PLUS

Matthew 21:12 “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves.”

On September 18^th, the United States Air Force turns 70 years old.  This year’s birthday theme reminds us of our Air Force’s willingness to push the envelope – Breaking Barriers since 1947.  Indeed we have!

How have American Christians been breaking barriers?  How have American Christian Churches been breaking down barriers?  How have we been influencing our world?  How have we been making an impact?

If we haven’t been doing a good job at any of these things, then maybe it is time to reassess our lives and our ministries.  Maybe it is time to:

• Begin new community outreach efforts
• Find new groups of people to serve
• Build new relationships with like-minded believers
• Establish new prayer groups
• Reassess your assumptions about ministry effectiveness
• Mold new subordinate leaders
• Relook at stagnant customs and traditions
• Engage newer Christians with ministry opportunities and responsibilities
• Establish relationships with community leaders
• Ensure our personal prayer and devotional lives are active, fresh and vibrant

PLEASE PRAY THAT AMERICAN CHRISTIANS WOULD DEVELOP A PASSION FOR RELEVANCE IN OUR NEEDY SOCIETY.  It is time to break barriers!

I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

II Corinthians 12:7-9 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:  for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

September 15^th, 2017 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day.  It is a time for all Americans to remember the sacrifices of those who were Prisoners of War and those who are Missing in Action.

A notable POW was Brigadier General James Robinson “Robbie” Risner.  Risner was an Air Force fighter pilot, an ace, and an American hero.  He spent more than seven years in POW camps in North Vietnam after being shot down on September 16^th, 1965.  He spent more than three years of those in solitary confinement.  Risner experienced extra harsh treatment as the prison’s Senior Ranking Officer, returning home with honor in 1973.  When asked how he survived his tortuous treatment, Risner said the following:

“To make it, I prayed by the hour.  It was automatic, almost subconscious.  I did not ask God to take me out of it.  I prayed he would give me strength to endure it.  When it would get so bad that I did not think I could stand it, I would ask God to ease it and somehow I would make it.  He kept me.”

As the Senior Ranking Officer, he issued the following guidance:

“I’m in charge, and here’s what I want you to do.  Be a good American.  Live by the Code of Conduct.  Resist up to the point of permanent physical or mental damage and then no more.  Give as little as possible and the bounce back to resist again.  Pray every day.  Go home proud.”

Risner went home proud!  He also offers us all important spiritual truths.

No matter what we are facing, we are to pray by the hour; pray every day.  It should be automatic, almost subconscious.  Whatever you are going through, ask God to give you strength to endure it and to ease it.  His strength is made perfect in weakness.

AMERICAN CHRISTIAN, PLEASE PRAY BY THE HOUR!  He will keep you!

Psalm 95:1 “O come, let us sing unto the LORD:  let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.  For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”

Matthew 6:16 “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:  for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.  Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward.”

General Colin Powell reminds us that “perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”  A positive attitude is contagious, spreading quickly to uplift any group.  It encourages, it motivates, it challenges, it attracts.

Unfortunately, many Christians follow the path of the pessimistic, gloomy, depressed donkey from Winnie-the-Pooh.  They are Eeyore Christians who wander through lift with an “Ohhh-kayyy” attitude that attracts no one to the cause of Christ.  After all, who would want to follow the person who seems perpetually miserable.

We serve a great God and a great King!  Our attitude should reflect the joy in our hearts and the thanksgiving of our spirits.  This demeanor encourages, motivates, challenges, and attracts.

PLEASE PRAY FOR A POSITIVE, OPTIMISTIC SPIRIT IN THE LIVES OF AMERICAN CHRISTIANS.  We need such a force multiplier!

Ephesians 4:27 “Neither give place to the devil.”

A wedge is one of the six classical simple machines that have been in use for thousands of years.  It is defined as “a piece of hard material with two principal faces meeting in a sharply acute angle, for raising, holding, or splitting objects by applying a pounding or driving force, as from a hammer.”  It works by “converting a force applied to its blunt end into forces perpendicular to its inclined surfaces.”  With just a relatively small amount of force, it can separate objects, lift objects, or secure objects.

A wedge needs only a small opening to operate.  Once placed in an opening, it magnifies force through mechanical advantage that allows it disproportionate effects.

The devil seeks a small opening to operate in the lives of believers.  He does the same to operate in the affairs of a nation.  Once he makes his way into an opening, it magnifies his force and allows him to have disproportionate effects.  In doing so, he can severe relationships, move institutions, and stifle progress.

American Christians need to realize that giving even a small place to the devil can provide inroads into our lives that give the devil advantage.  In many ways, this effect has been evident in our acceptance of sin and acquiescence to the worldliness around that has caused our nation to steadily slide away from God.

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO SEAL UP THOSE FISSUES THAT GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL IN OUR LIVES.  We must no long accept the small openings that allow the devil a wedge that can impact our lives through mechanical advantage.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God:  I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Proverbs 14:9 “Fools make a mock at sin:  but among the righteous there is favour.”

Psalm 37:1-3 “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.  Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

It is easy in our flesh to see the victories of the enemies of God and conclude that justice is not being served.  It is simple to be trapped in a human-centered short-term view that discounts the longevity of God’s perspective.  It is natural for us to want immediate justice for the world, and to desire immediate ramifications for rebellion.  It is understandable to be bothered by the mocking spirit of a sinful world.

Instead, we must be still!  We must know that God is in control as we serve Him in this world.  He will be exalted among the heathen, and will be exalted in the earth.  There is favour among the righteous.

Justice will be served!  There will be ramifications for rebellion!

PLEASE PRAY THAT AMERICAN CHRISTIANS WOULD TRUST GOD’S JUSTICE AND GOD’S PLAN.  As we strive for Him, let us be still!

NOTE:  There will not be a post next weekend as I enjoy a vacation with my family.  See you in two weeks!