Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defense is of God which saveth the upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous and God is angry with the wicked every day. Psalm 7:10-11

 

It has been hard to sleep, tossing and turning with a feeling of desperate need to pray unceasingly for this our nation. Wondering if there is something more I can do. Much like Daniel as he prayed, waiting for an answer; hoping for a sign from God. Is that a lack of faith when we feel so urged to cry out to God with our desperate cries or could it be He has called us for just that–to pray. Only God can heal this land.

Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. Isaiah 43:10-12

Yes, only God can turn the tide of this great nation and only God can transform my heart. Still He will not unless I (we) are willing to turn from our idolatrous worship of self or prosperity to seek the only treasure that matters which is God Himself. God is a God of great and mighty love, mercy, and grace; but, He also is a righteous, Holy God who hates sin. His wrath against sin can be seen very clearly as the stripes ripped at the flesh of His Only Son, as He bore our sin upon that cross. When I read the Old Testament, what amazes me is God’s patience as He deals with a rebellious people. Yet, after pleading with them; still, He would enact His judgment upon His people when they continued to run after idols. After all that God had shown of His might, after Josiah’s revival and after the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar took captive the nation of Israel for their persistent rebellion against God; He still pleaded with a remnant.

Continue reading Is This Our Last Chance to Choose God? →

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber Psalm 121:1-3 (NIV)

There are many times in this life that we see looming before us mountains that seem impossible to cross. They rise before us, frightening and dark. They come in the form of financial distress, illness, conflicts, and emotional crisis of the heart. At times when we look at the mountains before us we see crevices, caves filled with darkness. We fear the evil that may lurk deep within those crevices or the enemies that might lie within, hidden. Sometimes we look around us, perhaps in hope that we might find someone we can trust to guide us along this journey over the mountain ahead. We may hope that we find it in government. We want to be protected, cared for, and loved. We meet with corruption, lies, and self-centered evil hearts only looking out for themselves.

Continue reading How to Face a Mountain of Fear with Faith →

Thus saith the Lord the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it; the Lord is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:2-3

God had cried out to the children of Israel, pleading with them to turn from their idolatrous worship. For a brief time, King Josiah lead the people in a revival like they had never seen before. Then, when he died; in his place arose Kings who again turned their back on God. They chose to listen to false “prophets” who said what they wanted to hear. God sent to them Jeremiah to tell them that if they did not repent and turn from their wicked ways, He would send the Chaldeans to destroy their land. They did not heed the warnings! In fact, they threw Jeremiah into a dungeon where he nearly starved to death. And, yes; history tells us the rest. The Chaldean army overtook the city, destroying it. Many were killed and many had already been taken captive by the Babylonians.

Continue reading What Need I Do to Restore Hope and Peace? →

because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:21-25 (NKJV)

 

Corruption, evil, lies, and great sorrows surround us. I was content to bury my head in the sand and to wear blindfolds to those truths. Perhaps it was easier to go about my life content with knowing that my salvation is secure in Christ Jesus. Oh, yes; I faced many trials within my own life which I came to see as stepping stones to allow me to grow closer to God. And, yes; for a long time, I have been a voice presenting the gospel message to those whom I meet along this journey. Yet, now; I opened my eyes to see around me the depth of chaos, pain, suffering that is devastating our nation and our world. There in the depth of that sorrow; I feel so helpless. I cry out with prayers; pleading to God for His mighty hand of Grace to reach forth. Pleading that He come quickly. Then out of those pleas, I realize how many lost souls are living in darkness; who need to see the light of the gospel. Once more I feel helpless. If only I had more money to give, Lord to spreading the gospel to the world–to reach out and help more hurting souls. But, alas; I have not been blessed with financial riches; though, I have been blessed with God’s daily provision for my basic needs. So again, my question:  What can I do to be a light into the darkness around me?

Continue reading 5 Steps Guaranteeing Hope When Evil Surrounds This World →