1 Kings 19:18, "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."

Elijah had developed a negative perception of his position in Israel.  He felt all alone, believing there remained no other loyal and faithful servants for the LORD.  God reminded him there was a remnant of seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed the knee unto Baal.  America is sliding down a slippery slope just like that of Israel.  Israel had turned from serving and worshiping God to making Baal their primary deity.  America is filled with people who know not the Lord.  "(For many walk , of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)" - Philippians 3:18-19.    It is apparent from this verse that a god doesn't have to be recognized as a religious deity.  Notice what happens to those who know not the LORD:

• Their end is destruction - just as everyone who doesn't know Jesus as their Saviour.  The wages of sin is death, physical, spiritual, and eternal.

• Whose God is their belly - these are people who worship their own appetites.  They don't live to worship and glorify God, but they live for self-indulgence and sensual gratification.

• Whose glory is in their shame - they glory in things of which they ought to be ashamed.  We live in a brazen and shameless society today.

• Who mind earthly things - rather than being spiritually minded they are earthly minded.  Pursuing the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.  How many are there who have no interest in a prayer meeting, in a Sunday school, in Bible conversation, and in the advancement of Christianity on the earth!

I pray that we will remain loyal and faithful to Christ in this day of darkness.  Everything other than Christianity seems to be the accepted norm of the day.  But remember there are others who know Jesus as their Saviour and who remain faithful and loyal followers of Him.

Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.  Do you count yourself a loyal and faithful servant of the Lord, and if so why?

2.  List at least 5 faithful servants that you know, and pray asking God to bless and use them today.

3.  Are you negative or positive as you consider the collective work of God around the world?  What can you do to make the work of God more powerful?