What will it take to break us? There is famine on the horizon, but very few are hungry for God. The red, white, and blue cannot save us; only the crimson blood of Christ can: "Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity" (Joel 2:13).
The upward trend of active shooter incidents in America since Columbine is alarming. What in the world is going on? In short, our nation has rejected God, and we are reaping the whirlwind. Just as water rapidly eroded the banks of the mighty Colorado River and created a vast Grand Canyon, America’s current belief system (relativism) has eroded her foundation and created a moral void.
Where are men with uncompromising power and authority in the pulpits today? Granted, there are some, and I appreciate their ministry, but as a whole, the church is lacking. In these immensely trying times, we need more leaders filled and clothed with power from on high. Those who do the most for God are always people of prayer.
It's been said that not even Sodom and Gomorrah reached the level of decadence that we see today in America. Praise God for the remnant and the churches that intercede. In my opinion, they are the only thing keeping God's judgment at bay.
As our nation falls deeper into the abyss of sin, one would think that pastors would rise up and follow Paul’s plea: “Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13, AMB). But sadly, it seems that many are running from the battle rather than to it.
A.B. 2223 will make infanticide (the killing of born babies) legal in California. Will thunderous applause take place if AB2223 passes? Will pastors have the blood of the innocent on their hands (if they don’t already)? Time will tell, but if this doesn’t wake America up, I’m not sure what will. Our passivity is simply a reflection of a cold and callous heart, and remember, as California goes, so goes the nation.
Do you truly want God to rend the heavens and bring another national awakening? It will cost you: National revival begins with personal revival. The war on lukewarm Christianity has begun. We must repent and turn completely toward God, beginning with prayer and fasting: We think that we are waiting on God, but often, He is waiting on us.
Church is boring for most because the power of God has vanished from many congregations ... there is a lack of desire to pursue Him in the pulpit as well as in the pew. Like Samson, they "know not that the Spirit of the Lord has departed" (cf. Judge 16:20). High attendance is not the gauge of success, faithfulness is. Granted, a healthy church should experience seasons of growth, but even cults generate large numbers of followers. Here are five simple ways to gauge the health of a church and a believer:
Without a doubt, the one thing that always stands out about genuine spiritual awakenings is that they are birthed in the inner chamber of prayer as well as obedience to God's Word. "Business as usual" is not going to cut it in these dire times. I truly believe that our finest hour will be when we have labored for the Lord and lie exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.
