Time to Pray

NOTE: Enjoy this guest post from my husband and fellow Pastor, Greg Bishop.

Brothers and sisters, we can see what's happening in our country and around the globe. Morals are breaking down so rapidly that we can't tell what will happen next.

We can't change the whole world, or correct everything that troubles society today, at least not instantly. But we don't have to just lie down and give up.

Regardless of what some people say, this is still a Christian nation! Not to be condemning, but I believe that we Christians have committed the sin of omission.

We have failed to seek the true help we desperately need. The Christian faith in this country is under attack and it's time to earnestly pray. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says:

"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 forgive their sin and heal their land." (NKJV)

You may say " I really don't know how to pray to get the response from God that we need."

Start off by praying that God will help us to be more concerned for our land. Then pray for our leaders, that God will give them open minds to seek His will and not their own.

Be earnest about your prayers. Be passionate about your prayers. God hears and He will answer!

James 5:16 is a good scripture to put to memory for such an occasion as this: "Confess your trespasses to one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (NKJV)

Let's take the time to pray!

Back on Track

I feel so smart when I do the right thing. Today is a smart day. Let me explain...

In October 2008, I found out I have Type II diabetes. It was a surprise but not a shock since both my parents were diabetic before they died. In fact, both of their deaths were partially attributed to complications from diabetes - a fact which made me truly angry with both of them at the time of their deaths about a year and a half apart.

As such, when I first learned of my diabetes, I got serious about tracking my food intake, monitoring my blood glucose, exercising regularly, losing weight, and reading and learning all I could about diabetes. I felt like if I didn't control this thing, I'd be the biggest hypocrite that ever walked. So I worked hard at it.

Then I began to "cheat" a little. I quit monitoring my blood after meals. I quit exercising as often. I started eating things I knew I shouldn't eat. And because of it, I've gained a little weight back, I've been having frequent headaches, and I haven't had any energy. When my glucose for the last two days registered 138 and 143, I realized that it's time to get back on track.

Have you ever felt that way with your spiritual life? Maybe you started out as a strong disciple - reading your Bible, praying often, refraining from things you didn't need to be involved in, doing what would please the Lord.

Then gradually, you began to watch things on TV you shouldn't watch, or read things you didn't need to be reading, or hang out with people you knew were a bad influence for you. One day you woke up and said... Whoa. I need to get back on track.

I pray that - if you've begun to "cheat" a little in your Christian walk, you will wake up to the truth that you need to get back on track with Jesus.

Just as my need to monitor my diabetes will never lessen, neither will your need for Him. You (and I!) need Jesus just as much today as we did the very first day we met Him. And all we have to do is ask Him and He'll help us get back on track immediately.

Today, I feel smart because I ate oatmeal and a banana for breakfast. That always fills me up and helps me stay on track with my eating plan. And I'll be monitoring my glucose after lunch, just as soon as I ride my bike for 30 minutes. By God's grace, I am back on track. I hope you are, too.

Are Churches Still Holding Revivals?

Used to be there was a revival at some area church about every week. Nowadays, it's rare to see a revival notice. What's going on?

I know that many pastors guard their pulpits very closely. They don't feel comfortable allowing just anyone to preach. And that's a good thing! The Bible directs us to test the spirits to be sure they are of God (1 John 4:1). We need to be convinced that those who preach from our pulpits (where we have authority and for which we are responsible) are true to the Word, trustworthy and faithful. That's understandable.

But most denominations, I assume, have their own evangelists. The Church of the Nazarene does. And there are many unassigned district licensed ministers (Greg and I are two) who also preach and hold revivals. So why isn't the church making use of these people of God to spread the Word within our denomination at least?

Could it be that we are so programmed with activities throughout the week that we don't have time to hold special services and add additional time constraints to our already full calendars? Or maybe our people just don't have the commitment to attend? (I know the attendance at the last revival we held when we pastored in Crossville was very low - and that was with one of the best evangelists in the Church!). Certainly, it's not that we don't need revival. Our world today proves that we need it more than ever.

Maybe there are reasons that my pea-sized brain doesn't grasp. Whatever the case, I pray that God's people begin to seek revival for their own hearts and for their churches!

On that note... Greg and I would love to hold a revival for your church! We never charge a fee, we only ask that our lodging be provided and that the church take a love-offering to cover our travel expenses. Other than that, we'll go to any size church and help in any way we can (a week, 4-5 days or even a weekend). Let us know if we can serve you. We love to minister in Jesus' name and meet our brothers and sisters in Christ who are scattered across the US.