Sunday, January 21, 2018

The Shutdown


The Shutdown: A Call to Repentance by Sara Ballanger

Dear Friends,

The nation has come to somewhat of a standstill. Now that the Congress has chosen to shut down the government, lacking an answer to the budget issues they face, the nation seems to be hanging in the balance.

In scanning the news, indeed, many of our vital government services will still be in place (the mail, Medicare availability, Social Security checks going out, to name a few . . .) while other federal employees -- including our men and women in uniform -- will soon feel the full force of this effect, with paychecks and other benefits suspended.

We are, indeed, in a strange moment in our nation's history.

What is God Saying?

In the midst of this national, potential crisis . . . beyond the voices of CNN, Fox, NBC, ABC, CBS et. al., is there another voice wanting to be heard?

Is God speaking to us now?

As our nation continues to hang in the balance, perhaps God Himself is delivering a difficult, but needed, message for all to hear:
"You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting."

As a people, our actions have led us to a standstill . . . it is time to take stock, to repent, and to turn back to Him. But how exactly have we been "found wanting," we might ask?

Scripture points to the problem; and the solution.

Looking to Men to Solve our Problems

Please look carefully at these words:
"For the Lord is our judge,
The Lord is our lawgiver,
The Lord is our king;
He will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)

It is clear by now that man cannot solve our problems: Congress can't do this; the President cannot save us; and the Supreme Court, in the end, cannot really help us. Where, then, does our help come from?
"My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:2)

And, hence, it is written that He will save us. We must come before our Lord, in repentance, freely confessing that we have been relying upon men to save us, rather than relying on the One who is the source of all life.
We must ask for a move of His Grace to save us . . . to speak to our leaders . . . . . to solve the current budget crisis, and to heal our land.

Our Prayer
"Father, forgive us for not putting You first in all things Lord, we repent that we have been looking to man for our answers, while You have clearly said in Your Word that, beyond all the three branches of our government, You will save us!"

It Is written:
"O Lord God of hosts, restore us; Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved." (Psalm 80:19)

Hallelujah, Lord! Thank you for helping us when we could not help ourselves.

Let us Fast and Pray
A Call to Three Days of Prayer and Fasting Beginning Sunday Morning!

Sunday, January 21 - Tuesday, January 23, 2018

We are calling for a period of three days of fasting and prayer, to seek His face, that we might examine ourselves and each turn from our wicked ways.

Granted, the current shutdown of man's government is the catalyst for this call to fast, but the message has now come from on high -- from the One who sits on the Throne, ruling and reigning in His Kingdom government -- to heed this call.

Whether or not Congress resolves this current crisis, let us all suspend our normal way of living for the next three days, seeking our God for forgiveness of our sins, and for a fresh move of the Spirit in our lives.

May you each be richly blessed as you seek His face in response to this call.

Thank you!

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