Any step away from the cross is a step in the wrong direction.

It seems like things are upside down [in America] as we see right declared as wrong, and wrong as right. God is not pointing His finger at the Supreme Court, or the White House, or the Capitol. If you are a Christian, He is looking at you and at me to humble ourselves, pray, and seek God's face. He expects us to take action.

And any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false declaration. It is faith alone that justifies. But faith that justifies can never be alone.

The Bible says that in the last days, there will be people in our churches who are not true believers, among other things. Because of watered-down messages and compromise, people will feel comfortable in certain churches because they are never confronted with their sin. I believe my job as a pastor is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable.

The Bible speaks of the sense of commission, which is doing what you should not do, instead of omission, which is not doing what you should do. It says in the book of James that if you know to do good and don't do it, it is sin.

What would you think of a person who always wanted things from you but never offered a word of thanks in return? We can be that way with God, can't we? Let's remember to thank Him.

So here is what it comes down to: the ultimate choice in life is between pleasing ourselves and pleasing God.