We were out of town for the 4th yesterday so I didn't get to attend a traditional church service but we did watch Dr. Charles Stanley on TV. He's a really good preacher and student of God's Word, but I would not consider TV a viable substitute for corporate worship on a permanent basis. That is partly due to my lack of attentiveness and how much more difficult it is to take notes and learn from someone on TV than in person.
His sermon was titled, A Call to Prayer. And in this passage of scripture, the Lord is appearing to Solomon (one of the wisest men in the Bible). Verse 14 outlines the call to prayer here.
1. In prayer, we are called to humble ourselves. Now what does it mean to humble ourselves? Well we have to do away with pride, with thinking what it's all about me. We must realize that all of our achievements and successes in life are not on our own merit but are from the mighty power of God. We are not to think highly of ourselves or boast of our salaries or positions, and we must realize that we are absolutely dependent on God. Without Him we can achieve nothing.
2. When we feel a call to prayer, we must pray. Most of pray for ourselves, our family, our current situations. But when do we pray for our nation? In Psalm 34:17 we see that the righteous cry out to God. Just as children will cry out to their father, we too should cry out to our heavenly father in times of great need. We should pray for our leaders and lawmakers. Pray that God will awaken them and that they will move closer to him.
3. In prayer, we should seek his face. In seeking, we are to look for God's plan and will for our lives and not focus on our own selfish desires. Instead of searching for life help and tips online and thru the wrong sources we should ask God about his will for our children, our careers, our life and everything in it. Lord, what would YOU have me to do? Not, what verse can I interpret into saying what I want it to say.
4. We are to turn from our wicked ways. Deliberate disobedience of God is wicked. Now let that one sink in a minute. How often are we disobedient by not doing something he calls us to, not necessarily by the sins we do commit? Right now in this country immorality is sweeping through like the plague. We are glorifying and honoring many sinful things of the world and it is growing at a rapid pace. We need a revival in this country and it does not start with town councils, state delegations, or the white house passing new laws. We need a revival of people's hearts to change this country. But the verse says to turn from our wicked ways, simply confessing our sins is not enough. Confession must be followed by repentance, we should not be confessing the same sins to God day after day.
We do not need millions of people in this country in order to start a revival. The Lord can work with just a remnant of people to make great things happen. But in order for that to take place, He needs those few people who are willing to take God seriously. Dr. Stanley went on to ask who present or hearing his message was willing to commit now to pray and seek God daily for our own lives and for our nation. Will you begin earnestly seeking the Lord in prayer for our nation and for your own life today by taking the steps outlined here?
His sermon was titled, A Call to Prayer. And in this passage of scripture, the Lord is appearing to Solomon (one of the wisest men in the Bible). Verse 14 outlines the call to prayer here.
1. In prayer, we are called to humble ourselves. Now what does it mean to humble ourselves? Well we have to do away with pride, with thinking what it's all about me. We must realize that all of our achievements and successes in life are not on our own merit but are from the mighty power of God. We are not to think highly of ourselves or boast of our salaries or positions, and we must realize that we are absolutely dependent on God. Without Him we can achieve nothing.
2. When we feel a call to prayer, we must pray. Most of pray for ourselves, our family, our current situations. But when do we pray for our nation? In Psalm 34:17 we see that the righteous cry out to God. Just as children will cry out to their father, we too should cry out to our heavenly father in times of great need. We should pray for our leaders and lawmakers. Pray that God will awaken them and that they will move closer to him.
3. In prayer, we should seek his face. In seeking, we are to look for God's plan and will for our lives and not focus on our own selfish desires. Instead of searching for life help and tips online and thru the wrong sources we should ask God about his will for our children, our careers, our life and everything in it. Lord, what would YOU have me to do? Not, what verse can I interpret into saying what I want it to say.
4. We are to turn from our wicked ways. Deliberate disobedience of God is wicked. Now let that one sink in a minute. How often are we disobedient by not doing something he calls us to, not necessarily by the sins we do commit? Right now in this country immorality is sweeping through like the plague. We are glorifying and honoring many sinful things of the world and it is growing at a rapid pace. We need a revival in this country and it does not start with town councils, state delegations, or the white house passing new laws. We need a revival of people's hearts to change this country. But the verse says to turn from our wicked ways, simply confessing our sins is not enough. Confession must be followed by repentance, we should not be confessing the same sins to God day after day.
We do not need millions of people in this country in order to start a revival. The Lord can work with just a remnant of people to make great things happen. But in order for that to take place, He needs those few people who are willing to take God seriously. Dr. Stanley went on to ask who present or hearing his message was willing to commit now to pray and seek God daily for our own lives and for our nation. Will you begin earnestly seeking the Lord in prayer for our nation and for your own life today by taking the steps outlined here?
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