RESCUE ME!

America! God has something He wants you to hear...and you need to listen!

"Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin: all day long they plot deception. I am like a deaf man who cannot hear, like a mute who cannot open his mouth. I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. I wait for you, Oh Lord; you will answer, Oh Lord my God. For I said, 'Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.' For I am about to fall and my pain is ever with me. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. Many are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous. Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good. Oh, Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me Oh, my God. Come quickly to help me, Oh Lord, my Savior!" PSALM 38:12-22

We have seen our country in a tailspin over the last few days. Talk about the state of these United State is rife with speculation and doomsday propaganda. There is so much wrong in this country right now, people are losing their grip on what they thought they were secure in: the privilege of calling themselves "Americans".

We are a despised, hated nation. Our penchant for what historians term "rugged individualism" and "rampant nationalism" is terribly unpopular in this 21st century mindset of multiculturalism and tolerance. Why can't we Americans just settle down and stop trying to save the world? Who do we think we are, anyway?

Well, we now know what we aren't: Ironclad.

Terrorism hit this country in an unmistakable way back in 2001 when the Towers fell, the Pentagon was attacked and innocent citizens of this country died in a Pennsylvania cornfield. That was impossible to miss. But something has happened this week that really hits ALL of us hard: our financial system crashed. We have officially encountered an economic recession and if our government doesn't get itself together, we could see America fall into an economic meltdown the likes of which we have NEVER experienced!

What is the world saying about us now? How strong do we appear today? Remember the scene in The Wizard of Oz, when Judy Garland's canine companion pulls the curtain aside and we see the wizard's blustering, over-the-top, sinister voice is coming from a man...just a man...an old man with a funny moustache and nothing more? I think a lot of the world feels the same disappointment that Dorothy felt when she saw him there: "How in the world is this turkey gonna take care of my problem?"

Yes, you have asked the same question, Beloved. "How in the world are these turkeys gonna take care of this country's problems?" The Great Wizard has been exposed, and guess what? He's in hock up to his eyeballs, and he has no idea how he's gonna get it all paid back when the creditors come a-callin'!

Our enemies (and they are numerous) are having a heyday with this! The "Great Satan" is on the verge of collapse and nothing could please them more than to see us come apart at our financial seams. But, I have news for them: this is not just OUR country, this is GOD'S country! And we are God's people. As soon as America realizes the time for serious "carpet time" with God has come and we need to call on him and confess our iniquities, and truly be troubled by the wrongs we have committed things in these United States WILL turn around!

Not everyone will pray for this country. Not everyone will realize the wrongs that have been committed. Not everyone will feel the agony of conviction that the Holy Spirit is already pouring out on the Church, at large. But there is a remnant...there is always a remnant, Beloved! And we must, as Americans and as citizens of The Kingdom of God, cry out on behalf of our government, of our leaders, of our CHURCH leaders, of our lay people, our local leaders and even our families. No link in this chain is exempt from the repentance and the seeking of God that must take place to preserve the way of life we have known for over 200 years!

The erosion of our culture started slowly, with the government intervening in things they really had no business finagling with anyway. But over the last 10 years, the effect has snowballed and for the most part, the church has either been asleep at the wheel and let this thing run off into the ditch or they've closed their eyes, covered their faces and screamed "Oh, God! We're running off into the ditch!" Some never realized the key was to keep your hands on the wheel!

Beloved, we have the power to get this country BACK ON TRACK! The Word of God says we do, very plainly!

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. I will listen to every prayer made in this place.
II Chronicles 7:14-15 NLT

THAT, folks, is a promise. Yes, God was talking about the Temple in Jerusalem. However, the key here is the ATTITUDE with which the prayers were offered. The Psalmist said, "The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise..." (Ps. 51.17 KJV) He has never been able to turn His face from a people who are truly broken. Let us break before Him as we never have, knowing HE ALONE can fix what is wrong with the country we love and the way of life that we hold dear!

I was in a conference this weekend where the parallels between Israel and the US were highlighted throughout our history. It is unmistakable that our spiritual DNA is linked closely to that of our Middle Eastern ally. If the pattern follows, then we, like Israel before us, must fall upon the mercies of a generous and loving God who wants us to prosper, above all SPIRITUALLY! Over and over, the Word describes the one step forward, two steps back history of God's beloved nation and its inhabitants. Such a tiny country, yet so special and treasured by Him...He has always (and will always) accept them back into His favor and grace.

America has those same tendencies, and God will do the same for us, their Gentile counterpart. He simply wants us to turn back to Him...to return to the faith that brought us here in the first place! He longs for us to seek Him passionately and fervently not just for what He can do for us...but because He is worthy of our love and our adulation! He is the God of all Gods, the King of all Kings. He rules this Universe and He rules the nations with a rod of iron...even this one!

Intercede for your country, beloved. Lift her up as you have never done before...you are her hope for a bright and vibrant future!

So, why did I open with the 10-verse passage from Psalm 38? It is the strategy for this country TODAY and in the coming days. If you don't know what to pray, then pray this passage. Unlock the windows of heaven by confessing, repenting, and seeking Him. He is THE Savior...the Savior of the world...the Savior of OUR WORLD. Beloved, touch heaven for America. Make it a priority!

I will praying alongside you as well, because I love this country too...and I am still proud to be an American!



Jennifer Barnes
Editor
Uplift! Today

You Wreck Me!

My friends, Caleb and Maggie, became parents last Tuesday. (Congrats, BTW).

Their world will never be the same! I know that's how it was for me when my own son was born. Everything changed because, suddenly, I was aware of a love I'd never known or experienced to that point-the love a mother has for her child. It rocked my world to its core! It's been just over 6 years now and I still haven't recovered from it! (In a very, very good way...)

So, what should our response be when God comes crashing into our world and brings with Him a love we have never experienced before-because that's exactly what He does when we ask Him to come into our lives.

God wrecks us. He messes up EVERYTHING!

I was flipping through the Word recently and of course there's this book in the Bible called, "Song of Songs". It's an in-depth, detailed account of Solomon's love affair with a shepherd girl from the boonies. She is as country as she can be, and here, the King of Israel, the wisest, wealthiest, worldliest man is pursuing her. He is very verbal (and descriptive) about his love for her, and she expresses herself the same way. They are crazy about each other! Everyone knows it. They can't keep it quiet!

I am fascinated that this educated and privileged man would fall for a country girl who, by her own admission, is inexperienced and has lived a very sheltered life. He could be with anyone (and we know Solomon loved the ladies...) but he chooses to gush about her to anyone who will listen. She has so captivated him, he writes an entire love story about the two of them! It's beautiful and tender and fascinating all at once. I love reading this little book, because I can feel his true appreciation for her just as she is.

She is also blown away, the Shepherd Girl whose brothers tease her and pick on her. She is so open and honest about her feelings for this man who has won her heart, there is no doubt to the reader, they are mutually smitten! This is no crush or infatuation. They are seriously into one another!

Do you realize that's how it is with us and our Savior? We are bumpkins, compared to God's Son. He is the King of Glory and yet He pursues us until we can no longer run from Him, until His relentless love unlocks our hearts and we are spilled out before Him in humility and awe. He never stops loving us, and He has loved us from the Beginning. Not just the beginning of our lives, but since THE BEGINNING of time! He is completely into us!

Why else would He come here, to where we were? To be with us, of course! Why would He have made a way for the Holy Spirit to dwell in each of us? Because He craves that communion with us so desperately! He is as desperate for us as we are for Him, Beloved! And even in our wanderings from His side He stands faithfully waiting for us to return to Him, because His heart is with you and me. It's like the old Elvis song..."I can't help falling in love with you."

That's what He wants you to know today: Jesus Christ cannot help falling in love with you and me. He is never going to let us go. He is not going to allow anything to replace Him in our lives, and He will never stop believing that we will be His and His alone. He intercedes for us and I believe when He prays that is one of the things He prays for us, "Father, let them love me as wholeheartedly as I have loved them."

When we have truly experienced the love of God in our lives-the love that pulls us out of depression and despondence, out of addiction and loss, away from dysfunction and disease, from the hand of death and hell-when we have experienced that to the center of our being, we are forever ruined for anything less.

I'm going to be naked for a minute here.

I have a very tough time believing in forever. I have never been in a successful relationship. Circumstances in my life have led me to pull up roots and burn bridges. Some of this was not what I wanted-we moved so often when I was a child leaving was just a part of life. Some of this was, however, initiated by me. I am a single mom for that reason. I had to leave a very unhealthy relationship. So, when I hear people talk about forever and love and all that there is this place in me that is so burned out on that, I just have a hard time swallowing it.

I am skeptical.

But, I have no problem in believing the Apostle Paul when he says, "I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can't and life can't. The angels can't and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all of creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39 NLT)

I can believe that! I know it to be so! He has always loved me and He always will! How do I know? Because He went to such amazing lengths to show me His love. See, you and I can't know we are loved unless it is expressed to us in word AND in deed. So, through the revelation of Christ, God backed up everything He'd told Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and all the other prophets of old by sending Jesus to you and me. They got sneak previews (ask Shadrach, Meschach and Abed-Nego...) but they never knew Christ in His fullness.

You and I can say we know a love that is unlike anything out there. It is the love of God, expressed to us through His son, Jesus Christ. He came to us, the unsophisticated, backward, lost ones we are, and without compromising His supreme Deity, embraced and fell passionately in love with Humanity. He loved us so much He lay down His very life to show us, "This is what I'm willing to do for you...you are worth it to me."

UGH! That is true love, you all. THAT is what people are aching for, writing songs about, imagining they will find one day. That is love!

Caleb and Maggie are experiencing love like they have never known. This beautiful little girl will be the music they set their lives to, but it's nothing...absolutely nothing...compared to the love that God has for them, for their daughter, for you or for me. Nothing can stop it, we can't earn it and it will never end. We did nothing to make Him love us, He just does because we are His.

You belong with Him. He's come to wreck your world and ruin you for any ordinary love you could find apart from Him. Be brave. Let Him mess you up! You will never, ever regret opening your heart to Him. It will be the best love choice you ever made.

Be Blessed this week...


JENNIFER BARNES
Uplift! Editor

I Go To Extremes

"Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. But the people said nothing." I Kings 18:21 NIV

You know this story, right? A very angry, frustrated and much maligned prophet of God was accused of starting trouble in the land of Israel. The King blamed him solely for the drought that had plagued his people for years (King Ahab, wicked as he was, forgot that the unrepentant idolatry of he and his wife, Jezebel,was the impetus to the punishment brought down by the prophet).

Elijah was livid! He'd been blamed enough for God's judgment and slipped into that place of pride and self-pity that plagues all believers when we are attempting to stand firm for what we know to be truth. Elijah has had enough. He challenges the heathen priests and the apostate Children of Israel with this statement:

"If you're going to worship God, then worship God! If you're going to worship Baal, then worship Baal! Just get off the fence, will you?" Then he launches into his tirade about being the only one of his kind, etc. What I want to focus on is how it all went down. How did Israel and Elijah get here, to this point of challenge?

We all know that Ahab and Jezebel weren't the most pious King and Queen Israel ever had. There was so much garbage going on in the Kingdom at that point in time it was probably with good reason Elijah felt so alone and isolated, thinking he was the only righteous soul left in the country! Everyone, it seemed, had abandoned ship and sailed off to bigger and better things by following this fertility God, Baal and his sex-craving consort, Asherah.

In worshipping these other deities, Israel was able to throw off all restraint and go way far out of the bounds of the Mosaic Law handed down at Sinai. The worship was orgiastic in nature and was always punctuated with drunken revelry and craziness that the devout would never have experienced otherwise. It was so different from what they had been taught, and yet it was all around them in the Sumerian Peninsula and throughout Arabia. This little group of Jehovah-worshipping people was a minority in the greatest sense of the word. They stuck out like a sore thumb.

So, when Jezebel brought all her beliefs with her from Tyre it had a trickle down effect. First, her new husband was expected to participate in the ceremonies and traditional celebrations, and when we see the leadership of Ahab, we see that he exerted great influence and intimidation over his people. He was their King, they followed his example. For some, not being obedient to the King cost them their lives!

Secondly, when the people began to participate in these activities the whole culture began to make a shift. The number of the devout began to shrink and the worship of Jehovah became diluted with the worship of other Gods. Israel never really abandoned Jehovah, they just kind of mixed Him around with every other god and goddess and justified their behaviors by saying, "We've turned our back on nothing! We still worship Jehovah! See?" and they went on with their Mosaic rituals and carried them on alongside the Baal rituals.

Do you see a pattern here?

Our country is suffering from an identity crisis. The United States of America is anything but united. When people have forgotten who they are, we usually take them back to where they came from to trigger memories, to see if something clicks with them. America, you need to remember from whence you came.

You were founded by godly men and women who were persecuted for what they believed. They came to your shores seeking out the opportunity to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They came hoping to find a refuge in these mountains and on these plains. They did not come to see the holiness of God watered down into something unrecognizable and impotent. They came seeking freedom from oppression, freedom from retribution and freedom from secular influences that weakened their own homelands and made them impossible inhabit.

America was a place BUILT on the belief that there could be a land filled with godly people upholding the standard of Christianity. America was not founded to cater to every single dogma out there-those other faiths had their roots deeply planted in their home soil. America was born out of the desire of men and women who were hungry for the will of God to be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.

The word God has been speaking to me all weekend is "subversive". To subvert something means this:

to overthrow (something established or existing).

to undermine the principles of; corrupt. It also means to bring to downfall or ruin. I don't want that for my country. I don't want to see that happen to the place I love. God is merciful, and I believe He is giving America the opportunity to come back to His side. He is longing to restore our spiritual vision and remind us of who we truly are: a righteous people full of His strength and power and full of His mercy and goodness. It would be so easy for we the people to be apathetic and weary of what we have seen over the last few years. Nobody wants war. We are all tightening our belts because of the high cost of living we are encountering thanks to the energy issues we have, but we have to make a decision. Do we knowingly allow the trickle-down effect to begin in this country? Do we open the door to things that just 10 years ago would have been unheard of? The anniversary of 9/11 is this week. I am amazed at what has taken place world-wide since then, but I am also amazed by the way we have forgotten the swiftness with which our enemies (and yes, we have enemies in this country. Even my six-year-old knows everyone is not his friend...) rushed in and blew our collective mind by murdering innocents on our soil. That had not happened in two world wars, folks! No country had the audacity to try that! Yet here we are and the choices are before us...will we go to an extreme because we are so desperate for a change to come immediately or will we stand strong in what we know to be right FOR THIS COUNTRY? Not what is right for some other country, but what is right FOR US? FOR OUR WAY OF LIFE? The reason Baal worship was so attractive to Israel was because of the drought. Baal was the Sumerian god of fertility. The people were so desperate for a change in their conditions, they threw themselves headlong into worshipping what they knew not, and they corrupted themselves, their land and generations after them. It wasn't just the hype and excitement that enticed the Kingdom, it was the hopelessness they felt in the midst of the situation. Things are hard for everyone right now. Our country is in a very precarious place in her history. What will we do? Will we act subversively and make a poorly thought out decision in the name of "immediate gratification" or will we remember who we are and where we came from and choose LIFE? We all want change, but we must remember, true change always requires true repentance. Once God has that, He can begin His transforming work on us as individuals...imagine what He could do with an entire nation! Pray for your country, Beloved. Pray for the future of her people and the generation to come. I heard someone say that we could be seeing the end of "the American way of life" this year. It is in our hands. Let's stop going to extremes and find our way back to our roots-faith grounded in the belief that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way, the ONLY truth and the ONLY source of real life in this world. I ask you to take this seriously over the next few days. Pray hard, intercede for your country and know God wants to bless America again! Jennifer Barnes UPLIFT! Editor