If My People ...

    "If My People" shows how our great nation has gone from a God-fearing nation to one that disdains God and religion. Violence and crime are on the rise. We can blame the terrorists, anarchist groups, individuals, and politicians. But evil acts are only symptoms and perpetrators are only scape goats of a much more sinister plot. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.           Satan has influenced mankind since Adam and Eve fell. Now his influence on the American way of life is greater than our ancestors could have ever imagined. There is a devil named Satan and there is a war going on. The people committing those terrible acts are controlled by Satan whether they know it or not. There are two opposing forces in this world - evil and good. Evil is on the news continuously and it dulls the minds even of Christians. We oppose evil, but what can we do about it?

    Fortunately, God has already given us the answer in the OT. Some Christians have diligently pursued it as a lifestyle; some of us have taken at least part of it to heart; but our nation of believers as a whole does not understand that God's answer to America's problems is available to each and every one of us to take hold of to turn our country around. God has given us a conditional promise in 2 Chr. 7:14. He said, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 

    Whether the grand old USA regains its' status as a God-fearing, moral nation is up to His people, the Christians of America. God has put the future of our children and grandchildren in our hands. He will heal our nation, but we must recognize Him as our all in all; our Creator, Savior, and Healer.

    September 11, 2001 marked the end of a time when Americans could safely assemble and live without fear of being injured or killed by someone with a drive for destruction. Violence is on the rise. Dominating TV and radio now are public figures - politicians, businessmen, even clergy who have been exposed because of sex offenses and other crimes over many years.

    We can blame the terrorists, anarchist groups, individuals, and politicians. But evil acts are only symptoms and perpetrators are only scape goats of a much more sinister plot. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

    Satan has influenced mankind since Adam and Eve fell. Now his influence on the American way of life is greater than our ancestors could have ever imagined. There is a devil named Satan and there is a war going on. The people committing those terrible acts are controlled by Satan whether they know it or not. There are two opposing forces in this world - evil and good. Evil is on the news continuously and it dulls the minds even of Christians. We oppose evil, but what can we do about it?

    Fortunately, God has already given us the answer in the OT. Some Christians have diligently pursued it as a lifestyle; some of us have taken at least part of it to heart; but our nation of believers as a whole does not understand that God's answer to America's problems is available to each and every one of us to take hold of to turn our country around. God has given us a conditional promise in 2 Chr. 7:14. He said, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

    We must first truly humble ourselves before God and man. Humility accompanies righteousness and the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much. As we humbly come before God in prayer we recognize our inefficiencies and His greatness. As we pray we need to seek His face in a way we never even imagined. We will never visibly see the face of God but we can seek Him so fervently that we begin to understand His will.

    As we walk more and more in the Spirit, we will see that the way we live is below what God wants for us; that many of us have put things in the place of God in our lives, making them idols, gods in themselves, dragging our nation down. As we repent, then and only then, God will forgive us of our sins and heal our land. America will once again be a God fearing nation, led and prospered by our Father God. But it's up to us to fulfill the IF. 

    Paul Casteel is a lay Christian of the Baby Boomer generation. He was saved during Summer Bible School at the age of 9 and has served in various areas in the church from cleaning up after church functions to being a deacon. He has lived in central FL all of his life.

    His main occupation was residential construction, but he has worked in a stainless steel pipe plant and in the electrical distribution business. He is now semi-retired and helping his son in construction part time. 

    Paul has had a desire to write and has emailed spiritual writings to small groups of people for several years. He wrote a little booklet entitled "Hallowed Be Thy Name" as well as his paperback "If My People". He is writing another book now entitled "Seek and Ye Shall Find" which should be published in 2020.