Category Archives: Gifts of the Spirit

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The maturity level of most American believers is so shallow that if one describes 911 or Katrina as possible judgments of the Lord, we become offended and are quick to lash out with our tongues. “How dare you say something like that! Who do you think you are? A prophet? If so, you’re a false one,” we shout in unison.

The tumult continues until the person who has voiced such ridiculous beliefs is cowed back into his little box or his reputation shredded to pieces. This is what happened to Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson when they voiced their beliefs about 911.

What does the Bible state?

Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has done it? (Amos 3:6)

We believers declare the Lord as the sovereign King over America, but when a 911 or a Katrina occurs, we quickly wrestle the divine scepter out of His grasp and place it in the hands of someone else.

But why do we assume the Lord, who is also our Judge, would not chastise America? Didn’t He use enemies and calamities to chastise Israel all throughout the Old Testament? Shouldn’t we expect to be treated the same as God’s chosen people?

Our immaturity resembles that of Jerusalem and Judah when Jeremiah prophesied to them −

Why then has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, they refuse to return. I listened and heard, but they did not speak aright, no man repented of his wickedness, saying, “What have I done?” Everyone turned to his own course, as the horse rushes into battle. Even the stork in the heavens knows her appointed times; and the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow observe the time of their coming. But My people do not know the judgment of the Lord. (Jeremiah 8:5-7 NKJ)

Maybe it’s time for us to grow up before it’s too late.

(The preface from Common Sense 2016 by Larry Nevenhoven, ©2016, Amazon eBook)

My prayer for today:

Lord, I pray that the Holy Spirit helps our minds to be renewed so that we American believers may discern what is the will of God for our nation. (Based on Romans 12:2)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

The vibrant sounds of Mozart’s Piano Concerto Number Seven swirled through the Beacon Hill mansion’s ballroom. The fifteen females seated around the grand piano, listening to the maestro, had proper Brahmin names like Cabot, Coolidge, Forbes, Lodge, or Shaw. Each traced her ancestry back to the earliest Puritan settlers of Boston. This blueblood lineage insured their invitation to the social tea, no nouveau riche Johnny-come-latelies were among the invitees.

When the pianist completed the piece, he stood and bowed. The women showed their appreciation with warm applause. One of the ladies put her white-gloved hands to her mouth and said, “Oh, I would just do anything to be able to play the piano like that.”

The maestro turned and stared at her. His eyes exploded with fire.

“No you wouldn’t,” he said.

The crowd collectively gasped. All felt sorry for the woman who had been openly rebuked by the man’s insensitive words.

As for the lady, she sat stunned, paralyzed by his harsh eyes, tears rolled down her cheeks. Then, as if she remembered her privileged pedigree, she mouthed three defiant words at the pianist: “Yes, I would.”

“No you wouldn’t,” he said again, leaning over the piano toward the lady.

“Because if you really meant what you said, you would have been willing to give up your youth, your teenage years, and eight to ten hours every day practicing on the piano. You see, there is a price to sit on this bench. I’ve been willing to pay it, and you have not!”

(Excerpt from Deceived Dead and Delivered by Larry Nevenhoven, 2013, Amazon eBook)

My prayer for America:

Lord, raise up American believers that are willing to deny themselves, pick up their crosses daily, and follow You. And Lord, show me how to be one of them.  (Based on Luke 9:23)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.