Again, as I write this month’s newsletter I believe The Spirit of God has much to say. I believe He is addressing the present affairs of our Nation. As we view our Nation thru the Spiritual Lens of God’s Word, we see our Nation in a Cesspool of iniquity.  There is much blame to go around for “The Present State of Affairs,” and I believe the blame falls on us (The Church). I only say this because as I have studied the Word of God I have observed how compromise has crept in. We are vastly different from the Church in the Book of Acts. In Acts 3:32-37, 4:1-11 we read about The Church strong in representing Christ. The Church was full of The Holy Spirit, it lacked nothing. It was strong in Love, unity, humility, strength and power. It also shared with those in need. It was so influential it produced fear in those who considered compromise. Fast forward to present day reality, we see the Church divided. How did this happen? It is my belief that we have strayed away from brotherly love (1John 4:20-21). We must repent and seek reconciliation with others in the Body of Christ.

 

The Lord has anointed and appointed His Church to be  a Spirit-led Army to protect our Nation from demonic forces. Some have allowed themselves to be blindsided by an enemy who uses psychological warfare. Some have become confused and disoriented by these schemes and strategies from Satan. These attacks are strategic to stop the Church from becoming influential. The scriptures tell us we are not to be ignorant (*lack understanding) and we are to be sober. 2 Corinthians 2:11 says, “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” I am convinced that thru these tactics of the enemy the Church has become apathetic (*not having are showing much interest or emotion). The only way we can arise from apathy is, for us to manifest intimacy with The Father. When we are intimate with Him, He will share His Heart with us, so we can become like Him on the Earth. Read what  1 John 4:17 says about our love for Him; “And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.” In representing Jesus here in this world we become influential. We are influential because of a strong prayer life. Again, there  is an indictment against us because of the Present State of Affairs reveals we have become complacent. The Church should have become Watchmen (*Intercessors) for the Lord and for our Nation. We have not posted watchmen to pray. We have failed in asking the Lord of the Angel Armies to send warriors to confuse and destroy evil (Read 2Kings 6:17). Instead some have allowed the Church to be serenaded and put to sleep by a demonic lullaby (complacency, apathy, compromise). Remember Sampson falling to sleep in the lap of Delilah (Judges 16:19)? I believe also like Sampson we have had our strength compromised in loving the things of the world. We have allowed the devil to silence us from being a prophetic voice and a deliverer. Because of Apathy we have lost our influence in *education, media, entertainment and the political arena. These are areas where we should have had strong Christian influence. Instead the majority of the Church has become silent and it is if the world has pushed the mute button and refuses to hear what the Church has to say.

 

God has ordained the Church as a barometer to gauge the spiritual climate of this  Nation. If the Church is strong and victorious, then the Nation will have spiritual vitality and live in prosperity and have much joy. Proverbs 29:2 says, “when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” What would that look like? Righteous Leaders (*Presidents, Senators, Congress & Governors)  will Fear the Lord (Psalms 111: 10) (*beginning of wisdom). They recognize their authority has been given to them by Christ and someday stand before Him to give an account. Also it is a privilege to represent Him to serve the people not to lord over them. When a Leader is filled with the Holy Spirit he or she will be militant and aggressive with sin. The Nation who has a righteous person leading will live in safety because the Lord is their “Strong Tower of Defense” against its foes! Psalms 61:3 says, “For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.”
 
 I want to make it clear that not all the Church is guilty of apathy. There are churches who live and walk in victory by the Power of the Holy Spirit. There is also strong and powerful ministries that are proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and demonstrating the Kingdom of God. Not all of the Body of Christ is guilty of apathy, but some are. Let us, as the Church repent of the sin of apathy. For we have allowed evil to have a stranglehold on our Nation to suffocate the Breath of God from her. The Holy Spirit must resuscitate our Nation back to life. It will only happen when the Church and our Nation confess our sins, 2Chron. 7:14. I love my Nation. The only way for our Nation to survive is for the Church to be vibrant and full of zeal for The Lord.  I want to encourage everyone to seek the heart of God in prayer for our Nation. There are many references and parables in the Bible identifying us as Stewards and Watchmen. We must be responsible for what has been given to us. Join with us here at Shiloh Ministries as we watch and pray for our Nation. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming--in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning lest, coming suddenly, He find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" (Mark 13:32-37 )