Have you ever had someone ask you the simple question: "What's wrong?"

Honestly, we have almost all asked the question and been asked the same in so many different ways. There are many different things that can be said. I want to briefly touch on four areas - in our families, communities, countries, and our churches.

First, what's wrong in our families? How many of us can remember when it was "family first"? Our families today are so mobile and broken that they do not even resemble what God wanted. Hard times have required both parents to work, sometimes at two jobs each. Kids are left to their own devices or left with the television baby sitter. There is no respect for family authority. Men are not acting like men. The family model of father-mother-children has been upended by children not being disciplined. The Bible clearly teaches, "For whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." We must have discipline in the home first. It will carry into our daily lives.

Secondly, what's wrong in our communities? Simply put, we've allowed our American spirit to be depleted. People do not care how the community looks. They do not seem to care about each other. With the election rolling around, Christian people need to be examining the candidates and their stand on different issues, applying God's Word to their decision. The focal point of communities before the 1960s was the church. It seems that now, people are focused on busy things in their lives.

Thirdly, what's wrong with our country? It is not the mean spirited Republicrats (Republicans or Democrats). It is the fact that people do not think that they can make a difference. We need involvement! We need the American spirit to come alive again. Our country was founded on the idea of freedom OF religion not freedom FROM religion. There is a song that was sung by "Heaven's Echoes" called "We've Got to Get America Back to God." This song is so true!We need to realize that we are living in the last days, wheter they are our generation or several generations away, they end is near!

Finally, what is wrong in our churches? Our churches in America have gotten away from teaching and preaching the Word of God. People don't want the "hellfire and brimstone" messages of yesteryear. They want the feel good religion of whatever I need to do to get along. Preachers seem to be more concerned with "Thus sayeth the board" than "Thus sayeth the Lord." We seem to have lost our focus on lost souls. We neglect the salvation experience. We neglect God!

The answer to 'What's wrong?' depends on your point of view. Let us look to God for the answer in our families, communities, country, and churches. Do not compromise or change the Word. Speak the truth. Worship God today!

Bro. Steve Shepherd, Pastor
Faith Landmark Missionary Baptist Church