Let the Fire of Pentecost
Burn in You
I pray this finds you well and prospering in whatever you desire in your heart. This weekend we celebrate Armed Services Day. May God continue to watch over all of our service men and women throughout the world, keep them safe and bring them home to loved ones. It is because of these brave men and women that we are able to live in the freedom of these United States of America.
Who is Responsible?
As information continues to unfold on Benghazi, the Department of Justice subpoenaing of the Associated Press phone records and the targeting of conservative, Christian and pro-Israel taxpayers one could easily wonder what country we are talking about. Surely does not resemble the United States I grew up in or the ideals I had come to consider as solidly American. My father was an officer in the Joint Chief of Staff in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. when he retired. I am actually glad he did not live to see what is going on in our country today. The repeating thread throughout all the hearings I watched was that no one in charge of these situations could remember much. Even more disconcerting is the fact that the President and others said they learned of some of these issues in the news as did the rest of us. These are our leaders yet they cannot remember, simply do not know or find things out when they hear them on the news.
I believe we are only at the tip of the iceberg as stories develop. We still do not know who issued the order to stand down concerning Benghazi; who issued the order for IRS to target conservatives and who issued the order to subpoena Associated Press phone records. Having been a Federal employee I assure you that there is a paper trail that could answer these very questions.
We Are Called to Be The Light
How is this important to you as a believer? What does this have to do with being a Christian? Everything! History shows us that in 1607 when Reverend Robert Hunt landed on the shores of Virginia he dedicated this America to our Lord Jesus Christ for His glory and purpose. He prayed that “…the Gospel shall go forth to not only this New World, but the entire world.” We have watched our faith being eroded in this society over the years as prayer was removed from schools, crosses have been taken down, the Ten Commandments have been removed and now we are targeted by the Internal Revenue Service for conservative beliefs. If there was ever a time to arise this is it.
On this Pentecost Sunday I pray that the Holy Spirit will renew a steadfast spirit within each of us to go forth with integrity to stand for our country in these times. Call and write your Congressional and Senate representatives. Let them know that as Americans we will not stand by and watch our freedoms be completely taken away. Our government was established to be “by the people and for the people.” This is not about race or political party as some would promote. This is about truth and the right for all of us to continue to live free. It is up to each of us to let our representatives know how important this is to us.
We are to live in the world but not to take on the ways of the world. We are to be a light in a dark place. If we sit quietly in our churches and do not make our voice heard in the world we will never have an impact for Christ. If we sit quietly we will slowly fade away. We are to speak with grace and humility but we are to speak. If we separate church and state in our personal life then with time the state will in no way be compatible with who we are as Christians. We are to be the light and to be that we must shine forth. We are told in Revelation not to be lukewarm. This is the time to be on fire for the things of God for our future as Christians in this United States of America.
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“You are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Jesus (Matthew 5:14, 16)
“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, will I spew you out of My mouth.” Jesus (Revelation 3:16)
“…This revelation [about IRS targeting conservatives] goes against the very principles of free speech and liberty upon which this country was founded…our entire tax system-it is rotten at the core, and must be ripped out so we can start fresh. Only then will the American people get a tax system that treats them fairly and honestly, as they deserve…” David Camp Opening Statement: Hearing on IRS Targeting Conservative Groups, Friday, May 17, 2013
“Friday marked the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the Watergate hearings to investigate a misuse of power by President Richard Nixon’s administration. Let it serve as a reminder that no single administration, institution or man has more rights than the people of the United States.” U.S. Richard Hanna (R)-New York’s 22nd Congressional District in Washington
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our frontline on the battlefield, let us be their frontline in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives. God bless all our diplomatic and military personnel and their families. Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi and for safety in Israel. Pray for those affected by tornadoes this week and the horrific train crash in Connecticut. May God richly bless the United States of America and keep her safe. May we may arise united in this auspicious season in our country’s history.
Please Join Me In Prayer
Father we come before you on this Pentecost Sunday and ask that You pour out Your Spirit on this earth. Let each of us receive a fresh anointing of Holy Spirit fire to go forth to bring Your Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. We pray for all involved in the scandals in our Nation that You would reign supreme in the final analysis and that truth will prevail. We stand on Your Word that no weapon, not one, formed against us or this Nation, which was dedicated to You and Your Word, shall prosper. We join our prayers with all praying that You will hear from heaven and heal our land. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen and amen.