A Call to Repentance: WEEK TWENTY- NINE

2008-07-31T08:09:00.001-07:00

A Call to Repentance: WEEK TWENTY- NINE

July 27, 2008

"In returning and rest will you be saved; In quietness and confidence
will be your strength." (Is 30:15)

INTRODUCTION TO WEEK TWENTY-NINE

This week, we continue to press in during WEEK TWENTY-NINE of our 40 Weeks of Prayer and Fasting, to offer prayers of repentance for the sin in the church, the sin in the nation, and the blessing of Israel.

We now address these areas:

1. SIN IN THE CHURCH: EMBRACING THE HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE

2. SIN IN THE NATION: HOMOSEXUAL ISSUES (Part Four)
Homosexual Activism in our Schools

3. PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL: SECRET NEGOTIATIONS WITH SYRIA

REPENTANCE FOR SIN IN THE CHURCH:

EMBRACING THE HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE

Chicago Tribune: "Evangelicals Rethink Position on Gays"

This article from the Chicago Tribune from June 13 needs little commentary.

"Younger evangelicals . . . are embarrassed by the hard line against homosexuality that has come to dominate the public stance of the evangelical right," said Dave Gushee (professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University.) "They do not believe that homosexuality is a [or] the major social problem and do not believe that the major 'family values' issue is homosexuality."

Why would they think homosexuality is a problem? They've never even heard the Bible preached in their churches because the pastors were doing "hand jives" and movie clips. Most don't even know passages like this are in the Scriptures:

· Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four- footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil- mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:22-32)

Source:

Ingrid Schlueter, June 17, 2008

http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/?cat=30

· Father God, this week we come before You in prayers, in fastings, and in humble repentance, freely confessing before You that the Church in America has (with very few exceptions) departed from the TRUTH of the dangers of the lifestyle of sodomy, and has embraced a LIE through teachings that would embrace "tolerance."

We ask You, in particular, to forgive our theologians, our denominational leaders, our pastors and our priests for leading us into deception, and we stand in the gap for their sins, and for ours.

Forgive us. Holy Holy God, for we are indeed a people gone far astray from Your counsel of TRUTH.

We ask this in Jesus' Mighty Name, amen.

· "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (I Peter 4:17)

SINS OF THE NATION: HOMOSEXUAL ISSUES (IV)

HOMOSEXUAL ISSUES: WEEK FOUR --
Focus Point: Homosexual Activism in the Nation's Schools

Why Homosexual Activism in Schools Endangers Students

As it now stands, each child enrolled in a public school is likely to receive numerous direct and implicit messages at school that homosexual behavior should be accepted as normal. By posing as a part of the civil rights movement, homosexual activists have succeeded in attaching their message to the message of "human rights" and "tolerance" already incorporated into countless lessons in a typical curriculum, e.g., in social studies and literature classes. Homosexual advocacy takes the idea of being kind and civil and perverts it. Homosexuals, bisexuals and cross-gender practitioners are falsely alleged to be illegitimately discriminated against, even "oppressed" by the majority.

This is a simple issue: there is no legitimate rationale for giving or implying endorsement of homosexual, bisexual or gender variant behaviors among children of any age. It is not a viewpoint, but a high-risk, and often lethal, behavior. The issue is not one of rights, or opinions, but of health and social stability.

Unfortunately, advocates of homosexuality, including teachers, students, administrators, teachers' union delegates, and school board members, have in many districts become empowered to promote homosexuality in a variety of ways. Curricular materials and extra-curricular programs implying or proclaiming acceptance of homosexual behavior are becoming more and more common. These are frequently initiated through school alliances with influential homosexual pressure groups such as GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) and PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Local resistance is suppressed as advocates receive pro bono legal support from the ACLU, the Lambda Legal Defense Fund, the National Education Association's legal defense for homosexual teachers, and other groups.

In order to survey and to audit homosexual activism in the schools, Mission America is sponsoring the Risk Audit Project, relying upon a network of volunteers in all 50 states tocompete a detailed, uniform research instrument in their own school districts. Prayer partners are also being recruited to intercede for the success of this project. The full report on the Risk Audit Project may be viewed here.

· Father God, we repent that we have allowed these homosexual activists to influence our schools, and we cry out for the protection of our children on these campuses. We ask You to FORGIVE those who are promoting this agenda, for they know not what they do. Visit each one, Holy God, and bring them healing, salvation and deliverance -- and new life in You!

We ask You to sound Your trumpet, Holy God, both alerting our parents to this danger to their children, and raising up an awareness of the Risk Audit Project, in response. We ask Your divine protection, too, to rest upon all those who are engaged in this battle against sodomy in our schools, that our nation might once again reflect Your righteousness. We ask all of this, in Jesus' Name, amen.

· "Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered! Let those who fear Him flee from before Him." (Psalm 68:1)

PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL: SECRET NEGOTIATIONS WITH SYRIA

PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL:

SECRET NEGOTIATIONS WITH SYRIA

- (Source: Intercessors for Israel)

There has been another round of secret negotiations between Israel and Syria - with the emphasis on trading all of the Golan Heights for a piece of "peace" paper! This must be resisted in prayer. It is strategically stupid - besides all the other reasons why Israel should keep the Golan after having settled on it for over 3,000 years!

- Lord God, we thank You for giving the Golan Heights to Israel, both in biblical days when it was part of the Kingdom of Bashan - and today, when Israel took it as part of her victory in the 1967 Six Day War. Please guard it for Your purposes.

- Prophetically, we know that Israel is supposed to settle the Golan. "I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead." (Jeremiah 50:19)

- "Feed Your people with Your rod, the flock of Your heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old." (Micah 7:14)

- Forbid any successful negotiations that involves trading away the Golan.

- Since this would be a strategic disaster, cause the IDF to raise up strong arguments against giving away the Heights. "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of LORD shall stand." (Proverbs 19:21)

- Finally, Your counsel states: "I will bring again the captivity of My people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, says the LORD your God." (Amos 9:14-15)

Studies in Repentance: Life of D.L Moody (Introduction)

Studies in Repentance:

The Life of D.L Moody (Introduction)

"Why God used D.L. Moody"

A sermon by R.A. Torrey - 1923

(Preface to the Sermon by John R. Rice)

D. L. Moody died in the last days of the 19th century. Dr. R. A. Torrey was probably his closest associate and friend. Dr. Torrey was the first superintendent of the Moody Bible Institute and set up a curriculum for that Bible Institute which has been a pattern for others like it. When Moody died, Torrey soon took worldwide lead in great citywide campaigns in Australia, England and America. In 1923 Dr. Torrey was asked to speak at a great memorial service on "Why God Used D. L. Moody," and this is that remarkable address about that amazing man, probably the greatest man of his generation, as Dr. Torrey says.

God is looking for men whom He can mightily use in winning souls. We pray that many a reader of this booklet will earnestly decide to follow the pattern of D. L. Moody in the qualities which made him so God could use him with mighty power to win multitudes!

- John R. Rice

"WHY GOD USED D. L. MOODY"

by R. A. Torrey

To obtain a copy of this booklet, write to:
Sword of the Lord Publishers
P.O. Box 1099
Murfreesboro, TN 37133

INTRODUCTION

Eighty-six years ago (February 5, 1837), there was born of poor parents in a humble farmhouse in Northfield, Massachusetts, a little baby who was to become the greatest man, as I believe, of his generation or of his century -- Dwight L. Moody. After our great generals, great statesmen, great scientists and great men of letters have passed away and been forgotten, and their work and its helpful influence has come to an end, the work of D. L. Moody will go on and its saving influence continue and increase, bringing blessing not only to every state in the Union but to every nation on earth. Yes, it will continue throughout the ages of eternity.

My subject is "Why God Used D. L. Moody," and I can think of no subject upon which I would rather speak. For I shall not seek to glorify Mr. Moody, but the God who by His grace, His entirely unmerited favor, used him so mightily, and the Christ who saved him by His atoning death and resurrection life, and the Holy Spirit who lived in him and wrought through him and who alone made him the mighty power that he was to this world. Furthermore: I hope to make it clear that the God who used D. L. Moody in his day is just as ready to use you and me, in this day, if we, on our part, do what D. L. Moody did, which was what made it possible for God to so abundantly use him.

The whole secret of why D. L. Moody was such a mightily used man you will find in Psalm 62:11: "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that POWER BELONGETH UNTO GOD." I am glad it does. I am glad that power did not belong to D. L. Moody; I am glad that it did not belong to Charles G. Finney; I am glad that it did not belong to Martin Luther; I am glad that it did not belong to any other Christian man whom God has greatly used in this world's history. Power belongs to God. If D. L. Moody had any power, and he had great power, he got it from God.

But God does not give His power arbitrarily. It is true that He gives it to whomsoever He will, but He wills to give it on certain conditions, which are clearly revealed in His Word; and D. L. Moody met those conditions and God made him the most wonderful preacher of his generation; yes, I think the most wonderful man of his generation.

But how was it that D. L. Moody had that power of God so wonderfully manifested in his life? Pondering this question it seemed to me that there were seven things in the life of D. L. Moody that accounted for God's using him so largely as He did.

[Next week: Characteristic Number One -- A FULLY SURRENDERED MAN)

A Closing Thought . . .

DANGER OF RELIGIOUS COMPLACENCY

By A. W. Tozer

"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures."
(Luke 24:45)

Truth that is not experienced is no better than error, and may be fully as dangerous.

Remember that the scribes who sat in Moses' seat were not the victims of error; they were the victims of failure to experience the truth they taught!

We should see that one of the greatest foes of the Christian is religious complacency. The man who believes that he has "arrived" will not go any further; and the present neat habit of quoting a text to prove we have arrived may be a dangerous one if in truth we have no actual inward experience of the text.

The great saints of the past have all had yearning hearts. Their longing after God all but consumed them; it propelled them onward and upward to heights toward which less ardent Christians look with languid eye and entertain no hope of reaching.

May we offer this word of exhortation: pray on, fight on, sing on! Press on into the deep things of God. Keep your feet on the ground, but let your heart soar as high as it will!

Hymn of the Week

THE SAINTS SHOULD NEVER BE DISMAYED

"Behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son." (Genesis 22:13)

Words: William Cowper (1779)

Music: Alexander R. Reinagle (circa 1836)

The saints should never be dismayed,
Nor sink in hopeless fear;
For when they least expect His aid,
The Savior will appear.

This Abr'am found: he raised the knife;
God saw, and said, "Forbear!
Yon ram shall yield his meaner life;
Behold the victim there."

Once David seemed Saul's certain prey;
But hark! the foe's at hand;
Saul turns his arms another way,
To save th'invaded land.

When Jonah sunk beneath the wave,
He thought to rise no more;
But God prepared a fish to save,
And bear him to the shore.

Blest proofs of power and grace divine,
That meet us in His Word!
May every deep felt care of mine
Be trusted with the Lord.

Wait for His seasonable aid,
And though it tarry, wait:
The promise may be long delayed,
But cannot come too late.

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A Call to Repentance - 29

A Call to Repentance: WEEK TWENTY- NINE