It has been a long time in coming for this next post. I wish I could say I had been too busy to post anything more to the blog, but that is not the case. I have gone through a bit of a storm. I liken it to the story of Jonah. Jonah was a prophet in ancient Israel. God told him to go to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, and give them a message. Jonah refused, and instead boarded a boat headed in the opposite direction. While in transit, a great storm came upon the sea and nearly destroyed the boat. Nothing the sailors could do would help them stay afloat, and finally it came down to Jonah. He admitted he was running from the LORD, and if they would throw him overboard, the storm would cease. It did. God then sent a fish to swallow Jonah (really just more of the storm) and for three days and nights Jonah sat in the belly of the fish. Finally, he repented. He told God he would go to Nineveh, and the fish promptly deposited him on the seashore.
I have been going through my own personal Jonah storm. I am not as bright as Jonah, and now twice I have turned to go the other way when God told me to go speak to someone. The first time occurred last March, and it took me about six months to come out of the storm (I am an obstinate person sometimes). Almost immediately upon coming out of that storm, he sent me again to tell a message. I went to do it, and then was overcome with fear, and I relented. I was afraid of the reaction people would have toward me, that they might not like what I had to say, and would ostracize me. This storm lasted only about three months, but was more intense and affected more of my life, including my job.
God got my attention! I went before my church and passed on the message!
I have shared some of the message before on this site, but it is time to share it and a little more.
God is moving in and out amongst the church, seeking who are “his people (the church, all of it, especially in America, as a whole and individually among congregations), who are called by his name (Christ-ians), will humble ourselves, and pray, and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways (the church’s wicked ways), so that He might hear from heaven, and forgive our sin, and heal our land.”
The decline of the United States is not due to prevalent social acceptance of homosexuality, on demand abortion, free sex and the sexual revolution, drugs, alcohol, or rising crime rates. Actually, these are all symptoms of the real reason for the decline of the US. The real reason is the decline of the American church. All of these other factors are a result of the ineffectiveness of the church in society. Do you wonder why church attendance is down among young adults? How about increasing desperation and hopelessness? It is because the church is dead in idolatry and worldliness!
However, God is reviving his people!
This is not your grandfather’s or father’s revival. God is preparing the body. He is readying his bride. He is cleaning her up.
You may have heard it said, “In the end times, the Lord will separate the sheep from the goats.” This time is now! God is walking among the flock and removing the goats from among the sheep. Do not be arrogant and think you are one of the sheep. For in the day when the results of this separation are revealed to all people, many will say to Jesus, “Lord, Lord, didn’t we do so many good things in your name.” And He will say to them, “Depart from me, you evildoers, for I never knew you.” The criteria are set out before you: if my people will humble themselves, pray, and turn from their wickedness, then will I hear from heaven.
Our Father, we repent of our sin!
