KINGDOM RESPONSE

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)

God wants us to make a free choice to follow Him or not. To surrender to Him or not. Sitting on the fence is not an option. How can we be His light if we are indecisive or non-committal?

One year ago today, I started what I though was to be a four week fast (the month of February.) A week later it became a full 40 day fast, after watching a Super Bowl commercial. That commercial led Pat and me to travel to Lebanon, Kansas, to pray for the healing of our nation. As I worked on the plan for the trip, settling on leaving Mar 11 and arriving in Lebanon on Mar 12, I realized that God, who had been the one to put fasting on my heart, intended all along that the fast would not be 28 days, but 40 days. February has 28 days, and we were to arrive in Kansas on March 12. 28 plus 12 equal 40.

Most things can be accomplished by prayer or by fasting.  But some things require both, as Jesus says in Matthew 17. An epileptic boy had been brought to the disciples, who had been unable to cast out the demon. The father brought the boy to Jesus and explained the situation.  Jesus cast out the demon.  The disciples questioned Him privately later and asked why they had been unable to do so. His response was, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

God was cleansing and preparing me for the miracle of the buds He would reveal on March 13 as an acknowledgement of having heard our prayers. If God responds to one man’s prayers and fasting, surrendering to His will to drive 1000 miles to pray for the healing of our land, all the while seeking His face and repenting, by causing 6 buds to appear in the dead of winter, how much more will He do if 10 of us do so? 100? 1000? 1 million?

During my message 3 weeks ago I asked,

                Will we humble ourselves (surrender to God?)

                Will we pray (unceasingly?)

                Will we seek His face (focus on Him?)

                Will we turn from our wicked ways (repent?)

God blessed me, not because I was lukewarm.  I responded to His call without hesitation. God is calling us to action. How will you respond?

Be Blessed!