Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Build Up The Breach! Conclusion

According to George Barna, following 9/11 “churches succeeded at putting on a friendly face but failed at motivating the vast majority of spiritual explorers to connect with Christ in a more intimate or intense manner.” Within a few weeks, we went back to the way we were before this horrible and tragic event. There was no appreciable change in the life of the average US citizen but the landscape of this country and the world was changed forever.

I am compelled by the Spirit to ponder what would have happened after 9/11 if we had stayed on our knees in prevailing prayer seeking for the divine intervention we so desperately need? Would circumstances be any different than they are today? Only God knows for sure but the Word of God advocates for the idea that man controls his own destiny. Our obedience to God's leading determines the outcome. As individuals and governments, we will determine our future. Yes, prophecies will be fulfilled as written and the end will come just as prophesied, but we will determine the role we play by our obedience to God or lack thereof. 

We are fighting against the ruler of the darkness of this world. Satan is behind all this chaos. He is the enemy and his goal is to destroy the soul and body of all men. But the army of Jesus Christ must rise up against him. How, you may ask? We must have the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has empowered His Body to fulfill His ministry in this world. We need the Holy Spirit to give us His instructions to combat the enemy. Human resolve and determination alone cannot win this war. We must have the Holy Spirit to help us understand the enemy, connect with God's plan, and empower us to complete His mission. That will lead us to VICTORY! Build Up The Breach!

Monday, May 4, 2020

A Future Built On Sinking Sand! by Myra Boozer

Dr. David Jeremiah asked the question, “We seem to have lost all interest in the Christian Values that built America. What does that mean for our Country's future?”

My answer is this...America has forgotten the old path that our forefathers traveled and they have sought for what they call "The American Dream." One of prosperity and progress, giving a place for greed to capture the hearts of many, opening the doors for deceit and deception in all areas of trade.

The love of money and the desire to have plenty has caused many to forget their families at home, leaving them to the daycare system and even to the streets. No time for nurturing or discipline, no time for God and His plan for their lives.

The desires of the flesh have overridden the desire for God and many homes have been broken bringing God's plan for marriage (one woman for one man for life) to be cast aside. Much sadness and anger have developed. This has been the reason for much rebellion, drug use, and unwanted babies which has lead to many abortions.

Many of those who have been leading our country have no Christian Values. Not all, but many have given in to lower their standard to fit into society. This has not only taken place in the arena of government but also in our spiritual world. Men and women have lost their desire to follow the standard of God because of seeking "The American Dream."

Seeking to fulfill every desire known to mankind has opened the door to much evil. We can see where this philosophy has led. America built this dream in the sand of pleasure and desire, the waves of Judgment are coming fast upon her shores. My opinion is to be waving the banner of SURRENDER to God Almighty, for He alone, can and will save us.

Matthew 7:24, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

Build Up The Breach!

Isaiah 58:12, “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.” Read also Isaiah 58:1-14.

Repent and return to the Lord were absolutes in the salvation of Israel and God's invitation to all humanity is the same today. Once again the world is afforded another opportunity to evaluate where we are in the scope of eternity. We cannot allow the events of the past few months to pass us by without serious introspection.

In the wake of 9/11, the American resolve was to seek out those responsible and to attend to the loss and healing of the nation. The lesson that we should have learned is that human tragedy cannot be resolved by physical strength and determination alone. Our failures as a civilization are most generally connected to our deep-seated spiritual inadequacies. When men have the right relationship with their creator all other relations will follow the same path.

The United States as a people had the opportunity after 9/11 to become a light to the world. For a brief moment, we thought that an awakening was in process, that we the people would be enlightened to serve our true place and purpose in the world. For a short time people went to their knees in prayer, church attendance increased and the names of Jesus and God were invoked in the public arena. 

Gerald Zelizer cited a report by George Barna in Jan. 2002. "After the attack, millions of nominally churched or generally irreligious Americans were desperately seeking something that would restore stability and a sense of meaning to life. Fortunately, many of them turned to the church. Unfortunately, churches succeeded at putting on a friendly face but failed at motivating the vast majority of spiritual explorers to connect with Christ in a more intimate or intense manner." (continued) The Message: A Critical Review Of End Time Events, p. 107-108, available at Amazon.com.

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Jesus Is Our Hiding Place! by Myra Boozer

What are you looking for today? What are you seeking after? Many are looking for answers to some difficult questions. I think more than ever we want to feel safe and secure in these perilous times. We want to have peace of mind when we go to work or into the market places, when we send the children to school, and when we lay down at night. These are the thoughts that trouble many people.

We can find what we need in Jesus! When we call, He will answer us bringing what we need when we need it. In Matthew 7:7-8 Jesus proclaims, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For EVERY ONE that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

David said in Psalm 27:4, "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple." David wasn't talking about staying in the temple every day but he was talking about dwelling in God’s presence all his days. In verse 5, he states, "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall he hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock." David was very confident that God was his pavilion or covering and also his sure foundation. David felt safe in the love of God. We can also but we need to know how to seek Him.

Psalm 27:8, "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek." So many times we seek His hand, which is his provision. But He told David, “seek my face,” my person, who I AM. When we truly seek Him, we live in His house, pavilion, tabernacle, His presence. When we dwell there we are set upon the rock, a firm foundation. The very best thing we can seek is the face of the Lord! Oh, to know Him, to really know Him, to cherish him like we cherish nothing else, in a very personal way. 

When you love someone you want to share life with them. You don't just visit them on Sunday. They become the center of your everyday life. The Lord doesn't want us out on the porch. He wants us to come into His pavilion and dwell with Him. There we will find the answers to our questions and peace for our mind. Jesus Is Our Hiding Place!

A Life Lived Well!

John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

When I come to the end of this life’s journey, what will await me? Will my life have been lived well or just be a life spent, consumed, exhausted, used up? Will I just be a worn-out specimen of human flesh or will I take on the eternal nature of Jesus Christ?

The choice of how we finish our life is left up to us! We choose eternity by how we choose to live each day of our lives. Are our thoughts and activities focused on our passion for Jesus or our passion for the things of this world? 

The choice is ours! Let the love and passion of Jesus Christ capture your heart, soul, and mind. Walk with Him today and you will walk with Him in eternity. Oh, Give me Jesus! You can have all this world, just give me Jesus!

Friday, May 1, 2020

The Healing Of Our Nation! by Myra Boozer

Tragedy brings people together. It also brings people to the place of feeling helpless, needing someone to care. When broken, people become open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. Wouldn't it be wonderful if our churches would join hand in hand, praying for the HURTING and praying for the SALVATION of this WORLD.

Churches are so divided by Doctrine and Traditions. They hardly communicate with each other...SAD...JESUS died for ALL and loves us all. We need to UNITE in HIM! He is our "Common Ground." Instead of looking at all the differences, we need to stand together in the UNITY of THE CROSS of JESUS CHRIST. SATAN IS PLEASED when we are divided. GOD IS NOT!

Lord, please help us (the Church) to reach out to each other...to ALL who believe in YOU...those who have the same HEART CRY...those who LOVE YOU and desire to walk in YOUR WAYS...those who feel the pain and the suffering of the broken and destitute. BRING US TOGETHER IN LOVE FOR YOU and ALL THOSE WHO NEED YOU.

Please help me pray for this to begin in all areas of our world. There is strength in numbers and strength in people visually seeing that the CHURCH CARES. 

It doesn't take much to show you CARE. But, it can make a world of difference to the person hurting. LET'S DO THIS! Pray and ask God to direct you in joining with OTHERS for a great purpose...THE HEALING OF OUR NATION!

God, Have Mercy On Our Nation!

Today, I am reminded of how good and how great God is. The earth and all its beauty was created by Him. He spoke the words and all things were created. The glory of it all is incomprehensible except by the Spirit of God. He must open our eyes to the totality of all that He has placed in our world. Help us, Lord, to search and find. Help us to see all your beauty and glory. My mind, my heart, my spirit stands in awe of the wonder of His creation.

In contrast, the picture of this world is catastrophic. What man has done to the glory of God's creative masterpiece is a shame and disgrace. How can we sincerely ask God to bless this current state of affairs? I simply pray, God, show us your love, show us your grace, show us your mercy. Just as the wind bends the mighty oak tree and its leaves and branches yield completely to the strength of the wind, may the Holy Spirit of God cause the world, the nations to bow in convicted repentance. God, move us by your Holy Spirit to yield to your will and your way.

I am reminded of the Prophet Daniel in chapter 9 as he rehearsed before God the completion of Jeremiah’s prophesy of seventy years in captivity and desolation. He realized that they were coming to a time of change for the people of Israel. However, he also knew the importance of repentance before God. Therefore, he began to offer up prayers and supplications with fasting in sackcloth and ashes. He stated before God in Daniel 9:5, “We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land...8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;...18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.”

His petitions were for mercy in the face of such blatant disregard for God’s Law. America’s only hope lies in our willingness to repent and return to the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Our only hope is for a move of God, a spiritual awakening, an igniting of Holy Ghost fire that will renew man’s desire to repent and follow God. 

My prayer today is that the Holy Spirit would blow upon this nation and as the wind moves the mighty oak, that Americans as one collective body would bow low in convicted repentance. I ask God to break the obstinate rebellion that has seized the mind, heart, and soul of so many. Lord, bring America to her knees once again for it is there that we will find our true purpose in God's plan. God, Have Mercy On Our Nation!