The Burden of Revival & Healing of a Nation

I've been doing a bible study with a group of women at church called Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit by Beth Moore. We just finished week 2 of the study, which has been a look through Galatians building a foundation of understanding how the Holy Spirit works in our lives and studying the context for which those famous verses are based.

In the study the other day Beth spoke on something that connected with me in relation to TheCall and all that is happening here in recent months and weeks. This is what she said (talking about the "natural man" or man of flesh),

"We should not be surprised at the depravity that surrounds us. I am somewhat puzzled by a common attitude in today's church. We believe that abortion clinics, godless school districts, pornographers and the like are the hindrances to revival in our land."

At this point I went, 'Oh, boy. I know where she's going with this.'

She then posed the question: Who does the burden of revival and the healing of a nation fall upon (2 Chron. 7:14)? It falls upon the people of God.

"...and 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, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

She continues, "God expects unredeemed people to sin. Revival has nothing to do with unsaved people. If God's people would humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, then this nation would be healed in spite of every bar, every gambling hill, every gang, and every crack house."

It's up to us. We do not battle against flesh and blood, "but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12), and this type of battle will only be won in repentance and prayer.

“As California goes, so goes the nation.”

Click here for an extended, more thorough version of this post.

Beginning on September 24^th many Christians and churches across California entered a season of 40 days of prayer and fasting. Why? Because these are desperate times.

The Issue

On March 7, 2000, 61% of Californians voted that marriage is defined as between one man and one woman. However May 15, 2008 four activist judges overturned this vote deeming it in violation of the equal protection clause of the California Constitution. No one thought that this election year God would be moving the Church to take a stand for the truth in such a way. Now, Prop 8 is on the ballot. Prop 8 seeks to amend the California Constitution to include the phrase, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

The Heart & Focus of TheCall

During these 40 days, Christians are joining with TheCall in prayer and fasting for the Church and the nation.

Ramifications of a no vote on Prop 8

There is much at stake on the November ballot. The redefinition of marriage will not only affect California, as TheCall so poignantly puts it “As California goes, so goes the nation.” The redefining of marriage will have sweeping consequences. We have already seen this in countries and states that have redefined marriage. Pastors have been imprisoned for preaching their biblical views on homosexuality, Christian adoption agencies have shut their doors rather than compromise their beliefs, parents have been denied the right for parental notification to opt their child out when homosexual viewpoints are being taught in school, and the list goes on. This will not only affect California, but the whole country.

Here are five consequences is the vote fails, as noted by WhatisProp8.com:

1. Children in public schools will have to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as traditional marriage.

2. Churches may be sued over their tax exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings open to the public.

3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father.

4. Religions that sponsor private schools with married student housing may be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits.

5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages may be sued for hate speech and risk government fines.

What the Church Needs to Know to Respond

• First, the Church needs to boldly speak the truth.
• Second, the Church must boldly speak the truth in love.
• Third, the Church must repent of its own sin.
• Fourth, the Church must have a correct understanding of sin.

Ways to Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved even if you are not part of the Church in California. You can join us in prayer, repentance, and fasting. You can speak the truth on the biblical perspective of marriage in a loving, Christ-like manner. You can educate others on the issue and its ramifications. You can encourage others to pray, get involved, or vote.

Resources

• TheCall – www.thecall.com

• I Protect Marriage – www.iprotectmarriage.com

• What is Prop 8? - http://whatisprop8.com

• Protect Marriage – www.protectmarriage.com

• Exodus International – www.exodus-international.org

• Responding to Pro-Gay Theology (Joe Dallas) – www.leaderu.com/jhs/dallas.html

• How Then Should We Respond? Developing an Effective Answer to the Gay Rights Movement (Joe Dallas) - www.joedallas.com/resources/How Should We Then Respond-Article.pdf

24/7 Prayer Video

I just (started) was reading a GirlTalk post from yesterday, and the line, "You’ve probably never seen a trailer that made you worship, but this one will" reminded me of a video I've been wanting to post.

A friend of ours made it for our church as a promo for 24/7 prayer that's happening during Holy Week. (It's actually happening around the world, so check here to see what's going on in your next of the woods.)

Anyways, here's the video Brian did--all in one sitting! It's pretty awesome, although he did say editing took awhile.

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is a slow, contemplative praying of the Word
that "calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray from God's Word."

Here is a brief overview of Lectio Divina:

The Four Moments

Lectio Divina has been likened to "Feasting on the Word." The four parts are first taking a bite (Lectio), then chewing on it (Meditatio). Next is the opportunity to savour the essense of it (Oratio). Finally, the Word is digested and made a part of the body (Contemplatio).

Lectio

This first moment consists in reading the passage slowly, attentively for several times.

Meditatio

A reflection on the text of the passage takes place, in which the Christian thinks about how to apply the passage's meaning to their own life. One may gravitate to any particular phrase or word that seems to be of particular importance. This should not be confused with exegesis, but is a very personal reading of the Scripture.

Oratio

This is a response to the passage by opening the heart to God. It is not an intellectual exercise, but an intuitive conversation or dialogue with God.

Contemplatio

This moment is characterized by a simple, loving focus on God. In other words, it is a beautiful, wordless contemplation of God, a joyful rest in his presence.

Happy to hear...

{Side Note: Sometimes I can't stand having a space to put a title, because I don't always know what to say!}

The other day my boss was relaying a story that was told to her about a family from her church. There was a family gathering and all of a sudden the 2-year-old son went into an asthma attack and then stopped breathing. While all the adults were surrounding the 2-year-old and trying to figure out what to do next their 6-year-old daughter slipped out of the room. A few minutes later the little boy started breathing. Shortly after the daughter reappeared, her parents asked her where she had been and she told him. She'd been praying for her little brother in the other room. She told her family her teacher at school taught her to prayer and that we can pray to God when we're in trouble.
It turns out that the little girl was one of my students that graduated last year and I was the teacher. It's my little Michelle!