July 5, 2015

“remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,”  Ephesians 2:12-14

This week-end as we celebrate the blessings of freedom for the 239th time, we are soberly and humbly grateful for those who have shed their life-blood on battlefields world-wise to earn and protect our freedom. Since the Revolutionary War, 1.2 millions of our finest young men and women have been lost in wars. Freedom is one of the few things worth dying for because it adds so much to living. The Bible says, “The life is in the blood” and certainly, our lives are blessed because they bled away their life’s blood for us. Be mindful of that at your picnics and fireworks and other festivities.

For those of us who are believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we are doubly blessed! We have benefited from the blood of brave patriots but even more so from the blood of Jesus! His torturous death on the cross won us spiritual freedom. We are free to enjoy the good life and the better life while looking forward to eternal life!

All because of the blood that was shed! Be very mindful of that today as you celebrate. In the words of the great Andre Crouch song:

The blood that Jesus shed for me,

way back on Calvary;

the blood that gives me strength

from day to day,

it will never lose its power.

It reaches to the highest mountain,

it flows to the lowest valley;

the blood that gives me strength

from day to day,

It will never lose its power.

It soothes my doubts and calms my fears,

and it dries all my tears;

the blood that gives me strength

from day to day,

it will never lose its power.

Freedom isn’t free.

July 4, 2015

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

You may have wondered recently, “How did things get so bad so quickly in America?”

You may be afraid to ask, “Will they ever get better?”

The answer to the first question may hold the key to the second.

While, in fact, our culture has been declining steadily for decades here’s one more question that could answer the first two, “Did things get so bad because sinners were behaving like sinners or did they get so bad because Christians weren’t behaving like Christ?”

If you read what Solomon has to say in the verse above and it will give you a hint. Several hints, in fact! Let’s see:

1) “if my people….

2) “...who are called by my name…”

3) “…will humble themselves…”

4) “…and pray…”

5) “…and seek my face…”

6) “…and turn from their wicked ways…”

Would sinners be referred to as “my people”?

Are sinners called by His name?

Who would most need to humble themselves?

Who is most likely to be commanded to pray?

Would sinners be seeking God’s face?

Is it becoming clearer?

Things got worse because God’s people weren’t what they were called to be. He promises they will get better when His people get better.

He’s ready!

When will you be ready?

July 3, 2015

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

If you read the full context of this verse it is even more inspiring than it seems! The scene is the dedication of the Temple which included a high and holy ceremony followed by a powerful prayer from Solomon. At long last the glorious Temple King David had always hoped to build was magnificently completed by his son, Solomon. This was one of the highest moments in the history of God’s people! God’s fire came and consumed the sacrifice on the altar and His glory filled the Temple! No one dared enter the Temple because of His presence!

God had kept the promise made to King David!

When the celebrations finally ended (after eight amazing days) and the priests, the musicians and the worshipers had gone God appeared to Solomon:

“12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said to him: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice 13 If I shut up heaven so no rain falls, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, 14 If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place. 16 For I have chosen and sanctified (set apart for holy use) this house, that My Name may be here forever, and My eyes and My heart will be here perpetually.” II Chronicles 7:12-16

When God’s people, who were called by His name, humbled themselves, prayed and sought His face, He came in power and glory! And He promised that He always would!

God wants to meet with His people in His Temple when they come prepared, praying and seeking His face. He loves His people and longs to live in intimate fellowship with them.

The healing of a nation begins with the hunger of His people and the humbling of His people. Perhaps it can begin this Sunday.

July 2, 2015

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

Let’s get more specific with the “ifs” and “thens” of this great promise from God to His people!

There are three “ifs” God requires of His people in order to enjoy His four “thens”. Let’s review them together!

“if my people, who are called by my name, will HUMBLE themselves”

Humility is a natural and appropriate response when His people remember who He is and who they are. He is THE Holy, Righteous, Almighty, Everlasting, All-Wise, Ever Present God of the universe and you are a fallen, flawed, arrogant, self-centered, sinful wretch. It is only His grace that has kept you from being destroyed and sent to a horrific hell for eternity.

If you have trouble humbling yourself before God you may have lost touch with the reality of Who He is and who you are. When you put Him in His rightful place it will put you in your proper realization and that should put you on your face before God.

“…if my people…..PRAY….”

God’s people, the people who are called by His Name, are people who pray!

Prayer is how His people talk to Him and hear from Him and involve Him in their daily lives.

How can you be in a relationship with someone, especially someone as significant as God, unless you often pray?

“….if my people…..SEEK MY FACE….”

God’s people humble themselves.

God’s people pray.

God’s people seek His face.

What does it mean to seek His face?

It means to prepare your heart so you are able to come into His presence and find His pleasure. When you want to establish intimacy with someone you must look into his face. That’s the great desire of those who are called by His Name!

“….if my people….TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS….”

You cannot bring your sinful attitudes and desires into the presence of God. To call upon Him and seek His face requires confession of sins and turning from sinful practices.

Repentance is the evidence of a deep and sincere sorrow over the sinfulness of your heart and the evil that results from that. Repentance is an intention to turn away from those sins and call upon God to change your heart and your mind.

IF you will do these four things He desires, these four things that will allow you to have an intimate relationship with Him, THEN He will keep His promises!

It’s your move!

July 1, 2015

“ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

God’s love is unconditional but His promises aren’t. There is always an “if, then” condition in the promise. He has always delivered on the “then” when people act on the “if”.

The second part of this promise identifies who the promise is addressed to “if MY PEOPLE, WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME”.

Are you one of His people?

Are you called by His Name?

You are if you have received Christ as your Savior by repentance, confession and faith.

If so, this promise is for you!

God’s promises are always directed to His people.

God’s plans are always executed through His people who keep His promise.

God’s power is demonstrated through His people who keep His promise and carry out His plan.

How can God work if He can’t work through His people?

How can He work through His people if His people won’t keep His promises?

How can people be called by His name and not keep His promises?

Obviously it happens and that is what leads to the need for repentance and forgiveness.

Only a person who is called by His name can be guilty of disobedience because they know what is required of them.

So, are disobedient people who call themselves by His name partially responsible for the ills that befall their nation?

If so, what should they do?

If so, shouldn’t they do it soon?

What will you do?

When?

June 30, 2015

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

This is one of the best known verses to guide us in intercessory prayer for our Nation. Since we plan to devote time for that in our service this week it is worth devoting time to this week!

Before I begin sharing my thoughts on this verse, I want to share some encouraging news to illustrate the power of intercessory prayer. It was my privilege to have lunch with a missionary and his wife who worshiped with us at FredWes yesterday. They serve with YWAM in the south east part of India. As we visited I asked him if he has experienced what missionaries in Africa and other Muslim areas are reporting – Christ appearing to Muslims in visions and dreams leading them to convert to Christianity. He exclaimed, “Oh, yes!”

As we speculated on this exciting phenomenon we agreed that it must have something to do with many prayers of intercession being offered up for the salvation of these Sons of Abraham.

James said it best, “The prevailing earnest prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16

We believe prayer is powerful because it connects us to an all-powerful God! That’s why the little to letter word at the beginning of this verse is significant! “IF”! “If my people….”

That phrase is powerful because:

1) It promises a “then”! If you will call on me THEN I will hear and answer! To get a THEN you must offer the IF!

2) It prescribes a commitment to faith and action. The Founder of our movement, John Wesley said, “Nothing happens except for prayer.”

3) It provides hope for His people in difficult times!

For these reasons and others we are calling the FredWes family to prayer in both services this next Sunday! We are doing this as a last desperate act of fearful people we are doing this as a faithful people who are fully convinced that when we commit to the “IF” God will commit to the “THEN”!

Sunday, July 5^th, we will honor our nation by giving ourselves to intercessory prayer for her. "IF" you can join us, then we will have more effective results!

June 29, 2015

"For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars, he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."  Psalms 33:4-11

These words were written centuries before the United States of America was ever thought of, so to apply the Psalm directly to our nation is foolish. However, truths and beliefs that are declared are timeless and bear resemblance to the principles upon which our Founders built our great nation.

I will highlight some of those for you in this post and I think you will see what I mean.

The Principles of Our Nation

Two of the founding principles upon which our great nation was established are mentioned here: righteousness and justice. Righteousness essentially means that we look to God to determine what is right and wrong and justice is the implementation of right and wrong. A sincere wholesale return to righteousness and justice would sure help restore our nation today!

In addition, there are a couple of big concepts mentioned here that were embraced by the Founders and contributed to the greatness of the USA.

"For the word of the LORD is right and true"

The "word of the Lord" refers to the Ten Commandments. Those commandments were highly regarded by many of the Founders and would form the foundation for our system of justice, morality, and in defining our God-given rights. For example:

The first four commandments form the basis for the following rights: The Freedom of Speech, The Freedom of Assembly and Freedom of Religion.

Commandments five and seven form the foundation for the Sanctity of marriage and the primacy of the family.

The sixth commandment forms the right to life while the ninth suggests the right to justice under the law.

And the eighth and tenth commandments are the basis for the right to pursue, possess, and protect private property.

A representation of Moses with the Ten Commandments is etched on the wall of the Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC.

A statue of Moses holding the Ten Commandments is featured in the rotunda of the Library of Congress.

The Ten Commandments are symbolized in the floor of the National Archives Building in Washington , D.C.

Any objective scholarship will show the powerful impact that the Ten Commandments had on the Founders as they forged the founding documents upon with their new nation would be established. The "Word of the Lord" has proven "right and true" for generations of free Americans over its 235 years of existence.

Little did Moses know the incredible influence of those words God etched on the tablets he carried down from his encounter with God on Mt. Sinai. Several great nations have been built upon their timeless truths.

But Commandments are not kept or carried out by nations, they are observed by people - individuals like you and me. Each time you obey God's commandment and put it into practice you not only benefit yourself but you strengthen your nation! What better way to prove the "Word of the Lord right and true" than to do right and live in His truth? Are you doing that? Will you?