Answers in Genesis speaker Ken Ham posted an article recently on the things Millennials are turning to for answers and a belief system. The two systems have been around for a very long time but have been perverted to fit man’s desires for understanding. Now God does say that He placed the heavenly bodies out there to show signs and wonders but what signs and wonders was He talking about. These signs are placed so we would understand patterns of life, weather, travel, and our place in the world.
Man has used these signs to try and predict many things using certain designs in the sky. One of the predictors recognized by man is the zodiac which apparently dictates how we will act in certain events. People actually relied (and some still do) on as to how they will go about their day and their let the stars dictate their reactions towards others. God warns us not to do this “divination” or future knowledge seeking to rule our lives. Rather we should rely on our conscious thought which is guided by the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
Now I used to believe the accuracy of the zodiac, but when I began to trust in God I found the inaccuracy of how it dictates our social practices. Meaning, purpose, and hope aren’t found in trying to discern patterns in the motions of the heavenly bodies. If you stay within the bounds of the interpretation and the specified social circle in which the interpretation tells you to stay in and away from, you do not really experience life. Letting the stars dictate actions removes us from our God given purpose of being caretakers of this world.
Spiritualism, not what some may think! It is man’s attempt to find purpose and meaning apart from God and his revelation to us in his Word. It is man seeking truth through his/her own inner being and reaching out to the “spirits” in the world. Spiritualists do not put their trust in God but seek inner peace where there is none.       
The article states that the individuals in question are those who are in or entering college. Why are they turning from God? Part of the problem is outside influences where they are not near the comfort of their home church and decide not to find a church near them. Campus Crusade for Christ does not appear to be as active as it used to be because of other collegiate sanctioned activities which have tried to knock anything Christian and or conservative off college grounds. Church groups are not as welcome as they used to be unless the college is a Christian faith based facility.
 The largest problem is the lack of follow-up starting at the high school level. An even larger issue that turns more and more away to include those in their 30s and 40s is the lack of relationship and belonging found in larger churches. Those churches where it seems that if you are not rich enough to tithe, in the right click, or are never even approached, or the church attendance is more than 1000, people leave. Those that are consistently depended on somehow get the feeling that there is an obligation to be there. The church is not going to blow up if you miss a Sunday! Another issue may be the message of the church itself. Some are so concerned with the dollar, the message becomes a constant reminder to give in the offering plate. Some pastors have fallen into the love trap where all you have to do is believe and the rest is taken care of by Jesus without us speaking a word or lifting a finger.
Folks, listen closely to the pastor’s messages and the delivery. If the pastor is transparent and speaks of love, tough love, fear, grace, and mercy all in the same sermon, that is a place to be. An inviting church is a loving church. A church that does not close the outer doors before, during, and after the service is a relational church.
So how do we regain the interest of those who decide they want other human means to ponder life’s questions? Stop playing the Jesus is cool with your sin game and straighten people (and some pastors) up. Yes, Jesus died for our sins by crucifixion, but He did not die so we could freely sin. Yes we are saved by grace through faith but that must be an active faith. Yes we should be inviting to all people no matter their sin and if they get offended (convicted), good let’s reflect and find out how to repent and get right with God.
 God loves each and every one of us because He created us. His love is gracious, merciful, jealous, kind, fearful, comforting, and forgiving. His love knows no bounds and unfailing but is requiring of us to love Him back as a child loves his parent. That means being obedient to His Word. Does that scare people? Yes. So why do people run to worship things that are not Him? Those man made things and beliefs are temporary fixes to a psychological misnomer when make people happy. The only way to life eternal is through Jesus. I don’t know about you but I’d rather worship the entity that has control of my final destination rather than a man thing that makes me happy till I die. ​

 The past few posts have focused on our relationship with God and this one is no different. Focusing on our relationship with God helps us with our relationship with family and friends. In Haggai, the prophet speaks to the people about the dangers of not putting God first. In their time, many things happened that made them understand the need for a close relationship and putting God first. After reading the passage, I discovered the need and desire of the nation to have that relationship and be closer to God. Listen closely, hear God speak. He wants to have a relationship with you.   In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest: 2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” 3 Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? 5 Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 6 You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.
7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. 9 You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? Declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. 11 And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.” Haggai 1:1-11 ESV

Reading this passage what is the first thing that pops into your mind? Did you think about the poor Israelites who just can’t catch a break? Did you think that this has nothing to do with me so why are we studying this? Did you think that the Jews were being selfish and are being tormented? Did you think about God and the fact that these people put themselves before the creator? Well, for the most part that is how many different people view this passage. Yes, God is a jealous God but He is also the provider of all things. They were literally biting the hand that had cared for them and put God off as a secondary thought. This is not the right thing to do as they found out. So what does this have to do with us?
When we are in communion with God we are taken care of but the second we try to do things on our own and not give God the time of day or the glory which is rightly His, we are in trouble. Life can be pretty difficult without God in the forefront of our lives. Think about this…when you forget to talk with God about the positive and negative things happening in your life, is there not a sudden hole and matters seem to get worse? When you don’t spend time reading His Word and get a daily dose of His love and devotion towards you, where does your love and devotion go….to things of the world? Do you not realize that God is in everything, He is everywhere and knows your every move? How much do you have to lose before you go back to God?  
We need to always remember to put God first. After all, He is our creator and His name is imprinted in our DNA. Like an artist who signs the painting, God signed us. We do not belong to anyone including ourselves so everything we do is for His glory, not ours, His.  When we wake up in the morning our first thing should be thanking God for our life. I know that most will say that God is not always the first thought especially as we get old and have a full bladder, but God is already waiting for us to wake. He speaks to us if we listen but even the most devout sometimes have trouble opening their ears in the morning. Once we have our faculties about us (when we feel more awake) then we can speak to God without mumbling and bumbling through our thoughts and can hear Him clearly. Recognizing God when we wake before getting on the phone, tablet, or computer and plugging into the world supplies us with the right mind to do God’s work He has planned for us. We are, after all, His temple.
The best part of waking up is knowing that God is with us and has us in His hands. Yes I know, but not all people can have coffee in the morning but they can have communion with the creator.

When babies are brought into the church they are either baptized or dedicated (denomination dependent). Either way the parents and the members of the church take a vow to be guides and watch over the Christian upbringing of the child inside and out of the church walls. Being brought up in the church, those babies grow to into the youth groups and become more reliant on the Youth Pastor and peers for spiritual growth and their faith walk rather than the parents. This is partially due to the worldly influences of culture and the desire of the youth to go their own. The students then prepare for college or going out into the world and some are left to their own devices with church member and family hopes that they remain in Christ. Thing is, the follow up and accountability slowly falls away because people forgot their responsibilities agreed to when they were dedicated or baptized.
Seriously, parental and church member follow-up does not end when the Youth Pastor and Christian Educators take over. Nor is this to be avoided while they attend college. Guess what, follow-up and accountability continues into adulthood even though it takes a different form for those who pursue ministry.
What about the folks that are within the church even still. Yes we have Deacons, Elders, and Bible Study leaders but they are not able to watch over everybody. We are family no matter how much we may dislike each other but isn’t that the best way to keep accountability and ensure issues and spiritual fitness are followed up upon. Why is it so hard for someone to even ask how a day or week has been when outside the church walls while in passing or meeting for an outing or meal?
I myself am a victim of lack of follow-up and accountability. That is why it is very important for me to get this out there. When I was given an opportunity to go to a college that was an hour away from the church, there was little to know communication with the Deacons or Elders which was strange because I was a Deacon in the church before I left for the college at the age of 20. I was so involved in the college life that I did not even open my Bible. I went back to the church the next summer and they acted as if I never left. They were fortunate that I remembered where the church even was. 
 Does not the Scripture say to teach a child in the way he/she should go so they remember when they are older? Does not Scripture remind us to watch over those of like mind? How can we say we are following God’s Word when we cannot even do something as simple as contact the college student who is 10 miles away and attending the Campus Worship service much less the ones that are in a whole other state?
Every person at least once in their life falls due to something but if they are truly a faithful child of God they will return. Mine was while I first served the country by joining the Army. I fell away and did not talk to or even think about God for a few years. I returned to him on the “battlefield” while deployed. While in Bosnia I recommitted my life to Christ and was baptized as an adult yet still felt like a child in Christ coming home after a rough few years away. Thing is, you know it was the Holy Spirit tugging at you when under the water and you hear a voice undisturbed by the water and clear as if being spoken directly in the ear saying, “Welcome Home Son”. If that is not going to give chills then nothing will.
Following up and staying in the lives of fellow brothers and sisters no matter the age is of absolute importance. Of course you cannot control the temptations and the hurt that may cause some to slide but God will bring them home when it is time. Some need a Prodigal Son/Daughter moment to wake them up. It is during those times that we let go and let God but keep watch as the father did at his front porch and praising the day of their return.
When we see a fellow Christian outwardly struggling, do not pass by and think that someone else will take care of him or her. What if you are the third person that did that? What would the struggling Christian think? You see, God did not outright say accountability and follow-up but Jesus sure did put it out there plain as day if you truly understood Him.
Do You? If not then you might want to relook at yourself. Brothers and Sisters, continue to pray for guidance and direction so that when the time comes you know what to do if you are that Samaritan, that parent, that shepherd, that gardener that Jesus spoke of. May God grant you the wisdom and understanding of His Word to be the one that brings the lost, home.
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