"We The People"
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Christian Encouragement September 30, 2001
Hello Everyone!
<u><b>2 Chronicles 7:14</b></u>
-- "If
<b>my people</b>
, which are called by my name, shall
<b>humble </b>
themselves, and
<b>pray</b>
, and
<b>seek</b>
my face, and
<b>turn</b>
from their wicked ways;
<b>then will I hear</b>
from heaven, and
<b>will forgive</b>
their sin, and
<b>will heal</b>
their land".
I have only come across this verse a handful of times in my life, and even then....just
briefly. Each time I skinned over this or heard someone recite it, I'm embarrassed to say,
the first thought to come to my mind was, "If the United States would just turn from her
wicked ways..." I suppose this was always my first thought because this nation was founded
on faith in God. It wasn't until last Sunday that the true meaning of this scripture hit
me. Even though this is found in the Old Testament, the meaning is still the same. "
<b>If</b>
<b>my people which are called by my name</b>
."
<i>We are 'the people'.</i>
Not the nation as a whole, but those who have accepted Christ as their Savior. The saved.
Yes, the Jews are still God's Chosen people, but the Gentiles have been grafted in so that
we may share in the inheritance (Ephesians 1:11-14).
If you've been receiving these encouragements very long, you already know how I've tried
to encourage those who are bouncing around out there in the world, to turn around and
search the scriptures for guidance. Christ said in
<u><b>John 14:15</b></u>
, "If you love me then keep my commandments." He was speaking of following His teachings.
How many people do we all know who claim to be saved, but who habitually do not act like
it. Sometimes, we have to look long and hard to find any trace of fruit.
<u><b>Matthew 7:16</b></u>
--"You shall know them by their fruits..."
I was just talking to a gentleman I know very well who is saved. He goes to a Baptist
church in Fresno, but kept telling me this world, overall, was going to get better. Read
Matthew, chapters 21 and 24 or the Book of Revelation, then tell me that again. The world
is NOT going to get better according to God's Word, but if
<b>we the people</b>
who are saved by grace through faith will bend our knee, pray, seek His face and turn
from our wicked ways
<b>THEN </b>
the Lord promises to hear, forgive and heal our land.
So am I saying that God allowed these evil and godless men to attack our country because
there are saved people in this land who are living wicked lives? I believe that's part of
it. I also believe His plan is unfolding. God has endured and shown a tremendous amount of
compassion towards His people, the Jews and the saved Gentiles, all through scripture. Why
did the Israelites wander in the desert for 40 years? Because they were disobedient. Then,
even when He brought them to the Promised Land, what did they do? They were too scared to
go in, even though God had told them it was a land of milk and honey! You'll also notice a
few died along the way due to disobedience.
Life here in the United States has become "cushy". In THIS land of milk and honey, we
often take God's blessings of freedom, financial security and national safety for granted.
We can make a lot of money here...and live for it. I know saved people who believe
abortion is okay. I know saved people who say "God's Word doesn't have all the answers",
so they are searching elsewhere for more truth. I know saved people who are hateful to
other Christians because they oppose them. I know saved people who hold grudges for a
lifetime, refuse to go to church, gossip to lost people about their brothers and sisters
in Christ, refuse to serve God the way He says is most pleasing to Him because they don't
want to do anything that makes them the least bit uncomfortable. There are "Christians"
who are still getting drunk, still having sex outside of marriage and churches who aren't
doing anything about it! I know people who accepted Christ as their personal Savior as
kids, then sat on it. They're married, have families of their own, and haven't talked to
them about salvation. I know many, many saved people who are rebellious. How can
<i><b>I</b></i>
say such things?
<i><b>Because I used to be rebellious</b></i>
! Am I now perfect? No, but I do try to discipline myself and live according to God's Word
which is what the Lord desires from all of us who are called by His name.
All of my life I've heard that the Rapture was near. All of my life, I've been waiting for
it. There were times when I wasn't living for the Lord that I shuddered at the mere
<b>thought</b>
of the Lord Jesus coming back to get us, because I wasn't ready! I was either straddling
the fence or on the wrong side of it. The Lord said in:
<b>Revelation 3:15,16--"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou
wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue
thee out of my mouth."</b>
Let's examine ourselves today and be totally honest. Are "we the people" sitting on the
fence with one foot on the Lord's side and other foot in the world? It's pretty
comfortable there, huh? Are you thinking maybe that you've got the best of both worlds,
living the "Christian" life of your own making? Are you occasionally looking at a bible
that you've sort of re-written to fit your own lifestyle? Worried about being politically
correct, are you? Well, if that's the case, you make the Lord God Almighty want to spit!
He says so.
I want to encourage every person who is saved (me included!) to humble themselves before
God, pray to Him, seek His face, and if you're living a wicked life in any way, shape or
form, to turn away from it and turn your heart and mind to Christ Who is God. If you're
sitting on the fence, jump off! Come back to the Lord. If your heart has gotten cold and
crusty, bow your head and call out His name.
<b>We are the people! </b>
It isn't so much the fact that this country of ours has become more wicked, it's because
many, many, many of God's people have! I'd hate to think some of us will be caught off
guard when the Rapture takes place, and then stand before Jesus....ashamed. It's never too
late to start doing what's right. NOW would be a real good time! There is TREMENDOUS power
in the name of JESUS. May we the people who are called by His name....call out His name
today.
<b>Please</b>
accept this as an encouragement~~
Truly In Christ's Love,
Debbie Reed-Parman
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