Today is a beautiful sunny day, thus far, that is. Yesterday, it
rained and stormed for a time, but it had periods of refreshing. The
rains are always refreshing to me, and I even like thunder and
lightning. It reminds me of the invisible war in the heavenlies that
most people are not aware of going on for the sake of God's beloved ones
here on earth, especially in Israel.
I was
listening to Give Him 15 this morning, and Dutch said something about a
controversy over the Appeal to Heaven flag. I used to have one outside
my home, until the rains finally did it in. I tried to wash it, and it
disintegrated. I haven't replaced it, honestly because it costs $40, and
the money was better served elsewhere at this time. God knows that my
allegiance is to Him. I wasn't aware that it held many meanings for
individual owners, some adding their own hack of it or observers adding
their own evil intention to it. The flag originated with General George
Washington when he knelt in prayer asking for God's assistance during
wartime. For me, when I began flying it when I lived in New Mexico, it portrayed my appeal to the only One who can help our nation
and our world that has so desperately turned their backs on Him. Now it
would symbolize even more of an appeal as all the nations are turning
their backs on Israel. But I don't need a flag. God sees and knows my
heart.
Our nation and world leaders need to fall down on their faces and seek God's face and beg His forgiveness. As an individual, I pray daily for repentance, first examining my own heart, as
God is correct when He said in scripture that the heart is desperately
wicked. He made us, He knows us! It has been such a blessings these past eight months to be part of the ICEJ prayer calls each morning, as each of us repents, first asking Holy Spirit to examine our own hearts, and then, only then, can we stand in the gap for our nations and the world. Our focus is Israel, whom scripture says has already suffered double for all her sins, but it is humbling to see great leaders, men and women of God who hold high positions in the ministry, humbly ask His pardon.
Few
Pastors will speak up for righteousness from the pulpit or in public
these days. I don't understand it, but I have noticed more and more that
the full counsel of God is not being preached in church. The churches do not appear unified either. I remember a time when there was weekly or at
least monthly meetings of the churches in the small town where I was living
in New Mexico. Imagine the impact that would have on
our country and on the world if pastors and leaders from each
denomination would meet together regularly to pray.
But
this is not the only difference I have found among Christians that I
have observed since my return to Virginia after 35 years of being in New
Mexico. Sadly, not only is the Bible not being taught as written,
without apology, but there are compromises being made that are contrary
to the word of God. We need to have our toes stepped on in church
weekly, if not more, and we need to repent, search our hearts and remove
anything that is contrary to the written Word, our covenant with God. I
have failed God so much in my lifetime, and I implore you to live your
lives sold out to Jesus. He is the only way, and if we continue to nail
Him to the cross through disobedience what does that really say of our
commitment to Him. I was saved at the age of 8, baptized, and I spent
all my time in church and in activities, and I knew that I was called
from childhood to do certain things. YET, I fell badly. God told me I'd
go through fires, but not be burned, and I'd go through floods, but not
be drowned. He also told me satan wanted to sift me like wheat.
Everything that God told me, everything, has happened. But, like Peter, I
was restored. Not that man reached out to me, but I was so close to
Jesus that I recognized my stupidity quickly. I never wanted to hurt
anyone, especially not myself, by my decisions in life, but I did. But
God, in His infinite mercy and grace, stayed with me, and pursued me. He
will never let us go. Once, as I was scribbling rapidly in my journal,
seeking Him for direction, feeling so lost, He told me that I belonged
to Him. And I do. And just like John 15 says, we are woven together in the vine,
connected, and He won't let me go.
What He has
done for me, and what He continues to do for me, you can also experience
if you surrender your wills to Him, trusting Him for your needs whether
they be spiritual, physical, mental, financial, or emotional. He
supplies your every need.
I hope that this day brings revelation light to whoever may need to
hear this word today. My cup overflows with joy today for Who my Abba
is and who my wonderful Yeshua is to me. I want to shout from the
rooftops that He Lives!! Because He does.
Spend some time in Ephesians today and be built up.
Shalom!
