america, america
"I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart." —Hosea 2:16
On this Independence Day, the Lord is telling us to pray for the Christians of the United States to come back to God. Many Christians in the USA have lost their first love (Rv 2:4). They no longer respond to the Lord as they did in the days of their youth (Hos 2:17). They must repent of compromising with the world and be espoused to the Lord in fidelity (see Hos 2:22).
Some Christians are like the woman who hemorrhaged for twelve years. Their commitment to the Lord has gradually weakened over the years. They have stifled the Spirit gradually and imperceptibly (see 1 Thes 5:19). These Christians must break this terrible cycle by touching the tassel of Jesus' cloak (see Mt 9:20), that is, by committing themselves to obey the Lord. The Bible teaches: "When you use these tassels, let the sight of them remind you to keep all the commandments of the Lord, without going wantonly astray after the desires of your hearts and eyes. Thus you will remember to keep all My commandments and be holy to your God" (Nm 15:39-40).
Other Christians may be like the daughter of the synagogue leader (see Mt 9:18). They are not physically dead, but spiritually dead. By repentance, these Christians can rise from the death of sin into the life of love, of relationship with the Lord.
"America, America, God shed His grace on thee." Will you accept His grace or will you lose your soul and die in your sins? (Jn 8:21, 24) Repent!
Prayer: Father, may our country be "one nation, under God."
Promise: "Jesus turned around and saw her and said, 'Courage, daughter! Your faith has restored you to health.' " —Mt 9:22
Praise: Five-year-old Veronica was plagued with epileptic seizures that did not respond to any medical treatment. Jesus healed her as she was prayed over in a Life in the Spirit seminar.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 20, 2016
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