Do we need to pray like this for the United States?

Daniel 9:4-19…

4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed and said,

“Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and loving kindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, 5 we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances. 6 Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all the people of the land.

7 “Righteousness belongs to You, O Lord, but to us open shame, as it is this day—to the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those who are nearby and those who are far away in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of their unfaithful deeds which they have committed against You. 8 Open shame belongs to us, O Lord, to our kings, our princes and our fathers, because we have sinned against You.

9 To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him; 10 nor have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His teachings which He set before us through His servants the prophets. 11 Indeed all Israel has transgressed Your law and turned aside, not obeying Your voice; so the curse has been poured out on us, along with the oath which is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, for we have sinned against Him.
12 Thus He has confirmed His words which He had spoken against us and against our rulers who ruled us, to bring on us great calamity; for under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what was done to Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come on us; yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to Your truth. 14 Therefore the LORD has kept the calamity in store and brought it on us; for the LORD our God is righteous with respect to all His deeds which He has done, but we have not obeyed His voice.
15 “And now, O Lord our God, who have brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and have made a name for Yourself, as it is this day—we have sinned, we have been wicked. 16 O Lord, in accordance with all Your righteous acts, let now Your anger and Your wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become a reproach to all those around us. 17 So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary.
18 O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion. 19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

Prayer is an effort of the will #60

Prayer— Battle in “The Secret Place” 08-23-2014 Oswald Chambers

When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly —Matthew 6:6

Jesus did not say, “Dream about your Father who is in the secret place,” but He said, “. . . pray to your Father who is in the secret place. . . .” Prayer is an effort of the will. After we have entered our secret place and shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is to pray. We cannot seem to get our minds into good working order, and the first thing we have to fight is wandering thoughts. The great battle in private prayer is overcoming this problem of our idle and wandering thinking. We have to learn to discipline our minds and concentrate on willful, deliberate prayer.

We must have a specially selected place for prayer, but once we get there this plague of wandering thoughts begins, as we begin to think to ourselves, “This needs to be done, and I have to do that today.” Jesus says to “shut your door.” Having a secret stillness before God means deliberately shutting the door on our emotions and remembering Him. God is in secret, and He sees us from “the secret place”— He does not see us as other people do, or as we see ourselves. When we truly live in “the secret place,” it becomes impossible for us to doubt God. We become more sure of Him than of anyone or anything else. Enter into “the secret place,” and you will find that God was right in the middle of your everyday circumstances all the time. Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless you learn to open the door of your life completely and let God in from your first waking moment of each new day, you will be working on the wrong level throughout the day. But if you will swing the door of your life fully open and “pray to your Father who is in the secret place,” every public thing in your life will be marked with the lasting imprint of the presence of God.

http://utmost.org/prayer%e2%80%94-battle-in-the-secret-place/

Why does God allow tragedy and suffering? #59

Investigating Faith with Lee Strobel, August 26, 2014
Q. Why does God allow tragedy and suffering?

A. You see it all over the news: wildfires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes – as well as senseless shootings, acts of terror and wars. In addition, there is the everyday pain in individual lives: illness, abuse, broken relationships, betrayal, sorrow, injuries, heartache, crime and death.

People are suffering all around us. And many ask, “Why? Why did God allow this?”

Jesus predicted these things would happen in our sin-stained world. Unlike some religious leaders who wrote off evil and suffering as mere illusions, Jesus dealt with reality. He said in John 16:33, “You will have suffering in this world.”

But, again, why? I cannot stand in the shoes of God and give a complete answer, but we can understand some things.

To illustrate, Leslie and I were driving from Chicago to Door County, Wisconsin. It was dark when it started raining heavily, and then we hit dense fog. I could barely see the line on the edge of the highway, and didn’t know what to do. Then a truck went by us, traveling at a confident and deliberate pace. We could see his taillights through the fog, and realized that if we could just follow those lights, we’d be headed in the right direction.

It is similar with tragedy and suffering. We may not be able to make out all the peripheral details of why, but there are some biblical truths that can illuminate some helpful points of light for us. And if we’ll follow those lights, they will lead us toward conclusions I believe can satisfy our hearts and souls. Let me mention five that I’ve found helpful:

• First point of light: God is not the creator of evil and suffering

Genesis 1:31 says everything God made “was very good.” But if God is not the author of evil, then where did it come from? God created us with free will so we could love him – because real love always entails the ability to love or not to love. Unfortunately, we abused our freedom by rejecting God’s love and walking away from him. And that resulted in the introduction of evil into our lives and into the world.

• Second point of light: Though suffering is not good, God can use it to accomplish good

Romans 8:28 promises: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Notice it doesn’t say that God causes the evil and suffering, just that he will cause some kind of good to emerge. And it doesn’t say we will see immediately or even in this life how God has brought good out of the bad circumstance – just that it will happen for those of us who love him.

• Third point of light: The day is coming when suffering will cease and God will judge evil

“If God has the power to vanquish evil and suffering,” people ask, “then why doesn’t he do it?” But just because he hasn’t done it yet doesn’t mean he won’t do it. The Bible says the day will come when sickness and pain will be eradicated and people will be held accountable for the evil they’ve committed. Justice will be served.

Also, “the Lord is not slow in keeping His promise … he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). In other words, God hasn’t vanquished evil yet because he’s waiting to first reach some of us!

• Fourth Point of Light: Our suffering will pale in comparison to what God has in store for his followers

Paul said in Romans 8:18: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” This is not to deny the reality of pain in our lives. But after 354,484,545 days of pure bliss in heaven, we’ll look back and realize that these difficult days in this world aren’t worth comparing to an eternity of blessings and joy with him.

• Fifth Point of Light: We decide whether to turn bitter or turn to God for peace and courage

We’ve all seen examples of how the same suffering that causes one person to turn bitter and reject God can cause another person to turn to God. We all make the choice to either run away from God or to run to him. But as one who’s tried both responses, let me assure you: it’s much better to run to him!

Let me finish the story of Leslie and me in Wisconsin. We were following the taillights of that truck when the fog slowly began to lift, the rain let up and we entered a town with some lights. And there, silhouetted against the night sky, we saw the steeple of a church and the cross of Christ. After driving through the confusion of the fog for so long, that image struck me with poignancy I’ll never forget – because it was through the cross that Jesus conquered the world for us.

God’s ultimate answer to suffering isn’t an explanation; it’s his incarnation. He isn’t some distant, detached and disinterested deity; he entered our world and personally experienced our pain.

Jesus is there in the lowest places of our lives. As philosopher Peter Kreeft says: “Are you broken? He was broken, like bread, for us. Are you despised? He was despised and rejected of men. Do you cry out that you can’t take any more? He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Did someone betray you? He was sold out. Are your most tender relationships broken? He loved and was rejected.

“Jesus is much closer than your closest friend. Because if you’ve put your trust in him, then he is in you. And, therefore, your sufferings are his sufferings; your sorrow is his sorrow.”

So when tragedy strikes, when suffering comes, when you’re wrestling with pain – and when you make the choice to run into his arms, here’s what you’re going to discover: peace to deal with the present, courage to deal with your future and the incredible promise of eternal life in heaven.

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. But be courageous! I have conquered the world.” – John 16:33

http://links.biblegateway.mkt4731.com/servlet/MailView?ms=NDY4MjUyODIS1&r=MjgwMDY3MDEyODES1&j=NTAzMzM0NDM5S0&mt=1&rt=0

Ebola and the Glory of God

AUG 21, 2014
INTERVIEW
Ebola and the Glory of God: An Interview with Nancy Writebol’s Family (including Nancy’s Comments)
Nancy Writebol has been released from the hospital. I interviewed her family about how they’ve dealt with the situation. |

Ed Stetzer

http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2014/august/ebola-and-glory-of-god-interview-with-nancy-writebols-famil.html

God Gives Greater Grace #1 a

James 4:6a But He gives a greater grace.

There are three phases in the disciple’s life: 1) justification– on the day of salvation, 2) sanctification– the process of spiritual growth as a disciple pursues holiness and 3) glorification in heaven. We understand that justification is “by grace through faith” without any merit on our part– past, and we understand going to heaven–future. However during the now of the sanctification process the disciple often tries to please God through works. Paul said that was foolish (a). The disciple is saved by grace and is sanctified by grace. I believe the disciple receives “greater grace” for empowerment and enablement during sanctification and the inevitable trials, suffering and spiritual warfare with our three enemies: Satan, the world system and our flesh. (b)

God has clearly set forth certain disciplines for us to practice in pursuing holiness during sanctification. As we practice them, God will use them in our lives, not because we’ve earned His blessing but because we’ve followed His ordained path of blessing. James 4:6-10 (NASB) provides some of the disciplines for the disciple to follow during sanctification. These 5 verses have been a tremendous blessing and challenge to me for over 30 years.

V.6 “God gives greator grace to the humble” I believe that “humble” means being God-centered or totally surrendered to God by His grace, not to earn His grace. This is the opposite of “pride”, being self-centered or self sufficient. “God is opposed to the proud“. “The original word for “opposed”, antitassomai, signifies, God’s setting himself in battle array against the proud. Can there be a greater disgrace than for God to proclaim a man a rebel, an enemy, a traitor to his crown and dignity, and to proceed against him as such? “(d)

VV 7-9 By His grace we can submit to God, draw near to God, repent and seek forgiveness for our personal sins, maintain a pure heart and mourn over decisions to take actions that oppose God.

V.10 “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you“. I am in the constant presence of God as a temple of the Holy Spirit, with Jesus in me and possessing the Glory of God. (e) By His grace and in the presence of God I can be humble.

Praise Him for the gift of greater grace that enables me to pursue holiness during sanctification.                                                                                                                                Greater Grace #1   Greater Grace #2    Greater Grace #3  Greater Grace #4    Greater Grace #5   Greater Grace #6    Do the will of God – Greater Grace #7   Greater Grace #8

Footnotes: (a) Galatians 2:21-3:3 NASB, (b) Ephesians 6:10-18, (d) Matthew Henry Commentary online version, (e) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, John 17:22-23

Henry Luke August 19, 2014, Revised 5/3/2017

Biblical Covenants

A covenant is a binding arrangement between two or more parties that governs their relationship. The word “command” is introduced in Genesis 2:16. It is the first covenant in the Bible and was made by God as the Genesis or beginning of His agreement with the people He had created. It is God who makes the terms of the agreement. He is the Creator and man is the creature in God’s wonderful world. Consequently, God has the right or authority to determine the relationship between man and Himself. God didn’t ask for Adam’s advice. God simply gave Adam His commandment.

There are eight major covenants of special significance explaining God’s purposes with humans:
1. Edenic Covenant (Genesis 2:15-17)
2. Adamic Covenant Promise of Redeemer (Genesis 3:15)
3. Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:16-17)
4. Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 17:1-8)The Abrahamic Covenant founds the nation of Israel, and confirms, with specific additions, the Adamic promise of redemption. Confirmed with son Isaac (Genesis 26:24). Confirmed with son Jacob or Israel (Genesis 35:9-15)
5. Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19:1-8).
6. Palestinian Covenant (Deuteronomy 30:3; Ezekiel 37 & 39:25-26)
7. Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:14-17) The Davidic Covenant establishes the perpetuity of the Davidic family (fulfilled in Jesus) and of the Davidic kingdom, over Israel, and over the whole earth; to be fulfilled in and by Jesus.
8. New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-13, Galatians 3:13-29) The New
Covenant rests upon the sacrifice of Jesus, and secures the eternal blessedness, under the Abrahamic Covenant of all who believe. It is absolutely unconditional, and, since no responsibility is by it committed to man, it is final and irrevocable.

Biblical Application
The difference between the first seven covenants of the Old Testament and the new covenant is expressed in the words of Jeremiah 31:34 and Hebrews 8:11. “They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest.” In the Old Testament, there were special teachers who taught people the law of God. But in the new covenant, the new agreement, we have a Teacher living in our hearts. When we are saved God comes into our lives in the Person of the Holy Spirit and He, Jesus says, will teach us all things. That doesn’t mean we don’t need human teachers and we can’t learn from them; rather it means we are not dependent on them. The blessed Holy Spirit, the Resident Teacher, is on the job all the time. This new covenant is based on forgiveness. “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12). (Dr. Jerry Vines, The Believers Guide to Hebrews, page 118). In addition to the Holy Spirit in our hearts, God speaks to us in the complete Bible which we have in our language and can read for ourselves.

In Hebrews 9:13-22, Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant. By His death, He put the new covenant into force. When He arose, He became the Personal Representative/Executor who was appointed to carry out the terms of this New Covenant of Jesus to believers, to assure their receipt of all that inheritance He intended to be given to them as the Mediator.

Jesus Himself is our Personal Representative/Executor! He is not dead! He is risen! No other need be appointed to carry out His last will and covenant! He will do it Himself. No other is qualified! It is Jesus who is risen and is prepared to execute all the terms of His covenant, precisely, as he intends it! The inheritance, which is reserved in heaven, will be delivered by Him to each believer as promised and intended. His death binds Him to His bequests made, and He’s alive forever to give it His full effect — without change, alteration, or revocation.

Four essential elements govern our relationship with God through the new covenant “sealed in the blood of Jesus.”

First, we are to receive it. We are to accept the covenant in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ “by faith” and appropriate the forgiveness of His shed blood. By this act of faith, Jesus comes to live “in our hearts by faith.”

Second, we are to proclaim it. Having secured the new covenant in the shedding of His
blood, Jesus commands, “Go into all the world…and make disciples.”

Third, we are to live it. The act of salvation, receiving Jesus, brings about the miracle of the word expressed by the Apostle Paul, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Jesus Christ is present in the believer by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

Fourth, we must nourish it. The fruit of the indwelling presence and the power of the Holy Spirit is a transformed life.

Distinguishing between a meritorious cause of God’s blessing and an instrumental cause! #54

Ignoring God? August 8, 2014
Today’s Scripture: John 14:24
“The word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.”
Read it online at the Bible Gateway: (NIV) (NASB) (KJV) (The Message)

Everything I’ve taught about the disciplines of Bible study, Scripture memorization, continual meditation, and application of Scripture in daily life has been based on Scripture. I have not developed man-made theories about Christian growth. All I’ve done is point out what the Scriptures say about these disciplines. And what Scripture says, God says. If we ignore these disciplines, we’re ignoring God.

We must always remember, though, that practicing these disciplines does not earn us any favor with God. It’s helpful to distinguish between a meritorious cause of God’s blessing and an instrumental cause. The meritorious cause is always the merit of Christ. We can never add to what he has already done to procure God’s blessing on our lives. The instrumental cause, however, is the means or avenues God has ordained to use. God has clearly set forth certain disciplines for us to practice in pursuing holiness. As we practice them, God will use them in our lives, not because we’ve earned his blessing but because we’ve followed his ordained path of blessing.

We also need to keep in mind that the imperative in Romans 12:2 to be transformed immediately follows the imperative of verse 1—to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to him. Both exhortations are based on the mercy of God. The discipline of developing Bible-based convictions, then, should be a response to God’s mercy and grace to us through Christ. If we truly desire to live by grace, we’ll want to respond to that grace by seeking to live lives that are pleasing to God. And we simply cannot do that if we do not practice the disciplines necessary to develop Bible-based convictions. (Excerpt taken from The Discipline of Grace)

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Steve Cishek Named National League Player of the week #53

“Baseball is great, but there are far more important things in life. Baseball is such an awesome sport and in all honesty, God is allowing us to go and play this great game:’ Steve Cishek continued. “We have to be thankful tkankful for that and never take it for granted.” Quote from post “MLB Pitcher talks about his Faith & Patriot Tom Brady #25”

Steve Cishek named National League Player of the Week
Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 3:25 pm
Jefferson County, Tenn StandardBanner.com
For the second time in his five year Major League career, Miami Marlins closer Steve Cishek was tabbed National League Player of the Week after recording five saves, eight strikeouts in five innings pitched while yielding just one earned run on two hits. Cishek shares the accolade with New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom who went 2-0 with a 0.68 earned run average.
A member of the 2007 Carson-Newman baseball team that won the South Atlantic Conference tournament, Cishek earned the honor for the week of July 28, 2013 when he also saved five contests.
The 2007 Carson-Newman graduate retired the side in order and punched out two batters in four of the five affairs. Cishek helped Miami take three of four against the Atlanta Braves, the team with the second-most wins in the National League with 58, earning three saves in four days.
Cishek closed out the week with two saves against the Houston Astros striking out four batters in two innings aiding the Marlins during a streak where Miami has won seven of its last eight games.
The 28 year-old is having another superfluous season for the Marlins as he notched 26 saves, tied for eighth best in baseball, in 29 chances while compiling a 4-5 record with a 3.38 ERA.
The six-foot-six righthander is on pace to set a new career-high in saves being on pace for 41 this season which would surpass the 34 that Cishek tallied in 2013.