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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Refresh!



Has anyone else felt as dried up as me?

-Gotta confess. This dry time, coupled with some burning circumstances, have left me a little parched.

It's funny how we can get off track and forget to get refreshed. I’ve been a little thirsty.

I forgot where to get a drink. I forgot that Jesus holds the cooling cup:

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." - John 4:10

It all started Sunday. I woke up late for church. -Been spending evenings with my dad in the hospital and my clock is way off kilter. I rushed in late.

In a cool, darkened sanctuary, I found relief. “How Great is Our God…” The words flowed over me as we sang our praise song .

A gentle rain was falling outside the colorful windows. Great men and women of God joined me in praying. I know many of them struggle with disease, handicaps and family turmoil, but in this quiet place, God refreshed us all.

Missionaries to Ecuador told us of the challenges and unbelievable blessings working in a remote village nestled in the mountains. Their fresh enthusiasm to share God with others blew through our sanctuary like a cool fall breeze.

Their little boy sat beside me and his presence there - leaning slightly on my shoulder - gave me renewed hope and a cool feeling I had not experienced in a long time.

Times can get dry, but we never have to get parched. Let's remember to refresh by running, or staggering, or crawling….whatever we have to do, to get to God.

Then, you will be refreshed. I guarantee it.



Romans 5 -- Keep on Reading! Next Chapter is Awesome!

Romans 5 ... Good News!  


Peace and Hope


-- Doesn't this put suffering in perspective?  Thanks, God!


5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Here is the essence of what God, through Jesus Christ, did for us:

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Dear God:  I'm so glad you did not wait for us to clean up our act before you saved us.  You are an awesome God!

See you, my readers in Romans, Chapter 6!


What is VICTORY? 

Victory is not the massive evangelistic rally.
It is not necessarily the Bible Study brimming with students.
It is not always the polished, inspiring message on radio.

My friends, you experience VICTORY in Christ day-by-day,
step-by-step, in the ordinary things of life.

Feed the baby ...find victory.  Take a moment to read the Bible while children play at your feet...find victory.

Sit by a friend in the hospital...wipe a nose...walk through a painful time ..refrain from retaliation...stop the gossip...go to work...keep out of trouble...fix the toilet...find victory.

Day-by-day, God equips us for VICTORY.

"They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings, like eagles.  They shall run and not grow weary...they shall walk...and not grow faint." - Isaiah 40:31

Don't ever miss the VICTORY in your every day walk.

(Thank you, Adrian Rogers! You still speak to me, even when you're no longer here on earth!)


This a.m. - your message is about VICTORY!



 

Romans -- The GOOD STUFF!

Hi!  How are you doing?  Have you thought about the message of the Book of Romans?

Here's a little summary: 

1.  EVERYONE can know God.  We can see Him working all around us.
2.  EVERYONE has sinned and can only reach God through Jesus (Romans 3:23)
3.  EVERYONE is loved by God and offered the FREE gift of salvation by believing in Jesus (Rom 3:24)
4.  SALVATION is not something to be earned.  We may choose to accept, believe  and commit.
5.  EVERYONE can make that choice.

Soooo - what do you choose? 

The prayer is simple. It is listed in our blog.

 I prayed it one night, gripping the steering wheel of my car as I drove to work. 

That was 20 years ago. 

Thank you, God, for helping me make the choice. 

How about you?


Friday, July 27, 2012

Romans 4 --

Romans chapter 4 adds depth to what we talked about in Chapter 3: 

We cannot WORK to get our salvation. 


Salvation is a free gift from God, through Jesus.  It is available to EVERYONE who believes! 

This chapter mentions Abraham.  -- Look him up in the Old Testament. 

Abraham BELIEVED and TRUSTED GOD! We can, too! 

Hooray!  Let's follow His lead and read on to Chapter 5!


Dear God - Our Dad
Thanks for your forgiveness.
I'm glad you give it to anyone who asks for it.
Thank you that I don't have to somehow "earn" you forgiveness
Thanks, Jesus, for saving me. 
I will come to you so I can get close to God.
In Jesus name we pray,    Amen!







Thank you, Family Life Today (www.) familylife.com

for providing wonderful guidelines to help us

avoid being too attached to our cell phones

and other technology!

Household rules


It’s not that the technology is inherently bad. Far from it—it helps us connect with people in many positive ways. The problem is that so many people are unable to control it. It’s as if they are married to their cell phones.

I received some great tips from readers about the boundaries they were implementing to promote face-to-face communication in their marriages. Here are some highlights:

1. No devices at the dinner table. This was mentioned many times in emails. Dinner time should be reserved for face-to-face conversation. There will be plenty of time after dinner to reply to phone calls and text messages.

One family calls this rule “TTT—Timeout from Technology at the Table.”

2. No phones at the restaurant. “My husband and I have made a deal for date nights,” wrote one wife. “He is way too plugged in to TV and his phone. Therefore when we are out at restaurants we are not allowed to use our phones unless it is a call from the babysitter. Also we do not go to restaurants that have televisions because he will be too distracted, and I will be mad that he is not totally engaged. We all need to find time daily to disconnect from all the information and reconnect with our families with good ‘old-fashioned’ conversation.”

Another reader said she and her husband leave their cell phones in the car before they enter a restaurant.

3. No texting or talking about really important personal issues over the phone. This should be done face-to-face, unless it is something that can't wait. One reader said, “There is a huge gap in a 'conversation' when texting because you don't really fully understand what that person really means unless you hear the tone in their voice or see their face and a lot can be taken the wrong way, creating bad feelings, etc.”

Here is an over-arching concept:   Love the one you’re with

All these boundaries establish a strong family value: When you’re with someone, that relationship is your priority.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

I'm feeling weary today.  A lot of stuff going on in life.  You have "stuff" too. 
Romans 3 says all of us are the same to God.  Neat thought. 
God sent Jesus for us ALL
-- Romans 3:22.
His gift is FREE.

Man, what a relief...cause I am pooped. 
I will fall into your open arms, Jesus!

...Anyone else care to join me?
Matthew 11: 28

Romans Chapter 3 - How Can We Be Righteous?

Read Romans, Chapter 3.  Now, don't get upset or confused!  We'll work through this together!

Romans 3:9-12 describes all of mankind.  What does it say?  Mankind has turned from God.

Romans 3:13, 14 tells us about the speech of men without God. Write a sentence describing:

"Their words are lies, threats, curses and full of deceit."

Write a sentence describing the actions of men without God:  "They are destructive."

Well, now.  I don't know about you, but these passages help me understand why there is evil in the world!  When man turns his back on God, certain things begin to fester up and boil. 

I'm not saying we don't all do some ugly stuff.  The difference is this:  We STOP and ask for forgiveness.  Those without God don't ever turn to Him.

Romans 3:21-24 reveals God's plan of salvation.  This is the good stuff!

God's answer is expressed in the following: 

Salvation is FREE



Romans 3:21 states God's way of putting people right with Himself has nothing to to with the law....There's that LAW again!

So.....stop trying to check off those boxes.  Stop marking those Saturdays or Sundays through, like attendance sheets in a mandatory class.

 - It's OK to follow guidelines, but that is not what will get you into Heaven. 

How does God put people right with Himself?  Read Romans 3:22 --

THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

TO ALL WHO BELIEVE!

 



Try to memorize Romans 3:23 and 24:

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

We all miss the mark - no matter how hard we try.  But what a JOY to know we can reach God (in Heaven!) FOR FREE! 

Why?  Because Jesus came along, gave us something we did NOT deserve (grace) and REDEEMED us!

Redeem (ri dem') vt to buy or get back; recover 2. to pay off 3. to deliver from sin 4. to ransom 5. to fulfill a promise 6. to make amends or atone for b) to restore to favor

WOOOHOOO!   Thanks, God! Thanks, Jesus! 

I'm a sinner.  I don't deserve this, but I believe you died for me and I give myself to you! 

Romans 3:27 - What have we got to boast about?  Absolutely nothing.  We just humbly ACCEPT what is being given to us.

This redemption is available to everyone.


It is not about who WE are.  It is all about WHOSE we are! 

Can't wait to see what's up in Chapter 4! 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Don't always expect smooth sailing...

He never promised us 
an easy ride.  
He promised us 
a safe arrival. 
Luke 8:22-25

Back to Romans! Don't be confused!


The Jews and the Law -- Romans 2:17-29 

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[b]
25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been  circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the[c] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. 


Yikes!  What is all this talk about circumcision???   This is a wonderful passage for all of us, believe it or not.  


Circumcision was required in the Jewish Law.  It was a big deal to follow that law, and many other laws promoted by the Jewish leadership.


The point in this passage is this:


1.  It's good to follow the law, but don't be a hypocrite.


2.  If you are following the law to get some kind of "points" with God in public, but turn around (on Monday or Tuesday :)  and do something wrong...well, that does not impress God and it does not set a good example for others.


Don't get hung up on that circumcision stuff.  This just represents anything we do as a "ritual" to try to "earn" favor with God and our fellow man. 


God looks at the inside.  What's going on down there in your gut (and heart!) when no one is looking?  God knows.


Don't cling to rule-keeping for your identity.  Know that God wants you -- not your public "persona" .


Who do we look to for praise?  Man  or God?  It's tough when your friends and/or family think you are weird when you talk about or follow this "God stuff" -- But -- who are we trying to please?


Take that last verse and insert the word "Christian" and update some wording-- see what you think:



29        A person is a Christian who is one inwardly; and they are changed on the inside, a change of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written rules. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. 


I know, dear readers, we can become discouraged when people don't seem to appreciate us or acknowledge anything we do.  Moms and dads, husbands and wives, are especially vulnerable to this. We just don't get much praise.


Please know -- All that is necessary is to please GOD -- He loves you beyond all belief!  Your praise will come from God! 









Pray each day -- Here's our list for the next seven days!



The American Prayer Initiative
AmericanPrayerInitiative.org
~ One prayer each day of the month,
    repeated every month until November 6, 2012 



19: The Poor:  Lord, we pray for those who suffer spiritual, relational and/or economic poverty.  We especially ask You to move Americans to minister to the true needs of the orphans, widows and prisoners in our communities.  II Corinthians 8:9


20: Family:  We pray for Your hand to be upon the healing and restoration of families and upon the institution of family.      Colossians 3:18-21


21: Marriage:  We pray for Your hand of healing and restoration upon marriages, and upon the institution of marriage.      Ephesians 5:31-32


22: Manhood/Womanhood:  We pray for healing and restoration of true manhood and womanhood in America.We ask for Your wisdom and protection against attempts to re-define our very identity as men and women.  Genesis 1:27



23: Relationships & Race:  Thank You, Lord for clearly demonstrating the importance of relationships.  We ask for Your 
protection over all our relationships, humbly asking for Your wisdom as You guide us to love as you love.   Galatians 3:28


24: Youth/Education:  We lift up our youth asking for Your divine intervention and protection over their lives.  Guide their teachers and their parents, O God, to train them up in Your ways.  Give them wisdom and courage in this godless culture.      Proverbs 22:6

25: The Culture/Media/Journalism/Entertainment/The Arts:  Father, we ask for Your help in reclaiming our culture from the strongholds of the enemy, praying for You to strengthen, broaden, deepen and give favor to Christian influence on the culture.      Philippians 4:8

Study Shows Teens Can Be Corrupted by Hollywood Sex Scenes



Teenagers 'can be corrupted' by Hollywood sex scenes (source: The Telegraph)

Watching sex scenes in Hollywood films can make children more promiscuous and sexually active from a younger age, a new study has suggested. 



Psychologists concluded that teenagers exposed to more sex on screen in popular films are likely to have sexual relations with more people and without using condoms.

The study, based on nearly 700 popular films, found that watching love scenes could "fundamentally influence" a teenager's personality.

The researchers, from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, concluded youngsters were more prone to take risks in their future relationships.

They also concluded that for every hour of exposure to sexual content on-screen, participants were more than five times more likely to lose their virginity within six years.

"Adolescents who are exposed to more sexual content in movies start having sex at younger ages, have more sexual partners, and are less likely to use condoms with casual sexual partners," said Dr Ross O'Hara, who led the study.


"This study, and its confluence with other work, strongly suggests that parents need to restrict their children from seeing sexual content in movies at young ages."

The team, reporting in Psychological Science, studied 1228 children aged between 12 and 14 and then analysed their sexual behaviour six years later.

Each teenager identified which popular films of differing classifications they had seen from a random list of 50. Six years later they were asked how old they were when they became sexually active, how many partners they had, how risky their sexual behaviour was and whether they used condoms.

The findings provided a link between exposure to sex on screen and sexual behaviour. Participants also said they tried to mimic love scenes they had seen on screen in the real world.

The researchers also assessed the sexual content of 684 of the biggest grossing films released between 1998 and 2004.

They found some of the most popular films from that time included scenes of a sexual nature, ranging from sexual scenes to heavy kissing.

These include Austin Powers, staring Mike Myers, Notting Hill, with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, American Beauty, staring Kevin Spacey and James Bond films such as The World is Not Enough, with Pierce Brosnan as 007.

More than a third of G-rated movies were found to contain "sexual content" compared to more than half of PG films and four in five R-rated movies.

Films with the most sexual content were Summer of Sam, a Spike Lee crime film about a series of 1970s murders in New York (323 seconds), 40 Days of 40 Nights, staring Josh Hartnett who tries to stay celibate during Lent (207 seconds) and American Pie, about a group of high school students trying to lose their virginity (206 seconds).

Even children’s films were found to have sexual content such the G-rated the Princess Diaries (42 seconds).
Most of the recent films did not portray safe sex, with little mention of using contraception.

Dr O'Hara said that the combination of sexually explicit films and adolescence had a profound impact on their behaviour.

He found that the “wild hormonal surges of adolescence” made cautious thinking amongst teenagers more difficult.

He said that while more than half of adolescents use movies and the media as their “greatest source of sexual information” many could not differentiate between what they saw on a screen and what they confronted in real life.

Dr O'Hara added: “These movies appear to fundamentally influence their personality through changes in sensation-seeking, which has far-reaching implications for all of their risk-taking behaviours.”
A previous survey of films from 1950 to 2006 found that 84 per cent of movies contain sexual content.








Monday, July 9, 2012

Daily Prayers for Our Country


I just found this wonderful website which equips me with daily prayer for our country!  Join me as we pray from now til November 6, 2012 for healing and renewal in our land!  

Just match the date with the prayer number.  Be sure to look up the Bible verses!  They are GREAT references!  



The American Prayer Initiative
AmericanPrayerInitiative.org
~ One prayer each day of the month,
    repeated every month until November 6, 2012 ~



9:  The General Welfare:  We ask for Your guidance in how to best promote the well-being of our citizens. I Corinthians 10:24

10: The Blessings of Liberty:  Thank You, Father, for guiding our founders in securing the blessings of liberty for us. We ask You to guide us in reclaiming those blessings for ourselves and our posterity. 
 II Corinthians 3:17


11: Rights:  Thank You for founders who established this country on the fact that our rights come from You. We ask for your divine intervention against all attempts to re-define those rights on man’s terms.  
I Timothy 1:8



12: Life:  Thank You for founders who established this country on the fact that You created all of us equal.
      We plead for You to lead all Americans to respect and protect the sacred right to life at every stage.  Psalm 127:3

13: Liberty:  Thank You for our founders great respect for Your gift of free will, and for pledging their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to establish a government which would protect our God-given right to freedom. Galatians 5:1

14: The Pursuit of Happiness:  Thank you for our founders foresight in establishing our God-given right to pursue our own destiny.  Please forgive our futile attempts to pursue happiness apart from You.  Psalm 68:3

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Prayer of Salvation


If you believe that the Bible offers truth about the way to salvation, but you have not made the decision yet to become a Christian, it's as simple as praying this prayer. You can pray by yourself, using your own words. There is no special formula. Just pray from your heart to God, and He will save you. If you feel lost and just don’t know what to pray, here’s a prayer of salvation that you can pray:
Dear Lord,
I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life, I give it to you. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you.
Amen.

Is Everyone Guilty?


Good morning, valiant Romans explorers!  Thanks for reading through Romans Chapter 1 and discovering the downward spiral of sin.  It's pretty chilling, isn't it?  


Chapter One helped me understand the power of sin and how, without God's help, it can take over our lives.  Without Christ, we can get caught in that downward spiral.  With Christ, we continue this walk, make mistakes, but REPENT and turn BACK to HIM!  This is a process of life. 



Remember, this Book is a letter Paul wrote to believers in Rome.  Someone read this letter to them. The folks listening to Paul may have heard his list of sins and felt a bit smug and self-satisfied: "Well, I'm not THAT bad," they may have said.  "I'm glad I'm not like THOSE people!" THEN -- Paul got to Chapter 2!

Let's look at Chapter 2, verses 1-16.  You can read it below.  Remember to pray for God to reveal to you what He wants you to understand from this.  

You might want to underline the word "repent" every time you see it in this chapter.  We'll talk about Repentance and Judgement after you are done reading! 

God’s Righteous Judgment - Romans, Chapter 2:1-16


You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath , when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.


Take a moment to answer a few questions:


1. What questions does Paul raise in Romans 2:1-4?  
2. Who condemns the self-righteous person (Romans 2:1)?  
3. Memorize Romans 2:4 -- Write it down. 
4. In what way does Paul say God's kindness should help people? (Romans 2:4)


Just because God doesn't bring swift judgment on we "socially accepted sinners" does NOT mean He is pleased with us.  Any delay in God's judgment is evidence of God's mercy, patience and kindness, not of his approval. God wants to give us time to repent.  The advantages God gives us are designed to lead us to repent and surrender our lives to him.


Repentance means more than being sorry.  Repentance means turning from sins.  It means to change one's mind for the better.  This may call for us to run away from the sins that ensnare us.


Bottom line, these verses tell us we are all sinners.  We have no right to judge, especially if we have not repented.


The Key to these verses is a call for self-examination and repentance.  


Do we beat ourselves up?  NO!  We just need to examine our lives - repent for attitudes and activities which are not in line with God, humbly pray and ask for forgiveness and help to TURN away from our sinful ways.


The Bible says anyone who bases his right standing with God on his own morality is in trouble.  The self-righteous man who judges others who sin is guilty of the same things, but on a smaller scale. For example, He may never kill anyone, but ruins another's life and reputation with lies or gossip.  His is a more subtle type of sin, even more deadly.  


Sometimes, good people try to earn their salvation by their own good deeds and good behavior.  Read what Ephesian 2:8-9 says about that: 



Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

God judges us according to reality.  He knows all the facts.  He knows our motives and secrets, as well as our deeds.  He weighs the reasons for our behavior. That's enough for me to ask for forgiveness right now!    



5. Why is the moral, respectable sinner judged? (Romans 2:5,6) 


Morality is not Christianity

All people have the same need for salvation.  God offers all the same way to be saved:  Accept Christ's gift and Ask for forgiveness and help, Believe He died for you, Commit your life to Christ .  

God judges all men righteously.  He shows no partiality, no favoritism.  People everywhere are judged on the basis of their humble belief and commitment to Jesus. 

Next Week:  Romans 2:17-24!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

And now a word from George Washington...


"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge 
the providence of Almighty God, 
to obey His will, 
to be grateful for His benefits, 
and humbly to implore 
His protection and favor." 
- George Washington, 1st President of the United States

Happy and BLESSED 4th of July!

"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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

                                                   --2 Chronicles 7:13-15

"Faith & Freedom" - John Schlitt

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Call to Fall Begins TODAY! Pray for our Country!

The Basics



Q - What's involved?



A - The Call 2 Fall is nothing fancy. No slick program. No big production. Just setting aside a definite time during worship on July 1, 2012 when you call your people to get on their knees and faces before the Lord in repentant prayer for God to reshape our lives and renew our land. Click here for free church resources that may be helpful.



Q - Who can join?



A - "Call 2 Fall" on our knees is for every Christ-follower in America. Specifically, there are multiplied millions of believers who realize that America is in trouble and that neither Washington nor Wall Street has the answers. We are hoping that at least 40,000 churches will join in a corporate act of humility, repentance, and desperate prayer on our knees before the Lord.



Q - Where will we do it?



A - "Call 2 Fall" on our knees will be happening in the many places Christians meet on Sunday. We realize that the church gathers in worship centers, store-fronts, homes, and various other places all across America. We are encouraging believers to kneel at least 3 to 5 minutes before the Lord wherever they may gather that day.



Q - When will it happen?



A - "Call 2 Fall" in corporate humility before the Lord is set for Sunday, July 1, 2012. Why that Sunday? Because on the day before we celebrate our "Independence," we should also express our "Dependence" upon the Lord. Throughout this special day, we encourage believers to spend time on their knees in crying out to God to heal our souls and our land.



Q - Why a Call 2 Fall?



A - First, the Scriptures teach it. The key verse is 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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

The first requirement on the path to renewal is to "humble ourselves," to fall on our knees and faces before the Lord in repentant prayer. Over and over the Scriptures teach this. Click here for examples.



Second, our history records it. Our founding fathers sensed the need for a "Call 2 Fall" in view of the monumental struggle we were engaged in with Britain. The First Continental Congress called for a day of public humiliation, fasting, and prayer throughout the Colonies on July 20th, 1775 just after war broke out. James Warren wrote Samuel Adams:



Three millions of people on their knees at once, supplicating the aid of Heaven, is a striking circumstance, and a very singular one in America . May the blessings of Heaven follow in answer to our prayers...

In addition, colonial America and the early years of our republic experienced what observers have called Great Awakenings, which began with God's people humbling themselves in repentant prayer and led to others becoming followers of Christ. Click here for more examples from our Founders.



Third, our nation needs it. Ponder the past decade. From 9/11 to war to natural disasters to financial and moral collapse, we are witnessing what happens when a nation turns away from God. In view of the monumental challenges of our times, do we not find ourselves in a similar situation as that of ancient Israel and early America? Consequently, we are sensing the need to return to simple but powerful truths like:



•God is sovereign. He is holy and He is love.


•We are sinners. We are saved from His severity of His wrath toward sin only by the fierceness of His love in Christ.


•When we drift away in disobedience, we experience His discipline. His judgments are just.


•The pathway back must begin with:


◦A humility and brokenness before the Lord.


◦A desperation to find the face of God.


◦A heart cry for the mercy of God.


◦A desire to turn from our sinful ways.


◦A resolve to return to the ways of God.

This is what the ancient words of Scripture are calling us to do when we speak of a "Call 2 Fall."