PRAY FOR FAITH AWAKENING

Keep "First Love" The First Love

2011-06-08T07:23:00.000-05:00

We have left "First Love" when spending time with that Love is no longer a priority; when we presume its presence and grace; when we no longer talk about that Love with others; when other things occupy spaces in our heart, mind and conversation that was once reserved for that Love. (Rev 2:4)

Start A "Pray For Faith Awakening" Group

2011-01-25T22:46:00.001-06:00

Anyone can start a prayer group for national awakening. A group can be as few as two or as many as will attend. Groups can be meeting all over the city...county...state. Groups can connect via the internet, Facebook groups, or just reading this blog together.

If you plan to meet in a physical location there are are some things to keep in mind:

1) Get your location and plan your schedule of meeting days and times;

In your home (neighborhood; apartment complex)

At your place of business (honor your employer)

Meet before work or at lunch (do not pray on company time)

   Where else can you think of to meet?
   Promote the time and place.

2) Keep the prayer time to one hour.

3) Really pray for your country, your city, your church, your neighborhood, your family.
    This is not a time for Bible study or discussion groups. This is a TIME TO PRAY!

4) Have a prayer agenda ready to go. Take no longer than 5 to 10 minutes to get requests but stay focused on the subject at hand. You're not there to pray for people in the hospital, or discomforted friends and relatives. This is about AWAKENING IN OUR NATION AND IN OUR CHURCHES.

4) Use material from this blog and others to populate your prayer time with requests.

LETS GET STARTED!!

Scripture reading: Plea for personal purity - Daniel 9:3-19; 2 Chronicles 14:7 (Use "Find that Scripture" at Bible Gateway - above right)

Can it be that the land is no longer ours because we did not seek the Lord, and because we did not seek Him, He is no longer with us? We have forgotten how urgent it is to seek Him.

Personal prayer & confession (1John 1:9): Come before God in personal contrition and brokenness.

Corporate prayer for the leaders of our cities our nation and churches:
   Pray that our leaders seek the Lord; recognize accountability to Him; seek moral clarity; that they be influenced by a Christian witness close to them.

   President Barack Obama
   US Senators (Texas - John Cornyn & Kay Bailey Hutchison)
   US Representative (My district Rep. Michael Burgess)
   Cabinet: Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates
   State Governor (Texas - Rick Perry)
   City Mayor (Fort Worth - Mike Moncrief; North Richland Hills - Oscar Trevino)

Spiritual Passion - Level Ground

2011-01-19T05:55:00.001-06:00

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Brian Doerksen - Level Ground
Where Spiritual Passion begins

PRAYING WITH A PURE HEART FOR KEY LEADERS

2011-01-18T09:15:00.002-06:00

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity from (Read Psm 50:15-23):

“UNHOLY ALLIANCES”

Apathy toward a lost world; stubbornness;

self-righteousness (holier than thou);

disbelieving heart; pride;

unhealthy sexual appetites;

judgmental attitude; seditious and

factious spirit; complacent;

moody; irritable; fearful; angry,

un-forgiveness; jealousy;

impatience; sarcastic

Time for Personal Prayer & Confession using Psm 51 (below)
Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness

Psalm 51 Points To Repentance
V 3 I recognize my shameful deeds
V 6 I desire honesty from the heart
V 7 I ask for purity and cleansing
V 8 I ask for my joy back
V10 I ask, “Create in me a clean heart, renew a right spirit in me.”
V11 I ask neither to be banished from His presence nor that the Holy Spirit be taken from me.”
V14 I ask for forgiveness
V17 I recognize that it is only a sacrifice of a broken repentant heart that God wants

Scripture Reading: Plea for the return of God’s people—Isaiah 1:1-6,10-15, 16-20
Corporate prayer for your church, your cities and your nation
Focus: To know Christ and/or be strengthened in faith; recognize inadequacies of the flesh; seek
the will of God not man

Your Pastor
President Barack Obama
Speaker Of The House John Boehner
US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Cabinet: Sec of Housing—Shaun Donavan
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito

CONDITIONS OF PREVAILING PRAYER

(from the autobiography of George Muller)

Dependence—Absolute trust in the merits of Christ as our grounds for blessing and our oneness with Him.
Separation—Abandonment of all know sin.
Belief—Faith in the complete veracity of God’s character. He is and is the “rewarder” of those who diligently seek Him.
Motive—Ask according to His will; for our good and His glory.
Perseverance—Patient waiting on Him.
Where the conditions are not met God’s answer would both dishonor His character and damage the suppliant (petitioner).

(RESPOND TO WHAT GOD SAYS TO YOU TODAY - SEE BOTTOM OF POST)

TAKE AWAY – PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

...AND GOD WAS TROUBLED TOO

2011-01-11T07:22:00.000-06:00

In all their troubles [affliction, suffering, pain],

he was troubled [afflicted, suffered], too.

He didn't send someone else to help them.

He did it himself, in person.

Out of his own love and pity

he redeemed them.

He rescued them and carried them along

for a long, long time.

(Isaiah 63:9 The Message BIBLE)

Tragedy in Tucson brings us as a nation to the brink of human emotion. It begs the question, "Does God feel our hurt and suffering?" Oh, yes He does. Isaiah 63:9 tells us that God is capable of feeling what we feel. He was afflicted by that which afflicted Israel. God is troubled, afflicted when we are troubled and afflicted.

Not only did He feel the suffering of Israel He came personally to assist them. He will come personally to our aid as a nation in our time of tragedy and trouble. He will come personally to those families in Tucson who have suffered the unspeakable. He will come Himself to minister to those who are suffering due to a senseless shooting that has scarred the national landscape.

God, out of His own love and compassion will redeem those who suffer. He Himself will rescue them and carry them along for a very long time. He will still be there long after the public focus has shifted to other things. He will be there ministering to the pain and sense of loss.

Pray for all those families in Tucson whose lives will bear the scars of the unspeakable tragedy in Tucson. Pray that they will truly know and sense the presence and comfort of God.

Living In The Fruit Of The Spirit & The Business of Prayer Pt 3

2011-01-08T18:00:00.002-06:00

PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR PRAYER IN 2011:

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—Is the fruit of the Spirit at work in you? (See below) —Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9). Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness.

Read Galatians 5:22-23

“When we are filled with the Spirit and living under His control, He will produce

in us what the Scripture calls ‘the fruit of the Spirit'.” - Nancy DeMoss from Seeking Him.

Take time to meditate on the fruit of the Spirit using the Scriptures and questions provided (Taken from Seeking Him pg. 230 by Nancy DeMoss). A life filled with the Spirit is a life lived in revival. Take 5-8 minutes for each “fruit.” Read the Scriptures. How do you answer? Do you need to confess?

FAITHFULNESS (MAT 24:45,46; LUK 16:10-13)
Am I committed to making choices that please God, even when I know others aren’t watching me?
Do I stick with a job or task until it is completed in the manner it should be?
Am I dependable? Trustworthy? Loyal?

GENTLENESS (MAT 5:5; 11:29; EPH 4:1,2; TIT 3:2; JAS 3:17; 1PE 3:4)
Am I easy to approach, even about difficult matters, or do others have legitimate reason to dread conversations with me?
Do I endure misunderstanding and injustice without retaliating or being defensive?
Do I have a yielded, teachable spirit?

SELF-CONTROL (1CO 9:24-27; TIT 2:1-10)
Am I temperate and disciplined in matters of food and drink? In the use of my tongue? In my use of time? In my reactions and responses to people and circumstances?
re my natural passions and appetites under the control of the Holy Spirit.

“These are the qualities of His life flowing through us as we abide in Him and surrender to His control.” Nancy DeMoss

Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation:
Leader Focus: They desire purity and avoid pornography, perversions, drunkenness; that they be reliable and dependable; that they be honest in financial dealings, taxes and ethical in all matters.

Supreme Court Justices:

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts (Bush, GW - '05)

" " " Antonin Scalia (Regan - '86)

" " " Anthony Kennedy (Regan - '88)

" " " Clarence Thomas (Bush, GHW - '91)

" " " Ruth Bader Ginsberg (Clinton - '93)

" " " Stephen Breyer (Clinton - '94)

" " " Samuel Alito (Bush, GW - '06)

" " " Sonia Sotomeyer (Obama - '09)

" " " Elena Kagan (Obama - '10)

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Living In The Fruit Of The Spirit & The Business of Prayer Pt 2

2011-01-06T18:00:00.006-06:00

PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR PRAYER IN 2011:

Reading: Plea for personal purity—Is the fruit of the Spirit at work in you Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9)? Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness.

Read Galatians 5:22-23. “When we are filled with the Spirit and living under His control, He will produce in us what the Scripture calls ‘the fruit of the Spirit'.” - Nancy DeMoss from Seeking Him.

Meditate on the fruit of the Spirit using the Scriptures and questions provided (Taken from Seeking Him pg. 230 by Nancy DeMoss). A life filled with the Spirit is a life lived in revival. Take 5-8 minutes for each “fruit.” Read the Scriptures. How do you answer? Do you need to confess?

PATIENCE (COL 1:11,12; JAS 1:2-4;5:8)
Am I longsuffering when I am mistreated by others?
Am I willing to accept and endure irritating and adverse circumstances?
Am I willing to wait for God to vindicate me or to reward my labors?

KINDNESS (EPH 4:32; 2TI 2:24)
Do I treat others as I wish to be treated by them and as God has treated me?
Do I demonstrate genuine concern for others
Am I thoughtful, considerate, and alert to the needs of others?

GOODNESS (LUK 6:27; ROM 12:21; GAL 6:10)
Do I manifest kindness by doing good works for fellow believers?
Do I seek to overcome evil by actively doing good to those who wrong or hate me?
(To be continued)

Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation:
Focus: Pray for our nation as you might pray for a lost person you know:

That America will develop a hunger for and obedience to God's word
Prevent Satan from blinding America from truth
That America will want to know about God's love
That America might think about why she needs Jesus to forgive her sins
Send someone who will tell America about Jesus
Make me brave enough to tell America, given whatever opportunity
That America will turn from her sin and follow Jesus
That America will really trust in Jesus
That America will believe that Jesus is Lord

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Living In The Fruit Of The Spirit & The Business of Prayer Pt 1

2011-01-04T05:00:00.009-06:00

PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR PRAYER IN 2011:

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—Galatians 5:22-23 “When we are filled with the Spirit and living under His control, He will produce in us what the Scripture calls ‘the fruit of the Spirit'.” - Nancy DeMoss from Seeking Him.

Is the fruit of the Spirit at work in you (see below)?

Over the next few days take time to meditate on the fruit of the Spirit using the Scriptures and questions provided (Taken from Seeking Him pg. 230 by Nancy DeMoss). A life filled with the Spirit is a life lived in revival. Take 5-8 minutes for each “fruit.” Read the Scriptures. How do you answer? Do you need to confess?

LOVE (1CO 13:4-8; 1JN 4:7-12)
Do people feel they have to gain my approval, or do they generally know that I love them and that I will help them in any way I can?
Am I more driven to give love or to receive it?
Do I genuinely love those people in my life who are unlovable or who do not love me in return?

JOY (PSM 4:7; 16:11; JHN 15:11; PHI 4:4)
Is my level of joy and happiness usually consistent, regardless of external circumstances or how others treat me?
Do people see the joy of the Lord displayed in my life?
Do I “serve the Lord with gladness”?

PEACE (JHN 14:27; 16:33; PHI 4:6,7; COL 3:15; 2TH 3:16)
When I am under pressure, is my spirit generally calm, rather than frantic or turbulent? Do I exhibit an inner tranquility of mind and quiet confidence that God is in control, regardless of what is going on around me?
(To be continued)

Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation:
Leader Prayer Focus: They ask for and receive godly counsel and advice; they be honest and faithful to their spouse and children; they practice their faith in a guinene way in a local congregation.

Church Children's Pastors_________________________

County Sheriff ______________________ (If you do not know this person, find out)

School District Superintendent __________________ (Who is this person?)

United States President Barack Obama

Cabinet: Chair Person, Council of Economic Advisors, Christina Romer

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy

An informed electorate

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

WILL AMERICA BE GREAT AGAIN?

2011-01-01T11:24:00.012-06:00

Why has America been called a “great nation?” Is she great? What made her great? Will she continue to be great?

I believe God’s word can help us answer these questions. Stop here and read Deuteronomy 4:1-10 (See Bible Gateway link). Look especially at what God told the nation of Israel about her greatness in verses 6-8.

Hear what God says about a nation’s greatness. I’ll paraphrase it: Pay attention to My law and do it (vv1,5)…My law is your wisdom in the sight of others who will declare, surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people (v6). I conclude from this that any nation or individual can achieve greatness (exceptional status) by a careful reading and application of God’s law. Our Founding Fathers understood this. They founded our nation on the substance of this reality. Others too have observed and declared that America is a great nation.

One such observer of America’s greatness was Alexis de Tocqueville who, in the 1930s, wrote the classic book, Democracy In America. He called America “exceptional” and was the first to use this term regarding our nation. This was based upon his observation of the American ideology of liberty, equality, individualism, populism, and laissez-faire. These concepts of freedom and the greatness that stems from them can be traced to God’s word, His law and His commandments. The framers of the new Republic’s constitution understood this. The foundation of the Republic rests squarely on these principles. That is why America has been called “great.” Is America perfect? No. But she is great.

“God of my forefathers, I cry unto Thee. Thou has been the refuge of good and wise men in every generation…this Christian way whereon I walk is no untried or uncharted road, but a road beaten hard by the footsteps of saints, apostles, prophets, and martyrs [This author would add also, Founding Fathers]…I praise Thee that Thou has caused me to be born in an age and in a land which have known His name, and that I am not called upon to face any temptation or trial which He did not first endure…Forbid it, Holy Lord , that I should fail to profit by these great memories of the ages that are gone by…” (A Diary of Private Prayer, John Baillie, pg 25). Baillie died in 1960 before the world began its shift to a post-Christian culture.

What has made America great (exceptional) is that from the beginning she has held forth a respect for God and His word (See blogs entitled Is America Under Judgment And Is the Church Complicit In That Judgment? [Nov 2010] and Useless Religion? [Oct 2010]). Here is the real question: Will America continue to be great?

Since the 1960s there has been an all out frontal attack in America on God’s word, His commandments. There has been an attack on the public reading or display of His word, His commandments; on prayers offered to Him publicly; on the words "In God We Trust" from American coinage and "under God" in our nation's pledge of allegiance. There has been a move in our nation (the world) to marginalize the Christian world-view and belief in God’s word, His commandments (See my blog entitled Turning Back To God [Sep 2010]).

In an article entitled An Exceptional Debate (National Review magazine, March 8, 2010), authors Lowery and Ponnuru state, “it is blindness to ignore that American exceptionalism has home grown enemies – people who misunderstood the sources of American greatness or think them outdated. If they succeed, we will be less free, less innovative, less rich, less self-governing, and less secure. We will be less American.” What does that mean? It means to continue down a road that marginalizes God’s word is a recipe for failing greatness.

But read again Deuteronomy 4:9,10. “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grand children.” The Lord goes on to say in this passage, “Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.”

Our hope for “greatness” as a nation can continue if we “take heed” of God’s word, and “diligently” keep ourselves immersed in God’s word so that we may not “forget” all that God has done for us as a nation, and lose all remembrance of the things God has taught us as a nation. “Greatness” as a nation can continue into the future if we will “teach” God’s word to our children and grandchildren. If we do not, future generations will have no knowledge or understanding of a once “great” (exceptional) nation. (See my blog entitled Loosing a Generation [May 2010]).

Bible teacher, Sim Kay Tee makes this comment, “The nation of Israel was a priviledged people as the only nation that had been given God’s law. If they obeyed these laws, God promised that He would distinguish Israel as a great and wise nation.” (Our Daily Bread, December 29, 2010). I submit that America has also been a priviledged nation. It is the only nation I know of that was founded upon the good laws of God by men who greatly revered God and His word.

We need, as a nation, a revival of interest in and a hunger for God’s word. The Church of God needs a revival, a hunger for God’s word. In 2011, I am praying for a revival of reverence for and obedience to God’s word. Join me in praying, for the sake of our nation, our churches and our families that God’s word would once again run mightily throughout our nation and the Western world (Acts 6:7; 12:24; 19:20). That others would once again declare, “Surely this great nation, America, and the Church of God is a wise and understanding people.” I believe God is able.

Conditions Of Prevailing Prayer

2010-12-31T10:44:00.000-06:00

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise” (PSM 51:17). Brokenness is the means by which God conveys maturity and develops character. His discipline in the lives of believers brings each into abandonment of self to God in an attitude of prevailing prayer.

CONDITIONS OF PREVAILING PRAYER
From the autobiography of George Mueller

Dependence – Absolute trust in the merits of Christ as our grounds for blessing & our oneness with Him.

Separation – Abandonment of all known sin.

Belief – Faith in the complete veracity of God’s character. He is and is the rewarder of those who diligently
seek Him.

Motive – Ask according to His will; for our good and His glory.

Perseverance – Patient waiting on Him

Where these conditions are not met God’s answer would both dishonor His character and damage the suppliant.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

2010-12-27T08:38:00.001-06:00

It is December 27. I am sitting quietly in my study reflecting on the day ahead - the year ahead. Our Christmas tree in the living room is standing in the dark. It looks lifeless where only two days ago it was the center piece of much joyful commotion with grandchildren, family, and friends. The ornaments now look somewhat drab and one-dimensional. In a couple of days we'll unceremoniously undrape the tree's trappings, put it in a box, and store it in some unseen place in the attic until next year.

On my way to the kitchen to pour myself another cup of hot coffee I reach behind the Christmas tree and turn on the lights for another look. Suddenly the tree is alive with glitter, sparkle, and glowing warmth. The ornaments hanging lifeless and drab pop with color, adding dimension to what I see. In fact with the Christmas tree lights on I can actually see all the way through the tree to ornaments and lights on the other side.

That's when God gave me a vision of what His Church should be. I'm not talking about a building. I am speaking of His people; His Church in a darkened world. "Christmas lights." We (believers) are a reflection of His Light shining through us wherever we go in the world. When we're lit up every day people see a God who is not one-dimensional but multi-dimensional. Ornaments are seen as colorful special gifts and acts of love from God. When we're lit up we reflect His Glory, just as the angels did long ago on a dark night in the fields of Bethlehem. "...and the glory of the Lord shown around them...a multitude of the heavenly host praising God..." (Luke 2:9, 13). We are His "Christmas lights."

So, consider this: The celebration of Christmas, as a season, may be packed up in a box until next year. But the "Christmas lights", believers in a dark world, must continue to light up the glory of God in Christ. Those lights need to be out all year long.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." Mat 5:14

VICTORY IN ABDICATION OR THE DEMISE OF MORAL CONSCIENCE

2010-12-19T21:32:00.007-06:00

Prayer can change the course of political events
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, reports in part: "1936, a constitutional crisis in the British Empire was caused by King-Emperor Edward VIII's proposal to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American socialite. The marriage was opposed by the King's governments in the United Kingdom and the autonomous Dominions of the British Commonwealth. Religious, legal, political, and moral objections were raised. Mrs Simpson was perceived to be an unsuitable consort because of her two failed marriages, and it was widely assumed by the Establishment that she was driven by love of money or position rather than love for the King. Despite the opposition, Edward declared that he loved Mrs Simpson and intended to marry her whether the governments approved or not.

The widespread unwillingness to accept Mrs Simpson as the King's consort, and the King's refusal to give her up, led to Edward's abdication in December 1936. He remains the only British monarch to have voluntarily renounced the throne since the Anglo-Saxon period."

From the book, Rees Howells: Intercessor, written by Norman Grubb, this account of the King Edward VIII crisis is put forth:
"In 1936, there came the serious national crisis over King Edward VIII and his proposed marriage. In this again the Lord led the College [Glynderwen Bible College of Wales] to take a stand in prayer. The diaries of the daily meetings give the following account:
'December 4, [1936]. The News about the king has come to light in the morning papers, and the Director [Rees Howells] tells us how serious conditions are. We came back in the evening and pleaded with the Lord to guide the king, and give wisdom and discernment to all those concerned in this crisis.

'December 5. Day of pryer in College. Situation in England very grave, because it concerns not only our land, but the British Empire.

'December 6. Day of prayer and fasting in the College. We pray for the Empire in its present crisis. The Lord reveals that it is His will for Edward to abdicate. Mr. Howells was as strong as a lion in the fight, and declared, "Edward is not to reign, or the Lord has not spoken by me." There is a wonderful victory as we believe in the evening.

'December 7. There is thanksgiving over the victory of yesterday. The papers reveal that while at the end of last week the king was challenging the position, now he is anxious to do only what will be best for the Empire.

'December 9. Believing for the Lord to help King Edward to make decision according to God's will, and that his soul may be blessed.

'December 10. Came back at 2:30 p.m. to ask the Lord to control the country, now that the news of the abdication of King Edward VIII is known.

'December 11. We ar thankful for this believing of the Holy Spirit. The Lord has saved the Empire, and raised the standard of life in our beloved land.' "

^{1 Timothy 2:1-4}^{says, "}I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. ² Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (NLV)"

My heart is sickened as I read today that our United States Congress has passed the bill to end the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on the open practice of homosexuality in the military (I posted on this for prayer in November). Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn of Texas both voted against the bill, for which I am thankful and grateful. Yet again our Congress has blatantly ignored the will of not only the people but three of the four military chiefs of our country.

America has left her moral underpinnings. She has been set adrift with no moral rudder. Since the fervor of the the November 2010 election cycle there has been an easing of the intensity for prayer. In my October 2010 post, The State Of Humility, I wrote, " I wonder sometimes if we as Christians in the West think more in terms of getting back to “the good old days” when we just didn‘t have to worry about so many things going wrong. I wonder, if God did send forgiveness and healing, if we would not soon slip back into complacency and apathy toward our lifestyle and the state of the nation and the world. Might we think, “Whew, dodged that bullet of judgment”, or would we continue in a state of genuine restoration with God.

PRAYERS THAT LED TO THE 1936 ABDICATION OF A KING IN ENGLAND COULD LEAD TO A HALT ON THE 2010 DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CERTIFICATION OF THIS BILL. The certification process is to examine first that lifting the ban on open homosexuality will not hurt troops' ability to fight and defend our country.

We must continue a vigil of prayer until this process is over. We must pray that godly wisdom will prevail. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reed has implied that there will be minimum impact on our military. Others hail this as a "victory for the American people."
I tell you this from 1 Corinthians 6:9, "Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality...will not inherit the Kingdom of God."

The implementation of this bill will further erode the moral conscience of our nation. Pray. Intercede. Lift holy hands to heaven for those in authority for your spiritual well-being, for salvation, for knowledge of the truth and godly decision making.

Pray for these men:
President Barack Obama
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, President's Cabinet (FAVORS REPEAL)
Admiral Michael Mullen (Chairman of Joint Chiefs), U.S. Navy (FAVORS REPEAL)
General George Casey, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (NOT IN FAVOR)
General James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corp, U.S. Marines (NOT IN FAVOR)
General Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (NOT IN FAVOR)

When Broken Of Sin, Hope Again In God

2010-12-14T07:30:00.002-06:00

At times I feel unworthy to pray for revival or some great spiritual awakening because it seems that I have enough trouble having victory over my own sin. I may go for days or weeks when I feel I am experiencing a little sense of victory over sin. Then in one selfish moment I lose it all.

Immediately my soul cries out in failure. Quickly Satan brings condemnation. Look at Psalm 42:3, 4, 5a, 6, & 9-11a. Lots of condemnation. I think of the shame of once again having to go to God for forgiveness; same old stuff. So my soul mourns and I live in defeat.

In the past I have viewed Psalm 42 as one where the writer (or me the reader) has wondered for months or even years from God and then becomes repentant and returns. But I realized today that it might only be a matter of hours or days in which I have been in mourning and living under condemnation. It is then I realize that I desperately need to get back to God where there is hope AGAIN (Psm 42:5b & 11b).

God's outrageous grace and lovingkindness rescues me from that condemnation and defies description or explanation. He is my only hope in my struggle with sin. His grace is always my covering for all my failures of obedience to Him.

God spoke to my heart today and said, "You keep on praying for revival and an outpouring of My Spirit on your nation and on the Church."

It is not time to quit. TODAY you pray for the leaders of our churches and our nation:
   Your pastor, ministerial staff and church leaders
   President Obama
   Vice President Biden
   Speaker of the House Pelosi
   Senate Majority Leader Reid
   Your U.S. House Representative
   Your U. S. Senator

Pray that they walk in humility and brokenness (see The State of Humility post in October) every day before God and before others. Pray the God would root out pride. Show them (all of us) where pride exists in our lives and teach them (us) how to deal with it effectively. Then we may engage God in prayer, seeking His face and turning from our sin. Give them (us) grace to continue a life of humility and brokenness before God.

HOW TO VIEW HISTORY

2010-12-06T00:35:00.008-06:00

A well known TV commentator was addressing the state of our Republic and made the following comments on his March 18, 2010 television show:

“Through the course of American history there have been periods and events that were so dramatic, huge, that they were life-altering for the people involved, the people of America. Some of these were so huge they altered the entire world. It changed people. It changed their daily life, and it changed the course for generations.”

He then sighted things like the signing of the Constitution by our founding fathers; the Civil War and the corruption of the reconstruction that followed; the life-changing New Deal and Pearl Harbor. In our lifetime, 9/11 changed the course of America and still affects us today.

He said of Pearl Harbor, “…we started moving forward again. Pearl Harbor was a hugely important day. But that wasn’t the end of the story. It wasn’t just December 7, ‘Wow! That was a bad day’ and everybody went back to having apple pie and watching baseball. America had a choice to make on that day…That deadly December 7th attack radically changed America’s course [the course of the American people]. We went to war, and it changed everything [including the people].

This commentator went on to talk about the passage of a massive health care bill in Congress. He considered this bill “akin” to any one of the events listed above. He emphasized that this bill would go beyond simply politics. He said that is about “the fundamental transformation of our country.”

He said that “[We] have the answer (pointing to three words on the set – Faith, Hope, and Charity)…We have to make sure that we understand the picture is not about politics. It’s much, much, much bigger. It’s bigger than Obama…Republicans or Democrats, Bush or Clinton…So we have to change. Not just in Washington D.C. We [the people] have to change.”

This health care reform bill represented a radical departure from our free-market system. It is the reason I am writing, but not because I think it is good or bad for America. I am writing because this bill as passed will radically change America. Congressional leaders bellowed, “We are making history.”

How am I, as a citizen and a Christian, to deal with such radical change in which I do not believe? What kind of "history" are Congressional leaders really making? And what about the sovereign God of the universe? DOES HE HAVE A POINT OF VIEW?

My answer came as I was reading the Preface in the book The Imitation Of Christ by Thomas a’ Kempis. It stopped me cold. But it also gave me faith and hope because it reminded me that people are changed by history, not the other way around. It is a sovereign God who is behind history. Here is what the Preface said:

“Most of us think of history in broad strokes, in eras that span centuries; people think and act one way, then with no apparent provocation or motivation, everyone is moving in a different direction [sound familiar?]. Why do things change? Why suddenly do people seem to change their values? [Sounds like our TV commentator in my opening remarks].

Is it people who make history, or is it history that makes people, through forces like disease, technology, or environmental catastrophes [May I also add political or governmental excesses, perhaps potentially radical unrestrained behavior]? Or is it possibly the Spirit of God working in history…to effect His will in creation?”

Stay with it here:

"It is only when we pull aside those broad curtains that describe the history of Christianity and western civilization that we discover the human face of God’s work. [Consider] Martin Luther…It was certainly not this humble teaching monk’s goal to ignite a sweeping movement that would divide the church. Luther’s intention was simply a discussion on the theology of indulgences…How could such a small flint light such a great fire? Because people were ready. Before Luther posted his 95 Theses, there were men and women whose faithfulness prepared the way for spiritual reform, just as John [The Baptist] prepared people for the message of Jesus."

So what may we conclude from this? Why would God allow catastrophic disaster? Why would God allow unrestrained governmental excesses? Is there a plan behind His-story? What of the excesses of the Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Egyptians (immorality, the worship of hundreds of gods, the enslavement of an entire nation of Hebrews)? Consider also the heavy hand of the Roman government on its citizens (higher taxes, extreme monuments to men, immorality, and enslavement of men, women and children, the subsequent persecution of the early church.) So many other disastrous events could be named here. Could it be that the people of God needed a push to shake their lethargy or apathy?

Events in human history become the pathways for faithful men and women who have been prepared through prayer and ardent devotion to deliver the message of Faith, Hope and Charity; the message of God’s love. Sometimes God has to shake the world to get the attention of the church…the people of God. It is not the sin of the world that causes the tumult. God expects no less from a lost world. It is, no doubt, the sin in the church that is under judgment:

“For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?” - 1 Peter 4:17

Our country, our world is in desperate need of a faith awakening of divine proportions. We are on the cusp of a judging, a sifting. It is the church that must get ready. The faithful, that remnant of God, must prepare for what God is doing in His-story. Are we ready? Are we praying? Are we seeking His face? Are we, the church, even prepared to go face to face with God? We will witness history in the making alright. History is His-story!

Our hope is in the fact that spiritual awakening is not dependent upon us. We must come to God humbly and ask Him to pour out His Spirit on our nation, on the Church, on each of us individually. It is His-story that puts in motion the opportunities for people to change. Would anyone question that change is needed in our nation and its churches?

Is America A Christian Nation?

2010-11-22T04:07:00.019-06:00

Hear comments from Wallbuilders and the words of Supreme Court Justice David Brewer (1837-1910)

“Contrary to what critics imply, a Christian nation is not one in which all citizens are Christians, or the laws require everyone to adhere to Christian theology, or all leaders are Christians, or any other such superficial measurement. Supreme Court Justice David Brewer (1837-1910) explained:

‘[I]n what sense can [America] be called a Christian (C) nation? Not in the sense that C is the established religion or that the people are in any manner compelled to support it. On the contrary, the Constitution specifically provides that ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.’ Neither is it C in the sense that all its citizens are either in fact or name C. On the contrary, all religions have free scope within our borders. Numbers of our people profess other religions, and may reject all. Nor is it C in the sense that a profession of C is a condition of holding office or otherwise engaging in public service, or essential to recognition either politically or socially. In fact, the government as a legal organization is independent of all religions. Nevertheless, we constantly speak of this republic as a C nation—in fact, as the leading C nation of the world.’

So, if being a C nation is not based on any of the above criterion, then what makes America a C nation? According to Justice Brewer, America was ‘of all the nations in the world...most justly called a C nation’ because Christianity ‘has so largely shaped and molded it.’ ”
- www.wallbuilders.com

Teach your children unapologetically, the importance of Christian values. It is what this country was founded upon. Pray that we pass on to our children and grandchildren a nation that reveres Christian values. America is without question an exceptional nation.

PRAY FOR PRESIDENTIAL CABINET MEMBERS

2010-11-19T04:21:00.006-06:00

The President of the United States looks to counsel from those around him. As you pray for the Cabinet of the President, focus your prayer on PHI 4:4-9: That our leaders fix their thoughts on what is true, honorable and right; on what is pure, lovely and admirable; on what is excellent and worthy of praise. Consider the words of Thomas 'a Kempis who remarks in the Christian classic, The Imitation Of Christ, "He who neither cares to please men nor fears to displease them will enjoy great peace." I would add that those who receive this kind of counsel will be better prepared for any eventuality.

Vice President of the United States
Joseph R. Biden

Department of State Secretary
Hillary Rodham Clinton

Department of the Treasury Secretary
Timothy F. Geithner

Department of Defense Secretary
Robert M. Gates

Department of Justice Attorney General
Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Department of the Interior Secretary
Kenneth L. Salazar

Department of Agriculture Secretary
Thomas J. Vilsack

Department of Commerce Secretary
Gary F. Locke

Department of Labor Secretary
Hilda L. Solis

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary
Kathleen Sebelius

Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary
Shaun L.S. Donovan

Department of Transportation Secretary
Ray LaHood

Department of Energy Secretary
Steven Chu

Department of Education Secretary
Arne Duncan

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary
Eric K. Shinseki

Department of Homeland Security Secretary
Janet A. Napolitano

The following positions have the status of Cabinet-rank:

White House Interim Chief of Staff
Peter M. Rouse

Environmental Protection Agency
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson

Office of Management; Budget
Jeffrey Zients, Acting Director

United States Trade Representative
Ambassador Ronald Kirk

United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Ambassador Susan Rice

Council of Economic Advisers
Chairman Austan Goolsbee

Prayer Alert on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

2010-11-17T03:46:00.003-06:00

From the Presidential Prayer Team Website:

Supreme Court Ruling Retains Don't Ask, Don't Tell For Now

The Supreme Court ruled Friday, November 12, that a controversial law prohibiting homosexuals from openly serving in the armed forces can remain in place while the government appeals a federal judge's decision striking down the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Act.

Friday's ruling by the Supreme Court affirms the Ninth Circuit's decision to maintain the status quo while the government appeals the initial judgment invalidating the law.

The Obama Administration has defended the law in every court proceeding even though it has publically voiced its opposition to it and its desire to have Congress repeal the measure. It's unclear what impact the recent election results will have on that pursuit (Sources: Fox News, CNN)

Pray:

For officials in the Pentagon whose regulations are being pushed to and fro while the debates continue.
For the Congress who will deliberate and develop the law on the issue.
For the military personnel and their families who are directly impacted by the ruling.

Pray Twenty-One

2010-11-16T06:47:00.002-06:00

It is imperative and Scripturally mandated that we pray for those in authority over us:

"Pray this way for kings and for all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity." 1Ti 2:2

Set aside personal time the next three days to pray for the twenty-one significant people who have major influence in your life and the life of your community. If you do not know who they are, find out.

FOCUS: Pray for seven each day. Intercede for them. Pray for their families and their moral integrity. Pray that God would provide a witness of faith and wisdom for these individuals. Pray for leadership and/or political integrity and transparency.

1. Your Pastor _________________ (Ministers)

2. President Barack Obama

3. Your US Senator _______________________

4. Your US Senator _______________________

5. Your U.S. Representative ___________________

6. Your State Governor ____________________

7. Your State Senator ___________________

8. Your State Representative ___________________

9. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts (Bush, GW - '05)

10. " " " Antonin Scalia (Regan - '86)

11. " " " Anthony Kennedy (Regan - '88)

12. " " " Clarence Thomas (Bush, GHW - '91)

13. " " " Ruth Bader Ginsberg (Clinton - '93)

14. " " " Stephen Breyer (Clinton - '94)

15. " " " Samuel Alito (Bush, GW - '06)

16. " " " Sonia Sotomeyer (Obama - '09)

17. " " " Elena Kagan (Obama - '10)

18. Your City Mayor __________________

19. Your City Council Representative ___________________________

20. Your Children's School Superintendent _______________________
21. Your Corporate/Company Head _________________________

Humble Yourselves by Richard Owen Roberts

2010-11-07T22:07:00.001-06:00

When Thoughts Of Sin Thwart Awakening?

2010-11-07T20:38:00.001-06:00

During a Bible study class recently, someone asked, "If you have a thought about sin (temptation to sin) and you don't act on it, but you do keep thinking about it, when does it become a sin?" The short answer is, I believe, that if you continue to dwell on any temptation it will ultimately be harmful. James 1:14, 15 tells us, "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings fourth death".

But how does one know when he/she has dwelt on some sin too long? This is a matter of what is going on in the heart and whether or not there is any sense of conviction.
1 John 3:20, 21 says, "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God." In other words, if you know in your heart that your thoughts are sinful, though you may not have acted on it, it is sinful to continue to entertain those thoughts.

My questions are these: Why would a believer want to dwell on, entertain, thoughts of sin? Why would he/she want to continue thinking about some sin? At what point do followers of Christ no longer continue in an old way of thinking. Romans 12:1, 2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethern, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

If we are to see an awakening of faith in our time Christians are going to have to get serious about how we live our lives apart from sin; live holy, consecrated lives before God. Will we continue to face temptation? Yes. But we do not have to continue to entertain sin in our hearts. In fact the crowning blow to an awakening in our nation and in our churches is that "If I [we] regard [think continually about] iniquity in my [our] heart, the Lord will not hear [our cries, our prayers]" - Psalm 66:18.

For a further discussion of preparing for awakening see the October 28 & 29, 2010 entry into this blog entitled, What Repentance Looks Like and The State of Humility respectively.

When God's People Prayed Revival Swept India

2010-11-05T06:38:00.001-05:00

The year was 1904. A little known man by the name of John Hyde had left America to serve as a missionary to India. Through a series of events where the Spirit of God had been thwarted, a call was sent out for prayer. The call resulted in the Punjab Prayer Union. This union of prayer was the forerunner to the 1905 "Sialkot conventions" where great seasons of prayer and Spirit-filled preaching ignited a revival. John Hyde, "Praying Hyde" as he was called, and his spirit of prayer, was an inspiration to this movement of God's Spirit.

What insight can we glean from the Punjab Prayer Union that might lead our churches and our nation to a place of awakening, a place of repentance and cleansing?

I quote from the book Praying Hyde: A Man of Prayer by Basil Miller.

Members of the Punjab Prayer Union sought to answer and achieve the following questions:

"1. Are you praying for quickening in your own life, in the life of your fellow workers, and in the Church?

"2. Are you longing for greater power of the Holy Spirit in your own life and work, and are you convinced that you cannot go on without this power?

"3. Will you pray that you may not be ashamed of Jesus?

"4. Do you believe that prayer is the great means for securing this spiritual awakening?

"5. Will you set apart one-half hour each day as soon after noon as possible to pray for this awakening, and are you willing to pray till the awakening comes?"

Basil Miller goes on to say, "Revivals have never been the product of the spontaneous combustion of spiritual forces; rather they have been paid for by prayer...So now in Hyde's life as the revival was about to dawn, these men, with others, were paying the purchase price."

The "Sialkot conventions" mentioned above, where revival broke loose, came as a result of this Punjab Prayer Union. Basil Miller continues to explain that Hyde and two other men joined in prayer for thirty-one days and nights leading up to the convention. He says, "...that for [those] days and nights the Throne of God was bombarded by the prayer ammunition of three men, men who had long ago consecrated themselves to the task of bringing spiritual life to sin-deadened souls."

I'll convey this final note from my reading of these passages from Praying Hyde and then conclude. "The record of those thirty-one days and nights of prayer is closed in the Book of Heaven, for no word of them has ever seeped through to the outside. Those sainted prayer warriors were not on dress parade. They went forth to battle with their only weapon with as much earnestness as soldiers in any king's army."

FINAL THOUGHTS: Would it not be appropriate for another question to be added to the five questions of the Prayer Union listed above?

Here is the question:

6. Are you willing that no man know the record of your prayers offered on behalf of our nation and for the church? Will you be satisfied in all humility that your prayers be offered in your closet, in seclusion, and for the eye of God alone?

Take this list of six questions into your prayer closet with the Lord. Over the next few days converse with Him about them. Answer them carefully and honestly. Then watch and pray for an awakening of faith the likes of which man has not seen in this country and the church in over 100 years.

PAY ATTENTION TO LONG TENURED LEADERS

2010-11-01T07:07:00.000-05:00

Ecclesiastes 5:8-10
If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them. Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field. He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

Do we see any oppression of the poor in our nation? Is there any perversion of justice, any perversion of righteousness in our nation? Don't be surprised at this if there are leaders who have been in office too long. Even good men and women tend toward stockpiling their own personal and political capital.

There is a tendency for leaders who hold high office for a long period of time to become oppressive and greedy. They may consider themselves above the law. They may consider themselves above the common man. They may twist and pervert justice and righteousness to suit their own gain.

We have an obligation to hold leaders accountable for their actions. We need to be sure that our leaders are close to the people and represent who we really are.

Pray a spirit of service and humility for those who lead:

Your Pastor and Church Ministerial Staff
Your President & his Cabinet
Your US Senators
Your US Representative
Your Governor
Your State Senator
Your State Representative
Your Mayor
Your City Council Representative
Your School Board
Your Company and Corporate Leaders

THE STATE OF HUMILITY

2010-10-29T07:00:00.003-05:00

Today we conclude 40 Days of Prayer for our nation. As we go into this next week where elections loom before us I think it imperative that we consider how we must continue to live out our faith. VOTING is very important but more important than that is what we do and how we act after we vote.

“…and my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

This verse is often quoted in the context of the trouble we see in our land, in our nation and the world. Many a follower of Christ invokes this verse when times are especially bad. But is there the sort of collective turning called for by this verse? Is there such a turning as will touch the heart of God and He will hear from heaven, send forgiveness of sin and healing to the land?

I wonder sometimes if we as Christians in the West think more in terms of getting back to “the good old days” when we just didn‘t have to worry about so many things going wrong. I wonder, if God did send forgiveness and healing, if we would not soon slip back into complacency and apathy toward our lifestyle and the state of the nation and the world. Might we think, “Whew, dodged that bullet of judgment”, or would we continue in a state of genuine restoration with God. Even the context of this verse tells me that might be the case. When God spoke these words to Solomon the people were not living in sin. They were in the middle of a great celebration of the building of the temple. Look at verse 13. It is more like a forewarning.

Can followers of Christ continue in a genuine spirit of restoration with God? How do they do that? Yes, I believe it is possible to live in a genuine spirit of restoration with God. I believe it has to do with the part of this verse that says, “…and my people who are called by my name HUMBLE THEMSELVES…” It will require that followers live in a state of humility before God.

I don’t think much can happen or be sustained without humility. Humility is the starting point in this verse. Without humility there will be no real prayer, no seeking God’s face, no turning from sin, hearing from heaven. Humility, I believe, is vitally important to staying right with God. Consider Micah 6:8 – “[God] has told you O man what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to WALK HUMBLY with your God.”

Someone asked me what I thought it meant to be broken before the Lord. I believe that to be broken means to be humble toward God – it is Him whom we have offended. When we think of brokenness we tend to think of weeping and whaling, going around in sackcloth and ashes. But living in a state of brokenness is not so much an act of some kind. It is more a state of mind, a state of the heart in which God my dwell and work.

In Isaiah 57:15 God says, “…I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite [broken/humble] and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite [broken/humble]. “ This is living in brokenness, humility before God.

In the Old Testament the word “humble” means to bring a proud, stubborn, disobedient spirit into subjection. The related Arabic root means to fold (like the wings of a bird). What a beautiful picture of humility. This word is used thirty-six times in the Old Testament. Eighteen are a reference to spiritual submission (fifteen of these is a reference to a king submitting himself and his nation to God, e.g. 1 Kings 21:29). The emphasis is on a proud spirit lowering itself. As long as a person or nation is arrogant and self-sufficient, God can do nothing for them. We must reflect in our lives a genuine dependence upon God. “Helplessness” is a word that has been used to describe this heart attitude that God accepts as prayer. Norwegian theologian Ole Hallesby is reported to have said, “Only he who is helpless can truly pray.”

God says, in Isaiah 57:15 that

He will dwell with/in the humble.

He will revive the spirit of the humble.

He will embrace and not shun the humble.

It is as if God Himself bows to humility.

If brokenness/humility is the key to knowing restoration (forgiveness and healing) what can we do to sustain such a virtue? May I suggest a reading of Philippians 2:3,4. Putting others interests ahead of my own helps me get a sense of what God has done for me. Philippians tells me that Jesus humbled Himself for me, a sinner. We are never more like God than when we are humbling ourselves. Putting others first helps us to flesh out humility before God.

In his book, The Imitation of Christ, Thomas a' Kempis writes, “…humility will know the peace of God. But do not think you have accomplished anything until you consider yourself as much less than others.”

Lord, teach us and our leaders how to walk in humility/brokenness every day (before you and before others). Root out areas of pride in our lives. Show us where they exist and teach us how to deal effectively with them. We may only hope to achieve a thimble full of humility/brokenness in our whole lives but grant, O Lord, that we may approach some portion of this virtue. Then again, it is not we who can achieve it but only You in us. As we are privileged to know such a state of mind and heart let us engage You in prayer, seek Your face, and turn from our sin. Then we may know that You have heard from heaven, will forgive us and heal of our land. Give us grace then to continue a life of humility/brokenness before You.

What Repentance Looks Like

2010-10-28T07:15:00.001-05:00

Nancy DeMoss in her study on personal revival entitled Seeking Him makes these statements about repentance:

The purpose of repentance is not to make us feel better about ourselves but to restore us to a right relationship with God, so that our lives may again bring glory to Him and be used for His purposes. That is what personal revival is all about!

DeMoss continues:

So what does a repenter look like?...

A repenter renews his/her mind with truth from Scripture consistently. He/she is aware that the battle against temptation is first waged in the mind and that the process of repentance begins there as well.
A repenter responds to God immediately. At the first sign of conviction, he/she agrees with God about sin, turns from it, and turns toward the Lord.
A repenter obeys God completely. His/her repentance is thorough, and does not cast a longing look back at sin. He/she forsakes the temporary pleasure of sin for the abiding joy of God's blessing.
A repenter follows God personally. He/she does not base commitment to God on what others are doing. "Though no one joins me, still I will follow" expresses the attitude of the heart.
A repenter accepts God's discipline faithfully. Realizing that sin has consequences, he/she accepts the Lord's discipline as an act of love and as a reminder when faced again with sin.

She concludes:

Responding to God is more important than whatever you were planning on doing next. If God is speaking, the time to respond is now. Will you humble yourself and allow Him to begin restoring you?

Think through what DeMoss suggests are signs of one who repents. Consider each point personally. Do these signs represent your heart to be right with God?

PERSONAL REFLECTION
(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?
Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Day 38 of 40 Days of Prayer - A Time For Praise & Pray Twenty

2010-10-27T10:21:00.000-05:00

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—PSMS 98; 2SAM 22 (below). Make confessions of praise to God. Where do your greatest affections lie? Does your soul exalt the LORD? Where do your loyalties lie? In what or whom do you trust?

Psalm 98:

2 The LORD has announced his victory

and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!

3 He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.

The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

4 Shout to the LORD, all the earth;

break out in praise and sing for joy!

5 Sing your praise to the LORD with the harp,

with the harp and melodious song,

6 with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn.

Make a joyful symphony before the LORD, the King!

7 Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!

Let the earth and all living things join in.

8 Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!

Let the hills sing out their songs of joy

9 before the LORD.

For the LORD is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with justice,

and the nations with fairness.

2 Samuel 22:2-4

2 “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;

3 my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me,

and my place of safety.

He is my refuge, my savior,

the one who saves me from violence.

4 I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise,

and he saved me from my enemies.

Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness

Corporate prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation—(Ephesians 4:17-24)

PRAY 20

Set aside personal time to pray for the twenty significant people who have major influence in your life and the life of your community. Focus: For minds full of light and order; minds open and pliable to God; that our leaders are full of honor, moral integrity and purity; they let the Spirit direct their thoughts and attitudes.

1. Your Pastor _________________

2. President Barack Obama

3. Texas Senator John Cornyn (Your State Senator _____________________)

4. Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (Your State Senator_________________)

5. Your U.S. Representative ___________________

6. Texas Governor Rick Perry (Your State Governor _______________0

7. Your State Senator ___________________

8. Your State Representative ___________________

9. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts (Bush, GW - '05)

10. " " " Antonin Scalia (Regan - '86)

11. " " " Anthony Kennedy (Regan - '88)

12. " " " Clarence Thomas (Bush, GHW - '91)

13. " " " Ruth Bader Ginsberg (Clinton - '93)

14. " " " Stephen Breyer (Clinton - '94)

15. " " " Samuel Alito (Bush, GW - '06)

16. " " " Sonia Sotomeyer (Obama - '09)

17. " " " Elena Kagan (Obama - '10)

18. Your City Mayor __________________

19. Your City Council Representative ___________________________

20. Your Children's School Superintendent _________________________

Day 37 of 40 Days Of Prayer - DECLARE A FAST

2010-10-26T07:29:00.000-05:00

There are four days left to complete 40 days of prayer on Friday, October 29. This is a final call to set aside a period of time for prayer and fasting.

It is very important that you read or re-read Days 28, 33 and 34 of this blog.

The future of our nation, our cities, communities and our churches depend upon an informed and God-fearing, God-seeking populace. Everyone of us count. November 2 is upon us. Now is the time.

Day 36 of 40 Days Of Prayer - Confessions Of Praise To God

2010-10-25T17:44:00.011-05:00

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—PSMS 24, 97 (Below). Make confessions of praise to God. Where do your greatest affections lie? Does your soul exalt the LORD? Where do your loyalties lie? In what or whom do you trust?

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.

The world and all its people belong to him.

2 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas

and built it on the ocean depths.

3 Who may climb the mountain of the LORD?

Who may stand in his holy place?

4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,

who do not worship idols

and never tell lies.

5 They will receive the LORD’s blessing

and have a right relationship with God their savior.

6 Such people may seek you

and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. Interlude

7 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors,

and let the King of glory enter.

8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty;

the LORD, invincible in battle.

9 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors,

and let the King of glory enter.

10 Who is the King of glory? The LORD of Heaven’s Armies

he is the King of glory.

Psalm 97

1 The LORD is king!

Let the earth rejoice!

Let the farthest coastlands be glad.

2 Dark clouds surround him.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Interlude

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness;

every nation sees his glory.

9 For you, O LORD, are supreme over all the earth;

you are exalted far above all gods.

12 May all who are godly rejoice in the LORD

and praise his holy name!

Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness

Corporate prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation—Ezekiel 22:23-31: These are incredible words that relate to our day.

Focus: For clean hands and a pure heart; the exercise of righteousness and justice; recognition of God as creator, Jesus as Lord, Spirit as leader; honesty and integrity.

As you pray for our churches, our cities and our nation pray as you might pray for an unbelieving friend that you know. Pray....

That America will want to know about a personal relationship with God

That Satan be prevented from blinding America from truth

That America might think about why she needs Jesus to forgive her sins

Lord, please send someone who will tell America about Jesus

That America will turn from her sin and follow

That America will really trust in Jesus Jesus

That America will believe that Jesus is Lord

That America will hear and believe the Bible

Lord, make me brave enough to tell America about and give me the right words

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Day 35 of 40 Days of Prayer - Responding To Our Culture

2010-10-24T07:44:00.000-05:00

Corporate prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation—Read Jonah 1-4:

Chap 1 - Jonah did the opposite of what God called him to do; take the message to a hated nation. Because of his disobedience everyone on board his "ship of disobedience" was in peril. Why, because God was dealing with his disobedience.
As the people of God, are we praying for or going passionately to the culture in our reach? If God deals with our disobedient, passionless way of thinking, to what peril then is it to our culture if we persist in disobedience?

Chap 2 - Jonah recognized that he had been the cause of a great stormy upheaval on the open sea.
Will the people of God recognize that there is a remedial judgment going on? It is crucial that we wake up, recognize that God is trying to get OUR attention, repent of OUR own sin, and submit to God's plan.

Chap 3 - Once Jonah stepped up to do deliver God's message of love and compassion God began to move. The King led the nation in repentance.
When the people of God repent of their disobedience and begin to move then we will see God move.

Chap 4 - BUT instead of rejoicing at Nineveh’s repentance Jonah pouts. Jonah is angry about it. God tries to give Jonah understanding but in the end Jonah is still arguing with God when the book ends.
So how will the people of God respond to what God does? Bitterness against those who rail against Christian values and the freedoms of liberty only destroys our peace and robs our joy. Can we go on hating like Jonah the people of our "Nineveh?" We need to get our priorities in line with God's priorities.

Focus: The church, responsive/obedient to the call of God to speak to the nations; repent of selfish condescending attitudes; expect to see God’s compassion on a pagan culture; rejoice in the work of God for Awakening

   Fellow churchmen & women

   Pastoral leadership

   Sunday School & Church School leadership

   Deacons and Elders

   Denominational leadership

   Worship leadership

   Support staff of the church

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Day 34 of 40 Days of Prayer - Fasting And The Purposes Of God (Pt2)

2010-10-23T04:00:00.002-05:00

THOUGHTS ON HOW GOD USES THE FAST (Pt2)

From Brokeness by Mickey Bonner

(Compiled and expanded by Roger Hollar)

IF A NATIONAL GREAT AWAKENING OF FAITH IS TO EVER BE USHERED IN THEN IT ESSENTIAL THAT DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST UNDERSTAND HOW GOD USES THE FAST

(It is imperative that you consult with your doctor if you have any medical condition)

SOMETIME BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER 2 DETERMINE TO FAST

AND PRAY FOR GOD'S WILL TO BE DONE IN OUR NATION

God promises, as a result of fasting, His life in you and His ministry through you, in agreement with His will and purpose for your birth upon this earth (EPH 2:10). He further promises to be your guide, and in the midst of all tribulation He pledges to make the way of escape. In His daily presence you will be like “ a spring of water whose waters fail not, as springing up within you is the fountain of life that has its source in eternity (JHN 4:14). Then, through your life, God shall bring restoration and will raise up the foundations of many generations. His ministry through you will be “the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths in which to dwel.” This is the promise to you in Isaiah 58 if you will involve yourself in the fast that God has chosen. Fasting will break the body’s (flesh’s) control over the soul, resulting in a union between your human spirit and the Holy Spirit.

So to be used of God we must first see what God sees in our lives. This is the reason for fasting. Denying food is not for the purpose of getting God involved in what we are doing, but to get us involved in what God is doing…His will, that we may be broken before the Lord. Fasting in its right perspective breaks the soul from submitting to the wiles of the flesh and submits it instead to the Spirit of God within.

Brokeness…is the means by which God conveys maturity and develops character. His discipline in the lives of believers brings each into abandonment of self to God in prayer.“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken [humble] and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise” (PSM 51:17).
_________________________________________________________________________________

FAST FACTS

Fasting expresses dependence upon God in times of trouble
(2SA 12:16-22; 2CH 20:2-4)

Fasting expresses depth of feeling in times of grief and mourning
(1SA 31:11-13; NEH 1:4)

Fasting expresses repentance
(JON 3:5-10; JOE 2:12)

Fasting expresses the desire to know God's will
(ACT 13:2; 14:23)

Fasting in the Bible usually lasted one day, from sunrise to sunset (JUD 20:26; 2SA 3:35), sometimes longer (EXO 34:28; MAT 4:2)

Fasting in the Bible usually involved abstaining from all food (2SA 3:35; LUK 4:2), sometimes refraining from just certain kinds of food (DAN 10:3)

(For questions on fasting for diabetics consult with a doctor or do a search on the web)

Day 33 of 40 Days of Prayer - Fasting And The Purposes Of God (Pt1)

2010-10-22T04:30:00.001-05:00

THOUGHTS ON HOW GOD USES THE FAST (Pt1)

From Brokeness by Mickey Bonner

(Compiled and expanded by Roger Hollar)

IF A NATIONAL GREAT AWAKENING OF FAITH IS TO EVER BE USHERED IN THEN IT ESSENTIAL THAT DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST UNDERSTAND HOW GOD USES THE FAST

(It is imperative that you consult with your doctor if you have any medical condition)

SOMETIME BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER 2 DETERMINE TO FAST AND PRAY FOR GOD'S WILL TO BE DONE IN OUR NATION

Fasting is a process that God uses to bring the believer into being set free from bondage. It is not a thing used by the believer to manipulate or change the will of God; to force God to do something. Fasting is for the believer to be brought into brokenness-humility. In the process the “flesh” is broken and consumed by the Holy Spirit that it might be presented back to God as a living sacrifice, ready for His will to be done.

Isaiah says fasting is not to be instigated by convenience but through brokeness over one’s own sin. It is promised that through this process God will bring change to the life of the believer. We are not to fast for strife and debate (ISA 58:4,5) or to make our voice heard on high. Fasting is not "God’s doorbell." It is an inward desire to bring our bodies into subjection, that we might present them as living sacrifices back to the Lord. In our hunger we recognize our great dependance upon, even craving after, food for the body. We are able then to recognize our great dependance upon God to sustain the spiritual man. This is a great lesson for us in the Spirit as we equate our need for food with the soul's need for God.

Fasting brings through you the ministry of the Spirit of God to others. As your spiritual vision clears you begin to see what God sees through the eyes of the Spirit (EPH 1:8). From there you begin to live by the Holy Spirit regarding others. Biblical fasting brings the light of God exploding in your heart. Isaiah says, “It comes like the morning.” While in that transformed position, your own flesh or personal life is no longer the consuming desire of your being. From that broken, humble, contrite spirit of denial of the body’s fleshly desires your will begins craving the will of God, having been able, in a state of self-denial, to hear from God in your spirit-man. Your prayer, under those conditions, aligns with the will of God as you, in essence “seek first the kingdom of God” and say, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

FAST FACTS

(For questions on fasting for diabetics consult with a doctor or do a search on the web)

Day 32 of 40 Days of Prayer - PREPARE TO VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE

2010-10-21T09:42:00.001-05:00

Have you voted early? Are you prepared to vote when it is time? Do regard your vote as important? Vote on or before November 2, 2010

This is a "Founding Father" quote from the John Hagee Ministries website:

"When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind tht God commands you to choose for rulers, "just men who will rule in the fear of God." The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to excute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican [form] of government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws." - NOAH WEBSTER

Not only should we pray for our leaders but for the voting populace who give our leaders the right to lead. Seek to be informed about your vote. Encourage others to vote. Vote for men and women who fear God and live according to a Biblical integrity. Pray for wisdom as you vote.

Days 29-31 Of 40 Days of Prayer (OCT 18-20) The Twenty Most Significant People In Your Community Life

2010-10-18T05:00:00.011-05:00

Set aside personal time the next three days to pray for the twenty significant people who have major influence in your life and the life of your community. Pray that God would provide a witness of faith and wisdom for these individuals. Pray for their integrity and their transparency.

1. Your Pastor _________________
2. President Barack Obama
3. Texas Senator John Cornyn
4. Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
5. Your U.S. Representative ___________________
6. Texas Governor Rick Perry
7. Your State Senator ___________________
8. Your State Representative ___________________
9. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts (Bush, GW - '05)
10.      "             "         "    Antonin Scalia (Regan - '86)
11.      "             "         "    Anthony Kennedy (Regan - '88)
12.      "             "         "    Clarence Thomas (Bush, GHW - '91)
13.      "             "         "   Ruth Bader Ginsberg (Clinton - '93)
14.      "             "         "    Stephen Breyer (Clinton - '94)
15.      "             "         "    Samuel Alito (Bush, GW - '06)
16. " "         "    Sonia Sotomeyer (Obama - '09)
17. " " " Elena Kagan (Obama - '10)
18. Your City Mayor __________________
19. Your City Council Representative ___________________________
20. Your Children's School Superintendent

Day 28 of 40 Days of Prayer - The Place of Prayer and Fasting for America's Founding Fathers

2010-10-17T04:51:00.005-05:00

AS WE MOVE TOWARD THE END OF OUR 40 DAYS OF PRAYER WE SHOULD CONSIDER PRAYER AND FASTING FOR GOD'S WILL IN OUR NATION. LET US DECLARE A PERSONAL FAST ON DAY 40.

(IF YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL CONDITION CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE YOU START A FAST OF ANY NATURE)

"Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly; gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord." (NASV) Joel:14

Our founding fathers were deeply religious and brought a sense of the divine to the beginnings of our nation. Consider the following regarding the chaplaincy of the United States Congress and then open your heart to a regular weekly day of prayer and fasting for the soul of our nation.

Disclaimer: I regret that the following information is not footnoted. I lost the internet link to it. Although I believe that it came from the web site of the U.S. Chaplaincy - a history of the chaplaincy of the United States Congress.

IV. Religion and the Congress of the Confederation, 1774-89

The Continental-Confederation Congress, a legislative body that governed the United States from 1774 to 1789, contained an extraordinary number of deeply religious men. The amount of energy that Congress invested in encouraging the practice of religion in the new nation exceeded that expended by any subsequent American national government. Although the Articles of Confederation did not officially authorize Congress to concern itself with religion, the citizenry did not object to such activities. This lack of objection suggests that both the legislators and the public considered it appropriate for the national government to promote a nondenominational, nonpolemical Christianity.

Congress appointed chaplains for itself and the armed forces, sponsored the publication of a Bible, imposed Christian morality on the armed forces, and granted public lands to promote Christianity among the Indians. National days of thanksgiving and of "humiliation, fasting, and prayer" were proclaimed by Congress at least twice a year throughout the war [The Revolution].

Congress was guided by "covenant theology," a Reformation doctrine especially dear to New England Puritans, which held that God bound himself in an agreement with a nation and its people. This agreement stipulated that they "should be prosperous or afflicted, according as their general Obedience or Disobedience thereto appears." Wars and revolutions were, accordingly, considered afflictions, as divine punishments for sin, from which a nation could rescue itself by repentance and reformation.

__________________________________________________

CAN WE / SHOULD WE DO ANY LESS THAN DECLARE A TIME OF FASTING AND PRAYER FOR REPENTANCE AND REFORMATION IN OUR NATION?

BEGIN PREPARING NOW TO ADD A FAST TO YOUR PRAYERS ON DAY 40

Day 27 of 40 Days of Prayer - Toward Personal Cleansing

2010-10-16T04:10:00.005-05:00

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—Galatians 6:7-9; 1 John 1:8,9:Are you ignoring sin? Have you unconfessed sin buried somewhere? Eventually you will have to deal with the consequences. Cleansing, forgiveness is available.

Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness

TOWARD PERSONAL CLEANSING

CONFESSION – Agree; take responsibility (Hos 2:23; 1Jn 1:9; Heb 12:1-3)
FORGIVENESS – Accept; clear the conscience (1Jn1:9; Psm 130:4; Col 1:14)
SURRENDER – Yield; surrender willingly; Crisis of Ownership (Jas 4:7)
IN-FILLING – Receive; be filled (know God’s will, be filled with praise, total surrender); manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22, 23; Eph 5:15-18)
SANCTIFICAION – Recon union with Christ (God sets me apart for Himself, I set myself apart for Him)
CHRIST REVEALED IN ME – Live it out; you are a living letter (Gal 1:16; Col 3:1-4)
PROCEED – Do the work He calls you to daily; walk in the Spirit (Jhn 17:6-26; Gal 5:16,25; Eph 2:10)

Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation—Ezekiel 9:9: Since consequences of wrong living were delayed Israel thought God was indifferent. No. Delayed action by God has to do with His mercy (Joel 2:13). When the time is right God WILL step in Ezekiel 12:21-28.

Focus: Admission of sin. No more self-deception. Honest self-examination of lifestyle; seek pastoral counsel where needed.

     Your church Education, Deacon & Elder Leadership

     Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi

     Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

     Your U.S. Congressman

     Cabinet: Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geithner

     Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Days 24 - 26 of 40 Days Of Prayer - President Declares A National Day of Prayer and Humiliation

2010-10-13T21:37:00.002-05:00

Spend a few days praying over this proclamation. Go paragraph by paragraph praying through the concepts contained this incredible document.

Congress affirms that America is a Christian nation:

“On March 3, 1863 while in the midst of the Civil War, the U.S. Senate requested President Abraham Lincoln to ‘designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation’ because:

‘Sincerely believing that no people, however great in numbers and resources or however strong in the justice of their cause, can prosper without His favor; and at the same time deploring the national offences which have provoked His righteous judgment, yet encouraged in this day of trouble by the assurances of His word to seek Him for succor [assistance] according to His appointed way through Jesus Christ, the Senate of the United States do hereby request the President of the United States, by his proclamation, to designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation.’

President Lincoln quickly complied with that request, and issued what today has become one of the most famous and quoted proclamations in America’s history [Full text printed below].

Across the generations, our national reliance on God, the Bible, and Christianity has been repeatedly reaffirmed. In fact, consider five representative images produced by the U.S. Government. The first three are from World War II: one shows the Nazis as the enemy because they want to attack the Bible, and the other two encourage Americans to buy War Bonds by pointing to Christian images [the manger; the Nativity; symbols of peace]. The fourth and fifth images are from the Department of Agriculture in the 1960s, using the Bible and even Smokey Bear in prayer as symbols to encourage Americans to be conscious of fire safety and to help preserve and conserve nature.”

- http://www.wallbuilders.com/

Proclamation 97 - Appointing a Day of National Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer

March 30, 1863

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Whereas the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the supreme authority and just government of Almighty God in all the affairs of men and of nations, has by a resolution requested the President to designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation; and

Whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord;

And, insomuch as we know that by His divine law nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power. to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.

Now, therefore, in compliance with the request, and fully concurring in the views of the Senate, I do by this my proclamation designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting, and prayer. And I do hereby request all the people to abstain on that day from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite at their several places of public worship and their respective homes in keeping the day holy to the Lord and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.

All this being done in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the divine teachings that the united cry of the nation will be heard on high and answered with blessings no less than the pardon of our national sins and the restoration of our now divided and suffering country to its former happy condition of unity and peace. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this 30th day of March, A. D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-seventh.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President:

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

Day 23 of 40 Days of Prayer - Praying For The Youth Of America

2010-10-12T06:20:00.001-05:00

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity— PSM 130
Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness

Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation— HEB 3:7-15; 4:7-11

Focus: That our leaders endeavor to restore the sanctity of life, family, divine order and morality; they redeem the time and know life priorities; they have courage to resist manipulation and fear of man

     Youth Leaders: GBC—Chris Johnson, Steven Hoyer; SHCC—George
                    Other Youth Leaders You Know:___________________________________

     Youth of America

     Teachers of America

     School Superintendent:_________________________

     Cabinet: Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Praying For America

2010-10-09T05:00:00.030-05:00

We are mid way in our 40 Days of Prayer for America. For today and tomorrow (Saturday & Sunday, Oct 9 & 10 - Days 20 & 21) take time to reread any of the posts from this blog begining at Day 1. I would especially direct your attention to Days 9 & 14.

As you pray for our churches, our cities and our nation pray as you might pray for an unbelieving friend that you know:
     That America will want to know about a personal relationship with God
     That Satan be prevented from blinding America from truth
     That America might think about why she needs Jesus to forgive her sins
     Lord, please send someone who will tell America about Jesus
     That America will turn from her sin and follow
     That America will really trust in Jesus Jesus
     That America will believe that Jesus is Lord
     That America will hear and believe the Bible
     Lord, make me brave enough to tell America about and give me the right words

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Day 19 of 40 Days of Prayer - A Parable Of The Lord's Vinyard

2010-10-08T06:23:00.002-05:00

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—MAT 15:15-20 (What defiles us?)
Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9); Come before God in personal contrition and brokenness

Scripture Reading: Plea for the return of God’s people:

ISA 5:1-3O

(A parable about the Lord’s Vineyard - Paraphrased)

vv 1-6 – God created a Vineyard. It was of rich fertile soil. The land was cleared and choice vines were planted. A watchtower was built in its midst for security. A press was made of nearby stone. Then He (God)awaited a harvest of sweet grapes. BUT only wild sour grapes grew. “What more could I (God) have done to cultivate a rich harvest? How could this happen?”

“I (God) will tear down the fences, its walls and let it be destroyed – It won’t be pruned. It will be ravaged by thorns and briars – There will be no more rain.” V7 – This is a parable of the people of God. He expected justice but got bloodshed; righteousness but got oppression.

[When we, the people of God, reject God’s way for a fruitful life, life becomes a toil of unfruitful, dysfunctional fruit.]

V 8-24 – There will be economic impact. Our very way of life will be threatened. Our fate is sealed. Homes will be deserted; property will produce a pittance. The party will be over before we realize what happened to us. The great [powerful] will be brought down. The common folks will die of thirst. The grave is awaiting the great society of God’s people.

The arrogant and proud will go down. Destruction is certain for those who sin, mock the Holy One, call good evil and evil good; who call the dark light and the light dark; who call bitter sweet and sweet bitter. For those who consider themselves wise or clever, for those who are heroes at drinking, those who take bribes to pervert justice; for those who let the wicked go free and punish the innocent, the party is over. These will be history and all who associate with them.

When God’s law is rejected, His word despised, His anger burns against His people. His fist is raised to crush them. Other nations will rule over God’s people.

[What disaster will we face as the church, as a nation, because God’s people continue to ignore its sinful, unbroken state? We are a country that has fallen to disgraceful government, disgraceful judicial practices, disgraceful displays of immorality and corruption, disgraceful distortion of history. Our leaders are a reflection of an unbroken, unrepentant populace. It is the people of God who need to get right with their God. We should worry far more about the condition of the church than we worry about Congress.]

V26ff - …Explains to us that God is capable and willing to bring nations racing against us. (v28: See “sparks fly from their horses’ hooves.”) They will pursue relentlessly; conquer and carry us into captivity.

[This is what the Lord God promised His people of old when they reject Him. The people of God today are no less vulnerable. We must pray and seek God for a mighty wave of repentance and brokeness. 'O mighty God, may Your Spirit move across our land in revival and in a powerful awakening of faith.']

Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation.
             Leader Focus: Value/respect the Ten Commandments & teachings of Jesus; honor and
             respect parents; respect authority and practice accountability

          Church Youth and Childrens Pastors_______________________________

          Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst

          Your State Senator__________________

          Fort Worth City Mayor, Mike Moncrief or your city mayor________________

          Cabinet: UN Ambassador Susan Rice

          An informed electorate and primary elections across the country

          Pray for the the United States to stand strong with Israel.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Day 18 of 40 Days of Prayer - Lost Vision of God and Recession

2010-10-07T11:56:00.001-05:00

Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no revelation (vision), the people cast off restraint..." (NKJV).

Oswald Chambers said about this passage: "Where there is no revelation [a speaking of God's Word]...Once we lose sight of God, we begin to be reckless. We cast off certain restrains from activities we know are wrong [our conscience goes into RECESSION. It withdraws]. We simply begin to act on our own initiative. If we are eating only out of our own hand, and doing things solely on our own initiative without expecting God to come in, we are on a downward path [RECESSION]. We have lost the vision [of what God is saying to us]." Chambers continues, "Is our attitude today an attitude that flows from our vision of God? Are we expecting God to do greater things than He has ever done before? Is there a freshness and vitality in our spiritual outlook?"

These are important questions because without that vision of what God is saying to us we have no right to expect that He will do anything. Much less "greater things than He has ever done." Much less will we know a "freshness and vitality in our spiritual outlook." The spiritual life will become weak to non-existent. Listen to how the apostle Paul describes this: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away form the truth, and be turned aside to fables." (2Timothy 2:3-5) The conscience recedes in its convicting power. Man moves forward on his own initiative with no thought for God. He moves recklessly down a path of self-destruction and takes the nation with him. This is a RECESSION from which we can recover, but not without a turning back to God.

Elias Boudinot (a President of Congress and framer of the Bill of Rights) wrote (in part) to his daughter in 1782, "...You are well acquainted that the most perfect and consummate doctrinal knowledge is of no avail without it operates on and sincerely affects the heart, changes the practice, and totally influences the will - and that without the almighty power of the Spirit of God enlightening your mind, subduing your will, and continually drawing you to Himself, you can do nothing..." [www.wallbuilders.com - article: A Few Declarations of Founding Fathers and Early Statesmen on Jesus, Christianity and the Bible]

Our founding fathers understood the importance of a personal and intimate relationship with the God of the universe. They understood that if there is no revelation, a speaking of God's Word, the people will cast off all restraint and serve themselves.

CONDITIONS OF PREVAILING PRAYER

(from the autobiography of George Muller)

Dependence—Absolute trust in the merits of Christ as our grounds for blessing and our oneness with Him.
Separation—Abandonment of all know sin.
Belief—Faith in the complete veracity of God’s character. He is and is the “rewarder” of those who diligently seek Him.
Motive—Ask according to His will; for our good and His glory.
Perseverance—Patient waiting on Him.

Where the conditions are not met God’s answer would both dishonor His character and damage the suppliant (petitioner).

TAKE AWAY – PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Days 15-17 (Oct 4-6) of 40 Days of Prayer - Personal Purity & The Significant 20

2010-10-04T10:02:00.002-05:00

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—JOB 31 (Job asks heart-searching questions)

Job 31: Heart-searching questions

V5      Have I lied or been deceitful?
V7      Have I strayed from Thy will? Have I been covetous? Am I guilty of any other sin?
V9      Has my heart been seduced by any woman [or man]? Have I lusted after my neighbor’s wife
           [or husband]? (V11—Lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished.)
V13    Have I been unfair to my male or female servants?
V16    Have I refused help to the poor? Have I crushed the hopes of widows who look to me?
V17    Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share with hungry orphans?
V24    Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold?
V25    Does my happiness depend upon my wealth?
V26,27 Have I worshipped nature, the created thing?
V29    Have I rejoiced in my enemies misfortune or harm?
V31    Have I turned away a stranger?
V33    Have I tried to hide my sins?
V34    Am I too proud to repent because I fear what others might think about me?

Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness (Teach Me to See who I am)

Teach Me To See...

From Valley of Vision

(A book of Puritan prayers, pg 57)

Teach me to see that Christ can deliver me from sin;

That if I sin not I should thank thee for it;

That if I sin I should be humbled daily under it;

That I should mourn for sin more than other men do, for

when I see that I shall die because of sin, that makes me mourn;

when I see that sin caused Christ’s death, that makes me mourn;

Thou hast taught me that faith is nothing else than receiving Thy kindness;

that it is adherence to Christ, a resting on Him,

love clinging to Him as a branch to the tree,

to seek life and vigour from Him.

Scripture Reading: Plea for the return of God’s people— HOS 6:1-3 (Encouragement on the journey of repentance)

Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation.CONTINUE PRAYING OCT 4-6 FOR THE 20 SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE AND COMMUNITY (SEE OCT 3 BLOG)

FOCUS: Conviction of sin; conscience cleared by confession and repentance; read God’s Word

and be moved by Divine guidance.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Day 14 of 40 - Pray For The Twenty Most Significant People In Your Community Life

2010-10-03T08:42:00.001-05:00

Set aside personal time every week to pray for the twenty significant people who have major influence in your life and the life of your community.
Pray for these significant twenty:

1. Your Pastor _________________
2. President Barack Obama
3. Texas Senator John Cornyn
4. Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
5. Your U.S. Representative ___________________
6. Texas Governor Rick Perry
7. Your State Senator ___________________
8. Your State Representative ___________________
9. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts (Bush, GW - '05)
10.      "             "        "     Antonin Scalia (Regan - '86)
11.      "             "        "     Anthony Kennedy (Regan - '88)
12.      "             "        "     Clarence Thomas (Bush, GHW - '91)
13.      "             "        "     Ruth Bader Ginsberg (Clinton - '93)
14.      "             "        "     Stephen Breyer (Clinton - '94)
15.      "             "        "     Samuel Alito (Bush, GW - '06)
16.      "             "        "     Sonia Sotomeyer (Obama - '09)
17.      "             "        "     Elena Kagan (Obama - '10)

18. Your City Mayor __________________
19. Your City Council Person _______________
20. Your Children's School Superintendent

USELESS RELIGION?

2010-10-02T05:00:00.003-05:00

James 1:21-27 says, “21…lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 26If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (NKJV)

When I think of the founding fathers of this great Republic of the United States I think of men of great faith and a religion of power; a religion pure and undefiled before the God of the universe. A “useless religion” would have been satisfied to remain in the homeland and accept a life of tepid tolerance and compromise. No. Our founding fathers, the signers of our constitution, considered their God-given right to liberty as a higher calling than subservience to a king, a monarch.

Founder Charles Carroll:
Signer of the Declaration of Independence said, "On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts." From an autographed letter in our possession written by Charles Carroll to Charles W. Wharton, Esq., on September 27, 1825, from Doughoragen, Maryland. (Source: Wallbuilders.com)

Pray for America. Pray for each other. Awakening must come to America! It has been one hundred years since the last great awakening (1905-06). Our one great hope is the intervention of God. Lay aside the sin that does so beset your life and receive the Word of God with meekness which is able to save your souls. It will reflect accurately the condition of your heart…what kind of man or woman you have become.

If you look into the ”perfect law of liberty,” the Word of God, you will see what our forefathers saw. You will see not a “useless religion” but religion of power and strength through a risen Savior. You will see Jesus. You will see a religion born of God for the renewal and awakening of your heart.

TAKE AWAY – PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Day 12 of 40 - Marks Of Revival

2010-10-01T14:04:00.002-05:00

How do we know when we are seeing revival? How do we know when awakening comes? The following are some thoughts from Richard Owen Roberts on revival and awakening. When we see these sort of things happening in our nation and in our churches then we know we are seeing awakening. We must ask God to send a spiritual awakening to our nation and to our churches. Followers of Christ must come to God in earnest prayer and seek His face for revival.

Marks of Revival

Compiled by Richard Owen Roberts

Revival Historian

TAKE AWAY – PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Day 11 of 40 - Live As People Of The Light

2010-09-30T06:53:00.001-05:00

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—Ephesians 5:8-20 (See below).
Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness

EPHESIANS 5: 8-20 (New Living Translation)
8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
   “Awake, O sleeper,
      rise up from the dead,p
      and Christ will give you light.”
Living by the Spirit’s Power
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit **, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

** Being filled with the Spirit means to be surrendered to the will of God moment by moment in your life.

Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation—Daniel 3:8-20
Focus on nation's leaders: The Church, stand firm; take action where and when necessary; government leaders, seek out godly friendships; exhibit thankful, teachable spirits; show respect for God and the Christian faith.

     U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison: Other________________________

     U.S. Senator John Cornyn: Other______________________

     Texas Governor Rick Perry: Other______________________

     Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst: Other___________________

PERSONAL REFLECTION
(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Day 10 of 40 - Praying For Spiritual & Government Leaders

2010-09-29T10:09:00.001-05:00

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—Psalm 6:1-7, 9.

Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness

Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation—Genesis 32:10-12

Focus on spiritual and government leaders: Seek the unfailing love of God; avoid those who do evil; admit personal weakness and the need for God; a genuine repentance; humble contrition.

Senior Pastors____________________________

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi

Minority Leader John Boehner

Cabinet: Secretary of State, Hilliary Clinton

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

TURNING BACK TO GOD

2010-09-28T06:19:00.002-05:00

Scripture reading personal preparation—Psalm 102: 1-7, 12, 13
Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness
Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation—Jeremiah 3:1-4:4
Jeremiah 3
Polluted by sin
6 …. “Have you seen what fickle Israel has done? Like a wife who commits adultery, Israel has worshiped other gods on every hill and under every green tree. 7 I thought, ‘After she has done all this, she will return to me.’ But she did not return….she thought nothing of committing adultery by worshiping idols made of wood and stone. So now the land has been polluted.
Faithless Israel worshiped other gods: dependency on money, success, power, prestige; like a wife running to another lover to satisfy her desire for pleasure. Like Israel, America needs to turn back to the one true faithful loving husband for genuine satisfaction. In this generation our culture has changed before our very eyes (See Francis Schaeffer quote below).

Call to Repent
12 .... This is what the LORD says: “O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever. 13 Only acknowledge your guilt. Admit that you rebelled against the LORD your God and committed adultery against him by worshiping idols under every green tree. Confess that you refused to listen to my voice….16 “And when your land is once more filled with people,” says the LORD, “you will no longer wish for ‘the good old days’ when you possessed the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant. You will not miss those days or even remember them, and there will be no need to rebuild the Ark.
Do not long for the “good old days,” the “good old buddies,” the good old hang outs.” Your loving faithful husband (God) will not disappoint you.

How to Repent
22 ….“Yes, we’re coming,” the people reply, “for you are the LORD our God. 23 Our worship of idols on the hills and our religious orgies on the mountains are a delusion. Only in the LORD our God will Israel ever find salvation. 24 From childhood we have watched as everything our ancestors worked for….was squandered on a delusion. 25 Let us now lie down in shame and cover ourselves with dishonor, for we and our ancestors have sinned against the LORD our God. From our childhood to this day we have never obeyed him.”
Jeremiah 4
1 “O Israel,” says the LORD, “if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. 2 Then when you swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.” 3 This is what the LORD says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns. 4 O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the LORD, or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins.
After rebelling time and time again, God still calls His people to Himself. He never gives up. Here is how to repent and renew: Humble yourself before God, confess your sin, put away arrogance, pride and selfishness; stand by the truth; break away, cut away the response of the flesh, consecrate yourselves (set yourself apart) for Him. Or suffer the consequences.

Francis Schaeffer, in his 1975 book, Joshua and the Flow of Biblical History (pg. 210, 211) said this about the generation of people who knew not Joshua. “The children of Israel….forgot [about their commitment to serve God]. And thus came the confusion, the sorrow and the total lawlessness of the period of the judges. We are seeing exactly the same shift in our own generation. [My generation] experienced a Christian consensus [a culture in which we called ourselves “Christian”]. This does not mean that every individual was a Christian but that society was strongly influenced by Christian values. But my generation and the generations immediately preceding me made a bad choice, and so we now live in a post-Christian world [a world in which Christianity has been marginalized; pushed to the fringe]. The choices of faith have been set aside and forgotten, and, accordingly, the confusion, sorrow and lawlessness of the time of the judges is occurring in our generation. If you are a member of the younger generation, you are a recipient of the consequences of this bad choice. This is who your are. To understand yourself, you must understand that you have grown up in a post-Christian world.”

In 2010, thirty-five years later, it is not better. It is worse and changing exponentially.

Prayer Focus: Our national/local leaders be shielded from New Age thinking, false religions, and occultism; they hear and understand the Biblical worldview and principles; they work to reverse trends of humanism; they be prepared to give an account of their lives to God.

PRAY FOR Our Nation As You Might Pray For A Lost Friend?
     That America will want to know about God
     That America would think about why she needs Jesus to forgive her sins
     Prevent Satan from blinding America from the truth
     Send someone who will tell America about Jesus
     Make me brave enough to be used to tell America about Jesus
     That America will turn from her sin and follow Jesus
     That America will really trust in Jesus
     That America will chose to believe that Jesus is Lord
     That America will hear and believe the Bible

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Days 6 - 8 of 40: Give Us Shepherds After God's Heart

2010-09-25T07:55:00.004-05:00

Because of the nature of this prayer challenge it will cover several days of this season of prayer. Take several days to unwrap this conversation with God.

Jeremiah speaks of shepherds [the priests of Jeremiah's day; the ministers of today] who tend the people of God (Jer 23:2-4). They have a great responsibility and must answer for their actions. What they do has a direct bearing on the condition of the flock (God's people). Their sin had caused the downfall of the sheep and they were scattered. God makes it clear that He will judge the shepherds for missing the mark.

Shepherds today, ministers of God who serve in our churches and ministries, have no less responsibility than in Jeremiah's day. When the apostle Peter suggests that judgment begin at the household of God (1Pe 4:17) it necessarily means that pastors and ministers must first examine their own hearts and repent where God convicts of sin in their own life. Those who choose a path of disobedience, deception and unfaithfulness must repent or suffer severe consequences. There must be a brokenness in the ministry, a contriteness of heart. God give us shepherds after Your heart:

Where there is spiritual rebellion....let there be surrender
Where there is hoarding of personal finances; robbing from God....let there be restitution
Where there is complaining against other ministers....let there be mercy and grace
Where there is speaking ill of others....let there be patience
Where there is manipulation of people and circumstances....let there be honesty and openness
Where there is indifference to unity in work relations (passive or aggressive)....let there be camaraderie
Where there is lying and insincerity....let there be truth and sincerity
Where there is self-aggrandizement....let there be humility
Where there is lust; poor marriage relationships....let there be respect and rekindling of love
Where there is rebellious children....let there be restoration
Where there is lack of prayer....let there be renewal
Where there is apathy toward a lost world....let there be a broken heart
Where there is lack of love for the Word of God....let there be new excitement
Where there is lifeless preaching in the pulpit....let there be new power
Where there is indifference to the filling and ministry of the Holy Spirit....let there be radical rejuvenation
Where there is self-serving...let there be selflessness

It is imperative that the Church, the Body of Christ, pray for its leaders, its shepherds. God is infinitely more serious about this than we could ever imagine. Do it today church.

Day 3 of 40: The Salvation Of Nations Requires Returning To God

2010-09-22T06:06:00.002-05:00

Isaiah 30:15-22 (New Living Translation)

The people refuse to return to God

¹⁵ This is what the Sovereign Lord,
      the Holy One of Israel, says:
   “Only in returning to me
      and resting in me will you be saved.
   In quietness and confidence is your strength.
      But you would have none of it.
¹⁶ You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt.
      They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’
   But the only swiftness you are going to see
      is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!
¹⁷ One of them will chase a thousand of you.
      Five of them will make all of you flee.
   You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill
      or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”

So the Lord sends adversity and waits

¹⁸ So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
      so he can show you his love and compassion.
   For the Lord is a faithful God.
      Blessed are those who wait for his help. ¹⁹ O people of Zion, who live in
   Jerusalem, you will weep no more.
   He will be gracious if you ask for help.
      He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.
²⁰ Though the Lord gave you adversity for food
      and suffering for drink,
   he will still be with you to teach you.
      You will see your teacher with your own eyes.
²¹ Your own ears will hear him.
      Right behind you a voice will say,
   “This is the way you should go,”
      whether to the right or to the left.
²² Then you will destroy all your silver idols
      and your precious gold images.
   You will throw them out like filthy rags,
      saying to them, “Good riddance!”

Day 2 of 40: Unholy Alliances

2010-09-21T09:15:00.004-05:00

Apathy toward a lost world
Stubbornness
Self-righteousness
Unbelieving heart
Pride
Unhealthy sexual appetites
Judgmental attitudes
Seditious/factious attitudes
Moodiness
Irritability
Fear
Bitterness
Jealousy
Impatience
Sarcasm

Coming to worship...
...out of habit
...giving nothing, expecting nothing
...to be seen
...in unbelief

THERE IS NO BROKENNESS, NO TEARS FOR SIN COMMITTED

PSM 51 tells us where to start in repentance:

...V3 I recognize my shameful deeds

...V6 I desire honesty from the heart

...V7 I ask to be purified and cleansed

...V8 I ask for my joy back

...V10 I pray, "Create in m a clean heart, renew a right spirit in me"

...V11 I ask not to be banished from God's presence nor Thy Holy Spirit be removed from me

...V12 I ask for my joy to be restored and that I am willing to obey

...V14 I ask for forgiveness

...V15 I recognize that it is only the sacrifice of a broken repentant heart that God requires

Is America Undergoing Judgement And Is The Church Complicit In That Judgment?

2010-09-19T16:31:00.005-05:00

America is not a nation like Israel; a nation founded as a Theocracy. However, America is a nation founded on Judeo-Christian values. To the degree America adheres to those values she is a Christian nation. She is a free nation because she was founded upon the values and principles of freedom and “inalienable rights.” This is true even though America embraces “pluralism.” She embraces the individual’s right to freely choose any particular belief or no belief at all.

America was founded upon and has received great Light, that is the Holy Scriptures. That Light has brought about great freedom and liberty. So long as that Light burns brightly those freedoms and liberties remain. But when that Light grows dim, darkness will fall on freedom and liberty. How is the Light sustained? It is sustained first by the Reflectors of the Light, by those who are the followers of Jehovah God and who revere God’s Holy Word. Second it is sustained by the Respecters of the Light be they followers of God or not. They respect the Judeo-Christian values and principles of God’s Word upon which America, our Republic, was founded.

The Reflectors and the Respecters of God are in a partnership for the sustaining of America’s freedom and liberty. They both enjoy a great privilege and a great responsibility. They are inseparable in many ways. They work and survive in a culture of liberty by honoring the Judeo-Christian values and principles that undergird America. The survival of America as a free nation depends upon their mutual dependence upon the God of freedom and “inalienable rights.”

Is America undergoing judgment? Yes, America is undergoing judgment. What does that mean? Richard Owen Roberts, foremost authority on revival in our world, explains how God uses judgment in his booklet, The Solemn Assembly. He writes, “While some judgments are immediate and final, resulting in deaths among the wicked, others are gracious and remedial, resulting in brokenness, prayer, repentance and extraordinary seeking of God’s face.” I believe America’s judgment at this point in time is “remedial” in nature. There is still time for America to act, to truly repent of her neglect of God and turn to Him NOW, before a “final” judgment comes, before she goes past the point of no return.

Is the Church (Reflectors of the Light) complicit in the judgment on America? Yes. The Church is complicit because she alone is responsible for keeping the Light of Holy Scripture brightly shining. If the Light grows dim it can only be because the Church has lost or is losing her influence and status as a reflection of the Light.

Rev. Henry Blackaby stated in the Cedars Bible Conference of 2010, “The healing of America is waiting on God’s people. The forgiveness of God’s people [for willful sin and disobedience] will determine the healing of America.” He said of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, “This was a warning to God’s people [the Church].” He said the same of hurricane Katrina and the economic disasters of 2008-2010. These disasters coincide with Roberts’ statements above about “remedial judgment.” Blackaby said that God’s people must do some things: They must humble themselves, pray, seek God's face, and TURN from THEIR WICKED WAYS. “If you are not seeing the manifest presence of God in your life then there ARE wicked ways [in your life for which you must repent]”, Blackaby said. Roberts states that “remedial judgment” opens the door for brokenness, prayer, repentance and the seeking of God’s face on the part of God people.

Today we find ourselves living in a “post-Christian” culture. Why, because both the Reflectors of God and the Respecters of God have succumbed to the peril of privilege. They have fallen asleep at the wheel. They have taken for granted freedom, liberty, and “inalienable rights.” When that happens its only a matter of time before those freedoms are forfeited.

What has gone wrong? With great privilege comes great responsibility. Neither a Reflector nor a Respecter of God is assured the mutual protection and favor of God when they no longer reflect and no longer respect God. When reflecting turns inward and apathetic and respecting turns to complacency and neglect the nation, the Republic, is in trouble. Reflectors no longer propagate the Light. Respecters no longer revere the Light. Less Light turns to less toleration. Soon the Reflectors and the Respecters of God find themselves on the outside looking in. The Light is slowly being snuffed out by the darkness, the creeping enemy of the Light. The result is the loss of freedom, liberty and “inalienable rights.”

As Reflectors and Respecters become weaker and less a voice, a new group of people emerges. They are the Renouncers. This new group shows zero tolerance for Judeo-Christian values. It wishes for and works for the removal of any mention of God. They use only language that is “politically correct.” They wish to see the Reflectors and Respecters completely silenced. While those who reflect the Light and those who respect the Light continue in their apathy and neglect, the Renouncers wage a full scale rejection of the Light, tolerance, and any dependence upon God. We are in a battle for the soul of America. The Church must awaken from her slumber. Pastor John Hagee of San Antonio, Texas said, “America’s future is in the hands of God’s children. God is waiting for Christians in America to answer His wake-up call and PRAY.”

I close with the thought-provoking words of Richard Owen Roberts: “That there has been a very great increase of immorality and decrease of true biblical spirituality in America in recent years is a fact beyond controversy…Is it because the devil is more powerful…? No. It is because God has judged America with the remedial judgment of the withdrawal of certain manifestations of his gracious presence and mercy.” Roberts sounds an alarm to the Christian Church, “As soon as it becomes evident that immorality is on the increase and spirituality is on the decline, the biblically sound and spiritually lively Church will not foolishly blame the world but will immediately recognize its own COMPLICITY. The Church must first repent, for the righteous judgment was not against the world but against the Church. Therefore, in times of spiritual declension and moral decadence, the great duty of every Christian is both to discover those sins which have caused the judgment and to put them away…”

The call has gone out to the Church for prayer July 4 and August 6, 2011

Restoring Youth In America

2010-06-09T08:28:00.000-05:00

This is a reprint of an email I recently received:

Whenever I have a serious discussion about the troubling circumstances that this country is facing, inevitably the conversation comes back to Taking Back America's Youth. We all know that our public education system isn't teaching our children about American Exceptionalism. We know that the Entertainment World, the Media, and Higher Learning does everything to tear down the very foundations that our Country was built on.

Today, we are going to start Fighting Back. We are going to start by having a conversation with our Nation's Youth. What better place than a social network? Facebook. We want this to become a place where Youth talk, inform and challenge each other. Eventually, this will be the launching pad for starting Youth-Led and Run Tea Parties in High Schools and Colleges & Universities. That's my Dream.

The group name on Facebook is "Restoring America". Here's the link.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Restoring-America/112115062138936?v=info&ref=ts

I'd like to keep this site available for the Under 30 group. Please help me to keep this focused on Youth so that they can share freely. And, for those of us, that have a little more time to be "seasoned", let's try to just observe and let the conversation and networking occur naturally.

Now, here's what I need your help with....

Please forward this Facebook page to all the young people you know: children, grandchildren, extended family, church youth groups, etc. You can help to encourage young people to try it out.

I know you all are committed to our Youth and not just because they are our Future but because We Love Them! Thank you all in advance for helping.

PRAYER AGENDA - WEEK OF MAY 30, 2010

2010-05-31T09:57:00.000-05:00

MEMORIAL DAY EDITION

12:00—Open
12:05—Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity— PSM 26:2, 3; 139:23, 24
12:10—Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness

12:20—Corporate prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation— PHI 4:4-9
12:30— Focus: That our leaders fix their thoughts on what is true, honorable and right; on what is pure, lovely and admirable; on what is excellent and worthy of praise.

     Senior Pastors: ___________________________

     President Barack Obama

     Cabinet: Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates
          (Military personnel around the globe; families of the fallen)

     U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison & John Cornyn

     U.S. Representative Michael Burgess

     Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito (GW Bush; ‘06)
          (Replacement for Chief Justice John Stevens—Elena Kagan)

     Prayer Topics by Moderator:

12:50—Closing
1:00 - Dismiss

___________________________________________________________________________
Marks of Revival
Compiled by Richard Owen Roberts
Revival Historian

An intense spirit of conviction will be felt immediately

Pride and self-centered living will no longer be excused

Agony of sin will be so great that the thought of prolonging life in the midst of such wickedness will be intolerable

The cross of Christ becomes truly precious

Long-standing habits of self-indulgence will be broken

Ministers of the Gospel will become broken

Confession of sin becomes the order of the day

Great interest in and spread of the Word of God

Prayer becomes pure delight

Agony for souls becomes the prime object of life

New converts are made without arm twisting

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

LOOSING A GENERATION

2010-05-22T07:50:00.003-05:00

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity— PSALM 143

Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness

Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation— JUDGES 2:6-12

USA TODAY, April 27, 2010 article: SURVEY: 72% OF MILLENNIALS ‘MORE SPIRITUAL THAN RELEGIOUS’ (Reported by Lifeway Research and The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life)

This article reported that the research showed that 72% of 18-29 year olds say they are “really more spiritual than religious.” BUT ARE THEY REALLY? The article reported 65% of these people never pray with others and almost never pray by themselves; 65% rarely or never attend worship services; 67% don’t read the Bible or sacred texts; 50% are unsure that Jesus is the only path to heaven. The Pew research says Millennials are ‘less religious.’ Among those who claim to have accepted Christ as Savior, 68% did not mention faith, religion or spirituality when asked ‘what is important in life’; 50% do not attend church at least weekly; 36% rarely or never read the Bible. Only 40 % say they have a responsibility to share the Gospel. At the end of this article Tom Rainer, President of Lifeway Christian Resources says he ‘is encouraged by the roughly 15% who appear to be ‘deeply committed’ Christians in study, prayer, worship and action.’ In another article at christianpost.com, Rainer quotes, ‘For many Millennials, Christianity is a family heirloom rather than a faith commitment’ and that the next generation is slow to embrace a relationship with Christ and even slower to treasure it.’

MY OPINION—Roger Hollar
While I join Rainer in his praise of the 15%, I do not take a lot of encouragement from these surveys. It is a pitiful report on the spiritual climate of America among young adults. This is a generation who do not know the Lord. Read Judges 2:6-12 (especially v 10).

In the christianpost.com article Rainer says that research also shows that Millennials are really tuned in to ‘family.’ In addition, they are attracted to groups [is there a hunger here for relationships?]. Rainer states further that, ‘To minister effectively, the church should tap into this priority among Millennials. Certainly churches with a family focus is important. But that is the easy part. The generations coming up DESPERATELY need three things: 1) A spiritual awakening of mammoth proportions, 2) A personal first-hand faith in Christ and, 3) a deepening hunger for God.

It breaks my heart to read current research statistics which show a younger generation that is slipping further from a faith commitment. They avoid, ignore and/or fear personal time alone with God (no prayer life—65%, no worship time—65% and no reading of the sacred Word of God—67%). At the same time they seem hungry for relationships. Pray that your children and grandchildren will develop a hunger for God and a personal faith. Pray for a national AWAKENING OF FAITH.

Focus: That the younger generations will seek to have a genuine hunger for God; that they would strive to make faith in Christ personal; that they see the need to share the Gospel; that they would read their Bible to know God; that they would seek genuine worship; that they would pray to the living God.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

PRAYER AGENDA - WEEK OF APRIL 25, 2010

2010-04-24T20:14:00.000-05:00

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IS NEXT WEEK - THURSDAY, MAY 6

The following is a suggested prayer agenda. Feel free to taylor it for your prayer group. However, START ON TIME AND FINISH ON TIME. The most important thing to remember is that you are gathered to pray for a great awakening of faith in our churches, cities and country. This is not a Bible study hour. This is not a prayer hour for those who are ill, having family problems or in some other need. Stay focused and Pray For Faith Awakening.

Please let me know about your prayer group: Where you’re meeting, who’s leading the group, when you’re meeting, how many are attending (2 or 102); any other special things that you are seeing God do. Email: prayforfaithawakening@gmail.com Make any suggestions on how we can better pray. Check this site at other times for additional prayer information.

12:00—Open

12:05—Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—Psalm 51:1-17.
12:10—Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness

12:20—Corporate prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation—Romans 3:10-22

12:30— Focus: Call out to God for spiritual rescue; speak the truth and not deceit; resolve bitterness and unresolved conflict; seek spiritual peace in Christ; shielded from New Age thinking, false religions, and occultism.

     Worship Leaders: Sam Jones, Glenview; Jason Wright, S Haltom; Other _______________________

     President Barack Obama

     U.S. Representative Michael Burgess; Other _____________________

     Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief; Other ____________________

     Cabinet: Secretary of Housing, Shaun Donovan

     Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy (Reagan ‘88)
                    (Replacement for Chief Justice John Stevens)

     Prayer Topics by Moderator:

     The "dis-invitation" of Rev. Franklin Graham by the United States Army to speak at their national day of prayer recognition service. This is a "politically correct" move due to Graham's stand on the evils of Islam. It is designed to placate the muslim world. We fear men more than we fear God. Lord, we beg your forgiveness in the Western world for how we have treated you; for how we have ignored you and strive so hard to remove your influence from our land.

12:50 - Closing
1:00 - Dismiss

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

PRAYER AGENDA - WEEK OF APRIL 18, 2010

2010-04-18T06:53:00.000-05:00

The following is a suggested prayer agenda. Feel free to taylor it for your prayer group. However, START ON TIME AND FINISH ON TIME. The most important thing to remember is that you are gathered to pray for a great awakening of faith in our churches, cities and country. This is not a Bible study hour. This is not a prayer hour for those who are ill, having family problems or in some other need. Stay focused and Pray For Faith Awakening.

Please let me know about your prayer group: Where you’re meeting, who’s leading the group, when you’re meeting, how many are attending (2 or 102); any other special things that you are seeing God do. Email: prayforfaithawakening@gmail.com Make any suggestions on how we can better pray. Check this site at other times for additional prayer information.

12:00—Open

12:05—Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—Psalm 32:3-11.
12:10—Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness

12:20—Corporate prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation—Ezekiel 14:1-11
12:30— Focus: They would worship the one true God; embrace what is godly; be prepared to give an account to the God of heaven; work to reverse humanistic trends in our nation.

          Ministers of Education: ____________________________

          Texas Governor, Rick Perry
               Lt Governor, David Dewhurst

          Texas Senator: ____________________

          Cabinet: Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis

          Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia
               (Replacement for Chief Justice John Stevens)

          Prayer Topics by Moderator:

12:50—Closing
1:00—Dismiss

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Marks Of Revival

2010-01-23T19:57:00.001-06:00

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—1PE 2:12 (Act honorably, the world is watching)
Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness.

The Marks of Revival

An intense spirit of conviction will be felt immediately
Pride and self-centered living will no longer be excused
Agony of sin will be so great that the thought of prolonging life in the midst of such wickedness will be intolerable
The cross of Christ becomes truly precious
Long-standing habits of self-indulgence will be broken
Ministers of the Gospel will become [burdened about disobedience to God]
Confession of sin becomes the order of the day
Great interest in the Word of God
Prayer becomes pure delight
Agony for souls becomes the prime object of life
New converts are made without arm twisting

Scripture Reading: Plea for the return of God’s people— Isa 2:1-4:4 (Because God’s people disobey the nation suffers)
Prayer for our church, our cities and our nation
      Focus: Drawn to saving encounter with Christ; believers strengthened and encouraged in their faith; recognize inadequacy without divine guidance

     Praise & Worship Ministers in our churches

     Vice President Joe Biden

     County Judge Glen Whitley

     Cabinet: U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk

     Supreme Court Chief Justice John Paul Stevens

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.