National Day of Prayer

I hope everyone will take a few moments today to pray for our nation. Also we can pray for one another. Through the day, I'll be praying for our nation and others. Please feel free to leave a prayer request if you like.

This morning as I read blogs, Lysa TerKeurst had a list of prayer scriptures. I've listed the scriptures below.

"…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16).

"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always" (1 Chronicles 16:11).

"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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

"My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct my prayer to You, and I will look up" (Psalm 5:3).

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matthew 6:5-8).

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (Colossians 4:2).

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18).

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing" (1 Timothy 2:8).

One Nation Under God

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands: One nation, under God, indivisible, With liberty and justice for all."

Today Americans exercise their privilege to cast their votes for president of the United States. If you have not voted yet and need more information, download the Family Research Council Guide here.

I find it disturbing that when we cite the pledge of allegiance, we declare “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” yet with our party system our nation seems divided -- divided over major issues.

Without God, there is no virtue, because there's no prompting of the conscience. Without God, we're mired in the material, that flat world that tells us only what our senses perceive. Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.

Ronald Reagan, August 23, 1984

This morning in my scheduled chronological reading, I read Jesus’ prayer for those who believe in Him. He prayed this prayer before His crucifixion for all believers be united.

I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. ~~John 17:20-23 NASB

I ask you to join me in prayer today.

• First, the body of Christ be one as Jesus prayed so that the world may believe that the Father sent Jesus, His son and that we be perfected in unity.
• Second, this nation is united as one nation under God. Pray that our elected leaders will use the Bible as their plumb line for decisions not the ways that seem right to man.
• Third, voters will be led by the Holy Spirit for whom to cast their votes.

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You that You are on the throne and no one can vote You out of Your position. Lord, You know today is election day in the United States. Lord, I pray that Your body be united as one under Jesus who is the head. I pray Your body seek Your will before marking the ballots this day. Lord, I pray that this nation is united as one nation under God who seeks to do Your will using the Your word as the basis for making decisions and not the ways of man. Lord, I pray that the Holy Spirit lead Your people today as they cast their ballots. Lord, we ask You to bless our nation. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Engrafted by His Grace--

Fire in the Neighborhood

Last night a home on our street caught on fire. Precisely two houses down from our home. Fortunately the fire was contained to the detached garage and storage shed. No life was endangered. Not so fortunate though, this is the fourth time a fire has started on this property. Arson is suspected by the officials. Our neighborhood is on high alert.

Last night was the worst scenario experienced thus far. Flames could be seen. Thick smoked filled the street and neighborhood. Numerous fire trucks were present. These brave firefighters responded promptly, yet it took several hours to completely extinguish the fire due to the size. A structure built of wood burns quickly.

This is a photo I took with my cell phone from the alley.

Fires are frightening. I’ve personally experienced a fire in my own home eight years ago. I remember the feeling of fear I felt for months. The smell of the smoke permeated everything in the home. The smoke smell is difficult to remove. I took action to help alleviate those fears. I had more smoke detectors installed. I had several fire extinguishers mounted throughout the home.

When I stepped outside this morning to water my flowers, I smelled the charred smoke in the breeze. I remembered those days in my own home when I smelled smoke each day and felt fear.

Concern Fear is among the neighbors at this point. Is this going to happen again? When? Why is this happening? The fire chief told my neighbor that according to the profile of an arsonist, he/she will return to the scene until the desired result is achieved. This time the fire started while most people were awake. Other times, the fire occurred during the night while most people are sleeping. Already, this arsonist has committed felony as previously the house has caught fire with the resident in the home.

Proverbs 17:3

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the LORD tests the heart.

Scripture tells us that we’ll be tested by fire. What is inside us? Will we burn up like a wood structure? Or will we be refined and shine like gold?

What kind of spiritual fires are we dealing with? How are we going to come through? At this time, our neighborhood is dealing with an antagonist who seemingly wants to cause damage or worse. God instructs us in HIS word to pray for our enemy and to bless them.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Romans 12: 14 NIV

Last night I smelled like smoke after standing outside and helping where I could. But I know of three who were put in the fire and afterwards they did not smell like smoke-- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These three amigos refused to bow down to the gold image. They had faith that their God could deliver them and even if he didn’t, they would not bow down. The king threw them in a fiery furnace. God did deliver them. No harm to their bodies; not a single hair on their head singed; and there was no smell of smoke or fire on them!! (Daniel 3:16-27)

Tests will come. How will we walk through the furnace? Will we walk with the kind of faith that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had? Do we have that kind of faith?

God is able—

• to keep our neighborhood from harm & protect us
• to change the heart of the person committing this crime

Blessings in Christ--