Will You Help?

Friday, July 08, 2016

10:02 AM

The world is acting like the world, no surprise there, but is the Church acting like the Church? I'm not so sure.  I want to make a statement to the Church, no, I NEED to make a statement to the Church.  Are our views and actions aligned with what The Bible teaches us about our Lord? Are we responding to a nation in need of salvation with the love of a Savior?

I recently listened to a sermon from a well known preaching whose ministry and insight have blessed me for over a decade.  A minister whom I admire and respect. A minister whom I think may have missed the Lord on some things.  The pastor was preaching on judgment coming to America, especially on the LGBT community and went so far as to state that if God did NOT judge America and this community that He would have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.  As he spoke these words the congregation of literally thousands erupted in amen's and clapping.  Amen's and clapping at God's judgment coming to America and gays?? Scripture, that I am aware of does not mention Christ sitting giddy before the throne of God waiting to come and send judgment on people.  Christ my Lord came to be judged FOR America, For the lost, FOR the LGBT community and FOR me, He who knew no sin became sin and was sacrificed. Christ numbered Himself with the transgressors and died on a cross that we might all  be saved, if we will but repent and call on His name. Christ, the only One who was worthy to pass judgment when presented with the woman taken in adultery issued GRACE.  Is judgment coming, sure it is, The Word of God teaches us that.  But Gods heart on the issue of sinners is VERY clear: 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish , but that all should come to repentance. KJV God  wants people to be saved!

Many in  The Body of Christ seem dismayed at the state of our nation.  We want things to turn around but are we doing what we know to do?  The Bible says that if we know what to do then we need to do it!  James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. KJV

The Bible is clear, if we want revival, WE CAN HAVE IT!  I'm not talking about some great series of services in our local churches where things get better for awhile. I am talking about changing the course of a nation and its peoples!!!!!

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people , which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. KJV

If my people . . . That would be those who are Christians, those who have accepted the Savior as Lord of their lives, whose sins have been forgiven, those who fill the pews and pray to Him expecting Him to do something when all the while He is waiting on US to do more than pray!

Who are called by my name . . .in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth Church rise up!  We must quit walking around with a Christ sticker saying I'm saved and start behaving like Christ would to the nations and to the World.

Shall humble themselves . . . The Old Testament word for "humble" here means to bring down, bring into subjection, to humble or subdue self.  My "self" needs to start acting like Christ would act and less like Robert wants to act, and to be honest that’s not easy. I must want to give grace like Christ gave grace and do so when afforded the opportunity.  HOW do I humble myself?? I FAST AND PRAY.  I FAST AND PRAY.  I FAST AND PRAY.  I FAST AND PRAY.  I FAST AND PRAY .  If we want our nation to be saved we must fast and pray.  It would not be the first time God used such means to save a nation . . . Esther humbled herself to the point that she may be killed and interceded for her people: Esther 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish , I perish . KJV I truly believe the Church is praying, but prayer alone is not what God called for to receive revival for the land.  Humility.  The Word of God is clear that our most powerful position in warfare is humility and submission before God: James 4:7

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil , and he will flee from you. KJV

And seek my face . . .God in Heaven has blessed America.  We are spoiled to the place where we call on His hand of Providence more often than we cry out to seek His face.  Lets seek God for His Presence, for His glory (Character) to once again fill us and our actions, hearts, motives and lives.  To call upon Him for no other reason than to be near Him

And turn from their wicked ways . . . Again, The Word of God is telling us what to do, but we are not doing it.  James 4:17 tells us this is wrong.  Any time we know to do good and don’t it wrongs, its sin.  God is calling through His Word the Body of Christ to repent, to humble themselves and turn wholly unto Him.  I'll take this one step farther . . .if we are not doing what He told us to do, what we know is right to do, we are not in submission and humility and are rebelling . . .1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft , and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. KJV

Then I will hear from Heaven . . . There is a powerful key to prayer here, let those with ears hear.  Our iniquity and sin can cause our cries to fade as they leave our lips. 

Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: KJV,  Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. KJV, John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. KJV  Go on and look at 2 Chronicles:15:

15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. KJV, it becomes VERY clear that some things needed to happen before God would send revival.  It is also very clear what was happening in the relationship when the people of God were not doing what they were supposed to.

What else happens when we fast AND pray . . .spiritual warfare. For more information on fasting see:07.05.16 - Fasting

I may not be your pastor, I may not be your leader, but from my heart I call for those who will to stand and join fasting and prayer together for our nation.  Amen.

07.05.16 - Fasting

Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast , be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. KJV

1.     When ye fast . . .

a.     NT:3522 nesteuo (nace-tyoo'-o); from NT:3523; to abstain from food (religiously): KJV - fast.

                          i.         NT:3523 nestis (nace'-tis); from the insep. negative particle ne- (not) and NT:2068; not eating, i.e. abstinent from food (religiously): KJV - fasting.

1.     NT:3523 nestis (nace'-tis); from the insep. negative particle ne- (not) and NT:2068; not eating, i.e. abstinent from food (religiously): KJV - fasting.

Fasting Can Produce Restoration

o   Joel 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: KJV

o   Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. KJV

o   Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. KJV

Fasting, Faith and Feelings

o   Daniel 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; 5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. 10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I  stood trembling. 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. KJV

·       Daniel was mourning . . .

§  OT:56 'abal (aw-bal'); a primitive root; to bewail: KJV - lament, mourn.

·       Daniel was not feeling overwhelmed with peace during this time, he was not feeling all warm and giddy inside with The Presence of The Lord . . . Fasting is not about feeling, it is about

·       Thy words were heard . . .

§  Just because we don’t see immediate results in our prayer life or fasting, that does not mean we are not "getting through" Daniels prayer was heard and a messenger was sent: " I am come for thy words . . ."

Humility

o   1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: KJV

·       Humble . . .

§  NT:5013 tapeinoo (tap-i-no'-o); from NT:5011; to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart): KJV - abase, bring low, humble (self).

Spiritual Warfare

o   2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; KJV

o   Mark 9:28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? 29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting . KJV

·       Certain demonic strongholds MUST be fought with prayer andfasting

The Fast The Lord Has Chosen

o   Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rearward. 9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; 10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: 11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. 12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. KJV

Nations May Be Saved

o   Esther 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. KJV