Today's Verse: 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
if my people who are called by my name ghumble 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 heal their land.
g [ch. 12:7]
This verse is part of God's words spoken to Solomon during a night appearance to him, during the dedication of the temple.
Today's Comments: These are the conditions of prayer: that we call on God by name and that we humble ourselves. According to The Bible Reader's Companion this means that we abandon hope in ourselves and rely completely on God. Prayer is a personal relationship with God.
We know, of course, that Solomon allowed his life to sink into apostasy, and his descendants paid the price. In the light of the shootings at Fort Hood, are we also paying the price of our own arrogance, greed, and apostasy?
Yesterday, at my State Military Reserve drill, I had to go in for a physical medical screening, and my doctor was a former Air Force flight surgeon and psychiatrist. He is also a science fiction author. We ended up having lunch together. It is his opinion that the shooter at Fort Hood was part of an Al Queda sleeper cell, and his instructions were that if he could not tolerate deployment, he should then try to take out as many people as he can, including himself. This doctor told me that there was evidence of preplanning based upon the way that the shooter attacked his victims. Before moving to the next victim, he would make sure that he killed the previous victim.
Which brings me to my main point or question: We know that in the Old Testament, God used other kingdoms or powers to deal with the apostasy of Israel. Is he using other powers to deal with our apostasy, as well? It is worth a thought.
Hymn of the Day: REVIVE US AGAIN - William P. Mackay, 1839–1885
Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? (Psalm 85:6)
We praise Thee, O God, for the Son of Thy love,
for Jesus who died and is now gone above.
We praise Thee, O God, for Thy Spirit of light,
who has shown us our Savior and scattered our night.
All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain,
who has borne all our sins and has cleansed every stain.
Revive us again; fill each heart with Thy love;
may each soul be rekindled with fire from above.
Chorus: Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, amen!
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again.
Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Kregel Publications, 1990, S. 306
Poem of the Week: Beverly Caruso has written the following poem, which, I think is appropriate for the current situation.
From the land of the free
Here's to our troops
A little prayer from Me
I appreciate YOU so much
On my pillow each night I pray
for God to protect you
and keep a bullet, sniper or bomb away
Some of you, just kids,
touched down in hot desert dust
To Protect and defend us
We love YOU so much
It's because of men and women like you,
that take the bullet FOR ME,
so I can breathe, walk around without fear
and say what I please
If faith can move mountains,
I release my FAITH for you NOW....
God is all around you where ever you are...
pray for your enemies;
the son of God said
Pray for your enemies to surrender and LIVE
May the Mighty name of Jesus
be with you each day
And bring you home, strong solider,
BRING YOU HOME, THIS I PRAY
if my people who are called by my name ghumble 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 heal their land.
g [ch. 12:7]
This verse is part of God's words spoken to Solomon during a night appearance to him, during the dedication of the temple.
Today's Comments: These are the conditions of prayer: that we call on God by name and that we humble ourselves. According to The Bible Reader's Companion this means that we abandon hope in ourselves and rely completely on God. Prayer is a personal relationship with God.
We know, of course, that Solomon allowed his life to sink into apostasy, and his descendants paid the price. In the light of the shootings at Fort Hood, are we also paying the price of our own arrogance, greed, and apostasy?
Yesterday, at my State Military Reserve drill, I had to go in for a physical medical screening, and my doctor was a former Air Force flight surgeon and psychiatrist. He is also a science fiction author. We ended up having lunch together. It is his opinion that the shooter at Fort Hood was part of an Al Queda sleeper cell, and his instructions were that if he could not tolerate deployment, he should then try to take out as many people as he can, including himself. This doctor told me that there was evidence of preplanning based upon the way that the shooter attacked his victims. Before moving to the next victim, he would make sure that he killed the previous victim.
Which brings me to my main point or question: We know that in the Old Testament, God used other kingdoms or powers to deal with the apostasy of Israel. Is he using other powers to deal with our apostasy, as well? It is worth a thought.
Hymn of the Day: REVIVE US AGAIN - William P. Mackay, 1839–1885
Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? (Psalm 85:6)
We praise Thee, O God, for the Son of Thy love,
for Jesus who died and is now gone above.
We praise Thee, O God, for Thy Spirit of light,
who has shown us our Savior and scattered our night.
All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain,
who has borne all our sins and has cleansed every stain.
Revive us again; fill each heart with Thy love;
may each soul be rekindled with fire from above.
Chorus: Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, amen!
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again.
Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Kregel Publications, 1990, S. 306
Poem of the Week: Beverly Caruso has written the following poem, which, I think is appropriate for the current situation.
STRONG SOLDIERS
Here's to our troops
From the land of the free
Here's to our troops
A little prayer from Me
I appreciate YOU so much
On my pillow each night I pray
for God to protect you
and keep a bullet, sniper or bomb away
Some of you, just kids,
touched down in hot desert dust
To Protect and defend us
We love YOU so much
It's because of men and women like you,
that take the bullet FOR ME,
so I can breathe, walk around without fear
and say what I please
If faith can move mountains,
I release my FAITH for you NOW....
God is all around you where ever you are...
pray for your enemies;
the son of God said
Pray for your enemies to surrender and LIVE
May the Mighty name of Jesus
be with you each day
And bring you home, strong solider,
BRING YOU HOME, THIS I PRAY
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