I didn't realize this so much when I was younger, but it is apparent to me now more than ever that there are two very district worship movements throughout history. One of the strong dynamics of the events leading up to the Day Of The Lord (Return of Jesus) is the worship movement of lawlessness that conditions the world to receive and worship the Antichrist. One one side, you have music dedicated to Yahweh, which to this point sounds pretty dull to most, musically. On the other side, you have the worship of lawlessness, expressly inspired by demons, that captures the ears of the masses. I do also agree that there is a certain neutral ground where music is composed for music's sake out of a God-given gift of creativity that has no real agenda other than to be expressed. But in the end there is a limit to human creativity, and artists seeking the next big thing or to be heard and influence the masses often turn to external sources of inspiration, often spiritual, that end up being demonic. While there is neutral ground, it is often very narrow and temporary in the life of the composer.
Scripture talks quite a bit about the emergence of two great worship movements at the End of the Age, one in worship of Yahweh, and the other in worship of lawlessness/Antichrist. It is already obvious to anyone willing to listen to the words of the secular songs that lawlessness is the primary subject of the songs, whether thievery, sex, hatred of the world, or any other kind of immorality, it is all throughout the music industry. The difference about the music industry today compared to history is technology. New sounds are the gold of the industry, and music travels around the world as fast as the internet can carry it. More than ever, the agenda behind the music is propagated to the masses is ways never before possible because of technology.
What I am also noticing about the mainstream music industry is its new boldness to admit its demonic inspiration, whether Eminem, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, or even the Beatles. More and more artists are boldly admitting that their inspiration comes from some external power, usually while they are on drugs, and they market it proudly. Some of the newer genres of the music industry, such as dubstep, are being fueled entirely by artists who are open demon worshipers, worshiping the demons that "gave them the sound" that made them famous.
My most recent favorite example of this worship movement has to be Katy Perry's song "Friday Night," where the whole song brags about all the immoralities and sins that she and her friends committed that Friday night and how they are going to do it all again the next Friday. Of course the song makes it fun and sound like a great time, but it's sin, it is the worship of lawlessness, and was at the top of the charts!
Most people never take the time to actually think about the consequences of the words in the songs they like. They don't think about the inspiration of the artist or even if they agree with the song. It sounds good, therefore I like it. Really the song is your teacher, condition your mind to the vision of the artist.
A friend of mine had a dream where an angel approached him and handed him a folder. He opened the folder and saw a list of songs and the characteristics they are meant to create in a person. The songs had an agenda to get the person thinking a certain way, down to their favorite color. The songs effected moods and emotional responses to certain situations, causes a certain attitude towards their parents or the government, and told them what they like or dislike or what they believe in. The listener was conditioned to act certain ways, react certain ways and like certain things. My friend who had the dream knew this was the goal of the demons inspiring the false worship movement.
The Bible even makes this clear to Christians by telling us to set ourselves apart:
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup ofdemons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. - 1 Corinthians 10:21
Revelation 13 tells us that at the end of age, this false worship movement will not be an option at the End of Age. It will lead into a worship movement of Antichrist, the Man of Lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3), and the earth will be commanded to worship him, punishable by death! The Antichrist has a clear worship movement at the End of the Age, but so does the Lord.
Many people don't know the details about the Lord's worship movement at the End of the Age. Many chapters are given to describing the music of those days. In Isaiah 30, Isaiah tells us that every judgement released against the Antichrist (the trumpets and the bowls) will be released by the worship movement! Songs! Singers, musicians, worshippers! Did you know that the Battle of Armageddon is going to be fought in the valley of Jehoshaphat, where Jehoshaphat went to war and put the singers and musicians on the front lines and when they showed up for battle, the enemy had already been slain to the sound of the music!
Psalm 149 describes the people of God as having praises in their mouths, and swords in their hands, that at their music, nations are being judged and the glory of God is coming on the earth! The Lord's worship movement has real power on it, more and more leading up to the end of the age! Who will be singing the song that releases the judgements against the Antichrist empire?! Who will be playing the drums that judge nations?! No demonic counterfeit can nearly approach the power that God gives to his worship movement!
We forget that so easily because we don't know how to access it. The Christian music industry has a lame reputation because we seldom take the time to seek the Lord. Jeremiah laments in Jeremiah 23:18 that the prophets of the land didn't take the time to stand in the council of the Lord, to listen. These are things that we have to give ourselves to, pursue, and consecrate ourselves for. The Lord will not grant power to the music of anyone who is drinking from the cup of demons in his spare time. That is why is it crucial for musicians and singers who want to be dedicated to the Lord to consecrate themselves. Set yourself apart! Don't listen to what everyone else is listening to, and don't listen to what everyone else is playing! Listen to God for a few years and see what happens...
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
How to Provoke Love For God in a Teenager
One of my favorite quotes recently:
"The best way to provoke love for God is to understand God's love for you."
"The best way to provoke love for God is to understand God's love for you."
Friday, January 20, 2012
An Ever Closing Window of Opportunity
I just read this article from Fox News: Pagan Mom Challenges Bible Giveaway at North Carolina School. Long story short, a witch mother of a student was upset when her student came home with a Bible. Turns out, Gideons International had donated the Bible and the school made them voluntarily available in the office. The student went to the office and brought a Bible home to his pagan mom. Soon after, this mom attempted to donate a collection of spell books for the school to distribute in the same way, but she was rejected. Her protests are causing the school board to choose between all religions or no religion.
This article is a perfect example of what I believe is our limited timeframe in which we can openly conduct campus ministries in our schools. The Supreme Court decision of Engel v. Vitale in 1962 started a metaphorical clock that has been counting down until religion is no longer allowed in schools in any form. Why do I believe this? That court decision that removed prayer from school introduced a new ideology into the mainstream and education system of America, an ideology that has shaped every Supreme Court decision ever since. You can see for yourself that after Engel v. Vitale, decision after decision were made through the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s further removing God from public schools. This ideology centered on the 'separation of church and state' will result in an inevitable removal of religion from schools unless it is challenged by the praying church. We cannot just conduct outreaches and hold student-led campus ministries while this ideology is still mainstream and expect it not to end. We must contend for a culture shift that only God could release...
In 2009 I had a dream, and in the dream I was interviewing a public high school student from the west coast. The student had just had his personal Bible confiscated by his school administration because Bibles were not allowed on campus, whether personal or not. In fact, only one Bible was allowed on the campus, and it sat in the office next to all of the other religious texts of the world, not to be read. I interviewed him about his experience as he explained the type 'antichrist' system that had taken over the school system. Again, all of this was a dream, but I think it is only a matter of time until this dream becomes reality, unless we pray and God breaks in.
I have always considered that one day Christian campus ministries or activities would no longer be allowed on school campuses. I don't want it to come to that, but again I wonder if the church has done too little too late to turn it around. It is my prayer that my dream would not become reality, but I have a certain sobriety that what we do in the next few years of youth ministry will determine the next hundred years of American history.
This article is a perfect example of what I believe is our limited timeframe in which we can openly conduct campus ministries in our schools. The Supreme Court decision of Engel v. Vitale in 1962 started a metaphorical clock that has been counting down until religion is no longer allowed in schools in any form. Why do I believe this? That court decision that removed prayer from school introduced a new ideology into the mainstream and education system of America, an ideology that has shaped every Supreme Court decision ever since. You can see for yourself that after Engel v. Vitale, decision after decision were made through the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s further removing God from public schools. This ideology centered on the 'separation of church and state' will result in an inevitable removal of religion from schools unless it is challenged by the praying church. We cannot just conduct outreaches and hold student-led campus ministries while this ideology is still mainstream and expect it not to end. We must contend for a culture shift that only God could release...
In 2009 I had a dream, and in the dream I was interviewing a public high school student from the west coast. The student had just had his personal Bible confiscated by his school administration because Bibles were not allowed on campus, whether personal or not. In fact, only one Bible was allowed on the campus, and it sat in the office next to all of the other religious texts of the world, not to be read. I interviewed him about his experience as he explained the type 'antichrist' system that had taken over the school system. Again, all of this was a dream, but I think it is only a matter of time until this dream becomes reality, unless we pray and God breaks in.
I have always considered that one day Christian campus ministries or activities would no longer be allowed on school campuses. I don't want it to come to that, but again I wonder if the church has done too little too late to turn it around. It is my prayer that my dream would not become reality, but I have a certain sobriety that what we do in the next few years of youth ministry will determine the next hundred years of American history.
The American Pipe Dream
There is one aspect of high school missions to reveals both the limitation of campus ministries and the contradictions of our nation's interpretation of religious rights. Here is the First Amendment as it is written:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
The great contradiction comes when the government is forced to suspend free exercise in the name of avoiding the "establishment of a religion." The definitions of this text have been reinterpreted over the years. The founding fathers established all kinds of prayers to be said throughout government operations, such as before court comes in session. They also set up depictions of the ten commandments throughout the courts as memorials to the foundations of our nation's laws. Many state constitutions also recognize "Almighty God." What the founding fathers intended was that no one would be forced to participate in a religion, and that no minority religion that adheres to the laws of the land would be condemned.
There was no intention of the "separation of church and state" like we have now. In fact that phrase was never used in relation to legislation or in the courts until the mid 1900s. Presidents often acknowledged God as the source of our nation's prosperity as we acknowledged him as a people. John Adams even called for a national day of fasting to God based on Joel 2! He did not require people who disagreed to participate, it was simply an invitation, and was acceptable under the intention of the First Amendment.
Today the First Amendment has been reinterpreted under the ideology of the 'separation of church and state,' clouded in fear of conflict. We have come to the conclusion as a culture that all faiths are equal, and we want to treat them as such, but it simply is neither true nor possible. We fear the conflict of faiths because our faiths are at conflict and always have been! Jesus is at war with the Satan, and we cannot pretend that they can have peace. Even if equality and peace were the original intention of the founding fathers, it is not possible.
In an effort to bring equality and peace between all faiths, this culture has created a new type of universalistic faith. The problem with this faith is that it, too, has an antichrist agenda. In reality, there is no neutral faith (Luke 11:23). It is Christ or Antichrist, and the evidence is clear throughout history. It is in this universalist culture that Christianity becomes condemned for not being tolerant! Obviously, our nation is braking its own law by establishing a universalist belief system (or faith). Tolerance is now our nation's established religion.
My point in writing this is to reveal the folly of this American dream as it has no understanding of eternity. Equality sounds great until you are standing before the Author of Truth who says "If you aren't with me, you're against me," and "Friendship with the world is enmity towards God" (James 4:4). Therefore, this interpretation cannot stand. It doesn't work! The "Great Experiment" has revealed the inevitable impossibility of the task of religious equality.
Yet this new national faith will continue as mainstream media and Hollywood push it along. The inevitable eventuality is that every other religion will have to be completely removed from government and state institutions, including schools, as tolerance will have to be taught (since it is our nation's religion). Under this interpretation, the government will be forced to suspend "free exercise" in the name of its new faith in equality. But equality was never an option...
This national faith in equality immediately condemns Christianity because of our fundamental beliefs. [Muslims can slip under the radar as their writings permit them to deceive their way to power.] Then Christians are forced to confront the identity of Jesus and the antichrist motive becomes clear. Do we believe Jesus is who he says he is? Is Jesus God? Our acceptance in culture (and our eternal salvation) will be determined by our answer to that question. Already, Christian leaders are renouncing their belief in Jesus as the only way to God in order to gain acceptance! This new faith, at its root, is a very intentional strategic attack by the devil against the identity of Jesus.
As Christians, we need desperately to pray 1 Timothy 2:1-4:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Paul calls us to pray for those in authority because God desires to break in and see people saved! We need to pray for our Justices, our Senators and Congressmen and our President, whoever it is. We need to pray for a great turning in our nation away from antichrist ideologies that are filled with fear and false doctrine and we need to pray for boldness. History shows us that when a nation is in crisis and threat of judgement, God calls his people to pray. As we pray, we must also stand for truth and not forget what we believe. We have to be honest with people about what we believe and be bold. Pray boldness over the church and over your own life to speak the truth in love.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
The great contradiction comes when the government is forced to suspend free exercise in the name of avoiding the "establishment of a religion." The definitions of this text have been reinterpreted over the years. The founding fathers established all kinds of prayers to be said throughout government operations, such as before court comes in session. They also set up depictions of the ten commandments throughout the courts as memorials to the foundations of our nation's laws. Many state constitutions also recognize "Almighty God." What the founding fathers intended was that no one would be forced to participate in a religion, and that no minority religion that adheres to the laws of the land would be condemned.
There was no intention of the "separation of church and state" like we have now. In fact that phrase was never used in relation to legislation or in the courts until the mid 1900s. Presidents often acknowledged God as the source of our nation's prosperity as we acknowledged him as a people. John Adams even called for a national day of fasting to God based on Joel 2! He did not require people who disagreed to participate, it was simply an invitation, and was acceptable under the intention of the First Amendment.
Today the First Amendment has been reinterpreted under the ideology of the 'separation of church and state,' clouded in fear of conflict. We have come to the conclusion as a culture that all faiths are equal, and we want to treat them as such, but it simply is neither true nor possible. We fear the conflict of faiths because our faiths are at conflict and always have been! Jesus is at war with the Satan, and we cannot pretend that they can have peace. Even if equality and peace were the original intention of the founding fathers, it is not possible.
In an effort to bring equality and peace between all faiths, this culture has created a new type of universalistic faith. The problem with this faith is that it, too, has an antichrist agenda. In reality, there is no neutral faith (Luke 11:23). It is Christ or Antichrist, and the evidence is clear throughout history. It is in this universalist culture that Christianity becomes condemned for not being tolerant! Obviously, our nation is braking its own law by establishing a universalist belief system (or faith). Tolerance is now our nation's established religion.
My point in writing this is to reveal the folly of this American dream as it has no understanding of eternity. Equality sounds great until you are standing before the Author of Truth who says "If you aren't with me, you're against me," and "Friendship with the world is enmity towards God" (James 4:4). Therefore, this interpretation cannot stand. It doesn't work! The "Great Experiment" has revealed the inevitable impossibility of the task of religious equality.
Yet this new national faith will continue as mainstream media and Hollywood push it along. The inevitable eventuality is that every other religion will have to be completely removed from government and state institutions, including schools, as tolerance will have to be taught (since it is our nation's religion). Under this interpretation, the government will be forced to suspend "free exercise" in the name of its new faith in equality. But equality was never an option...
This national faith in equality immediately condemns Christianity because of our fundamental beliefs. [Muslims can slip under the radar as their writings permit them to deceive their way to power.] Then Christians are forced to confront the identity of Jesus and the antichrist motive becomes clear. Do we believe Jesus is who he says he is? Is Jesus God? Our acceptance in culture (and our eternal salvation) will be determined by our answer to that question. Already, Christian leaders are renouncing their belief in Jesus as the only way to God in order to gain acceptance! This new faith, at its root, is a very intentional strategic attack by the devil against the identity of Jesus.
As Christians, we need desperately to pray 1 Timothy 2:1-4:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Paul calls us to pray for those in authority because God desires to break in and see people saved! We need to pray for our Justices, our Senators and Congressmen and our President, whoever it is. We need to pray for a great turning in our nation away from antichrist ideologies that are filled with fear and false doctrine and we need to pray for boldness. History shows us that when a nation is in crisis and threat of judgement, God calls his people to pray. As we pray, we must also stand for truth and not forget what we believe. We have to be honest with people about what we believe and be bold. Pray boldness over the church and over your own life to speak the truth in love.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Why I'm At IHOP-KC
It is one thing to feel like you have found what you are called to do, but it is another thing to know where you are called to do it. Many people feel called to youth ministry, but not necessarily to a specific location. And many people may feel called to a specific location, but aren't sure what to do! It can be very hard to feel like you've figured out what you're supposed to do and where you're supposed to do it, but I know the Lord is able to lead us where we need to be when we need to be there.
In years past, I've heard stories of youth leaders who find the church that feels like the perfect fit, or worship leaders who have been given the opportunity to serve at a church that seems like the perfect fit for them in that season. I also hear stories of youth leaders or worship leaders who want to serve in a church and can't find the right fit, or of those who are currently serving in a church that isn't the right fit. Whenever I hear those stories of when the what (calling) meets the where (location), it sounds miraculous. . . because it is!!!
I've experienced similar stories in my life. When I first started 456, our nonprofit youth ministry organization here in KC, I was looking desperately for churches or ministries to partner with, as far as the East Coast! I didn't want to start an organization on my own, so I explored dozens of opportunities to match the "what" with the "where," or the "who with." Little did I know the answer was in my backyard at IHOP-KC. After realizing that a local church context was not an option at the time, I began looking at para-church organizations to work with, and after a runaround, I met with leaders in the House of Prayer and for the first time I felt like I had found the "where" for this season.
After completing IHOPU and joining full-time staff with the Student Ministries department at IHOP-KC, I am confident that I have found the "where" to match my "what" for this season. The training that I am receiving and the foundation of prayer that I am building is reenforcing my calling like nowhere else could in this season. I don't know where I'll be 30 years from now, but I know that this season at IHOP-KC is critical to that moment 30 years away (even if I'm still in the same chair in the prayer room. Yes, Lord!).
It amazes me and awakens my spirit to be part of a ministry where the worship never ends. Regardless of if there's money or a big building or fancy equipment or even people in the room, the worship will never end. Regardless of who's President or what judgement is coming or if we live or die, the worship keeps going because Jesus is worthy. I could not ask for anything better than to be part of ministry where every outreach and initiative is birthed from a place of unceasing prayer and worship. It is in this context that I get to do youth ministry!
As if that weren't enough, Scripture gives very specific promises related to 24/7 prayer! We are praying the promises of God over our city and nation with an unceasing "prayer cannon," that right now (11:30 AM on Tuesday) is focusing on youth in Kansas City! I get to be part of a prayer room that is shaping history, and I get to do youth ministry with these people. I am so thankful that the Lord has put me here in this season. Wherever I go in the future, I will never forget when I first felt my "what" find its "where," and I am so thankful for this season!
BTW, Samuel was named Samuel because he is being raised in a house of prayer! Glory! Oh that God would use my son as a deliverer and messenger to this nation and turn the hearts of the people to their God! Amen :)
In years past, I've heard stories of youth leaders who find the church that feels like the perfect fit, or worship leaders who have been given the opportunity to serve at a church that seems like the perfect fit for them in that season. I also hear stories of youth leaders or worship leaders who want to serve in a church and can't find the right fit, or of those who are currently serving in a church that isn't the right fit. Whenever I hear those stories of when the what (calling) meets the where (location), it sounds miraculous. . . because it is!!!
I've experienced similar stories in my life. When I first started 456, our nonprofit youth ministry organization here in KC, I was looking desperately for churches or ministries to partner with, as far as the East Coast! I didn't want to start an organization on my own, so I explored dozens of opportunities to match the "what" with the "where," or the "who with." Little did I know the answer was in my backyard at IHOP-KC. After realizing that a local church context was not an option at the time, I began looking at para-church organizations to work with, and after a runaround, I met with leaders in the House of Prayer and for the first time I felt like I had found the "where" for this season.
After completing IHOPU and joining full-time staff with the Student Ministries department at IHOP-KC, I am confident that I have found the "where" to match my "what" for this season. The training that I am receiving and the foundation of prayer that I am building is reenforcing my calling like nowhere else could in this season. I don't know where I'll be 30 years from now, but I know that this season at IHOP-KC is critical to that moment 30 years away (even if I'm still in the same chair in the prayer room. Yes, Lord!).
It amazes me and awakens my spirit to be part of a ministry where the worship never ends. Regardless of if there's money or a big building or fancy equipment or even people in the room, the worship will never end. Regardless of who's President or what judgement is coming or if we live or die, the worship keeps going because Jesus is worthy. I could not ask for anything better than to be part of ministry where every outreach and initiative is birthed from a place of unceasing prayer and worship. It is in this context that I get to do youth ministry!
As if that weren't enough, Scripture gives very specific promises related to 24/7 prayer! We are praying the promises of God over our city and nation with an unceasing "prayer cannon," that right now (11:30 AM on Tuesday) is focusing on youth in Kansas City! I get to be part of a prayer room that is shaping history, and I get to do youth ministry with these people. I am so thankful that the Lord has put me here in this season. Wherever I go in the future, I will never forget when I first felt my "what" find its "where," and I am so thankful for this season!
BTW, Samuel was named Samuel because he is being raised in a house of prayer! Glory! Oh that God would use my son as a deliverer and messenger to this nation and turn the hearts of the people to their God! Amen :)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
2012 - 50 Years Later
It's another year! 2012 is here! Already I've been to several prayer meetings on school campuses and have prayed with the students about what they want to accomplish this year. A new year is here, but walking onto the campus, I couldn't help but be reminded that we still have a lot of work ahead of us. 2012 marks 50 years since prayer was removed from school and the multitudes are trapped in a culture of sin and death.
I have committed to laboring on school campuses until we see a shift in the culture and see Jesus exalted in this generation, but in the corner of my eye I fear our window of opportunity may be closing. Is it too little too late? 50 years after the Supreme Court decision of Engel v. Vitale, the effects of removing God from our culture are realized now more than ever. On one hand we long to see masses of students turn to God and receive salvation, but on the other hand the grip of wickedness seems stronger than ever among our youth.
Once again I am reminded of Isaiah 59 (if you haven't read it, give it a read). Here Israel was in national sin, and listen to the descriptions of Scripture:
See, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save, and His ear is not closed that it cannot hear. But your wrong-doings have kept you away from your God. Your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. . . No one wants what is right and fair in court. And no one argues his cause with the truth. They trust in what is false, and speak lies. They plan to make trouble and do what is sinful. . . We hope for light, but see darkness. . . We hope to be saved, but it is far from us. For we have done much wrong before You, and our sins speak against us. . . Justice is turned back. Righteousness stands far away. Truth has fallen in the street, and what is right cannot come in. Yes, truth is not there. And he who turns away from sin comes under the anger of sinners.
Sound familiar? But hear this...
Now the Lord saw this, and it did not please Him to see that what is right and fair was not being done. He saw and wondered that there was no man to speak up for what is right. Then His own arm brought saving power, and what is right with Him gave Him strength.
I think we are in an Isaiah 59 moment in America. We are at the tipping point of judgement, but what if we called on his name as in Joel 2 and He sent revival instead of judgement. In this 11th hour, we have to take this call seriously. I want it to be said of my generation that we gave everything for God and saw breakthrough in our cities and nation. I don't want it to be said that we gave too little too late and that hundreds of millions of souls fell away into judgement. We need a great shaking, but let the shaking be that of our prayers rather than that of judgement.
So this is my proposal for 2012. We need to take a stand as the church for our youth and our nation. We have to become a church that prays. So many of our churched youth don't know how to pray! How can we expect them to survive this culture if they can't even pray? It is time to mobilize our 'social clubs' into prayer furnaces with lifestyles of holiness.
Where are the Davids who said,
"I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
I have committed to laboring on school campuses until we see a shift in the culture and see Jesus exalted in this generation, but in the corner of my eye I fear our window of opportunity may be closing. Is it too little too late? 50 years after the Supreme Court decision of Engel v. Vitale, the effects of removing God from our culture are realized now more than ever. On one hand we long to see masses of students turn to God and receive salvation, but on the other hand the grip of wickedness seems stronger than ever among our youth.
Once again I am reminded of Isaiah 59 (if you haven't read it, give it a read). Here Israel was in national sin, and listen to the descriptions of Scripture:
See, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save, and His ear is not closed that it cannot hear. But your wrong-doings have kept you away from your God. Your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. . . No one wants what is right and fair in court. And no one argues his cause with the truth. They trust in what is false, and speak lies. They plan to make trouble and do what is sinful. . . We hope for light, but see darkness. . . We hope to be saved, but it is far from us. For we have done much wrong before You, and our sins speak against us. . . Justice is turned back. Righteousness stands far away. Truth has fallen in the street, and what is right cannot come in. Yes, truth is not there. And he who turns away from sin comes under the anger of sinners.
Sound familiar? But hear this...
Now the Lord saw this, and it did not please Him to see that what is right and fair was not being done. He saw and wondered that there was no man to speak up for what is right. Then His own arm brought saving power, and what is right with Him gave Him strength.
I think we are in an Isaiah 59 moment in America. We are at the tipping point of judgement, but what if we called on his name as in Joel 2 and He sent revival instead of judgement. In this 11th hour, we have to take this call seriously. I want it to be said of my generation that we gave everything for God and saw breakthrough in our cities and nation. I don't want it to be said that we gave too little too late and that hundreds of millions of souls fell away into judgement. We need a great shaking, but let the shaking be that of our prayers rather than that of judgement.
So this is my proposal for 2012. We need to take a stand as the church for our youth and our nation. We have to become a church that prays. So many of our churched youth don't know how to pray! How can we expect them to survive this culture if they can't even pray? It is time to mobilize our 'social clubs' into prayer furnaces with lifestyles of holiness.
Where are the Davids who said,
"I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
A perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will know nothing of evil." - Psalm 101:3-4
I will know nothing of evil." - Psalm 101:3-4
"Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways." - Psalm 119:37
It's time to take our faith seriously.
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