are people here and there who speak out, but for the most part there has been a deafening silence. We have allowed non-believers and other religions to have more influence in this world. We have allowed them to silence God’s people.
I believe God could and would intervene if His people would return to Him with all their hearts. I believe there is great compromise in the church, and until we put aside our foreign gods and prepare our hearts for Him, He will not deliver us from the enemy.
You may say, “I do not have foreign gods,” but I would disagree. How many believers have sacrificed to the god of abortion? How many Christians have compromised on God’s Word, embracing same-sex marriage? When we compromise and conform to the things of this world, we become idolaters, because we put the things of this world above God.
Today is the day to turn back to God and prepare your heart for Him!
All who forsake the Word fall into idolatry.
~Author Unknown~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!