Uncertain Times Call For A Certain Hope

These are uncertain times. I have been thinking for several weeks about what is happening in our country right now. Politics are getting meaner and more sleazy by the year. Our government has become something strange, something distasteful to us. More intrusive. More demanding. Nothing like we have known in the past.

The world stage is fragile. Civil unrest is rampant in parts of the world with dictators raping and killing their people. Financial markets seem ready to implode. Most of us feel totally at a loss to do anything about it. It seems that a fog has moved in and clouded our sense of well-being and security. There seems to be a spirit of confusion and instability. We (at least I) feel like something foreboding is on the horizon. You'd think that people, especially Christians, would turn to the help of God, as in times past. But I think the post-Christian culture we live in veils this help.

Even the church seems to have lost it's purpose and it's way in the midst of a "politically correct" culture. There is no shortage of programs. Many of them are good. There is good-faith effort to want to help Christians in their growth and walk with God. But the "man in the pew" (if he/she is even present) seems largely unaffected. He or she can sort of "take it or leave it." Concern for a lost and shaken world is thin and the most powerful tool available to us, prayer, is the last thing on anyone's mind...not sure it really works anyway. We do that in which we truly believe.

THEN THE SENSELESS SHOOTINGS IN AURORA, COLORADO BREAKS POWERFULLY IN ON THIS LETHARGIC LANDSCAPE...and we ask WHY?

I mentioned these things to a pastor recently. He told me to read 2 Chronicles 15. I did. There was no voice, no message of hope in the land of Israel. Israel was without a "teaching priest" and the result was was "turmoil" and confusion. Sounds a lot like our nation, our world today.

King Asa did the only thing that could be done. He called for a sacred assembly of the people for prayer. That is what we need today. God has to be broken-hearted over the state of a once God-honoring nation. The church needs revival and the nation, the world, needs an awakening of overwhelming proportions. UNCERTAIN TIMES CALL FOR A CERTAIN HOPE.

There is HOPE in God. He has the answer to the dilemmas of our day. The Church must get on it's knees before God and plead for revival. That starts with me. I need to be on my knees in repentance.

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If Jesus Is Coming Soon, Why Pray For Revival and For Spiritual Awakening?

When considering the subject of revival and spiritual awakening in the twenty-first century, this question, as the title suggests, is often asked. I have certainly given thought to it myself. Why would we pray when we know that according to Scripture things in the world will get worse and worse just before Jesus returns to this earth? What is the motivation or inspiration for any such revival prayer activity?

In his book, Revival, Richard Owens Roberts answers this question under the heading of “General Hindrances To Revival.” He lists three hindrances. I commend a reading of this book to you. I will quote here only a portion of the first of the three hindrances, “The hindrance of erroneous interpretation” (the other hindrances being Prayerlessness and Faithlessness):

Have you heard someone say, ‘These are the last days. No revival of religion can ever again be hoped for. We can only expect things to grow worse and worse’? Obviously, such a viewpoint can have a devastating effect on revival interest…

We must not let our observations on the condition of society and the degeneration of the hearts of men block our earnest seeking of God’s face. God is as able to send revival now or at any time during the history of His Church. While on the surface, things do seem to be getting worse and worse, a balanced perspective on history clearly suggests that the Bible is absolutely right in declaring men of all times and in all places are ‘deceitful and desperately wicked.’ There have been times in the past when it looked as if the world could not survive another generation, and yet it did. This may well be the last generation, but then again, our great-great-grandchildren may be the ones to see Christ’s coming in the air. Since the possibility exists that this may not be the last generation, we should, with ever-increasing fervency, seek a mighty outpouring of the Spirit of God in revival blessing for the sake of both our own and future generations, and for the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Roberts goes on:

To hinder revival by arbitrarily announcing that it cannot come because of the late hour of history in which we live is to abandon our role as faithful servants of Jesus Christ and to pose as God. If God chooses to revive us again, who has sufficient authority to say He cannot? Time after time, in the dark seasons of the past, God has stepped into the stream of history and sent revival. Why shouldn’t we expect Him to do it again?

Compiler’s Summary

It is clear to me that it is a matter of even greater urgency that we fervently

pray for revival and spiritual awakening in these “last days.”

We could be praying for the last great revival,

the last great awakening the world may ever know

Could it be that hundreds of thousands of people might be swept

into the Kingdom of God in one final great move of God and then

comes the end of history, as we know it, followed by the return of Christ?

If we believe prayer works, why wouldn’t we watch and pray?

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

(June 2012 Edit)

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 or no belief at all.

America was founded upon and has received great Light, visa vie 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. This may be seen in the following statement by  William Henry Harrison, U.S. President (1841-1841) in his Inaugural Address (March 4, 1841):

“I deem the present occasion sufficiently important and solemn to justify me in expressing to my fellow-citizens a profound reverence for the Christian religion and a thorough conviction that sound morals, religious liberty, and a just sense of religious responsibility are essentially connected with all true and lasting happiness; and to that good Being who has blessed us by the gifts of civil and religious freedom, who watched over and prospered the labors of our fathers and has hitherto preserved to us institutions far exceeding in excellence those of any other people, let us unity in fervently commending every interest of our beloved country in all future time.”

The Reflectors and the Respecters of God form an alliance affecting America’s freedom and liberty. They both enjoy a great privilege and a great responsibility. They work and survive in a culture of liberty by honoring the Judeo-Christian values and principles that undergird America. They are inseparable in many ways. But 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 little 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. But America and God are waiting on the Church.

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 the Gospel 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.

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. I would submit that the fires, drought, floods, civil unrest, increase in terrorism worldwide and the murder of innocent people and police officers since then should also be viewed as a wake up call to the Church. These disasters coincide with Roberts’ statements above about “remedial judgment.” Blackaby said that God’s people must do some things: Humble themselves, pray, seek His 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]." 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 succumb to the peril of privilege. They have fallen asleep at the wheel. They have taken for granted liberty and “inalienable rights.” When that happens freedom and individual pursuit of happiness is 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 and respecting turns inward it becomes apathy, 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 marginalized, on the outside looking in. The Light is slowly snuffed out by shadows and darkness, the creeping enemy of the Light. The result is the loss of freedom, liberty and “inalienable rights.”

Not much has changed in 2,000 years. Consider the writings of Athanasius (297-373 A.D.) These words could easily be said about our generation today.

“But men, foolish as they are, thought little of the grace they had received, and turned away from God. They defiled their own soul so completely that they not only lost their apprehension of God, but invented for themselves other gods of various kinds. They fashioned idols for themselves in place of the truth and reverenced things that are not, rather than God Who is, as St. Paul says, ‘worshipping the creature rather than the Creator.’

Moreover, and much worse, they transferred the honor, which is due to God to material objects such as wood and stone, and also to man. Indeed, so impious were they that they worshipped evil spirits as gods in satisfaction of their lusts. They sacrificed brute beasts and immolated men, as the just due of these deities, thereby bringing themselves more and more under their insane control. Magic arts also were taught among them, oracles in sundry places led men astray, and the cause of everything in human life was traced to the stars, as though nothing existed but that which could be seen. In a word, impiety and lawlessness were everywhere, and neither God nr His Word was known.¹

Reflectors become weaker and fewer. Respecters become weaker and fewer. A new group emerges. They are the Renouncers. 

Renouncers show zero tolerance for Judeo-Christian values. They wish for and work for the removal of any mention of God. They use only language that is “politically correct.” They would 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 mutual dependence upon God. We are in a battle for the soul of America. The church must awaken from her slumber. John Hagee 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 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 (Pe 4:17-19). 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…”

Wake up Church and humbly seek God's face for the sake of the Kingdom and for the sake of this great nation.

¹ Foster, Richard J. Devotional Classics. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 1989. Athanasius was important in early church history as he helped to steer the Church away from the heresy of Arianism – belief that Jesus was merely a human being. He wrote extensively on the incarnation and how God took on human form. He took part in the first council of Nicea (325 A.D.). The portion Foster quotes above is taken from his primary work, On The Incarnation.

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FATHERLESS NATION: NO HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

America has been called a fatherless nation [Note from www.wordpress.com]. President Barack Obama was a fatherless child. With an absence of godly fathers in the homes of America is it any wonder that she has drifted so far off the path? It's not a Happy Father's Day today in America.


FATHER GOD, WE WEEP FOR THE RESULTS OF FATHERLESSNESS. WE PRAY FOR THIS FATHERLESS NATION, THIS FATHERLESS GENERATION. MAY FATHERLESS CHILDREN COME TO KNOW YOUR LOVING TOUCH, YOUR LOVING CARE, AND YOUR LOVING ENCOURAGEMENT. 
MAY THE CHURCHES IN THIS GREAT NATION RETURN TO THE FATHER'S KIND WELCOME AND GIVE EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS HOPE.

• 43% of US children live without their father [US Department of Census]

• 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (US Dept. Of Health/Census) – 5 times the average.

• 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes – 32 times the average.

• 85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes – 20 times the average.  (Center for Disease Control)

• 80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes –14 times the average.  (Justice & Behavior, Vol 14, p. 403-26)

• 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes – 9 times the average.  (National Principals Association Report)

• 75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes – 10 times the average.

• 70% of youths in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes – 9 times the average.  (U.S. Dept. of Justice, Sept. 1988)

• 85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes – 20 times the average.  (Fulton Co. Georgia, Texas Dept. of Correction)

• 70% of juveniles in state operated institutions have no father. [US Department of Justice, Special Report, Sept. 1988]

• 85% of youths in prisons grew up in a fatherless home. [Fulton County Georgia jail populations, Texas Department of Corrections, 1992]

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MAKE LEVEL HER PATH, MAKE FIRM HER WAY

America has made many choices in her recent history which has put her on a path of judgement. We know that the steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord. That is to say that the righteous have the ability to walk a straight path, to choose to stay out of the ditches. So if America has lost her moral, ethical, and spiritual way (and she has), then she must get back on the level firm path (Pro 4:25,26). To be sure there will be road hazards due to weather, other's wreckage, or natural disaster, but she must keep a course of righteousness. She must choose to stay out of the ditches. She must turn back onto the level firm path.
FATHER, MAKE HER PATH LEVEL AND MAKE HER WAY FIRM. I PRAY THAT HER CHOICES WOULD BE NARROWED LEADING HER CLOSER TO A RENEWED, REVIVED, RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU. I PRAY FOR REVIVAL IN THE CHURCHES OF AMERICA WHO OUGHT TO BE LIVING OUT ALL THAT IS RIGHTEOUS AND GOOD. IN JESUS NAME I PRAY - AMEN!

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Keep "First Love" The First Love

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)

Spiritual Passion - Level Ground

 - 

Brian Doerksen - Level Ground
Where Spiritual Passion begins

PRAYING WITH A PURE HEART FOR KEY LEADERS

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 Mueller)

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

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.

WILL AMERICA BE GREAT AGAIN?

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 2012, 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.

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Conditions Of Prevailing Prayer

“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.

THE LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS

I

 It was December 27. I was sitting quietly in my study reflecting on the day ahead - the year ahead. Our Christmas tree in the living room was standing in the dark. It looked lifeless where only a few days ago it was the centerpiece of much joyful commotion with grandchildren, family, and friends. The ornaments now look somewhat drab and one-dimensional. In a couple of days we would 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 reached behind the Christmas tree and turned on the lights for one more look. Suddenly the tree was once again alive with glitter, sparkle, and glowing warmth. The ornaments that were hanging lifeless and drab popped with color, adding dimension to what I saw. In fact, with the Christmas tree lights on, I could 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." Followers of Jesus 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. The ornaments of our lives 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," His glory.

So, consider this: The celebration of Christmas, as a season, may be packed up in a box in your attic all year long. 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). Now, take another closer look at that picture. 

Photo & Story by Roger W Hollar 2010

When Broken Of Sin, Hope Again In God

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.

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HOW TO VIEW HISTORY

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?

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