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June 9, 2022
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Greetings from your friends at Pastoral Care
Inc.
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How Far Has American Gone?
Being Christians in Wicked Places
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Has America lost her identify? I believe America is still the best place in the world to live. However, many would agree that this is not the America we grew up
in.
If my childhood self
were suddenly transported to modern America, what would the younger me think about the way things have become? Would I think the Rapture had already happened and I was left
behind?
If you know me very
well, you know that I tend to be upbeat and optimistic. I don’t like to dwell on negatives. But staying positive is sure becoming harder to do!
I remember when
America had values, and common sense, and a clear distinction between right and wrong. And it wasn’t that long ago!
Today, there is little respect for life, almost no common sense, very little interest in religious values, and wickedness on every hand. What was once wrong is now permitted and
sometimes even exalted as right.
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Never has there been such a contrast between light and darkness. I’m not talking about politics or complaining about any
specific current events. I’m talking about a gradual decline in values and priorities that has been happening here in America for many years.
One Small Rural Town
More than 30 years
ago, Susie and I moved to a small town down the road from Tulsa. In those days, it seemed that everyone I talked to in this small Oklahoma town had some kind of religious background. Many people did
not attend church, but at least they didn’t mind talking about it. They would often say that they still believed in God and were hopeful that they would somehow make things right with God before they
die.
Things are so
different today. For many people I talk to today, God and the church and religion do not even figure into their thinking at all. They have not just stopped going to church; they have not had any
interaction with church their entire lives. They aren’t hoping to somehow get right with God before they die, because they just aren’t thinking about God at
all.
People are hurting,
in need, and at a loss for answers, but many people today no longer even think of God or His church as a place to turn to.
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In Jesus’ day, a cave near Caesarea Philippi was
called “The Gates of Hell (Hades).” It was dedicated to the false god Pan and believed to be the actual entrance to the underworld.
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Building on Solid Rock
Toward the end of
Jesus’ ministry, Jesus took His disciples to the region of Caesarea Philippi in northern Galilee (Matt 16:13). It was one of the wickedest places in Israel. The city is located at the foot of Mount
Hermon. Before the Romans renamed it Caesarea Philippi, the city was known as Panias (or Banias), dedicated to the false god Pan. The mythological Pan was half-man, half-goat. Worship of Pan included
idols, child sacrifices, and unspeakable sexual immorality.
There at Caesarea
Philippi, the base of Mount Hermon is a massive wall of rock several stories high. It is so flat on the outer surface that it looks as if someone sliced the mountain in half, leaving the flat stone
formation that towers hundreds of feet high. Those who have visited the site know what I’m speaking about.
It was near this
unique location that Peter made his famous proclamation, “Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.” And there that Christ responded, “Upon this rock I will build my church, and
the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt 16:16-18)
Jesus wanted His
disciples to know that if we really put our faith in Him, what Christ can build in us and through is as great and greater than the large rock mountain that stood before
them.
Jesus wanted His
disciples to know that even in the presence of evil, God’s great power and influence are overwhelming. Jesus was saying that no amount of idolatry or wickedness, not even the very gates of
hell, are strong enough to withstand the power of Christ working through us.
Keeping Our
Eyes on Jesus
It may be true that
things have become more wicked than ever in modern America. For those of us who have faith, this is a wonderful opportunity to let our light shine in the darkness. To succeed in storming the very
gates of hell.
But to do so, we
must keep our eyes off all the worldly things around us and keep our eyes solely on Jesus. We must keep our focus on what He has called us to do: To be difference makers and to win as
many people to Christ as we can before He comes again!
We cannot let political events or health emergencies or economic circumstances or low church attendance or any obstacles distract the eyes of our faith from Jesus!
Yes, we may have low attendance, but that does not hinder us from reaching people one by one and growing.
Yes, the world may not embrace the church as it once did, but that does not prevent us from sharing the gospel.
Pastor, Pastoral Care Inc. is here to encourage you and bless you as you carry out your calling. Stay strong and stay focused. If we at
Pastoral Care Inc. can help you any way or give you a little rest, please let us know: Pastoral Care Inc., 918-758-4147, jfuller@pastoralcareinc.org. We are here for you!
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FYI: We have a free sermon about Caesarea Philippi, “God Has Given Us Power,” on our website. On our homepage -- www.pastoralcareinc.org -- click on Resources
and then Sermon Helps.
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Want the Pastoral Care Mobile App? Here's
How!
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Want the Pastoral Care Inc. mobile app? Get the latest Pastoral Care news and announcements, videos, upcoming events, donate to
our ministry, or contact us. Here's how:
1. The Pastoral Care mobile app is provided by "Church by Ministry One." Scan the QR code above or click on this link: Pastoral Care Mobile App .
2. When the "Church at Ministry One" page opens, click on "Open Website." (If you see ads for other sites, just ignore them).
3. Click on the
Apple App Store button or Google Play button. Install the app and open it up.
4. An icon will be
placed on your device: a purple button with a white cross in the middle with the word "Church" below. When you click on that icon, it will take you directly to the Pastoral Care Mobile
App.
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Pastoral Care Inc.
supporting and strengthening pastors
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| Executive Director |
| Jim Fuller |
| jfuller@pastoralcareinc.org |
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| Communications Director |
| Terry Hull |
| terry.hull@pastoralcareinc.com |
Our mission: Pastoral Care
Inc. supports and strengthens Christian ministers nationwide from all denominations through counseling, immediate caregiving assistance and education, as well as researching the underlying
stressors associated with ministry.
Call us. Email us. Pastor, if you need someone to talk to, Pastoral Care Inc. is always
just a phone call or email away. That’s why we are here!
Pastor, you are
very important in the Kingdom of God -- and you are important to us!
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The PCI App
Get it for your Android smartphone or
iPhone
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* Full list of Pastoral Care services for pastors and churches
* Request form for pastors to seek immediate help
* More info about Pastoral Care Inc.
* Videos for pastors, churches and denominations
For more info on how to get the Pastoral Care mobile app, see the detailed instructions above.
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Help Us Help
Pastors
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Every month Pastoral Care provides encouragement, assistance, vacation get-a-ways, and many other forms of help to pastors across the country. It is our continuing prayer to
expand our outreach to pastors and their families.
The need is so great! Will you become our partner in encouraging pastors? Will you send a financial gift to make our present and future ministry to ministers
possible?
Please say “Yes” by responding in one of these ways:
* Use our Online Donation
Form.
* Send your gift to: Pastoral Care Inc., 13455 Celia Berryhill Road, Okmulgee, OK74447.
Thank you for partnering with us in
ministering to our nation’s pastors, their families and the congregations they serve!
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