This particular piece will be a bit different from my previous musings as I will not be making cynical comments about our government or the President...no this is strictly for and about us "Christians."
Don't get me wrong...I still stand by all that I have said in the past about the policies and actions of our government and the President. I still believe in calling evil evil and I refuse to say something is "OK" just because of the absurd idea of political correctness but I will not talk about that stuff today. I want to talk about another observation that is also very bizarre but hits much closer to home.
In Hebrews 10 we as believers, are instructed to consider how we might stir one another up to love and good works... I hope this little note might stir up one or two Christians who read this.
If you are not a believer or don't believe in the authority of scripture, then you might find this to be dogmatic and offensive.
My observation today is meant to appeal specifically to the sensibilities of those who really believe what is written in the Bible
You know... about God? Remember Him? Spoke the heavens and the earth into existence? The Alpha and Omega? The Beginning and the End? His Glory fills the whole earth? Perfect in all of His ways? All of His judgments are right and true? Revealed in His Son Jesus Christ? Became sin who knew no sin that we might become His righteousness? Died for our sins, paying our price for our rebellion and rose on the third day defeating death and the grave? Gives liberally of His Spirit to all who ask believing? Sanctifies, empowers, counsels, teaches, comforts and leads all who hear His voice? Is coming again as King of kings and Lord of lords to judge the earth in righteousness and rule the nations with a rod of iron?
Remember Him? Do we?
I know I said I would not talk about the government in this piece but I did not say I would stop being cynical...brothers and sisters, I am being cynical for a very serious purpose and I use the word "bizarre" in a very sober tone today.
Here is what I find to be bizarre (and remember, this is an observation, not a declaration):
People who sing about God, talk about God, build buildings for God, focus their higher education on God, along with countless other activities about and for God (that all may be good) seem to have so little interest in praying to God.
I am not claiming to know anyone's heart or trying to judge your prayer life, just observing the activities that the Church seems to be interested (or not) in.
That Bible that we claim is the inerrant, infallible Word of God has right much to say about prayer...way too much to mention here...things like, ask and you shall receive, pray on all occasions, without ceasing, with all kinds of prayers and stuff like that...check it out for yourself. The fact that so few believers seem to want to gather to simply pray is bizarre in itself but here is the fact that qualifies this situation for a "Bizarro World" piece.
WE KNOW OUR NATION IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE AND WE STILL WILL NOT PRAY!!
We see what is going on in our country...we see what our government is doing...we have to know that we live in a critical moment of time...and yet we don't find that prayer is important enough to devote ourselves to.
I know what some might be thinking "You don't know how much I pray alone." True. I don't pretend to, but here is the deal brothers and sisters (remember I am writing to believers) this country of ours has roughly 300 million people and roughly 200 million of them claim to be believers. If 200 million people were praying effectively, do you really believe we would be in the trouble we are in?
We, the Church, have to face up to our responsibility in this day. We have pointed the finger at "culture" and government for far too long (I am guilty). Again, we must stand for righteousness. I am not saying that our beliefs and convictions have no place in social and political matters. What I am saying is that the very problems we have been complaining, boycotting, e-mailing and facebooking about are our own.
The Church needs to examine ourselves in this dark day. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord Almighty. We need to realize that we have become too proud and self-sufficient to pray. I don't mean a few words thrown up asking God to bless our activities. I mean, on our knees...our face...repenting and broken before the Lord in prayer.
I am convinced that the willingness of the Church to humble ourselves is the last and only hope for America.
If you are already one of the few who are fervently seeking the face of the Lord don't quit! Don't ever quit! And if you are one of many in this country who claim the name of Jesus Christ but have become so distracted by every activity that serious, humble and fervent prayer before the Lord is a rare (if ever) part of your schedule I call you you to repent. Repent of your prayerlessness. Repent of your pride. Repent of your self-sufficiency. Do not trust in your riches, your organizations, your buildings and your successful enterprises...trust only in the Lord.
This Sunday, July 5th, churches all over the nation will be bowing their knees in humility before the Lord.
The Family Research Council has been rallying the Church in its "Call 2 Fall" that will take place this Sunday. I am not big on promotions and programs but this one is a "no brainer"
It is simply a call to the Church to humble ourselves before the Lord in repentance and although a couple thousand churches have signed up to participate and about 26,000 people will be involved, that is such a small portion of our nation's believers.
Have we become like the Church at Laodicea?
Do we say "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing" not realizing that we are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. The Risen Christ counsels us to buy from Him, gold refined by fire, so that we may be rich, and white garments so that we may clothe ourselves and the shame of our nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint our eyes, so that we may see. Christ says "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent."
To many the idea of calling the Church to fall on our knees on Sunday morning is "over-the-top" and "fanatical" ... "getting carried away"..."too charismatic"..."just a show" (wouldn't want a show in Church!)...praying in Church...too much to ask?
That my brothers and sisters, is truly bizarre.
The Family Research Council has been rallying the Church in its "Call 2 Fall" that will take place this Sunday. I am not big on promotions and programs but this one is a "no brainer"
It is simply a call to the Church to humble ourselves before the Lord in repentance and although a couple thousand churches have signed up to participate and about 26,000 people will be involved, that is such a small portion of our nation's believers.
Have we become like the Church at Laodicea?
Do we say "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing" not realizing that we are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. The Risen Christ counsels us to buy from Him, gold refined by fire, so that we may be rich, and white garments so that we may clothe ourselves and the shame of our nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint our eyes, so that we may see. Christ says "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent."
To many the idea of calling the Church to fall on our knees on Sunday morning is "over-the-top" and "fanatical" ... "getting carried away"..."too charismatic"..."just a show" (wouldn't want a show in Church!)...praying in Church...too much to ask?
That my brothers and sisters, is truly bizarre.
"If 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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14
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