IF AMERICANS CAN BE RICHER THAN GOD

In the past two weeks, our church, the Living Word Ministries have tackled national issues with a captivating title, “What Would Jesus Say to Our Next American President?” It is a timely topic with the forthcoming elections replete with its debates, campaigns and hulla-balloo-tic crap these two Presidential hopefuls are engaging that are perpetually rocking the whole American nation.

What struck me about our pastor’s testimony was that he pointed out  the roots of American history that this blessed country was explicitly based on Christianity. The historic American leaders founded this country on the premises of Christian values and faith. For centuries, these historical leaders strove for an America whose people are not self-serving but people who greatly place so much love and value to their families and country, while loving and serving one another in Christ’s faith.They even imprinted their motto of "In God We Trust" in their monetary units.

However, as years passed, Americans probably think it’s better to serve their self-interests. In 1963, prayer in schools was banned. Later on, even quiet time of solitude and discussion about God is shunned in an institution which is actually an essential social component complementing another social component called “family.” Americans no longer believe that schools can have the greatest impact of molding values in children. They think schools should never infuse faith and spirituality on children. The aftermath of totally prohibiting God and prayer in schools led to a gradual downfall of America. America, being the greatest and the richest nation in the face of the universe, is now rapidly spiraling to plummet every year. Crime rate increased 400% since 1963, along with the massive increase rates of teen pregnancy, divorce and suicide. In 1969, abortion was legalized. Then in recent years, gay marriage was institutionalized. Massive attacks of terrorism became frequent with the most colossal destruction done by humans to Twin Towers during September 11, 2001.

Along with this, America still is stubborn. They had become too politically correct while using the name of God for self-gain which emerges as the “social decorum “ and thus is acceptable everywhere. Ironical, isn’t it? You may often wonder what did God do to America to make Americans belittle God or avoid God. But the most distressing yet another ironical part is that America prides itself as a land that is blessed by God (“God bless America”) yet amidst of it all, is no longer looking back to what indeed America stands for. What has been the most powerful and greatest nation in the world is now in shambles and in turmoil. Forgetting about God and depending on ourselves  and our own strength while continually fighting for trivial “self-preserving rights” have in turn effect a backlash.

As I read one article in US Glamour magazine entitled, “How to Be Richer Than God”, I was wondering what kind of principles they are exhorting to its readers and the public. It is a fashion magazine alright, so what’s the deal? It’s just only a title. Although the title has nothing to do with the content, except that it only shared tips and tricks to get rich, using God’s name to lure readers that wealth is more important than God is a reflection of how America’s ideal has shifted away from what it was originally founded on. And the deal is, it is quite provocative in such a way that it might give the wrong notions of motivation to prosper financially. In such a politically correct American society, the editors of this publication seem to tolerate the idea that they can inspire people to get rich without any regard to a Supreme God. But this does not come as a surprise to anyone who’s familiar with Glamour magazine, because this magazine boasts itself as being a source of inspiration of empowerment for women by relaying the perverted and warped causes like reproductive rights. (I am not anti-feminist but I don’t think women especially in the American society are being deprived of anything. Women here don’t realize that we are already the superior sex, so what is it to fight for? Women can never be equal with men  because by design we were created to function differently than men).

This magazine, like any other mass medium,  can exert great influence on thoughts and actions of people. In America, the potent and strong force of mass media is actually a powerful complement to shaping what America is. Media creates and forces the “value” and the mass consumes it like it’s “life” itself. Sadly, the result is, what Americans think is “crucial and important to their lives” is making America degenerate.

Unfortunately, the two Presidential hopefuls might never regain what America was because even both of them are embroiled in nothing but cheap talk and pleasing its public opinions. This is very evident that most of us are never satisfied as we always push to rally for our self-preserving rights.  We become a nation of selfish people unceasingly struggling and stressing out “rights that are personal” like women’s rights, gay rights, teen rights, reproductive rights, jobless rights, children's rights (children don't need rights, they need good discipline and parenting).etc. What’s happening, these leaders will never do the right thing but will do what the public thinks is the right thing.

Aside from that, we have tended to forget to look back who was the source of our prosperity and wealth. As we look back in Scriptures, great leaders of the richest nations and kingdoms took heed of God’s counsel. They turned to God for advice in leading their people. They always foresaw what lies ahead and prepared for it. And when they don’t, God numbered their days. That is still true today.

People from all over the world looked up to America before ---once a nation that is the "greatest, most blessed, and most powerful nation" in the face of the earth. But the fact now is embarrassing. America is slowly crumbling. Yet we don't want to turn back to what our country was for. We don't want to do what is right not in the eyes of men, but in the eyes of the Creator of this once-great land.

We don’t do that here in America anymore. Popular opinion is the most important thing in this country.  We even plan to remove "God" from our pledge of allegiance. We forget God. We don’t need God. We just need ourselves to be always “right” and be given what we think we should have. We think we can be richer than God. If we Americans can be richer than God probably we can buy everything we want---peace, joy, better health, wealth, great relationships and success. God is a nuisance if we want to abort babies, marry the same sex, divorce our spouses, and kill and deceive others. So, I think America does not need God, doesn’t she?  After all we’re a rich nation –richer than God. Screw history because it is obsolete. Forget what America was founded on because we look forward to a devastating future. In the end, we (the public) will rule over our country that is definitely heading for doom.

Does America need to go back to God or does America just serve its self-interests? What do you think?

"But seek first the Kingdom [of God], and His righteousness, and all other things will be given to you as well." (Mt. 6:25,32-33).

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Comments

[Mel Avila Alarilla]

This is a wonderful treatise on what's ailing America. Your article is right 100%. No one could have said it better than you did. Yes, America was blessed because its founding fathers adhered to the principle of godliness. In fact, even in its currency, it is clearly stated, "In God we trust." So God blessed America all through those years by becoming a land flowing with milk and honey epitomized by its grandiose Statue of Liberty. But alas, as you say, America lost its bearing and sought after worldly things and sold its soul to the devil. America right now is steeped in apostasy. Great article from an equally great and compleat writer. May I request for prayers for my friend Emmyrose of Just Let Go who is suffering right now from lupus flare and is confined at a hospital. My heart broke when I saw her picture in her post and I decided to repost her article in my blog Random Thoughts. Please visit her site and leave words of love and comfort for her. Thank you so much my friend and God bless you always.

[uglyblackjohn]

"Only a moral and just society is capable of a Democracy" - Thomas Jefferson (I think)

[Angie Atkinson]

This is a very interesting post that lets me understand more about you personally than I have before Bing. I think it's awesome that you're so grounded in your faith, and I agree that men and women are wired differently. While I don't totally agree with all of the opinions you posted, I definitely respect your point of view. Great post!

[Tony Cathey]

God is being torn away from society, not slowly anymore, but faster than ever. This, I believe, is due to people wanting to be more tolerant of other people and their religions. If we believe that The United States was founded by people of Christian faith, and then factor in them welcoming other people from other countries and backgrounds, in order to keep a free nation, they had to accept them as they were, religion and all. So now you have a melting pot of people and religion. Non Christians are the elite and thus make the rules, and in order to push certain agendas that they desire, any type of moral problems that may arise due to someones faith has to be pushed to the wayside for the sake of "progress".
It isn't going to get any better in the USA, and greed seems to be what has caused our economic problems. All we can do is hope for the soon return of the Lord. At least, that is what I am doing.

Tony

[Lena]

So true! and this attitude does not apply only to the US. I think it's a world-wide epidemic. People have lost perspective of what life's about, what is important and the values that bring real happiness and fulfillment. The damage we have caused the environment is a direct result of this ill-begotten attitude and behaviour. Our greed for more material things at the cost of the environment and our fellow human inhabitants is, unfortunately, something we and our children will soon be paying for.

[abul]

i like this post. you writing is great. i agree what USA think about god. USA acted as a god in today world. Today economy crisis have affected america and all over the world expacially to the country who's pray to USA god. I wonder how america which acting as god or more powerful than god can safe the economy crisis! - abul

[Clarisse]

SO WELL PUT! I REALLY LIKE THE CONTENT OF THIS ONE! I WISH I CAN SEND THIS ARTICLE OF OURS TO EVERYONE IN AMERICA. I'M FRUSTRATED

[Lori Laws]

That was excellent Bingkee! Instead of saying, "God bless America," we should be saying, "America...bless God!" Really, what do we expect if God has been taken out of our country? 911 was a wakeup call, unfortunately that only woke our country up for a short time, and now everything is "back to business as usual," that is, "back to business without God." What a tragedy! God certainly has a way to get our attention. He has a way of knocking us off our prideful horse. America...humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in His time He will lift you up. (1 peter 5:6-7)

[Mel Avila Alarilla]

Hi Bingkee,
Please go over to my newest blog How's Your Blog?". Your blog has been reviewed and rated there. Ratings are impersonal and based solely on the merits of the blog as per my criteria. Thank you so much. God bless you always my friend.

[Scott Onlinehandyman]

Hi Viviene,

My first day back to work and what do I see, another "right on the money" post. You sum it up very well. Values are gone, it's a shame, but they are gone. It's all about the money and prestige and stepping on your fellow man to get there if you have to. Now the next question is "what can we do about it."

Thanks,
Scott

Love your new colors - great this time of year.

[Preston]

Those same people who came to our country originally to escape religious persecution were also the ones who burned witches at the stake. America is a great melting pot and who's religion would u like to decide is the correct one? the one that the country should follow? and what about all the other religions? You can't blame 9/11 and the "decline" of America on removing prayer from school. Back in the day, those "religious" people also wanted segregation and burned crosses on people's yards.

[Christina]

Hi, B. - here are my thoughts -

I am deeply affected by your words. But I look more towards the forces behind the actions/people than the actions/people themselves. It isn't that your observations aren't brutally accurate, and the truth of them is breaking my heart! But I look at our country more in a spiritual light, which then manifests what we see, and have been seeing, and will be seeing. Yes, the root of what is good is God, and we are totally dependent on His Spirit convicting us, His mercy and kindness leading and guiding us back to Him, back to God in Christ and the New Covenant.

"Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh..." came to mind while thinking about your post and my response. (2 Cor. 5:16) We war not against flesh and blood, right? We cannot be praying enough for America.

It is absolutely true that George Washington and our other Founding Fathers helped God (if I may say that) birth our country, believing strongly in Him. The faith it took to undertake our Revolution should be evident, considering the world power we fought back then, how high the stakes were, how limited our resources at that time.

In his Farewell Address. Washington wrote "It will be worthy of...a great nation...to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people [the United States of America] always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence." Our forefathers always intended for this country to be in the Hands of the Creator, and for its citizens to know and honor Him.

[Joy]

Dugo na naman ilong ko kababasa nitong post mo Bing. Yoko talaga pag-usapan politics dyan sa US kahit lahat halos nakichicka. Sana lang masolve nyan ang economic recession na almost global na

[Linda]

This is truely a great post Binkee! You hit the nail on the head. The tragedy of the twin towers did wake people up, but as stated earlier, only for a short time. Why does it take something like that to make people turn to God and realize how out of line things have gotten?
Slowly our country has been loosing sight of what made the U.S. great. We've walked all over the U.S. Constitution and spit in God's face! How long will He remain merciful? What has to happen next for the citizens of the U.S. to wake up? If I didnt have the Lord, I'd be very concerned. We need to keep praying for our country and our leaders and then just lean back and let God's master plan unfold.