Let His People Praise Him!

I was blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit this morning. I began just talking to God, not really a typical prayer exactly, not like normal. Just standing in my apartment, looking at the Christmas tree and the mess that was encompasing several areas. (Organization is STILL my arch-nemesis!)

And all I could think was how thankful I am at this moment. :) Yes, our apartment is small. Yes, we would love to be in a beautiful home again, In fact, Blake prays EVERY night that God will find us a new home soon. :(

We have been through the gamut of emotional, financial and spiritual struggles in the last several years. Depression and fear have been my familiar companions. But through it all, moments of peace that cannot be explained have been granted to me at times unexpected.

Today was one of them. But it was different than many others.

Like I said, I began talking to God, my Father. But I was talking to Him AS my father, as if He were standing right beside me, just conversing with Him my thoughts, my dreams, my failures and regrets.....

And as I talked, it became more and more personal. More and more intimate. I thanked Him for everything that was before me, even the mess that signifies I am abundatly blessed so much so that I cannot contain my abundance!

I thought of all those out there who would gladly be in our position, to have so many socks that you cant ever find a match, lol, and struggle with the pile of laundry that constantly threatens to overpower your basket!

I began praying for our country and that is when the Spirit really seemed to take over, so to speak. I could not stop the words form flowing or the tears from falling!

I praised God for His abundance with me and in this country, and prayed for Him not to remove His hand of blessing on us as a Nation. I pleaded that if He has any plans of discipline because of our disobedience....I prayed for mercy. I couldnt help but think of the prayers of Abraham for the sake of his relative, Lot, in the wicked city of Sodom n Gomorrah.

God was willing to preserve the city for the sake of His prayers for His family. At least for a time. In other scriptures, God repents of His judgment and in fact sends emmisaries or prophets for the VERY sake of turning the hearts of men toward Him, despite the desire of that prophet, himself, that God would punish the people.

But no.....God is a merciful God, long-patient and loving.

And I TRULY believe that should we, as a people, we as a nation, were to turn back to God in Truth; if we were to praise Him and Glorify Him publicly, that He will once again RESTORE OUR NATION.

God speaks of filling His storehouses with food and tithes. WE, as His PEOPLE, are to provide sustenance for the nation(s) as a whole, NOT the government! I KNOW that we, as Christians, have fallen down on our duty to provide for our communities, the poor, the needy, the sick, the widow, the fatherless.....

If we were doing what we are supposed to, collectively, the government would rarely need to be an option for provision.

I speak from experience. I, too have felt the sting of need and have not been able to find all that is necessary within the church when I needed it. As a mother of two children, when I was a single parent for a time, I have had to resort to govt health svcs and food provision at one time.

I do not regret it, although I wish I hadn't had to. Although it was a choice for me, I do NOT believe it should be mandated by the government. We should ALWAYS be given the choice to REFUSE help from the government without repercussions. But that is where we are headed, I am afraid. If something doesnt change, we as a nation will be under the mandate of government in every area of our lives.

We are headed that way because we, the People of God, are not glorifying Him and not serving Him as we should. We need to be the Hands of mercy and love and provision in a sick world. WE need to show God's Glory and Grace to a needy.

Thank you, God for your provision. Thank you for your Presence and only YOU are the answer to our every question! Help us show that Answer to the world!