Nov 15 - Big day for protests against God and His Righteousness

Yesterday I had posted about the Great American God Out that is to be held in San Francisco today. I'm now beginning to think there is something about Nov 15th for those who are in darkness and trying to defy our God.

There are numerous pro-homosexual protests being held across the nation led by a group called Impact. This is to be a nationwide protest against Prop 8 which just passed here in California to make marriage between a man and a woman only.

Please join me in prayer regarding these protests. Pray for repentance and light of God's understanding and wisdom. Some are asking that if there is a protest going on near you that you go to the site AFTER the protest intercede for forgiveness and repentance of those who participated. Please remember:

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ~ Ephesians 6:12

I'm sitting here trying to put into words the heaviness and sadness I feel in my heart because of what I've been seeing in this nation the past few months. I don't even know how to express it. Please pray, I fear we are at a place where some hearts may be hardened to the point where they will not be able to see the Light of Truth. I'm beginning to agree with someone who recently told me that sides are being drawn up and there is no real "middle ground" anymore. People are either choosing to follow God our Creator or they are choosing to do things their way, the way of the Enemy. We all serve someone and that distinction is becoming more and more apparent. The chasm between the two camps is becoming wider and deeper and as this happens it will be become harder and harder for those in the dark to cross over to the Light.

This may sound a bit depressing, but please realize that part of me is very excited as well, because although I'm saddened for those who have chosen to not follow the Lord, I'm rejoicing for those who have. I see the Lord drawing those who follow Him into an even more intimate and powerful relationship with Him. I'm experiencing this first hand myself. I praise God for His wisdom and truth and pray that He reveal it more and more to those who choose Him. And for anyone who has not totally hardened their hearts to God, I pray that His Light will find those cracks and penetrate their hearts, minds and lives in an amazing way.

Encouraging Post-Election Posts

I've been surfing the web a bit tonight to see what is out there after last night's election results. Here are some of the more noteworthy posts I've come across:

Laced With Grace: Winning and Losing
Great post about Winning and Losing as compared to the Kingdom of God

BlogMommas: Call to Prayer


Eternal Perspectives: It’s Over; but It’s not Over (one Day it will be)


Spiritually Unequal Marriage: Thankful Thursday - A Win for Marriage


The Preacher's Wife: It's What We Do With Disappointment

10 Ways to pray for Barack Obama

This article from Fire in My Bones was shared with me today and I thought it was great - I encourage you to read it regardless of who you cast your vote for yesterday. God's Word tells us to pray for our leaders - this is a good starting point.

10 Ways to Pray for Barack Obama

J. Lee Grady, editor of Charisma

Whether you are happy about this week’s election results or not, all Christians must unite in prayer for our new president. Please don’t forsake this responsibility.

It’s over. We’ve reached the end of the longest, angriest and most nerve-wracking presidential campaign in American history. Finally the “I approved this message” ads have ceased. The endless robot phone calls have stopped ringing. The debates, and the annoying post-debate comments from “experts,” are history—until the next election cycle.

More than half the nation is celebrating today while others are mourning. We are a
divided nation, split into unhappy fragments by abortion, gay marriage, global warming, a failed economy and an unpopular war. Those who voted for Barack Obama have claimed a historic victory; some on McCain’s side are already looking for scapegoats. Politics is politics.

But when I got up this morning, I turned all my attention to the fact that Jesus Christ is still on the throne. His government is what is most important. Regardless of who sits in the Oval Office, the Bible says “the nations are like a drop from a bucket” to God (Is. 40:15, NASB). That includes the United States. We may boast about being “the greatest nation on earth,” but He who sits in heaven has a different perspective. Let’s take a big sigh of relief now and remember that God is sovereign.

Click here to read more

My Prayer for Obama as our next President

I must say I was disappointed but not altogether surprised as I watched the election coverage tonight and saw that Obama will be our next president. I believe America is going to be in for a rude awakening and I believe Obama is a very smooth talker who many have unfortunately chosen to put their hope in.

However, that being said - I'm even more confident in the fact that my Lord is still in control. I may not understand it, but He knows what He is doing, He is never wrong and He IS in control! My hope is in Him and Him alone.

In the past couple weeks there have been a couple discussions I've been involved in or been privy to that I believe sum up how I'm feeling today. I'm going to share them with you now.

First, in my daughter’s homeschool co-op they are learning about Daniel. The elections came up because they have been praying about the elections and the US. One of the questions was “What if Obama does win?” One child had an amazing answer for someone her age (maybe even for someone our age!). She replied (my paraphrase, but you get the point) – “Well, God is always in control even when we don’t see it ourselves. In Daniel it says that God chose Nebuchadnezzar and used him to do His will even though Nebuchadnezzar did not know God. So if Obama wins maybe this is the same thing. We just have to trust God.” Amazing insight!!

This has also come up as a topic on the Christan email distribution group at work. One question that came up was if Obama does win, how will you react? Especially considering God’s Word tells us to pray for our leaders and to submit to them.

Here is the answer I sent in reply:

Even if Obama wins I will submit to his leadership and pray for him and all our leaders - however I do add one exception, I will not follow any "rules" under Obama (or any president or other leader) if they are in direct opposition to God's Word. I don't plan to be "in your face" about these things if it comes to that point, I will do it in God's Love, but I will only submit so far as it does not make me walk off the path God has put me on.

In a way I live this same way at home. I have a husband I love dearly however, he is not a Believer. God's Word tells me that I should submit to my husband, and so in many matters I do. I've learned to pray and "pick my battles" with him and then to "fight" those battles in a respectful and loving way. In this way I honor him and in doing so honor my Lord (and hopefully in the process show my husband the love of Jesus for him).

Regardless of who becomes president I will handle things the same way. I will pray for the leaders and honor them as long as honoring them will not quench the Light of God that He has asked me to shine on this world. I will probably mess up along the way as I tend to become very passionate about certain things, but the Lord is slowly teaching me in my own home how to stand for His Truth in a way that draws others to Him instead of repelling them.

So - with that being said I lift up our future president in prayer:

Dear Lord,

I put my trust in you 100% even when I don't understand what is happening around me. I lift up to you all our current leaders and all new leaders who have been elected this day, including our president-elect, Barrack Obama. I pray you give them wisdom and discernment in leading this country and pour your blessings upon them.

I pray that you will whisper to them in your quiet still voice and draw their hearts to you, that they will learn to rely on you in all their decisions. I pray Lord, no matter what is in store for this country, that it be within your Will and that many will come to know you more through the circumstances that arise.

I acknowledge your sovereignty Lord and ask that you lead us to walk with you, I pray for repentance and healing for this country and I'm willing to accept that through whatever means you choose to use. Please change my heart where it is not in alignment with your Will. Please give me the grace to look past my biases and see your hand at work around me.

I praise your holy name, Jesus

~Amen~

CA Governor's Prayer Team - 40 Days to Pray the Vote - Day 40

The California Governor's Prayer Team has called many to pray and fast for 40 days regarding the upcoming elections. Today is Day 40 of this call, below is today's email.

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40 Days to Pray the Vote

November 2, 20081 days, 13 hours and 8 minutes left until election day.

For a President Whose Heart is Tender Toward God; Who Will Listen to Him and Sow Seeds of Justice Throughout His or Her Tenure.

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases. All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.--Proverbs 21:1-3

Heavenly Father, You have laid out the oceans and rivers, the mountains and valleys; You set the planets on their paths and You know the name of every star in our vast universe.

Please, Lord, give to us a president whose heart is attuned to You—who hungers to serve You and do Your will above all else. Protect us, God from trusting in our own ways, and keep our hearts attuned to You so that we will be acceptable to You in all things and in all our ways. In the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sign Up Here, to participate in the Election Eve Online Prayer Rally!

Prayer for the National and Local Election

Father, in Jesus' name, I give thanks for the United States and its government. I hold up in prayer before You those people who are seeking a position of authority in political office. I pray that the Spirit of the Lord rests upon them.

I believe that skillful and godly wisdom has entered into the heart of everyone whom you have appointed to lead us and that knowledge is pleasant to them. Discretion watches over them; understanding keeps them and delivers them from the way of evil and from evil men.

Father, I ask that You surround everyone in authority with men and women who are attentive to godly counsel and do that which is right in Your sight. We pray that our leaders will be people of integrity who are obedient concerning us that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. I pray that only the upright shall be elected to govern over us...that only a person who is blameless and complete in Your sight, Father, shall obtain these positions of leadership. In the name of Jesus we pull down the wicked from this election and the treacherous shall be rooted out of it. I also pray that the media who proclaims any news about this election, will clearly speak and write truth that prevails, and their influence will be for good and not evil.

Your Word declares that blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (Ps. 33:12). I receive Your blessing, Father, for my country. You are our refuge and stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, depression and desperation). So I declare with my mouth that Your people shall dwell safely in this land, and we prosper abundantly. We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus!

It is written in Your Word that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, and you turn it whichever way You desire. I believe the hearts of our leaders are in Your hand and that their decisions are divinely directed by You, Lord.

I give thanks unto You that the good news of the gospel is proclaimed and published in our land. The Word of the Lord prevails and grows mightily in the hearts and lives of the people. I give thanks for this land and the leaders You will give to us, in Jesus' name.

Jesus is Lord over the United States of America!

Scripture References:

Deuteronomy 23:5 (NIV)

Deuteronomy 28:10, 11 (NIV)

Psalm 9:9 (NIV)

Proverbs 2:10 - 12, 21, 22 (NIV)

Proverbs 9:9 (NIV)

Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

Acts 12:24 (NIV)

Romans 8:37 (NIV)

Revelation 3:18 (NIV)

Prayers.org

"Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality." Martin Luther King, Jr.

"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

~California Governor's Prayer Team

In the News and On my Heart

Okay - so there have been quite a few different things that have come to my attention lately that I've wanted to post but not been able to keep up on - so I've decided to consolidate them into one post - these are things that are in the news and on my heart. I'm including a link and a short commentary from me on each one.

3 Arrested for Stealing Political Signs
So I've seen and heard about many poltical signs being stolen, mostly Yes on Prop 8 signs. I know many who have repeatedly had their signs vandalized and/or stolen (so far ours has been left untouched but we live at a dead end and don't get much traffic). Three individuals were caught this morning in the act and with 53 signs in their car. I find it very sad though that it was young adults - these are the youth that are our country's future.

Decriminalizing Prostitution in San Francisco
Now this one (Prop K on the SF ballot next week) seems to be too liberal for even San Francisco (imagine that!). It would not technically make prostitution legal in SF, but it would prevent law enforcement from pursuing prostitutes. Many are protesting this because they believe it will increase problems with human trafficking. Even opposed as it is - I'm concerned that it even made it onto the ballots.

Constitutional Sinners - The Growing Challenge to Freedom of Speech
I am a huge Ted Dekker fan. He is a wonderful fiction writer (one of the best I've ever read, and believe me - I go through books like you would not believe!) and he is able to portray such Truths about God's Word and His Character in his books. It is amazing. I recently read his newest book Sinner, which deals with the future US (2034) in which a National Tolerance Act has been passed that basically makes it hate speech to preach the Good News among other things. Basically saying Jesus is the Way is inflammatory speech. The above link is an article written regarding how themes in the book are showing up in the world today and how the US is on that path as well.

Letter from 2012 in Obama's America
I warn you - this is a long one. It may seem a bit extreme as well. I'm not sure that I agree that this much can happen in just 4 years, but I do believe that this is the path we are walking down as a nation, especially if Obama becomes our next president (or at least at a faster rate if he becomes president). I've said many times in the past weeks now that I believe as individuals and as a nation we must repent and turn back to the Lord. When you realize that everything referenced in this letter prior to Oct 22, 2008 is based on fact you have to stand up and at least pay attention and give it some thought!

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 will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

(2 Chronicles 7:14)

I'd love your comments and thoughts on any and all of these items.

A Reader's View on Obama's Speech

After my post Obama - separate "religious" beliefs from politics I received an email which I'm posting below with this person's permission.

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I think Obama’s attitude shows he’s not a Bible believer. A person who lives for God doesn’t put God in a box and say I’m only going to let you into certain parts of my life. We invite God into ALL parts of our life with none of it off limits to him. After all, trying to live our life without God is when we mess things up. If we follow God, we’ll never, never go wrong. That is a belief in stark contrast to the beliefs of Obama. Obama has a very ‘twisted’ view of scripture as far as I’m concerned and I find his beliefs to be very offensive and arrogant.

My personal belief is that he could be a lot more dangerous than most people even realise as president. Hearing his speeches gives me the creeps. His sudden rise out of nowhere…….his smooth, mesmerising speeches…..his attitude toward God…..his arrogancy and his belief in how wonderful and wise he is……all these things make me concerned about him. Personally the more I hear of him, the more I’m reminded of things I’ve found out about Hitler over the years. That’s not a very comforting thing. I don’t think he has the right stuff to be a good president, but he has so many questionable ‘things of concern’ that I think he could be a very bad person in power. He has an enormous ego. God help us all if he becomes president.

If he gains the presidency, he will be coming into it in one of the most critical economic times worldwide we’ve had in our lifetime. Right now the US and the world is on the edge of a cliff economically and I’m convinced he would tip them over the edge for sure. And that isn’t even bringing our safety and security issues into it concerning terrorists, etc.

I’ve been studying prophecy since when I was pregnant with my youngest son (Angela's note: her youngest son is my age!). I’ve been praying about this for years, studying and just watching to just see what was happening in the world. I do, now, believe it’s possible that things may be entering into the time period of the last days. If we are then this will only be the beginning of our troubles. God is now and will in the future be our only help, contrary to what Obama thinks. Trying to leave God out of the US and it’s government, etc would be a major mistake for any president. Good things don’t happen to those who forget God, who denigrate him, ridicule him and attempt to lead his people away from him or destroy them spiritually or otherwise. His leadership as a president would, I’m afraid, put him at great risk. People can’t stand against God or his word and come out ahead or even be safe…….. I wouldn’t want God angry with me… there’s no place to hide from him. Obviously Obama has no fear of God if he makes fun of God’s word the way he did.

Anyway, I don’t trust Obama, and think he’s very dangerous and arrogant. All that said, I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t become president.

But then again, I believe we may be entering the end of days. If we are, this will mean the end of the world as we’ve known it. Things will never ever be the same again. We need to be sure we’re doing God’s will, and watch and pray.

Pray for our Nation - Jeremiah 19

I don't want my blog to become a doomsayer blog, but my highest priority in life it to follow the Lord. I want to fear Him more than I fear man. As I'm reading through Jeremiah I can't help but think it is timely for our nation, as I've mentioned before.

I will be posting other things on my blog (a review of Fireproof which I watched last night is forthcoming) - but expect that each morning as I read Jeremiah and the Lord points out verses to be applied to our nation at this time - I will be sharing.

Today I read Jeremiah 19 - the Lord brought the following verses to the forefront:

For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned sacrificies in it to gods that neither they nor their fathers nor kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. They have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as offerings to Baal - something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind. (verses 4-5)

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel says: "Listen! I am going to bring on this city and the villages around it every disaster I pronounced against them, because they were stiff-necked and would not listen to my words." (verse 15)

I started thinking about this - we don't necessarily worship stone idols anymore and we don't take our children out in the valleys and throw them in the fire. At least not literally. But this nation, this world in many cases - is still doing these things, the gods have just changed their names and the sacrifices have changed faces.

What gods do we serve in this nation right now?

* Tolerance (political - correctness) - God's Word and Will should rule our lives, not the fear of offending someone because we speak the Truth. Truth is often offensive because it brings to light our sins, something we desparately want to keep in the dark. But some day we must account for these. I'd rather repent of them now than have to explain them to my Creater later as I stand before His Throne.

* Convenience - abortion, greed, we only think of ourselves and we want what we want now. If it may hurt others, we justify it in some way. It does not matter what spin we put on sin, Truth is Truth and sin can NOT be justified.

* Self - We may say we are looking out for others, but in the end we only care about one person, us! And deep down we don't even really like that person. We can not show love if we don't know and understand love. God is LOVE. Without Him we are hopeless. The only true and fulfilling way to live is for Him, not for ourselves!

I keep coming back to Jeremiah 2:11-13

"Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols. Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror," declares the Lord. My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."

Please join me in prayer (repentence & intercession) for this nation. Let us turn from our broken cisterns that we have dug and run to the cistern of the Lord, the spring of Living Water!

Pray for our Nation - Jeremiah 18

If you are a Christian who believes with all your heart that the Bible is the inspired Living Word of God, I implore you to join me in praying for this nation. Not just through the elections, although I believe this is a crucial time for our country. This is a turning point.

However, the elections on their own will not be enough to save this country. We need to have our hearts remade. Individually and as a nation. In the beginning of Jeremiah 18, the Lord tells Jeremiah to visit the potter. While there Jeremiah watches the potter reshaping a marred clay pot in his hands, he reshapes it as he sees as being best to him because he is the expert. The clay pot doesn't know what is best - only the potter does. This is us, our nation - we are that marred clay pot. We need to acknowledge this and ask the Potter to reshape us as He knows best because only He is the expert!

Jeremiah 18:7 - 10

If at any time I announce that a nation or or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.