​Do you find yourself scratching your head wondering if there is any wisdom in our world today?
I do daily.
You and I are unceasingly inundated and relentlessly bombarded with ideas, concepts, opinions, views, theories, algorithms and whatever crazy idea finds its way to the Internet and is deemed trending! Some things people propose are preposterous, off the wall, silly, outrageous, senseless, utterly ridiculous and downright dumb!
A wisdom-less world makes me uncomfortable.
Wisdom comes from God. Take God out of life and wisdom flies out the window. A world devoid of God’s wisdom is a scary, insecure, unstable, extremely dangerous place. Remove God’s wisdom, wise men and women from the world, and self-destruction is inevitable.
I counsel with hurting, broken people who are seeking God’s healing, restoration and renewal. I never ceased to be amazed at how unwise some people can be. Lack of wisdom inevitably leads to decisions and behaviors that hurt rather than heal. Divide rather than unite. It baffles me that even professing Christians cannot figure out what to do God’s way, which is the wise way.
Wisdom is looking at life and doing life God’s way. Wisdom is found in God’s Word, the Holy Bible
Solomon, the son of King David of Israel, during his lifetime was the wisest and wealthiest man on earth. He penned a Holy Spirit inspired letter (31 chapters in the book of Proverbs) to his son. This wise father exhorted his son in Proverbs 1:2-3 “To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding. To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity.”
In Proverbs 9:10 this godly Dad writes “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” In Proverbs 4:7 it is written “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom and with all your getting get understanding.
Wisdom. Instruction. Discernment. Understanding. Wise behavior. Righteousness. Justice. Equity. What a rich legacy/inheritance Solomon desired to leave with his son.
If “wisdom is the principal thing,” which it is, where does is come from, what does it look like and how can you and I receive it?
First, wisdom comes from God. HE IS WISDOM. If you want to know what is wise, get to know God. You can get to know Him by studying Genesis to Revelation, meditating on scripture, praying over God’s Word and obeying His truth and wisdom. Do you know Him?
Secondly, wisdom comes from God in heaven. The Holy Spirit wrote it down in the pages of the Bible. James calls it “wisdom from above.” It is available to you, me and everyone who seeks it.
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” James 3:17.
Imagine what our world would look like if people everywhere lived their lives according to the above characteristics of God’s wisdom? Heaven on earth? Sort of!
 Thirdly, God’s wisdom is given to all who ask for it.
“But if any of you lack wisdom, LET HIM ASK OF GOD, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO HIM.” James 1:5
Oh my, Steve Roll loves this invitation and promise. How do I receive God’s wisdom? Simply ask with faith. Then receive the Lord’s generous, no respecter of persons wisdom from above!
Ask and it will be given. Can it be that simple? Yes, it is because God says so! I am signing up for that. How about you?
Wisdom makes one wise and understanding what life is about. The older I get, the more and more I desire to live my life that way every day God gives to me.
Just a thought: Why would anyone choose to be unwise when they can walk by faith with the wisdom of God?
My father-in-law, who is now in heaven, had a bumper sticker plastered on the back of his 1960 Ford that read “Wise Men Still Seek Him”. Enough said.
Are you a wise man or woman faithfully seeking the Lord’s wisdom in your daily life? The world you and I live in desperately needs us Christians to be wise.
“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him now show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.” James 3:13
A Word For Your Week: Be wise. Seek God’s wisdom. Receive it. Walk in it every day.

​How can you and I go somewhere when we do not know where we are going?
 
Intriguing question.
 
In the Bible we have the true story of Abraham who went out not knowing where he was going.
 
“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”       Hebrews 11:8
 
Abraham is listed in the Who’s Who Hall of Fame of Faith in Hebrews 11. The writer of Hebrews says of Abraham “and he went out, not knowing where he was going?” 
 
Did you catch what was just said? When God told Abraham to go, he got up and went. Without question or hesitation, Abraham left family, friends, familiarity, wealth, support and relationships to go somewhere he had never been. Upon departure, he had no earthly idea where that destination might be! His family must have thought he had lost a few of his marbles!
 
Marbles all accounted for, Abraham stepped out in faith and obedience to go even though God did not make it clear where he was going. No address. No map. No GPS. No Siri. No mile markers. No definitive destination. Abraham packed up his stuff and set out for the Promised Land when God said go.
 
Abraham went. That blows me away! For a directionally challenged guy like me (who my wife has quipped Steve could get lost on his own driveway) going out without knowing where to go borders on frightening, if not a little crazy!
 
A close friend of mine commented that he likes to step out in faith when he has every step planned out. We chuckled together, as so many of us approach our Christian journey that way.
 
We believe we have faith when we know where we are going. But we struggle with faith when we do not know where we are going.
 
Abraham did not know where he was going, but God did.
 
God knew exactly where Abraham’s destination was located. It was a fantastic destination that dreamers dream of. A land of promise called the Promised Land. Abraham would receive his inheritance there.
 
Think about this for a moment. Wouldn’t we be in real trouble if we went out, not knowing where we were going, and God had no idea what He was doing or where He was leading us either? That is trouble with a capital T.
 
But the good news is this: God does know and we need to know that He knows.
 
During life adjustments, transition times, course changes, or new beginnings it is comforting to know that God knows where He is taking us. Uncertain times and unknown destinations test our faith because they seldom paint a clear picture of the next phase, chapter, stop or destination.
 
I have been in situations like Abraham’s which tested my faith. I stepped out when the Holy Spirit directed me to when I had little information about next steps. Of course, the Lord always came through. Oftentimes in nothing short of miraculous ways. But I must admit in the initial stages of going without knowing I questioned my sanity a time or two!
 
Abraham’s response is exemplary, inspiring and challenging. Accepting God’s call on his life, he responded with faith and obedience. No prideful presumption or flaky faith for Abraham. He placed his faith firmly in the promises of a God whose word could be trusted. (Read Genesis 12-22).
 
God’s promises were good enough for Abraham to go ahead and go.
 
Abraham discovered that God leads and guides as we go. Guidance is in the going. Departure preceeds directions. Location appears after looking to the Lord.
 
Unknown destinations can be unsettling until we remember that knowing is God’s business. Going is our business. In the going will come knowing. As we go, God will show us what we need to know (see Jeremiah 33:3).
           
Going out by faith and not knowing where we are going forces us to depend on God.
 
A word of caution: Immature Christians often get all fired-up, believing they should take a big leap of faith by going when God did not call them to go. Psalm 37:23 states our steps (not leaps!) are ordered by the Lord. Presumption and assumption on our part always leads to crash, burn, heartache, disillusionment and discouragement.  
 
When God has called you and you want to go, but do not know where you are going, take these steps of faith.
 
            1. Decide to trust God for the destination.
            2. Commit yourself to the Holy Spirit’s leading every step of the way.
            3. Obey the specific directions God gives you for each day.
            4. Stir up your faith to go forward when the path is unclear.
            5. Keep going when you know you should keep going.
            6. Be ready to receive your inheritance along the way.
            7. Rejoice in the journey as well as the destination!
 
You and I will never get to where God wants us to go if we think we must have all our ducks in a row. If we do not go, we will never know where we could have gone!
 
“And He was saying, “The Kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows—how, he himself does not know.”                                                                           Mark 4:26-27
 
A Word For Your Week: When God says go, go, even if you do not know exactly where to go.
 

​What is unknown can be extremely frustrating for those of us who want to know.
I heard a hearty amen from my readers!
Fact: Much of life is unknown.
I wish at times I could change that annoying, perplexing fact. But I cannot. Neither can you. Nobody can. Not possible. Unknown is built into the fabric of the human experience. Unknown is part of creation. Our Creator is familiar with the unknown. Now, do not go blame-shifting your current circumstances on the Lord. You may have created some unknown for yourself because of your behavior. Just saying!
When unknown crosses their path, people react in diverse ways.
Panic buttons are pushed by some. Worry warts pop up on others. Anxiety attacks assault and paralyze emotions. Negative attitudes overshadow positive thinking. “What if” clouds minds with questions and doubt. Fear of the future takes center stage.
Knee jerk reactions to the unknown cause us to lose perspective. Rash, unwise decisions often lead to irrational behavior. Negative reactions to unknown situations can make other people feel uncomfortable around us.
Many people in our culture today are fearful of the unknown. A spirit of paranoia runs deep in many souls who choose not to look to God to meet their needs. During their self-imposed panic tantrums they make some downright dumb decisions! Fear-mongers love to take advantage of and manipulate gullible folks by selling them a bill of goods that the unknown is our doom.
Unknown must be faced with faith, not fear. Faith in God who is not afraid of the unknown.
I have wrestled with ”unknown” numerous times throughout my lifetime. In the past I have reacted with negative thinking and anxiety. God’s lesson for me: “Steve, as a born-again, Spirit-filled Christian, have you forgotten that I was there with you in the land of unknown every single time? When you looked to Me with simple trust, I led you through unknown to known. I will do it again when unknown confronts you.”
Thank you Father for reminding me of Your faithfulness. I am doing my best with the Holy Spirit’s help to manage unknown much better than I used to.
What is your typical “go-to” response to the unknown? How would you like to change your responses to the unknown?
Bottom line: Faith is tested when unknown comes calling.
I have good news for you and me: With God’s help, we can understand unknown from His perspective and order our lives accordingly.
I encourage you to read and meditate on Psalm 46. Verses 1 and 10-11 are bookends for the other eight which describe potential, serious life-threatening scenarios that reek of the unknown.
The Psalmist assures us that when all hell breaks loose, we need not fear. The unknown need not frighten us. Why? Because God is our help, our refuge, our strength and our stronghold in trouble.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Verse 1).
“Be still, cease striving, know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” (Verses 10-11).
God is omniscient, all knowing. Gods loves us in the known and unknown times of our lives. He alone knows the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning. There is nothing unknown to Him. He knows what I do not know, sees what I cannot see.
I may not know, but God always knows. Unknown is not unknown to Him.
WOW! Unknown does not stand a chance when God is with us and we choose to stop striving and be still before Him.
Therefore, you and I should focus our faith on Who we know (the Lord) and what we know (His Word). The God of the Bible is who He says He is and does what He says He will do. Period! No exceptions concerning any unknown situation or season you or I may be experiencing.
Just a thought:  If we know everything, including the unknown, why would we need faith?
May we quiet our soul in unknown times. Focus our faith on God who knows. Know with confidence that He is God. He knows how to guide you and me through the unknown.
My friend, surrender the unknown to the One who knows. Trust Him to show you what you need to know, when you need to know it and what to do to pass through unknown to known.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
A Word For Your Week: Unknown is opportunity to know God better and live life successfully.

​Revelation from God comes in many ways.
He reveals truth and wisdom to us through nature, the Bible, Jesus’ teachings, the Holy Spirit, fellow Christians, people, circumstances and friends.
Recently my good friend and faithful prayer partner Jim and I were talking about life. Discussing current situations we were facing in our personal lives. Then he looked at me and stated in a manner of fact manner “everybody has something.”
The Holy Spirit used Jim’s statement to hit me right between my spiritual eyes. Steve Roll you are not the only one with some “stuff” going on. Humble pie time.
Other people have “stuff” going on too!
Years ago I heard a preacher declare “I got problems, you got problems, all God’s children got problems.” Isn’t that the truth!
Your problems, concerns and needs are important to you, but not that important to others. They have their own needs and many of them are far more serious and significant than yours.
So, Steve, stop focusing so much on what you need. What you think and feel others need to know about your needs. Take your eyes off yourself. Focus on others who would benefit from your help and encouragement.
I realize that I am too self-centered at times. Admittedly I want life to be about Steve. I want others to care about me and my stuff. What is going on in my life is what matters most. Or does it?
You and I need to be less self-centered and more other-centered. Not so self-absorbed and self-focused that we neglect to understand what others are dealing with in their lives
 In the Bible, Paul writes to the Galatians “Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Galatians 6:2-3
Simple. Bear other’s burdens. Sounds like less of Steve, and more of others. Burden bearers show God’s love. They help carry a hurting person’s load. He picture is of a soldier who is wounded and unable to carry his pack. He is assisted by a fellow soldier who carries his pack for him until the wounded man can carry his own pack once again.
To bear we must care. To care we must share. Caring, bearing and sharing means we have to be there for others regardless of our needs.
I have served in full-time Christian ministry as a pastor for over forty years. I have had the privilege and opportunity to minister to thousands of precious people from every imaginable walk of life. I believe I have poured my heart into many sharing the love of Christ in their time of need. But I wonder. How selfish have I been? I did not set out to be self-centered. Never to be the center of everybody’s universe.
But I am certain that Steve got in the way of Steve, other people and maybe even the Lord when I thought more highly of myself than I should think. Too easy to do. Ouch!
Does Steve’s stuff matter? Of course. But it should never take center stage! Most times personal and private is the best course of action dealing with life issues. Taking our stuff to the Lord and one or two trusted, mature Christians is the way to deal with our “somethings.”
At seventy years young, I am rethinking who I want to be in the last laps of my faith race. I do know I do not want my life to be about Steve. I want my life to be about Christ in and through Steve to reach people for the Kingdom of God. Especially wounded warriors who need someone to come alongside and carry their pack.
Remember no one person, including you, is more important than others. Jesus died for everyone. His unconditional love is the same for all. We all carry life’s pack on our back that becomes heavy at times. Love lightens the load when “something” is weighing us down.
 My friends, hurting people surround us. Every person you pass by or meet has something(s) to deal with. Most Americans are exceptionally good at covering their pain. Many, many people in our culture have no one to share their “something” with. No one who will take the time and initiative to listen to them. Isolation. Depression. Brokenness. Low self-esteem. Guilt, shame and failure haunt people and cause them to keep their guard up.
Look into people’s empty eyes. Watch their halting, uncertain gait. Their facial expressions and posture reveal much about their struggles. Listen closely to their words that reveal their “something.”
Always remember people like you are carrying a load every day. Why not be someone who helps them with their something?
I want to say it again: Everybody has something.
Ask the Lord to make you sensitive to the needs of others. Be a “something” of His love to people who need to know that God and His people genuinely care about them and the burdens they bear.
The Christian life is not about you, me or our somethings. It is about Jesus in and through us to minister to those struggling with their somethings.
“And seeing the multitudes, Jesus felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples” The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:36-38
A Word For Your Week: Somebody going through something needs you to care about them today.

​Life can heat up in a hurry.
You and I know this all too well!
Stress. Pressure. Change. Challenges. Setbacks. Sudden illness. Financial reversals. Tests. Trials. Heartbreak. Loss. Misunderstanding. Conflict. Opposition. Suffering. Persecution. All these life events will raise the temperature of our emotions and our spirit, testing our resolve to respond with faith as God guides us through the fiery trials.
In the Bible, the Apostle Peter writes in I Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing as though some strange thing were happening to you, but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.
Peter’s word to Christians: fiery ordeals (trials) will come because you serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not be surprised when they show up. When your faith is tested by fire, rejoice because you are sharing in Jesus’ suffering. When the Lord is revealed in His glory, you will rejoice with extraordinary joy for having passed the fiery trials tests.
Peter’s bottom line: fiery trials test and purify our faith.
One of the most inspiring, uplifting and encouraging examples of trial by fire is found Daniel chapter 3. Here we are introduced to Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. I remember first learning about the faith of three young Hebrew men when I was a little boy in Sunday School. They were thrown in a fire pit because they refused to worship a false God.
My friend, if you need some zip in your faith, a boost in your spirit, an adjustment in your attitude or a bounce in your step, read the whole chapter. If you are like me, you will jump out of your chair and give praise to God for such tremendous, immovable, inspiring faith under fire.
Highlights of Daniel 3

• King Nebuchadnezzar, an evil king, erected a false idol and ordered all his subjects to fall down and worship the golden image. If not, a trip to a “blazing furnace of fire” awaits you.
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego said no thanks. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O King. But even if He does not, let it be known to you O King, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. “Daniel 3:16-18.

 
Their bold response: No way king. Our God will deliver us and if He does not, we will not fall down and serve your gods and worship your golden image.

• The enraged king, full of wrath, ordered the furnace to be turned up seven times hotter. The three defiant, faith-filled men were tied up and tossed into the blazing inferno. (Be sure to read verses 24-30 and chapter 4:1-3).
• Nebuchadnezzar peered into the pit and saw four men in the fire. One looked like a god. The surprised, confused king pulled them from the fire. The young men’s clothes were not burned, their hair was not singed, and they did not smell like smoke!
• Nebuchadnezzar’s response: “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego , who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the King’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God.” Daniel 3:28.
• The king acknowledges the God of the three young men. He is converted to the Jewish most High God. He makes a decree that no one will stand against the Hebrew God without penalty.

Oh my! Spiritual goose bumps are popping up all over me! What faith! Our God will deliver us, and even if He does not, we will not abandon our faith in Him.
Faith under fire, literal and spiritual, carried the day. The young men’s faith stand was a powerful witness to an unbelieving king and nation.
****God stood with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego because they took a stand for Him.
How about you? How about me? When the heat is on will we take a stand boldly and firmly in faith for Jesus Christ? Will we trust in the Lord no matter how hot fiery trials become? Will we believe in Him even if His deliverance is not the way we think it should be?
I know I am searching my soul after reading about Shadrach, Meschah and Abed-nego’s faith. My faith could be tested like theirs in my lifetime. Jesus said His followers would be hated and persecuted for His name’s sake. Would I stand tall like the three Hebrews? I pray to God I would.
Life heating up? Turn up the thermostat of faith. Meet life’s trials head on with trust in the Lord.
“I am with you to deliver you says the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:8
“That the proof of your faith being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” I Peter 1:7
A Word For Your Week: You and I can manage life’s heat because Jesus is with us.

​Tragedies happen.
A tragedy alters life. What was, no longer is, because something horrific has happened resulting in people’s lives being turned topsy-turvy, inside out and upside down.
Tragedies shock. Stun. Break hearts. Wrench guts. Crush spirits. Boggling minds. Tragic events shatter the peace, stability and security of our lives. A tragedy is a surprising, unwelcome event.
Heinous crimes, natural disasters, senseless accidents and unexpected death happen suddenly and are seldom, if ever, predictable. Tragedy catches us off guard and throws us into an emotional tailspin.
Sadly, tragic events occur every day and in many ways.
Media personalities sensationalize and dramatize tragedy to get the most bang out of their warped obsession with breaking news. Tragedy is no longer something that happened way over there. Human tragedy is up close and personal, in our face, whether we like it or not.
As a pastor for over forty years, I have witnessed and come alongside good, godly, precious people who have experienced unimaginable tragedies in their lives. Each time my heart has been shaken to its core. I have wept with those who were weeping. I have held those close who were stunned in disbelief. I have sympathetically listened to the anguishing emotional outbursts and the unanswered questions as to how this could have happened and why.
In the chaos of tragedy, I have done my best to ask the Lord what do the victims need most and how can I minister to them in Your name.
How should Christians respond to horrific tragedies that invade our and others lives? What do shocked people need in a personal crisis?
First, they do not need a sermon or pious platitudes that make you, the caregiver, feel better. They do not need to be ignored. They do not need to feel bad that they are emotionally upset. Do not try to answer the “why” questions. Do not feel you have to speak for God.
Secondly, they need people with caring hearts. Listening ears. A shoulder to cry on. A word of comfort. A word of assurance. A simple prayer for God’s assistance. They need to be asked what I may do for you and then you do it. They need to know that you will be there for them in the days ahead when the grief will be heaviest.
When the Lord put this topic on my heart to write about, the Holy Spirit directed me to II Corinthians 1:3-4.
“Blessed be the Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our affliction that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
The context of verses 1-10 is dealing with suffering, depression and even despair. Paul lined out a comforting process in verses 3-4.

1. God is a God of mercy and comfort. His great love for us moves Him to extend mercy and comfort to those who are hurting when tragedy strikes.
2.  God comforts Christians (you and me) in all our suffering. I am so thankful that my Father in heaven comforts me when I need comforted. His comfort is comfort indeed.
3. God comforts you and me so we can comfort others with the comfort we have received from Him. God is THE BIG Comforter and Christians are LITTLE COMFORTERS.

In John 14:7-15 Jesus told His disciples He would send another Comforter, a Helper, the Holy Spirit when He returned to heaven. The word Comforter means “one who comes alongside to help.” Spirit-filled believers can comfort people hurt by tragedy by coming alongside and sharing the love and comfort of Christ with them.
Tragedies are opportunities for Christians to comfort hurting people with God’s comfort.
When I was called upon in emergency situations, as I drove to the scene of the tragedy or the hospital, I prayed my socks off! With all the faith I could muster up, I called upon my Heavenly Father to send the Holy Spirit right now to comfort these hurting, devastated people. Lord, please fill me with your Spirit that I may love them with Your love to minister to their needs compassionately and wisely.
The Lord always came through in timely, wonderful ways to comfort those who needed comfort. Isaiah 53:3 says of the Messiah, (Jesus) He would be “A Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” Jesus knew sorrow and grief, therefore, He can understand and minister to those sorrowing and grieving.
When tragedy strikes your life, a loved one’s life, or the lives of people you know, do not shrink back from helping because you feel inadequate or ill-equipped. God will use you just as you are to be a conduit of His love.
Listen with your heart to a person’s hurt.
My friend, do you know someone who has experienced a tragedy? Pray for them. Ask the Lord how you can be a minister of God’s love, comfort, mercy, peace, strength, encouragement and hope. Serve them in whatever they need in Jesus’ name.
Tragedy does not have to triumph when we trust God to heal our hearts and help us move forward with faith in His goodness and faithfulness in times of difficulty.
“This is my comfort in my affliction that Your Word has revived me.” Psalm 119:50        
  A Word For Your Week: When tragedy strikes ask Jesus to comfort the hearts of those affected.

​(Author’s note: I first wrote this piece in 2010.)
 
It is always time to pray. Especially on the heels of our Independence Day celebration.
 
Now my friends is the time to pray for our nation.
 
America is on the fast track to destruction. Our moral train has derailed. Moral and spiritual erosion is leading to a national implosion of a country once known for its lofty standards of moral virtue, spiritual stability, resilient strength and indomitable courage because our Founding Fathers founded our Constitution upon Christian truth and biblical principles.
 
 A tsunami of anti-Christian and anti-Constitution sentiment is subtly yet swiftly sweeping over “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”  
 
Our verse for this week is an incredible promise from God.
 
“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, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. “II Chronicles 7:14
 
It is a proposed. An if, then conditional invitation. In other words, if we meet certain conditions, God will do something on our behalf.
 
The “If” is our part. Our part as Christian people is to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. The “Then” is God’s part. God’s part is to hear from heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land.
 
Instead of complaining and whining, Christians should be on their faces worshipping, weeping, waiting and calling upon the Lord to heal our land and save us from destruction.
 
 Are we too proud to pray? What ever happened to humility? Are we too comfortable to turn from our wickedness? Has complacency and compromise rocked us to sleep spiritually? Are we too ashamed to seek God’s face? Are we embarrassed and think our Heavenly Father is all out of mercy and grace? Have we become so sin-tolerant that we have forgotten what it cost our Savior to save us from sin?
 
Do we really think that our nation can heal itself? Can man save himself from sin? The answer is a resounding no! That is why we must pray. Elections are not the magical, medicinal elixir we need. Economic upturn is not the cure for our national ills. Seeking the face of God for personal revival and renewal is.
 
It Is Time To Pray for the United States of America….
 
            …. When the One True Living God of the Bible is blasphemously mocked; His faithful followers are openly and shamelessly ridiculed, belittled, derided and marginalized while our biblical roots are savagely and gleefully uprooted in the name of humanism, secularism and religious diversity.
 
            …. When a nation chooses death over life, leaving unborn babies unmercifully unprotected in their mother’s womb.
 
            …. When perverse, abominable sexual immorality is promoted, flaunted and accepted as the new normal and sexual predators are granted license to stalk the land and steal our children’s purity and innocence.
 
            …. When political correctness is extolled as worthy of worship while common sense wisdom established by our Creator is disdained and those who propose it are demonized.
 
            …. When our Constitution is pillaged and ransacked by arrogant, ego-centered, self-absorbed elitists whose fundamental goal is the transformation and ultimate destruction of all that is godly, moral, decent and socially redeeming.
 
            …. When the innocent and poor are exploited by power mongers who deceive unsuspecting people into believing that the anointed ones are their deliverers and saviors.
 
            …. When greed runs rampant, and money and materialism replace “In God We Trust.”
            …. When comfort, convenience, and complacency supersede commitment, character and courage.
 
            …. When avowed, bloodthirsty enemies of the United States who are committed with demonic zeal to the complete annihilation of our nation as we have known it are admitted, welcomed and accommodated in the name of chicken-hearted diplomacy.
 
            …. When good is called evil and evil is called good. When right is wrong and wrong is right. When indecency supplants decency. When rudeness, crudeness, crassness, prejudice and hatred is the order of the day. ……….. IT IS TIME TO PRAY!
 
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray…” is the paramount issue of our day.
 
If we are not praying, we are playing. If we are not seeking God to revive America spiritually and morally, we will continue to sink into a stinking abyss of moral destruction from within from which we will never recover.
 
Pray or perish is our choice.
 
As a Christian who loves the Lord Jesus Christ and this great nation that I am privileged to raise my family in, I implore you to join me in praying fervently for the salvation of our nation before it is too late.
 
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
 
This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time.”                                                 I Timothy 2:1-6
 
A Word For Your Week: Pray now or pay later.

​Life can be draining. Stress can weigh us down.
 
Spiritual, emotional, and physical energy levels run low from time to time, needing a boost.
 
Jesus knew that. The Lord understood living in a fallen, sinful world would drain the souls of men. Compassionate and sympathetic to our plight, He graciously provided the way for us to be redeemed and regularly renewed.
 
In John 12:32 Jesus foretold the type of death He would die. “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Myself.” The audience He addressed knew being “lifted up from the earth” meant crucifixion. Jesus’ agonizingly painful, sacrificial death on the uplifted Cross reveals His great love for us.
 
In dying there is drawing. The Cross is a magnet for our souls. Love at Golgotha draws us to the very heart of God.
 
Obviously, salvation is the first priority of Jesus drawing all men to Himself. He died to save us. Jesus is the focus of this life-changing truth. Note the emphasis in the Lord’s words on Himself. He uses personal pronouns three times. He, being lifted up above the earth on a cruel wooden Cross, is the agent of salvation. His promise is clear: “I will draw all men unto Myself.”
 
Thank God His death was followed and vindicated by a glorious resurrection three days later! (Matthew 28)
 
In resurrection there is renewal. Resurrection provides renewal and restoration for weary believers. When life needs a lift, the uplifted, Resurrected One draws men to Himself, renewing them with His resurrection life and power. Resurrection power flowing through Jesus’ glorified body draws us to the renewing and restoring energy of the Holy Spirit.
 
When we feel drained, we need to draw near to Jesus. James 4:8a reads “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” Through dying on the Cross, Jesus draws men to Himself. Through faith in Him, we draw near to God.
           
Life gets a lift when we look to Jesus who was lifted up.
 
Three Steps To Giving Life A Lift
1. Take your eyes off your problem. Spinning our wheels trying to solve our problems by ourselves drains energy. Turn negative energy into positive energy by looking to the PROBLEM SOLVER. His name is Jesus.
 
 Stop focusing on what ails you. Start focusing on the One who prevailed for you! Jesus Christ is the answer to every challenge you or I will ever face.
 
2. Lift your eyes to see Jesus. Believers look to Jesus and are saved. Hebrews 12:2a exhorts us to keep “Looking (fixing your eyes) unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” Why? Because life drains us and we need our faith revved up on a regular basis.
           
The Lord is not finished with you and me. The Cross is indeed a done deal. But Christian maturity and perfection in Christ is an ongoing process. The redeeming and renewing power of Christ’s death on the Cross lasts eternally. By faith, we can draw upon Him daily to find relief and be renewed from life’s drain.
 
3. Lift up the name of Jesus. Looking for a surefire way to get out of the dumps and lift life to another level? LIFT UP JESUS! Lift Him up through personal praise. Lift Him up through sharing your faith with unbelievers. Lift Him up through serving others in His name.
 
Lift somebody else up and you will be uplifted. Focus your heart on the harvest of souls that is ripe for the taking. Lift up the uplifted Christ to people in your life….and He will draw them to Himself!
 
Jesus is our load lifter.
 
I do not know what load or loads you might be carrying today. They may be light or could be very heavy. You know what they are. You have tried to lift the load by yourself. The load is still pressing in on you and stressing you out. Take a moment right now. Look to Jesus. Surrender the load to Him. Let the load go into the hands of the One who was lifted up for you.
 
When life needs a lift, remember to look to Jesus who died for you and rose again that you might have abundant and eternal life. This glorious truth is a life lifter!
 
“Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; for you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My load is light.”                  Matthew 11:28-30
 
A Word For Your Week. Life’s load lifts when we lift up Jesus Christ.

​Today’s thoughts come from the depth of my heart.
I am speaking for myself and hopefully many others who feel the way I do.
I love my country.
I am a red, white, and blue patriot through and through. I proudly served in our military. I hold dear the Constitution of the United States, Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights that clearly lay out the freedoms and principles our nation has stood and fought for nearly two hundred and fifty years.
I am seventy years old. I have witnessed our nation soar to astronomical heights of glory as a bright light, a shining example to the world of how a Bible-based Christian nation can bless humanity. I have also witnessed a frightening, free falling, perilous, shameful ever-darkening descent into evil by a man-based, secular society that rejects the Word of God and all things holy, sacred, truthful, moral, pure and decent.
My spirit is saddened and deeply grieved as I peer across our moral landscape. Satan, enemy of our souls, is winning in many quarters.
I have asked the Lord what can I do to influence my country to return to its Judeo-Christian roots?
The Holy Spirit has directed me to continue to pray, intercede, stand in the gap for America as I have done for fifty years. I sense an urgency to be more fervent than ever before.
Two scriptures are and have been on my heart for the United States.
“If My people who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14.
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God is for their salvation.” Romans 10:1.
Note the verses are for the restoration of a nation.
The II Chronicles scripture is conditional. IF man does his part, THEN God will do His part. The Lord is ready to hear, forgive, and heal our land. First, we must humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways.
I believe Satan and hell trembles when Christians pray. Heaven goes to bat on behalf of those who pray.
Oswald Chambers wrote “The real business of your life as a saved soul is intercessory prayer.”
Prayer should always be the Christian’s first resort, not the last. Intercession, standing in the gap for individuals and our nation is the most important thing you and I can do.
I am not calling for a prayer meeting. I am calling for individual Christians to intercede for our nation regularly with fervent faith for spiritual revival in our land.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, please pray for America every day as part of your daily devotions. Ask God to forgive us of our sins. Weep for precious souls who have lost their way. Pray for the Lord to watch over our nation and deliver us from opportunistic enemies who would take advantage of our moral weakness.
Stand in the gap for those who walk in spiritual darkness.
Pray that their blind eyes will be opened to see the light of Jesus Christ who is the Savior of the world. Ask God to heal the brokenness in our nation’s heart and restore America to love, serve and obey our Creator and Redeemer.
The church corporately must pray for the restoration of our nation. When is the last time your local church prayed for America? God’s people must fall to their knees and seek the Lord. There is tremendous power when believers gather to pray for each other and our nation. Never forget, where two or three are gathered, Jesus is there!
What To Pray For

• A repentant return to righteousness as revealed in the Bible.
• A recognition, reverence and obedience to Almighty God.
• Protection of the innocent and helpless from the womb to the tomb.
• Moral integrity to be the rule, not the exception, in our conduct.
• Return to sexual purity in our relationships according to biblical standards.
• Respect and support for lawful authority and law enforcement.
• Integrity, accountability, honesty and transparency at every level of leadership across our nation.
• Cessation of prejudice and hatred for others because they are different.
• The church of Jesus Christ to make winning lost souls its top priority.

Almighty God hears and answers our prayers. Faithful, fervent, expectant prayer in the name of Jesus really does change things!
Join with me daily to pray for the people of the United States of America to humble themselves and turn to the Lord.
For the sake of our people, our children, and our grandchildren pray fervently to the Lord to spare America and restore our nation.
Revival and renewal through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is our only hope.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen for His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12
 A Word For Your Week: Pray for America before it is too late.

​A spirit of fear is swiftly sweeping across humanity.
Worry, anxiety, fearfulness and paranoia exist in many people who are mistakenly looking to men to be their saviors. Fearful folk’s “faith” and “trust” in mere mortals is terribly misplaced. The last time I checked in the Bible no man is the Messiah.
 Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, is.
If you do not think people are fearful, take a look at Facebook. People’s comments are heavily laden with fearful thoughts, words and concerns. Even some professing Christians confess their fears about the present situation and the future instead of speaking words of faith in God.
You name it, people fear it.
Fear of the economy. Fear of dictatorial leadership. Fear of disease. Fear of supply line shortages. Fear of civil unrest. Fear of terrorists. Fear of world events. Fear of war. Manmade and man-managed things can be scary and often terrify people. Media outlets excel in selling fear when reporting agenda driven, breaking news.
So, what are godly, good, righteous people to do while living in an emotionally charged atmosphere of fear?
The writer of Hebrews helps us out.
“For He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” So that we confidently say” The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and yes forever.” Hebrews 5b,6,8.
Here is how God wants you and me to manage fear when it stalks us and seeks to cripple our faith in Christ.

1. Almighty God cannot and will never desert or forsake you and me. My friends, it is not in our Heavenly Father’s character to take a hike on His sons and daughters. Not possible. People will desert, abandon, forsake and leave us on the side of life’s road. God never will because He says He never will!
2. Because God will never take a hike on us in this fearful world, you and I can be confident in our faith. We can declare without reservation He is our helper. So, if God is with us and helping us, what can itty-bitty, helpless, little men do to us? Chew on that thought for a while.
3. Jesus can be counted on to be Jesus every day of our life. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He was yesterday, is today, will be tomorrow and for eternity. Wow! What man can stand against the Lamb of God who has taken away the sin of the world?

Jesus is unchanging. He is who He says He is, does what He says He will do now and forever. That is that!!! You and I can take that to our spiritual bank!
No need to fear. GOD SAYS SO!
Why would a born-again, Spirit-filled follower of Jesus Christ fear any man or anything when God will not forsake, desert or fail us, the Kingdom of God cannot be shaken, and Jesus is the same every day in our life?
Let’s Get Real
I have asked these questions of myself and pose them to you.

• Do you really believe God cannot and will never forsake or fail you?
• Do you really believe the Kingdom of God is unshakable and immovable?
• Do you really believe there is nothing any man can do to harm you?
• Do you really believe Jesus is unchanging, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow?
• Do you really believe that God is for you, with you, and working on your behalf?
• What are you going to do the next time the spirit of fear invades your space?

With the help of the Holy Spirit I will do my best to do the above and I hope you will choose to do the same.
You and I will be tempted to fear. When apprehension and anxiety strike, strike back with faith. Be courageous. Confident. Determined. Kick fear in the britches! Christian faith is the antidote to fear. Belief in Christ Jesus the Lord produces peace and power that will send fear packing down the road!
Bottom line: No need to fear because Jesus is near. The Lord will always be here for all who choose to trust in Him.
Do you trust Him today to deliver you from any and all fear?
“I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
“In God, whose word I praise, in God, I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid, what can man do to me?” Psalm 56:4
“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life, whom shall I dread?” Psalm 27:1  
A Word For Your Week: No need to fear man when you fear, reverence, respect, obey, rejoice and trust God.