Replies

To be added or removed from this PING LIST, post or FReep-Mail Stars & Stripes Forever.

Some thoughts from Billy Graham Evangelistic Association:
Lessons from Nehemiah

In the book of Nehemiah, a remnant of Hebrews who had survived 70 years of Babylonian captivity returned and rebuilt the burned and crumbled walls of Jerusalem. As they gathered around one of the gates of the city, the scribe Ezra stood before the people and read from the book of the law of Moses.

From daybreak to noon, he stood on a large platform and read aloud the Scripture. God’s Word was preached and explained clearly.

As the people listened, they wept over their sin. “They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers” (Nehemiah 9:2, NIV). They publicly acknowledged that they had forgotten God and that the Lord was just in punishing them.

Our nation is now reaping what we have sown. Our greed, relentless pursuit of pleasure, and abandonment of God’s principles have brought us to this historic turning point.

I love my country, but I hate what I see taking place. God may be bringing judgment on us, just like He did on the Israelites. We have sinned openly and repeatedly, and we are in grave danger unless we repent and turn back to God.

https://billygraham.org/story/pray-for-revival-in-america/

To be added or removed from this PING LIST, post or FReep-Mail Stars & Stripes Forever.

Some thoughts from Billy Graham Evangelistic Association:
Why We Preach the Gospel

This is why we preach the Gospel. This is why we proclaim the message of repentance and faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ, who shed His blood on Calvary’s cross for our sins.

People sometimes ask me if I get discouraged as I preach God’s Word in city after city, only to see our nation growing darker. Not at all. I’m encouraged, because as I deliver God’s Gospel, I see thousands come forward, confess their sins, and turn by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Nehemiah’s day, the Hebrews humbled themselves as they heard Ezra preach God’s Word. How I thank God that, today, I often see godly sorrow over sin sweep across stadiums and fields as we preach the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the tears dry, there is great rejoicing. “Do not grieve,” Nehemiah told the crowd, “for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

I believe we can experience this kind of national revival again. I believe we can see the hearts of millions touched by the power of the Gospel.

We must pray. We must come before God every day and ask Him that the riches of His kindness and patience would lead us to genuine repentance (see Romans 2:4). We must intercede for our leaders to turn their hearts to Him.
Let us all remember that, despite our sin, the Lord is a “forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (Nehemiah 9:17) for all who call upon His Name for salvation. It’s never too late to turn back to God. Help us take this message across America–and to the ends of the earth.

https://billygraham.org/story/pray-for-revival-in-america/

Amen !!! <><

Psalm 101

Of David. A Psalm.

1 I will sing of loyalty and of justice;
to you, O Lord, I will sing.
2 I will study the way that is blameless.
When shall I attain it?

I will walk with integrity of heart
within my house;
3 I will not set before my eyes
anything that is base.

I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
4 Perverseness of heart shall be far from me;
I will know nothing of evil.

5 One who secretly slanders a neighbour
I will destroy.
A haughty look and an arrogant heart
I will not tolerate.

6 I will look with favour on the faithful in the land,
so that they may live with me;
whoever walks in the way that is blameless
shall minister to me.

7 No one who practises deceit
shall remain in my house;
no one who utters lies
shall continue in my presence.

8 Morning by morning I will destroy
all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all evildoers
from the city of the Lord.