Missing in Action - Men of Action
America is a reflection of the Church. I believe that and will always believe that. I've heard several men say they didn't think our politicians had the guts to respond in kind to the horrendous loss of American life. Yet many of these same men share the same fortitude for a fight as our lily liver, pink tea lemonade politicians. Where are the men of backbone with the stele to stair down the problem and boldly engage in a solution regardless of the fallout or repercussions. Our churches are full of preachers who in the confines and safety of other preachers can and sometimes even will - boldly proclaim the issues and problems of the church and our culture. Yet when it comes to being men of action and actually going personally to the problems and issues that we must face these same men are often missing in action.
I remember my first year as a pastor. I was so idealistic. I thought it was possible for churches to be right with God. With that notion in the back of my mind I stepped out to make changes where I thought changes were needed. During that first year of pastoring I changed 13 out of 16 Sunday school classes we had in our church. Foolishly, I thought Sunday school teachers should be on time and should stay for church more than once a week. Unbelievably I really thought Sunday school teachers should obey the great commission and attend church visitation. I thought leaders who didn't tithe were God robbers and I didn't think they should remain in any position. I figured if you couldn't do what you were supposed to do somebody else should have your job. I remember people telling me that we never did it that before. I know patience is good but honestly I really don't think a lack of patience is the problem in our country or in most of our churches. Too MUCH so-called patience is the real problem.
All leaders are subject to bouts with fear and intimidation but one thing we must never forget is that if you are afraid to face the source of fear and intimidation God will raise up someone who is not! Elijah faced the 850 Moslem prophets on Mt. Carmel. He put them all to the sword. But then he fled in the face of Jezebel! What was God's response? Read I Kings 19:15-17. He told Elijah to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha. Why? They were going to finish the job that Elijah had failed to do because of fear. Read verse 17, "And it shall come to pass that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay." God will get the job done! He will use men of action to get it done! No doubt many a man and many a ministry and even many a country has been set on a shelf by God because they were afraid to do what God told them to do!
As I consider this cowardly act perpetrated by a bunch of thugs I am must say that I do not think that America needs the approval of NATO or China or anyone else to do what we think needs to be done. We certainly don't need the blessing of Pakistan! The United States of America is a free and independent nation and must never accept any attempt by international influences to diminish our freedoms or curtail our rights. It is time we get victory over the spirit of fear and intimidation both as a nation and as a Church. All leaders need to be reminded that "what we do not confront, we will not change". We need some men of action!
Pastor Steven E. Mays - Trumpet Editor