Be Humble – Pray – Repent and Expect

 

Pastor Allan at Open Door Church was reading from Psalms 100:4  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

I took notes and present Pastor’s digested sermon.

The Prophet Isaiah cried out for his city and for his nation because of their wickedness and unashamed worship of other gods.

Our country is not was it was 5 years ago, 20 years ago.  We must pray for our leaders that they have wisdom. 

There isn’t a lot we can do except pray, and use our vote to stand against ungodly leaders in Government.

Show me in the Word where we are supposed to be politically correct.

Know this in the last days perilous times will come - - and it will get worse with each generation.  Our nation is falling apart. 

 

I am not saying to gather your possessions and crawl into a cave.  What I am saying is “Get your house in order.  The man is responsible to care for his house for perilous times are ahead.

We are engaged in a Religious war; a war that began with Cain and Able, Jacob and Esau and continues today.

Religious self righteous leaders rule their church with an iron fist forcing people to submit to their will.

In other countries Christians are threatened to renounce Christ and become a Muslim or die.

Paul was a Spiritual Son of God, as he prepared Timothy to be a Christian leader.  We must spiritually prepare ourselves by daily reading our Bible and personal times of prayer and worship.

Guard what you watch on TV and the Inter-Net.  Ask your self – “Is it necessary?”

Be cautious about Face Book and what you share, because much of what is there is only to get a rise out of you.  You can’t believe all of what you see on the internet or on the Media. What is presented as truth is often lies.  We are told sin is now okay.  It is time to stand guard over your household and pay attention.

Be a watchman of the wall, for the enemy is creeping in slowly and cleverly.  Warm and fuzzy is presented, but beware.

The prophet Joel put on sack cloth and ashes fasted and prayed.  It would do us good to fast often.

My grandmother often told me that where you are on New Years Eve will predict how your New Year will go.  If you work, you will work.  If you party – your year will be a waste.  This year we are planning a Watch Night service here at the church.  We will spend time with our church family and pray the New Year in.

2 Chronicles 7:14   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.

This is speaking of Christians and calling them to humble themselves.  To set aside petty issues, Love others as Christ sees and loves them.  Not what “I have done,” but what God has done. 

The verse continues, to pray and actively seek God’s face.  If you mean business with God and seek his face, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.  Why?  Because He has called you by name.  When we call out His Name “Jesus,” He will show up. There is power in the name of Jesus. 

 

The verse continues speaking of Christians – “Turn from your wicked ways.”  Don’t be insulted, but be honest and ask the Holy Spirit to remove the unnecessary from your life.  Be real so others will be able to see Christ in you.  No half way – but full surrender.  Allow Him to strip away the pretention, pride and the ugly.

Lastly the verse says God will forgive our sin and heal our land.

God is burning off the chaff and plowing the fallow ground.  The fire burns the dross making ready for new growth.  Take an active role in your relationship with God. 

Be watchful and use your Bible as a weapon against the enemy.

God is still in the business of releasing the prisoners and still the healer of broken hearts.

May God equip us with Boldness like Peter and Steven to stand our ground and speak truth without compromise.