AmericaAmericaAmericaAmerica

AmericaAmericaAmericaAmerica

See if you can spot the odd one out:See if you can spot the odd one out: earthquakes, floods, droughts, cancer, AIDS, tuberculosis, earthquakes, floods, droughts, cancer, AIDS, tuberculosis, hurricanes, God’s blessing, tornados.hurricanes, God’s blessing, tornados.

See if you can spot the odd one out:See if you can spot the odd one out: earthquakes, floods, droughts, cancer, AIDS, tuberculosis, earthquakes, floods, droughts, cancer, AIDS, tuberculosis, hurricanes, God’s blessing, tornados.hurricanes, God’s blessing, tornados.

Of course Of course “God’s blessing”“God’s blessing” is the oddity. Yet, there are is the oddity. Yet, there are many who would believe the entire list is harmonious. In many who would believe the entire list is harmonious. In their ignorance, they think that the devastating things that their ignorance, they think that the devastating things that are happening to this nation are nothing more than nature are happening to this nation are nothing more than nature doing her own thing.doing her own thing.

You may have noticed that lately there has been an increase You may have noticed that lately there has been an increase in Mother Nature's rumblings.  You may also be aware that in Mother Nature's rumblings.  You may also be aware that in the last ten years, incidents of cancer in the U.S. have in the last ten years, incidents of cancer in the U.S. have increased. In 2002 there were 189,000 new cases of increased. In 2002 there were 189,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the U.S., with 203,500 cases of breast prostate cancer in the U.S., with 203,500 cases of breast cancer. Cancer isn't our only dilemma.  Back in 1993, cancer. Cancer isn't our only dilemma.  Back in 1993, Americans spent an incredible $898 billion on health care. Americans spent an incredible $898 billion on health care. 

We have moved from one of the lowest infant mortality We have moved from one of the lowest infant mortality rates to one of the highest, with over 40,000 newborns rates to one of the highest, with over 40,000 newborns dying each year. The National Alliance for Mental Illness dying each year. The National Alliance for Mental Illness diagnosed that ten million people have serious long-term diagnosed that ten million people have serious long-term mental disease.  The United States of America is mental disease.  The United States of America is continually being plagued with killer earthquakes, new continually being plagued with killer earthquakes, new incurable diseases that are outwitting antibiotics, killer incurable diseases that are outwitting antibiotics, killer hurricanes, devastating tornadoes, calamitous floods, hurricanes, devastating tornadoes, calamitous floods, terrible droughts, and the return of once “conquered” terrible droughts, and the return of once “conquered” diseases such as tuberculosis.diseases such as tuberculosis.

The Cause?The Cause?The Bible tells us that “righteousness exalts a nation, but The Bible tells us that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” sin is a reproach to any people.”

So let’s see how we are doing morally…So let’s see how we are doing morally…

……CRIME…CRIME…

Every Every 78 seconds78 seconds, , someone in the U.S. is someone in the U.S. is robbed; every 33 seconds a robbed; every 33 seconds a car is stolen and every 10 car is stolen and every 10 seconds, a burglar strikes.seconds, a burglar strikes.

……ADULTERY…ADULTERY…

USA TodayUSA Today reported that reported that fifty to sixty percentfifty to sixty percent of of married couples admit to married couples admit to adultery. adultery. 

……FORNICATION…FORNICATION…According to the According to the Oklahoma State Oklahoma State Department of Health, Department of Health, approximately one in five approximately one in five people in the United people in the United States, States, 45 million 45 million individualsindividuals, are infected , are infected with the virus that causes with the virus that causes genital herpes.genital herpes.

……RAPE…RAPE…A Harris poll sets the A Harris poll sets the figure at figure at 380,000 rapes380,000 rapes or or sexual assaults that took sexual assaults that took place back in 1993. The place back in 1993. The Justice Department says Justice Department says that eight percent of all that eight percent of all American women will be American women will be victims of rape or victims of rape or attempted rape in their attempted rape in their lifetime.lifetime.

……PORNOGRAPHY…PORNOGRAPHY…

UPI News, November 19, UPI News, November 19, 1997 said that 1997 said that porn video porn video rentals soared to 665 rentals soared to 665 millionmillion in 1996, accounting in 1996, accounting for 13.3% of video rentals in for 13.3% of video rentals in America.America.

……GREED…GREED…

Focus on the FamilyFocus on the Family revealed revealed that Americans now visit that Americans now visit casinos more often than they casinos more often than they attend professional sporting attend professional sporting events. Collectively, they events. Collectively, they lose lose in excess of $50 billion each in excess of $50 billion each year to lotteriesyear to lotteries, horse and dog , horse and dog tracks, casinos, and the various tracks, casinos, and the various other gambling venues.other gambling venues.

……DRUNKENNESS…DRUNKENNESS…

Florida Alcohol & Drug Florida Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association Abuse Association estimates that the social estimates that the social costs of alcohol addiction costs of alcohol addiction amount to amount to $100 billion $100 billion per yearper year in lost in lost productivity and related productivity and related health costs.health costs.

……MURDER…MURDER…According to FBI According to FBI statistics, over 18,000 statistics, over 18,000 people were murdered in people were murdered in 1997. It averaged more 1997. It averaged more than 20,000 per year, than 20,000 per year, totaling 200,000 murders totaling 200,000 murders during the 1990s. during the 1990s. Over Over 100,000 murderers were 100,000 murderers were never brought to justice.never brought to justice.

……ABORTION…ABORTION…

Centers For Disease Centers For Disease Control and Prevention Control and Prevention reported 1,267,415 reported 1,267,415 abortions in 1998. It’s abortions in 1998. It’s been estimated that there been estimated that there have been more than have been more than 40 40 millionmillion since Roe vs. since Roe vs. Wade.Wade.

……HYPOCRISY…HYPOCRISY…

The Barna Research The Barna Research Group found that Group found that sixty-sixty-two percenttwo percent of Americans of Americans profess to be Christians, profess to be Christians, while the book, while the book, The Day The Day America Told the TruthAmerica Told the Truth said that said that ninety-one ninety-one percent lie regularly. percent lie regularly.

The Bible tells us that "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a The Bible tells us that "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." We don't seem to be doing too well reproach to any people." We don't seem to be doing too well morally. We are no different than Israel, who through the ages, morally. We are no different than Israel, who through the ages, kept straying from God's Commandments into lawlessness. From kept straying from God's Commandments into lawlessness. From there, they lost the promised blessing of health, which was there, they lost the promised blessing of health, which was conditional upon righteousness (Deuteronomy 28:15-46). conditional upon righteousness (Deuteronomy 28:15-46).

Meanwhile, despite our national sins, a blind and mystified world Meanwhile, despite our national sins, a blind and mystified world points to everything from coffee to hot dogs as the reason for the points to everything from coffee to hot dogs as the reason for the increase in cancer.increase in cancer.

As the blessings of God have been removed from the soil, we As the blessings of God have been removed from the soil, we think nothing of spraying crops with hundreds of thousands of tons think nothing of spraying crops with hundreds of thousands of tons of poisons each year to try and combat the onslaught of pestilence. of poisons each year to try and combat the onslaught of pestilence. The influence of generations of evolutionary philosophy has us The influence of generations of evolutionary philosophy has us thinking that we are merely assisting (a not quite fully evolved) thinking that we are merely assisting (a not quite fully evolved) Mother Nature. Mother Nature.

The thought that we have somehow offended God, doesn't even The thought that we have somehow offended God, doesn't even enter the area of our godless reflection. enter the area of our godless reflection.

America the beautiful is no longer beautiful. Violence and sin has America the beautiful is no longer beautiful. Violence and sin has made her ugly. made her ugly. America, America, God shed His grace on theeAmerica, America, God shed His grace on thee… … but now you are reaping the fruit of your sins, and it is time for but now you are reaping the fruit of your sins, and it is time for you to be told:you to be told:

America, America,America, America,God mend thine every flawGod mend thine every flaw

Confirm thy soul in self control,Confirm thy soul in self control,Thy liberty in Law.Thy liberty in Law.

What does the song-writer mean by "Thy liberty in Law?" - a city What does the song-writer mean by "Thy liberty in Law?" - a city whose drivers are lawful, has the liberty of flowing, problem-free whose drivers are lawful, has the liberty of flowing, problem-free traffic. But if drivers refuse to obey traffic laws, there will be traffic. But if drivers refuse to obey traffic laws, there will be accidents, pain and chaos. accidents, pain and chaos.

Winston Churchill was right when he said, "If a nation won't be Winston Churchill was right when he said, "If a nation won't be ruled by God, it will be ruled by anarchy." We are suffering the ruled by God, it will be ruled by anarchy." We are suffering the aftermath of a national loss of self-control, and consequently, aftermath of a national loss of self-control, and consequently, lawlessness. Here again is just some of the chaotic fruit of not lawlessness. Here again is just some of the chaotic fruit of not keeping God's Law - murder, theft, rape, drug-addiction, keeping God's Law - murder, theft, rape, drug-addiction, alcoholism, obesity, fear, hatred, sexual perversion, racial alcoholism, obesity, fear, hatred, sexual perversion, racial prejudice, greed, disease, spousal abuse, child abuse, child prejudice, greed, disease, spousal abuse, child abuse, child pornography, family break-down, etc. If you are the victim of the pornography, family break-down, etc. If you are the victim of the sins of America, God knows your pain. The Bible says He is full sins of America, God knows your pain. The Bible says He is full of compassion and rich in mercy to all that call upon Him. Even of compassion and rich in mercy to all that call upon Him. Even though the situation seems hopeless, there is a way to avert the though the situation seems hopeless, there is a way to avert the pathetic sight of children with cancer, more terrible disasters, and pathetic sight of children with cancer, more terrible disasters, and other horrible diseases from further flooding this nation. There is other horrible diseases from further flooding this nation. There is a way we can, with the help of God, bring healing to this once a way we can, with the help of God, bring healing to this once great country…great country…

To find out how, let's stop talking about "America's" sins, and see To find out how, let's stop talking about "America's" sins, and see how you and I personally stand morally. Answer the following how you and I personally stand morally. Answer the following with a tender conscience:with a tender conscience:

Question 1.Question 1.

Have you Have you everever told a lie? This includes any fibs, white lies, half- told a lie? This includes any fibs, white lies, half-truths or exaggerations told in the past. Remember, time doesn't truths or exaggerations told in the past. Remember, time doesn't forgive sin. God sees the sins of your youth as though it were forgive sin. God sees the sins of your youth as though it were yesterday. If you have told yesterday. If you have told even one lieeven one lie, then you are a liar -- be , then you are a liar -- be brutally honest with yourself, because God will be on the Day of brutally honest with yourself, because God will be on the Day of Judgment.Judgment.

YES NO

Question 2.Question 2.

Have you Have you everever stolen anything (even if it was something small)? stolen anything (even if it was something small)? The value of the thing stolen doesn't matter; petty theft is The value of the thing stolen doesn't matter; petty theft is stillstill theft. Have you ever taken anything that belonged to someone theft. Have you ever taken anything that belonged to someone else (from the office, school, parents, etc.)? If you have, that else (from the office, school, parents, etc.)? If you have, that makes you a thief.makes you a thief.

YES NO

Question 3.Question 3.

Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart.“ (Matthew 5:28) committed adultery already with her in his heart.“ (Matthew 5:28) Have you Have you everever looked at another person with lust? Have you had looked at another person with lust? Have you had sex outside of marriage, or committed adultery, or sex outside of marriage, or committed adultery, or desireddesired to? If to? If you have, then you have committed sexual sin and cannot enter you have, then you have committed sexual sin and cannot enter Heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9).Heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9).

YES NO

Question 4.Question 4.

Who is God to you? Is he only a god of love and mercy who Who is God to you? Is he only a god of love and mercy who would never judge anyone and never cast anyone into Hell? If would never judge anyone and never cast anyone into Hell? If that's your god, then you're right. Your god couldn't cast anyone that's your god, then you're right. Your god couldn't cast anyone into Hell because he doesn't exist. He's a figment of your into Hell because he doesn't exist. He's a figment of your imagination. You've imagination. You've createdcreated a god in your own mind that you're a god in your own mind that you're more comfortable with. You may call it your “personal belief,” more comfortable with. You may call it your “personal belief,” but God calls it but God calls it idolatryidolatry. . Have you made a god to suit yourself Have you made a god to suit yourself and therefore been guilty of "idolatry"? and therefore been guilty of "idolatry"? The Bible warns that The Bible warns that idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of heaven, (Ephesians idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of heaven, (Ephesians 5:5).5:5).

YES NO

Question 5.Question 5.

Have you ever used God's name as a curse word? If you have, Have you ever used God's name as a curse word? If you have, you've taken the holy name of God-- who gave you your life, you've taken the holy name of God-- who gave you your life, your family, and everything precious to you-- and used it as a your family, and everything precious to you-- and used it as a filthy, four-letter word. Hitler's name wasn't even despised filthy, four-letter word. Hitler's name wasn't even despised enough to be used as a curse word! If you have used God's holy enough to be used as a curse word! If you have used God's holy name in that manner, you are a name in that manner, you are a blasphemerblasphemer and the Bible says and the Bible says “God will not hold him guiltless who takes the name of the Lord “God will not hold him guiltless who takes the name of the Lord in vain,” (Exodus 20:7).in vain,” (Exodus 20:7).

YES NO

Have you kept the Sabbath holy? Have you always honored your Have you kept the Sabbath holy? Have you always honored your parents? Have you ever desired anything that belonged to someone parents? Have you ever desired anything that belonged to someone else?  else?  

If you have broken If you have broken even oneeven one of these Ten Commandments we’ve of these Ten Commandments we’ve been discussing, then you have sinned against God. On Judgment been discussing, then you have sinned against God. On Judgment Day Day everyevery sin you have ever committed will come out as evidence sin you have ever committed will come out as evidence of your guilt. You will be damned forever, and lose your soul. of your guilt. You will be damned forever, and lose your soul. Without God's mercy, you will go to Hell. The Scriptures warn Without God's mercy, you will go to Hell. The Scriptures warn that unless you repent, you will perish. Don't add self-that unless you repent, you will perish. Don't add self-righteousness to your sins by saying that you are basically a righteousness to your sins by saying that you are basically a "good" person. If you refuse to admit that "America's" sins are "good" person. If you refuse to admit that "America's" sins are your sins, you will never seek God's mercy. Don't also think that your sins, you will never seek God's mercy. Don't also think that God will overlook your sins because He is good. His "goodness" God will overlook your sins because He is good. His "goodness" will make sure justice is done. He will punish will make sure justice is done. He will punish allall liars, thieves, liars, thieves, adulterers, etc.adulterers, etc.

Don't be fooledDon't be fooled into thinking you can clean up your life. No into thinking you can clean up your life. No "good" you do can wash away your sins - only God's mercy can do "good" you do can wash away your sins - only God's mercy can do that. Two thousand years ago, He came to this earth in human that. Two thousand years ago, He came to this earth in human form to take the punishment for us. The Bible says, "God form to take the punishment for us. The Bible says, "God commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." When Jesus died on the cross, He stepped into Christ died for us." When Jesus died on the cross, He stepped into the courtroom and paid the fine for us. His suffering was the courtroom and paid the fine for us. His suffering was necessary to satisfy the Law you and I violated. The moment we necessary to satisfy the Law you and I violated. The moment we repent and trust the Savior, God forgives our sins and grants us repent and trust the Savior, God forgives our sins and grants us everlasting life.everlasting life.

The Most Important Question...The Most Important Question...

Do you care about your eternal salvation -- do you want to avoid Do you care about your eternal salvation -- do you want to avoid spending eternity in Hell?spending eternity in Hell?

YES NO

The Bible Describes HellThe Bible Describes HellThere are three words translated “Hell” in Scripture:

Gehenna (Greek): The place of punishment (Matthew 5:22,29; 10:28; and James 3:6)

Hades (Greek): The abode of the dead (Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Luke 16:23; Acts 2:27)

Sheol (Hebrew): The grave (Psalm 9:17; 16:10)

There are those who accept that Hell is a place of punishment, but believe that the punishment is to be annihilated—to cease conscious existence. They can’t conceive that the punishment of the wicked will be conscious and eternal. If they are correct, then a man like Adolph Hitler, who was responsible for the deaths of millions, is being “punished” merely with eternal sleep. His fate is simply to return to the non-existent state he was in before he was born, where he doesn’t even know that he is being punished.

However, Scripture paints a different story. The rich man who found himself in Hell (Luke 16:19-31) was conscious. He was able to feel pain, to thirst, and to experience remorse. He wasn’t asleep in the grave; he was in a place of “torment.” If Hell is a place of knowing nothing or a reference to the grave into which we go at death, Jesus’ statements about Hell make no sense. He said that if your hand, foot, or eye causes you to sin, it would be better to remove it than to “go into Hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:43-48).

The Bible refers to the fate of the unsaved with such fearful words as the following:

•“Shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2)

•“Everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25:46)

•“Weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:51)

•“Fire unquenchable” (Luke 3:17)

•“Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish” (Romans 2:8,9)

•“Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord” (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

•“Eternal fire...the blackness of darkness for ever” (Jude 7,13)

Revelation 14:10,11 tells us the final, eternal destiny of the sinner: “He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone...the smoke of their torment ascended up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day or night."

If you've decided to If you've decided to reject the giftreject the gift of forgiveness and you die in your sins, there is of forgiveness and you die in your sins, there is no hope for you. There is no purgatory. The wrath of God abides on you and you no hope for you. There is no purgatory. The wrath of God abides on you and you will spend eternity in Hell. Please take the time to read what the Bible says Hell is will spend eternity in Hell. Please take the time to read what the Bible says Hell is like...like...

We thank you for taking time to read this presentation. Please think We thank you for taking time to read this presentation. Please think soberly and deeply on these things. soberly and deeply on these things.

Check out our web site for further help: Check out our web site for further help: www.livingwaters.com

May God bless you, your family,May God bless you, your family,and may God bless America.and may God bless America.

This presentation was adapted from the tract called “America America.”This presentation was adapted from the tract called “America America.”

If you care about America, if you care about the children of If you care about America, if you care about the children of America . . . if you care about America . . . if you care about your eternal salvationyour eternal salvation, tell God you , tell God you are sorry for your sins, then turn from them in humble repentance. are sorry for your sins, then turn from them in humble repentance.

That's how America can be healed of her plagues . . . God will That's how America can be healed of her plagues . . . God will forgive our sins because of what Jesus did on the cross.forgive our sins because of what Jesus did on the cross.

Think of it this way - you are a man who has committed adultery. Think of it this way - you are a man who has committed adultery. You have violated the trust of a loving and faithful wife. She is You have violated the trust of a loving and faithful wife. She is more than willing to forgive you, so how can you reconcile the more than willing to forgive you, so how can you reconcile the relationship? You humble yourself, tell her you are truly sorry . . . relationship? You humble yourself, tell her you are truly sorry . . . then vow to never (even think of) committing adultery again. then vow to never (even think of) committing adultery again. You shouldn't need someone to write words of sorrow for you to You shouldn't need someone to write words of sorrow for you to read to your wife, and you shouldn't have to read a prayer of read to your wife, and you shouldn't have to read a prayer of repentance to God. Just pour your heart out to Him. It's your repentance to God. Just pour your heart out to Him. It's your heart, not the words that really matter. Then put your faith in Jesus heart, not the words that really matter. Then put your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. as your Lord and Savior.

Trust Him in the same way you would trust a pilot with your life Trust Him in the same way you would trust a pilot with your life when you fly on a plane. He is but a fallible man, so how much when you fly on a plane. He is but a fallible man, so how much more should you trust in God. Read the Bible daily, and obey what more should you trust in God. Read the Bible daily, and obey what you read, and God will never fail you. you read, and God will never fail you.

Check out our web site for further help: Check out our web site for further help: www.livingwaters.com

May God bless you, your family,May God bless you, your family,and may God bless America.and may God bless America.

This presentation was adapted from the tract called “America America.”This presentation was adapted from the tract called “America America.”