"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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2Chr 7:14
As we begin a new year our hearts should be filled with gratitude – God has been good to us. 2007 has been a difficult year for many, but the grace and mercy of God have prevailed and multiple blessings were poured out. He is a faithful God! Let’s praise Him with a grateful heart!
Nevertheless there is trouble on the horizon, dear one… something that cannot be ignored. The Lord is calling us to repentance! In this hour when an entire generation has grown complacent about the things of God, a revelation of the fear of God will be given. Open your eyes; this is now in progress. Shakings, disciplines and judgments are already coming upon the earth. We are bringing them upon ourselves because we have disobeyed the ways of God.
This call to repentance is not a new thing! God has been warning His Church for nearly 3 decades. I can remember standing at a “Washington for Jesus” rally in 1979 or 1980 where hundreds of thousands from around the nation gathered to hear speaker after speaker quote II Chronicles 7:14. I don’t think I can count the number of times I have heard it since then. And although there have been some serious efforts made to call us to repentance over the years it appears that our sins have only multiplied. God is serious about this and has been allowing many troubles in our personal and corporate lives to help get our attention. Can you see what is happening: 9/11, Katrina, the severe drought now occurring in the southeastern United States? These are all wake up calls to a people who have grown complacent, materialistic and sinful. I am talking about the Church, you know… for judgment begins in the house of the Lord. God is calling us to repentance! I am writing this particularly to those readers in the USA but no doubt, this applies to peoples around the globe.
Before you stop reading let me say this, I am not a negative, doomsday preacher. I love to speak of God’s mercy and grace because I need it myself. Those who know me would say I have a “mercy” gift, but this is a very serious time… and time is running out. God is calling us to repentance. If we do not repent there will be grievous consequences.
I think it important when speaking of such things to make it very plain that our God is loving and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy… He is also righteous and just. Yes, He loves mercy; nevertheless, throughout history there have been many times when He found it necessary to disciple His people.
It is not uncommon for a child to take his father’s love for granted, testing the boundaries of obedience and pushing his forbearance to the limit. Surely you have seen this in your own family. Then comes a warning, and another a bit more stern, and perhaps yet another because this father is slow to anger. But if the child’s behavior is still not corrected this loving father must administer some form of discipline… reluctantly, but firmly.
I would sometimes find it necessary to discipline my own kids by spanking them. Of course, this hurt them and they would cry; sometimes I would cry too. After administering this punishment I would not push them away, but hold them close to comfort and assure them of my love… while affirming that they must not do this thing again. I think we saw this type of judgment/mercy during Hurricane Katrina. In the midst of unimaginable judgment, the Lord was reaching out through His Church with compassionate works of mercy. He brought judgment and then immediately demonstrated compassionate mercy.
For whatever reason, many pastors and leaders do not warn of the consequences of sin… and shy away from speaking of the fear of the Lord. I think we have made a BIG mistake only teaching and preaching about God’s love and mercy and grace - society is now reaping the fruit of this error. (Remember, throughout history it is the Church who declined first and then society followed.) Please tell of God’s love and mercy but also warn the people and call them to repentance. How tragic to say “peace and prosperity” when God is saying “REPENT!”
It is foolish to think that God does not bring judgments. If you believe like this, you are deceived. Let me say it again. The Word of God is full of His warnings and judgments… sometimes they are intensely severe. Does this mean that God is not LOVE? Of course not! A loving father disciplines, even scourges his favored sons. The Lord’s discipline is usually painful, but it is also motivated by love. His intention is always and only to correct and set one’s feet on the right path… that we may know and love the Lord and fulfill our destiny. Make no mistake about it; God calls us to repentance, He warns us, and if we don’t repent at some point He follows through with discipline… sometimes it is very severe. Why should we suffer the consequences of sin when a merciful God is so willing to forgive, heal and deliver? We must recognize, dear saint, that God is not pleased with us. Most of us are not obeying as we should. Be honest; are you being a witness as you should, giving sacrificially, pouring your life out for others? And then there are those other things. It is time to repent.
A quick review of world history reveals God’s mercy and long-suffering toward the nations. However, eventually judgment comes to those who refuse to repent: calamity, decline or destruction. This has occurred many times. In fact, more than twenty-five great civilizations have declined or have been completely destroyed during the course of human history. Do you not think that this could happen to us?
You must fear God, beloved, and obey Him. Our nation must fear God. What judgment is stored up for a people who have murdered over forty million babies for the sake of convenience, celebrates homosexuality in her streets and exports our pornography to the world?
In light of this call to repentance we are issuing a call to the Capital Region of New York State for a serious season of Fasting and Prayer. By God’s grace we will be doing a 3 day (water only) fast beginning on the last Fiday of every month. This will be a time of repentance and seeking the Lord. Will you join us? For more information go to:http://prayerandhealingcenter.org/upcoming_events.htm. May God hear our cries, forgive our sins and heal our land.
“Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.” Revelations 15:4
Be sure to read Rick Joyner’s recent prophetic writing http://www.elijahlist.com/words/html/textonly-121207-Joyner.html
Peter Whitehouse