Prayer

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. II Chronicles 7:14

As I watch the steady decline of our country, I mediate on this verse. I pray this verse often asking God to show me my short comings as well as others who call themselves “by His name”.  The action of this verse is a group action not just an individual but an entire community of believers coming together to seek and plead for the interceding of the Heavenly Father.

Watching the news and following different blogs I see that the world as a whole and our country in particular is no longer following the tenets of God. Even some churches are calling “good evil and evil good”. People are saying certain things are right or “ok” when the word of God, the Bible, tells us not to do it. Everyone is following “what is right in their own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7)

Now is the time to turn back to God. How does one do this? By doing it God’s way and not our own way, here’s how:

The steps:

·        Humble ourselves

·        Pray

·        Seek God’s face

·        Turn from our wicked way

The result:

·        God will hear

·        God will forgive

·        God will heal the land

The Bible has many verses regarding prayer. Here are a few:

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Psalm 5:3

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Psalm 55:17

The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippines 4:6

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. I Timothy 2:8

Pray without ceasing. I Thessalonians 5:17 

Prayer is talking to God. Have you talked to Him today?

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: Behind the scene

12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. 13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. 14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. 15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed. Esther 3:12-15

The plan is set; the day is set, now it needs to be enacted. Haman calls all the leaders from all the provinces. Remember Ahasuerus was over 127 provinces. He gives them the “written law” and seals it with the king’s seal.

The letters are sent to all 127 provices with the “written law” to destroy and kill all Jews young and old, little children and women. No one is to live who is of Jewish ancestry. This is unbelievably sad but since the beginning of time people have tried to destroy God’s chosen people.

After everything is set in motion the king and Haman sit down to drink but the city is perplexed. The city is beside themselves, because most of the Persians probably thought if this could happen to the Jews are we next.

We say things like this could never happen today, but think of the downward spiral the world has gone in the last few decades:

·        Children not allow to pray in school Supreme court rulings 1962-1963

·        Time magazine cover “Is God dead?” April 1966

·        The words “in Jesus name” not allowed in prayer in the US Navy – Washington times Dec 21, 2005

·        People not allowed to wear cross jewelry England 2012

·        The oath “so help me God” taken out of the US Air Force Oct 2013

This is only a small portion of items about groups or governments against Christians or religious groups.

Now more than ever Christians need to ban together and pray for our countries and our world.

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. II Chronicles 7:14

The steps:

·        Humble ourselves

·        Pray

·        Seek God’s face

·        Turn from our wicked way

The results:

·        God will hear

·        God will forgive

·        God will heal the land

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Mistakes of rulers

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. Ecclesiastes 10:5-7

Solomon, the wisest man on the earth, a great ruler of Israel, was also a very observant man. He not only ruled but he watched other rulers. He needed to see what was going on in other territories.

The evil that he saw “under the sun” was a grievous error that rulers were making. Rulers or leaders, probably kings, were putting unqualified people in places of leadership. Favoritism is a word that quickly came to my mind, giving someone a place of honor or leadership who did not earn it and is not capable to do the job.

What did he see to confirm his thoughts? Servants were riding on horses while the princes were walking. The princes were “dethroned” so the lowly or incompetent were raised to prominent positions.

As Solomon says, “there is nothing new under the sun”. This practice is still going on today around the world. What can we do as Christians? Pray, pray for our leaders, pray that God would touch their hearts to turn back to Him.

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. II Chronicles 7:14 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Freedom

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

Happy 4th of July. I am so thankful I live in America. I know that our country is not perfect but it is still a free nation. We are free to make choices. We can make choices of what we want to wear, where we want to live, what schools our children attend, where we want to worship. The choices go on and on.

Last year my husband and I went to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. We had a great time and the area was beautiful. Norman Rockwell, a gifted illustrator, was inspired by a 1941 speech by Franklin D Roosevelt titled “The Four Freedoms.” Rockwell painted a series of paintings depicting his interpretation of the speech.

Freedom of Speech
The first is freedom of speech and expression -- everywhere in the world. -F.D. Roosevelt

Freedom of Worship
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way -- everywhere in the world. - F.D. Roosevelt

Freedom from Want
The third is freedom from want -- which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -- everywhere in the world. - F.D. Roosevelt

Freedom from Fear
The fourth is freedom from fear -- which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor-- anywhere in the world. -F.D. Roosevelt

As I read the words of F.D.Roosevelt and looked at the pictures of Norman Rockwell, I realized that we are slowly and surely losing our freedoms. A little at a time.

Now is the time to pray and ask the Lord for mercy. 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. II Chronicles 7:14

Will you do your part? The Lord is not just asking us to pray but to humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways.

Have a blessed day,

Donna