A House Divided Will Not Stand
Have you noticed how much division is swirling around the atmosphere these days? You expect the world to be divisional, don’t you? The world is manipulated by the enemy so strife and division are expected. But, the body of Christ, if truly submitted to the Lord, would not be operating under divisional spirits. Instead, the Holy Spirit would be affecting the atmosphere in each individual heart (it is always a heart issue) and circumcising each heart to beat more in accord with the Savior’s heart. As individual healed hearts come together in the fullness of the body of Christ there is unity. Do you see unity?
A Kingdom Divided
Sadly, it seems, we are becoming more and more divided in these days. What is right is now wrong and what was wrong is now right. More than ever you can see the upside down way of the world. This right/wrong reversal has permeated the church and shattered the unity Christ died to bring to His church. He will come again seeking a church without spot or wrinkle. I hope He doesn’t come today. We are truly spotted and wrinkled in this hour. We let race, denomination, sex, occupation divide us again and again. We are supposed to be the army of the Lord yet we brutally attack our own if they look, worship, or do anything not exactly in line with our personal comfort zone.
It Is Always a Heart Issue!
Jesus Christ did not die for the color of your skin. He did not die for your denomination. He did not die for you because you happen to be a man or a woman. He died because of the condition of your heart (and it is always a heart issue). He died as the propitiation of your sins to open the way to eternal salvation for you. Think about that.
He is not concerned whether you are black or white or yellow or red. He does not care if you are Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal et al. If you choose to make Him the Lord of your life and follow His direction as His disciple then you should not be concerned about skin color, denomination, male or female either. He does not judge you on skin color, denomination or sex. Likewise, you should not judge on skin color, denomination, sex or any other divisional concept. The Lord looks at the heart. Learn to look beyond skin color, denomination, sex, career field.
So much circulates now with movements that divide the body of Christ more each day. Black Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter and more populate our computer screens. If you are a true disciple of Christ, All Lives Matter! It is easy to simply be a believer. Even the devil believes in God. You can profess with your words all you want but if your heart is filled with judgment and hate for any other class of people or believers, then you are far from Him in your heart.
Remember, God sees your heart. You may fool people but you will never fool God. Check your speech, your social media posts and shares. If divisional, ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse your heart this week and bring you to the fullness of your destiny in the Lord. Start sharing the positive stories out there!
What Is Written In Your Bible?
You and I are here today ‘for such a time as this!’ We are in a spiritual battle of great proportion. Yet, if we remain detached from one another, we are impotent. The separation we have allowed to seep into the body of Christ is vicious, vile and ugly. Sadly, it readily seeps out through those who allow it to the world around them.
Remember, you may be the only Bible someone ever reads. What does that mean? We live in a lost and dying world. Some look to those who call themselves Christian for a better way. They may never open a Bible; they may never enter a church. They look at you, your life, your speech and that to them represents how God’s people live.
The only Bible they will ever read is how you live your life. What are you saying with your actions, words and how you treat others? What are you saying about how you treat those who do not look or believe as you do?
Jesus called the Pharisees white washed tombs. They looked great on the outside but their hearts were deadly. Remember, God sees your heart. Would you say the things you say and do the things you do if Jesus were right there with you? If not, make some changes today.
Arise ‘For Such a Time as This!’
We are at a crossroads in this country. More than ever in our history we are a country divided. We are a church divided. If we, as disciples not just believers, expect to see God move in this situation then we must come together now. The election is just months away. The absence of Christians at the polls in the last election resulted in the change we are now seeing.
Spread the word that we must come together in unity across all lines of race, denomination, sex and occupation to rise up victorious in this season. If you are simply ‘playing church,’ stop now. Be the church. Unite the church. Raise up the church. This is our shining hour if we each choose to play our part.
It is incumbent on each and every leader to embolden his or her people to vote for the candidate most closely aligned with Biblical principles. Many leaders are afraid of losing their 501(c) (3) tax exempt status so they choose not to discuss voting at all. Here is a link to share that clearly states the main thing you cannot do is endorse a particular candidate or party. https://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/The-Restriction-of-Political-Campaign-Intervention-by-Section-501(c)(3)-Tax-Exempt-Organizations
You can and should promote participation in the election process. Only God can turn this around but His people must play a part in the process. Whether a leader or a disciple of Jesus Christ, encourage all you know to vote. If you attend a church, ask your pastor to encourage the congregation to go to the polls. We have a platform. Let’s use it. Our vote counts only if it is cast!
It Is Never Too Late!
If you have not yet made the decision to accept Jesus into your heart, do it now. Do not wait another minute. Speak to Him from your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Tell Him you have fallen short in your life. Sincerely apologize for your sins. Ask Him to cleanse you and come into your heart and be Lord over your life. From this moment forward let His Spirit guide you along the narrow road that leads to everlasting life.
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” ~Jesus, Matthew 12:25
“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” ~Jesus, Matthew 15:8
“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” Jesus, Matthew 21:43
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” ~2Corinthians 5:17
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is not law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” ~Galatians 5:22-26
“Be sober; be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” ~1Peter 5:8
“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” ~1 John 2:2
“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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.” ~2 Chronicles 7:14
“You are Lord and You are mighty and You are merciful. Raise up all who would call upon Your name. Raise up those that love You and seek You and trust You. Lord, we need an army of believers that would stand on Your Word above all else. Raise up warriors, Lord, who will fight on their knees; who will worship You with their whole hearts, Lord. Lord, call us to battle that we may proclaim the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Raise them up, Lord. Raise them up!” ~Miss Clara, War Room the Movie
“Your life matters but is it making a difference?” ~Richard Blackaby, Author
“Before God judges a nation, He sends warnings…But America, like Israel, has not responded with repentance, but with defiance.” ~Jonathan Cahn, Author of The Harbinger, The Mystery of the Shemitah
Please Join Me in Prayer
Father God, We thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to set us free. We repent for any spirit of division that we have allowed to come into our hearts and churches. We bind that spirit of division from operating in the body of Christ now and forever in Jesus’ name. Grace us in this season to love one another as you have loved us. Equip us to sow the seeds of our daily life to produce a mighty harvest to bring Your Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven.
Let us look forward with anticipation for Your plan for each life. Keep us ever present to hear Your voice as You lead and direct our steps. Lead us by Your light to Your perfect will in each of our lives. Great is Your faithfulness, oh God! We thank You that You keep Your hand on America. Forgive our sin and heal our land that we will remain One Nation Under God. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.
A Prayer Request
Please join us in prayer: https://drmicheleburke.org/esthers-warriors-ministry/
May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. We continue to pray for truth to prevail concerning Benghazi and all issues as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour. #Pray for America.