According to researcher George Barna, the Christian Church is STRUGGLING to influence the nation’s culture because “believers think of themselves as individuals first, Americans second, and CHRISTIANS THIRD. Until that prioritization is rearranged, the Church will continue to LOSE INFLUENCE, and biblical principles will represent simply JUST ONE MORE OPTION among the numerous worldviews that Americans may choose from.”
This is how we as Christian’s MUST feel, “…our citizenship is IN HEAVEN, from which we also EAGERLY WAIT for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will TRANSFORM our lowly body that it may be CONFORMED TO HIS GLORIOUS BODY…” (Phil. 3:20-21) So, how do we go from THIRD PLACE TO FIRST PLACE? Listen to Danial’s answer to this question. Daniel was a man of God, greatly used by God to do many miraculous things to Gods glory, none the less, this is how he prayed, “I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by PRAYER and SUPPLICATIONS, WITH FASTING, SACKCLOTH, AND ASHES. And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, WE HAVE SINNED AND COMMITTED INIQUITY, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your teachings and Your rulings.” (Dan. 9:3-5)
We are in desperate need of a time of repentance, prayer and fasting… Jesus said, “…WHEN you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do…But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, WILL REWARD YOU.” (Matt. 6:16-18)
-Bill Stockham