No Time To Reject God

To ignore and reject God is to bring certain disaster (2Ch 28:5–8). #Broken #ReturnToGod https://www.bible.com/1588/2ch.28.5-8.amp

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

So ungodly King Ahaz (vv1-4) of Judah (Southern Kingdom) rejected Isaiah‘s counsel to ask God for a sign (Isa 7:1-13). He was faced with an impending battle with Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Aram, a pagan nation. Ahaz, instead of listening to the counsel of Isaiah and calling upon God, decided to align Judah with the godless nation of Assyria.

The result was devastating. 120,000 experienced warriors were slaughtered; 200,000 women and children were taken captive. Many more were exiled to a foreign country. All of this took place because Ahaz arrogantly refused to trust God in his crisis (Isa 7:12). Lord, may I (my country) always have the faith to trust you in every battle.

What of America? Ravaged by sickness and death in a pandemic; torn apart by godless behavior in the streets; beaten down by the economic reversals; made weary by hurricanes and wildfires. Will she turn back to God? What say you, America?

If the sentry sounds the alarm and good men do nothing, what will the end be?

A COVID Prayer, Parakeets and Parents

A COVID Story

(Posted by a friend on Face Book – Sep 4, 2020)

We had an incredible thing happen last Friday and we’ve been laughing about it all week.

[Our daughter] has been asking for a parakeet for about a month.* We told her no way. She has not ceased in praying for one every night. She asked [her grandparents]. They gave a hard “No” as well. [Our daughter] explained to us a “certainty” she feels in her heart when she prays. I said – “That’s the Lord- but it doesn’t mean a bird is coming.” I’m always thankful for conversations like this because I love listening to her faith. I still assured her- “We won’t buy you one.” She continued to pray anyway.

Last Friday I had a rough day [COVID & school closures strike again]. I had a very discouraging conversation with a friend. [Her daughter], who has been blessed with some of the best teachers in the world was still crying about online learning. So many struggling that mean the world to me. I couldn’t stop crying. Just a heavyhearted day.

I went by the “Cookie Genius” for the porch pick up and they were sold out of cookies so I jokingly sent a text that said – I’m having the kind of day – I might run my suburban through your front door. I knew [the owner of] the “Cookie Genius” would smile at my ridiculousness.

She actually laughed and then went the extra mile. Later that afternoon [my “cookie genius” friend] brought over a box of her “mistake” cookies. Such a sweet gesture that was so dear to me. I cried telling her about my day and how I’d just gotten off the phone with another friend who’d prayed [for me that] the Lord would surprise me with His goodness.* We then walked to her car.

As we’re standing there talking – she says “Hello beautiful bird about to land on your shoulder.” It actually landed on her car. I then stuck out my finger and it stepped on my finger like we’d known each other forever. It was a parakeet.* Truly unbelievable. [My friend] said, “What in the world?” I said, “I don’t know but [my daughter] has been praying for one of these.” [We both] laughed so hard and marveled at a parakeet coming out of the sky on a 114 degree day.

[Later we] walked in [to my house, gave my daughter the parakeet and told her the story. She] received the bird with tears and thankfulness. [My husband] said we could buy [the bird] a cage if [our daughter would] pray nightly for [my husband to have] a full head of hair.

Can a heavy heart be lifted by a parakeet? It’s the craziest thing, but I can now answer, “Yes”. Turns out God’s eye is on the sparrow and the parakeet and on me,* a mom struggling to figure out how to honor Him in this life we’ve been given.

Meet “Cookie”…a gift of joy and grace to us as long as she stays in our home. Our God is a God of the unexpected…And I’m asking that in this season of crazy – He’d surprise you as well.

* Compiler’s emphasis

A Response To What God Is Doing In 2020

Friend and fraternity brother posted the following thought on FB recently. I added a couple bracketed comments to it:

“America… God’s incredible miracle….Under attack! A call from Almighty God to humble ourselves!

1st gut punch to [the security of our nation]…9/11

2nd gut punch to [the health of our nation]…COVID-19

[3rd gut punch to the economic stability of our nation…lockdown every business]

[4th gut punch the heart of our nation…Social-Cultural Upheaval]

When will we acknowledge our ways before God?

2Chronicles 7:14 “Humble yourselves… turn from your wicked ways….I will heal your land.”

_______________________

Two people can experience the same tragedy in life but have two totally different responses. One may shake his/her fist in the face of God and curse him, turn their back on him. The other may fall to his/her knees and seek for God’s mercy, grace and deliverance.

This is a time for personal reflection. What is my personal response to what God is doing in 2020? Here’s a sobering thought from the Psalmist, David:

“O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.”

It would be so easy for David [for ME] to sit back point fingers and judge everyone else. BUT…David continues…

“Search [ME], O God, and know [MY] heart; test [ME] and know [MY] anxious thoughts. Point out anything in [ME] that offends you, and lead [ME] along the path of everlasting life”(Psm 139:21-24). ^[1]

It’s not about everyone else. “It’s me, it’s me O Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.” This is about how I am living MY life.

It is not my place to point my finger at the Church or the world around me. It is for me to be on my knees interceding for the beautiful but often wayward and complacent Bride of Christ, his Church, of which I am a part. It is for me to be on my knees interceding for a broken, hurting, frightened, sin-sick humanity for whom Jesus gave his life on a cruel cross.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”(Mat 11:28). King David said, “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psm 50:15)

ONE TRAGEDY, TWO RESPONSES: Turn a back on God or humbly seek his forgiveness and grace. Lord, may I choose the later. May I humbly put the good of others ahead of my own. May I make the good of thy kingdom my priority. I am weak, but you are strong.

The fate of the world is not yet sealed. God is long suffering with men (Romans 9:22-25). Final judgment has not yet been fixed. While the world may be crumbling around us, the mission of every follower of Christ remains unchanged. The mission of the church is to point men to the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

I am asking God this day to make certain my faithful witness to a lost and confused world. It’s not my job to judge or condemn the church or the world. That is too easy. It is my job to intercede and to witness. It is my job to encourage the church and to share hope with the world. It is up to me to be obedient to what God asks of me.

I don’t know that we have faced as turbulant times as these in 2020. I have personally not seen such turmoil in America since the mid to late 1960s. I was on the streets of Detroit, Michigan during those riots. It was ugly. The images of those days are emblazoned on my memory. I pray the church today is quicker to respond than it was then. But in the 1960s, God was also gathering an army. The 1970s ushered in a powerful movement of God that brought a counter balance to the weight of the revolution of the 1960s. It was called “The Jesus Movement.” It was a cold drink of water in the fires of turmoil; a time of refreshing by the Spirit of God.

DO IT AGAIN LORD!

Lord, your return is near. It may be tonight; it may be yet a ways off. But I pray that there would be in progress, a great gathering of mission-minded young men and women. May they usher in a spiritual awakening that will sweep across the landscape of America like a great prairie fire. May the fires of revival be fanned with the inexhaustible wind of your Spirit in churches across this land. May there be an in gathering, a spiritual harvest, of souls, the likes of which America or the world has never seen. May there be a healing in the hearts of men that will stand the test of time. If the Lord shall tarry, I have my eye on the rising sun of 2025, 2030. What shall be the outcome? May it all be to the honor and fame of your holy name, O Lord.

No matter what, God remains sovereign!!!

^[1]Brackets added for emphasis

Bringing The Children To The Teacher

Praying through the dilemma of students returning to school this fall. How to pray? The Lord gave me a picture of what our prayer effort might look like from Mark 10:13-16.

¹³People were bringing children to Him so that He would touch and bless them, but the disciples reprimanded them and discouraged them [from coming]. ¹⁴But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and He said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive andwelcome the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” ¹⁶And He took the children [one by one] in His arms and blessed them [with kind, encouraging words], placing His hands on them. (AMP)

Hopeful PARENTS, maybe grand parents, were bringing their CHILDREN to Jesus (the TEACHER), while the disciples (those in AUTHORITY) looked on with some dismay at overwhelming the Teacher (they were trying to do the right thing – they just did not have God’s perspective). All four players in this story can be seen in our circumstances today: PARENTS, A TEACHER, CHILDREN, AUTHORITIES. Each of these was making hard choices, just as they are today. Of course we know that Jesus was the only one who stood outside that element of concern. But for the sake of illustration, much was and is at stake.

We ought to pray that the AUTHORITIES (public health officials and school administrators) who govern school starts this fall will be pointed to godly counsel and wisdom. May they have clarity and certainty in their deliberations. Give them a culture of honesty, order and integrity. May they see God in their counsel & decisions.

Pray that TEACHERS are filled with a righteous compassion. Lord, unlike Jesus, teachers today are challenged beyond their experience and often overwhelmed. They are learning new multilevel platforms – methods of teaching. They need a spirit of righteous compassion; loving kindness toward students, parents and administrators. May they trust in God and see God at work in their daily lives.

Pray that PARENTS are pointed to godly wisdom and know what they are to do; their fears and anxiety be moderated. Give parents wisdom and clarity. Help them to overcome fears for their children’s safety. Lift any financial burdens that families are experiencing. May they trust in God fully. Pray that God be glorified and his name given fame in the land.

Pray that CHILDERN will be blessed, kept safe and pointed to Jesus. May they be blessed and protected. Pray their needs be met: medical care, nutrition, and vaccines. Pray their physical, emotional and mental well being be secure; free of any abuse. Abba knows their names. He cares for each. Father, may we make it a priority to bring the children to Jesus, first and foremost. Pray that God be glorified in all. Father, would you raise up a generation of young men and women who trust in God and love God unconditionally. Raise up students who will take the Gospel into the next generation.

MAY I ADD HERE…If there is to be sweeping revival and awakening in America it must begin with the most intimate and personal of relationships. What could be of more use to God than the family unit and parents bringing their children to Jesus?

Father, I pray that in the midst of all these decisions that you would be honored; that your fame would be spread throughout the land as the deliverer of this nation from Corona Virus pandemic. I pray Father, that your providence will guide this nation again, as it has before, and that it will result in a national turning to Jesus, Lord of all. AMEN!