Scott Presson is a former CBN staff contributor and writer whose commentaries regarding personal and spiritual issues have been published around the world. He is also an award winning TV Producer, Editor and a former Journalist, who has traveled extensively covering everything from politics and weather to domestic terrorism and the front lines of the Middle East conflict.
CBN.com - In a very real sense our country is at a crossroads. Most Christians know that the upcoming presidential election is a mandate for our nations future. Even those who are unbelievers sense that this election is pivotal in shaping the course of our nation.
Chances are the next president will pick at least three Supreme Court justices and fill many other vacancies throughout our courts system. The choices our next president makes will no doubt influence the battles over legalized abortion and same-sex marriage. Other morally relevant issues such as stem-cell research, religious expression in schools, pornography, and the continued attempts to eliminate the Christian foundation of our country are broadening the battle front. The choices our president makes will capture the hearts and minds of the American people for years to come.
A persistent godless minority knows that the majority of people in this nation will never endorse their radical views. They realize that if Americans have the chance to vote either yes or no for their agenda, they would reject it outright. Knowing that they are not widely accepted, theyve attempted to co-opt the U.S. courts. Sympathetic judges have overstepped their constitutional authority and ruled against morality and Christians time and time again.
At a recent hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., made the comment that the courts are exceeding their power. If we let them, out of control judges will be the death of our country!
A lot of people sense we are on the cusp of breakthrough in the United States. Other ministries are currently in the midst of concerted prayed efforts. Several recognized prophets such as Cindy Jacobs, Dutch Sheets and Lou Engle have prophesied that Virginia is the womb of this nation and that revival will begin here and spread throughout North America. Within CBN there is a refreshing spirit of unity and a sense that we are at the dawn of a new day.
But it is going to take a concerted effort of dedicated Intercessory prayer to continue to move forward!
On June 22 CBN began a 21 day prayer effort called Operation Breakthrough. The intent is to mobilize an army of prayer warriors. As Christians we are fighting a very real battle against unseen forces:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ( )
As the Church, we alone shoulder the responsibility for the future of our nation. History does indeed belong to the Intercessors. We will be held accountable to God for our involvement or lack of.
Lets answer the call and unite with our partners for these prayer requests and the others mentioned. As we focus and pray and humble ourselves according to Gods Word, I believe we will see a great changes in Iraq and even greater changes in our nation. As we draw near to God he will forgive our sins and heal our land. The battle has not been lost and the die has not been cast! We must endeavor to do Gods will, so He will change the direction of our nation and our courts. We must answer the call to be watchmen on the wall and intercede for the above requests for our nation.
CBN.com - Every legal remedy has now been offered for Terri Schiavo. Nearly every appeal has been exhausted. Every argument has been weighed and discarded. Every maneuver of man has been tried. People have protested – loudly. People have prayed passionately. Many tears have been shed for this woman.
Has the American legal system prevailed AGAINST the will of the people instead of for the will of the people? Instead of protecting the innocent, has our system of government condemned the innocent to die?
This is what the Bible says about the death of innocent people:
There are six things the LORD hates – no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord among brothers (
).
God hates those that kill the innocent. Please pray that the people who had it within their power to do the right thing in this situation and did not will repent.
Jesus healed many people who could not take care of themselves. He also said He came to do the will of the Father. So evidently the will of God is that people who are laid up and unable to take care of themselves are worthy of being healed.
Look at this:
One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. And the Lord's healing power was strongly with Jesus. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to push through the crowd to Jesus, but they couldn't reach him. So they went up to the roof, took off some tiles, and lowered the sick man down into the crowd, still on his mat, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." "Who does this man think he is?" the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to each other. "This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins?" Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why do you think this is blasphemy? Is it easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven' or 'Get up and walk'? I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!" And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped to his feet, picked up his mat, and went home praising God (
).
This man had friends that cared enough for him and his future that they went to the trouble to make sure he got in front of the Lord! It’s amazing that in that day and time, without any form of modern medicine or hope of recovery, people still saw worth in the life of a man even though he was probably not a productive member of society. Maybe they also had to feed him.
Is God doing anything for Terri Schiavo? He certainly is. The Throne Room of Heaven is fully aware of what is going on. God has not abandoned Terri Schiavo.
Here are three tremendous things going on in Heaven as you are reading this:
1. Every tear shed for Terri Schiavo has been collected and saved by Almighty God. That’s right. God is keeping track of ALL the tears shed for Terri Schiavo. I saw Terri’s mother crying on TV. God did, too. God actually makes decisions about our lives based on those tears:
"Remember, O LORD, how I have always tried to be faithful to you and do what is pleasing in your sight." Then he broke down and wept bitterly. Then this message came to Isaiah from the LORD: "Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life …(
).
The tears of Hezekiah moved God. He actually prolonged his life on earth. God wants us to see that NOTHING goes unnoticed by Him. When it comes to us, God sees the intent of our hearts and He moves sovereignly in any way He desires. God keeps track of all our sorrows and has all our tears as a deposit for the future:
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. On the very day I call to you for help, my enemies will retreat. This I know: God is on my side. O God, I praise your word. Yes, LORD, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light (
).
2. Terri Schiavo has an attorney pleading her case in the Throne Room of God. Moreover, God’s will always wins. Look at this:
For Christ has entered into heaven itself to appear now before God as our Advocate … (
).
Jesus Christ is the ultimate attorney. That should be enough to make any earthly attorney shake in his boots. He’s been to the jails in the depths of Hell. He’s set prisoners free and broken the chains of injustice and unrighteousness. He’s proved His case to the World. Terri Schiavo cannot lose. It’s a win-win.
3. Terri Schiavo has Jesus interceding for her right now:
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (
).
Jesus is our prayer partner – all the time. He never gets tired, and the Word says He is always about His Father’s business. That’s another win-win situation for Terri and for us.
God rules. He has collected the tears of sorrow and tears of joy and saved them for His will and purpose. There is no wisdom or scheme of man that is above God. There is no plan that prevails above God’s plan.
says take courage, Jesus has conquered this world. Jesus still loves us despite trouble and calamity. Nothing has separated Terri Schiavo or you and me from the Love of Jesus Christ. NOTHING.Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No! He is the one who has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No, for he is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (
).
Please continue to pray for Terri Schiavo and her family today. However, rest in this fact: God is CONTINUALLY doing His work and His will in this situation, in your life, and in the world.
CBN.com - We pray and want instantaneous answers but very few of us pray and expect instantaneous answers. Heres a reality check - God always answers prayer! Yep, always. And heres the caveat you dont want to hear - it's not always a "Yes" answer. Sometimes- in fact a lot of times- its a No answer.
Why? God wants our whole lives, not just our desperate attempts to reach out to Him once in awhile. He wants a "Relationship with us.
God knows He can make any situation right in a heartbeat; even that cold, dead, no way is this ever going to happen prayer request we have in the bottom of our hearts. We tend to see things in our limited understanding. A loved one is sick - what can we do? We cant pay our bills and theyre cutting off the heat - what are we going to do? God knows. The kids are acting up and acting out God knows. Work is intolerable - God knows. Our spouse is caught up in sin - God knows. Were on our last nerve - God knows!
God can make it all right instantly and yet it seems like He always makes us walk it out. Why? Well, how could we have an understanding of what unbelievers suffer through unless we have gone through them ourselves? How can we be a truthful witness for Him unless we have had to live through the tough times also?
Remember, God gave us that free choice. He knew down through time people would jump into sin. The Word even talks about the pleasures of sin for a season. He knew the result of all that disobedience would be sin on top of sin. He knew it would all play out through generation after generation. He knew we would make poor choices and that would cause curses and more sin. He knew He was going to need a people that would have an understanding of what life brings good and bad. The only way that would ever happen was to allow all of the good and bad of life to affect us too.
That old bumper sticker that said prayer changes things is the truth. The thing is were always looking for it to change what were praying for and we never realize that prayer changes us! The very exercise of prayer draws us closer to God and helps establish an enduring relationship with Him. We love to ask, ask, and ask. I used to say - Lord, just once - let it go my way! Actually I still do sometimes, but I also have learned to pray please do your will in this situation. Ive learned to pray in the Spirit when I have no idea how to pray in a situation. Ive learned to pray with expectation that I am going got get an answer, and Im learning to trust that even though the answer may not always be what I want to hear, God still has everything under control.
Paul was on to something when he said be content in all situations. Thats easy to say, hard to do. Pauls the perfect example of what Im talking about. God allowed him to go through all the rough times, so the Holy Spirit inspired words he wrote would be a guidebook for our lives now.
Its never too late to establish that relationship with God. Its not too late to rise up and fulfill the call on your life. Its not too late to be what God ordained for all of us to be. It takes faith, trust in Him, and a relationship. As Christians we have a foundation already. All it takes is building upon that. God says draw near to Him and He will draw near to us. Thats a beginning. We have to read the Word. We must begin to pray. We need to develop and desire a relationship with our Creator. The Word says what we sow, we will reap. If we sow fervent prayer, we will reap a harvest of prayer for ourselves because JESUS IS OUR INTERCESSOR BEFORE THE THRONE. Well also reap the harvest of a relationship with God that He wants with us, His children, and that we need for Him to do His perfect will in our lives.
Can God change your life?
God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Discover how you can find peace with God.You can also send us your prayer requests or chat online with the CBN Prayer Team
CBN.com -- One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets, and you will catch many fish." "Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, we'll try again." And this time their nets were so full they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, Lord, please leave me – I'm too much of a sinner to be around you." For he was awestruck by the size of their catch, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, "Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!" And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water (vs. 3). Even though he didn’t know Him, Simon listened to the Lord and pushed off, but he’s probably asking himself, Who is this man? He must be someone important because everyone wants to hear Him.
This Scripture doesn’t elaborate on what Jesus taught about that day, but we know what He did next.
. . . he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets, and you will catch many fish" (vs. 4).
God doesn’t give a little harvest. The output of God never equals the input. In the natural realm, you plant one seed; you get a tree that produces fruit for half a century. You pick an orange and it’s full of seeds. A grape or an apple, the same thing. Every fall the ground is littered with thousands of seeds from acorns to maple trees. In the spiritual realm, it is the same way. God always blesses us above and beyond what we could ever hope or dream of. HE ALWAYS GIVES US MORE THAN WE HAVE GIVEN HIM.
Simon’s obedience to push out and allow Jesus to preach from his boat reaps a tremendous reward! Simon makes a step of faith. At that point, he does say, “We worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing.” However, by faith Simon says, “If you say so, we'll try again (vs. 5).
His step of faith pays off big time -- their nets were so full they began to tear (vs. 6).
Again, we see the timeless themes of Jesus. Simon did not rebel against God. He did as he was asked.
He was OBEDIENT! He did as the Lord asked.
He stepped out by FAITH! He did as the Lord asked.
His action GLORIFIED the Lord! He did as the Lord asked.
Obedience and Faithfulness always glorify God. The Word says if we faint not, we will reap a reward in due time. Simon was tired and maybe a little puzzled. He certainly didn’t expect that day to catch one of the biggest catches of his life or to walk away from what was probably a profitable fishing venture and end up with a throne in Heaven (Jesus later told him and the other disciples they would be seated on 12 thrones in heaven, judging the 12 tribes of Israel-
You and I are making an investment of time and energy in the Kingdom of God. Sometimes we are taken from our families and homes to do the Lord’s work. As we are obedient to the Lord’s call in our lives, and as we are being faithful to do His will, God will be glorified in our actions. Millions will realize they are not here by chance but by God’s divine will. Millions will come to the realization that, YES, Jesus is real and He does love them and has a plan for their lives. Thirsty souls will receive the water of life that refreshes. The Holy Spirit will comfort and encourage millions, and fill them with understanding as they realize that God will grant them the righteous desires of their hearts. The pay-off for the Kingdom of God and for us will be huge. Millions will be saved. Millions will be delivered. Millions will be healed. Millions will be blessed.
And all you have to do is listen, obey, and do as God directs.
WHY?
Because GOD REWARDS A STEP OF FAITH. Be blessed today.
CBN.com - Once I saw a popular singer on an awards program on TV. He was wearing a t-shirt that said, “Kill your idols”. I was intrigued enough to watch him and wonder what he was saying with that shirt. That is, until he turned around. The back of his shirt had a traditional portrait of a crucified Jesus Christ. He was in effect calling Jesus an idol.
Unfortunately, many Christians also have a skewed, idealized definition of idols. We only see idols like those mentioned in the Old Testament or those in the movie “The Ten Commandments” where Moses, played by Charlton Heston, descends from Mount Sinai to find the Israelites worshipping a golden calf and in righteous anger, hurls the tablets at the golden calf and destroys it.
When God gave Moses the Commandments, He said:
"Do not worship any other gods besides me.” Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! (
NLT)
An idol is any person, object or activity you give a higher priority in your life than a relationship with God. An idol can be your home, your job, a vehicle, a relationship, or even your family. An idol can be a pet, a computer, or what you look at on that computer. An idol can be alcohol, drugs, sex, or any sin. An idol can be the work you do for the Lord that consumes all your energy and time. God says He’s a jealous God. He wants our time and attention.
Look at this:
"This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: You saw what I did to Jerusalem and to all the towns of Judah. They now lie in ruins, and no one lives in them. Because of all their wickedness, my anger rose high against them. They burned incense and worshiped other gods – gods that neither they nor you nor any of your ancestors have ever known. "Again and again I sent my servants, the prophets, to plead with them, 'Don't do these horrible things that I hate so much.' But my people would not listen or turn back from their wicked ways. They kept right on burning incense to these gods. And so my fury boiled over and fell like fire on the towns of Judah and into the streets of Jerusalem, and now they are a desolate ruin.” (
NLT)
This is God’s anger against HIS PEOPLE. The prophets warned them but they refused to listen. Today, just as in those days, righteous men and women are saying, turn back to God! Destroy the idols. Put away the things that are hindering a righteous walk with God. Repent of putting others before the Creator of the universe!
Recently, the Elijah List published a warning from Patricia King. Here is an excerpt:
“…For a few days now, I have felt very unsettled in my spirit. The New Orleans disaster has been on my heart, but also, I have been receiving warnings that more upheaval is coming. It is almost as though I can smell war and crisis. It is not good, but can be thwarted, if we come into proper alignment.
I sense upheavals in many nations, but my spirit is especially feeling a warning for North America, with a specific prayer burden for the USA.
I have seen a vision of the enemy planting grenade-like objects in the land and getting ready to detonate them. I believe this involves terrorism and a "sudden" attack. I have also seen further shakings in the land of such magnitude that many people's lives could be lost.
I also see critical, economic shakings coming that man will have no control over. I see increased taxation and escalation of interest rates and commodities. I see crime and violence out of control as lawlessness increases. Prayer and repentance can thwart disaster. The answer is to go to prayer and to repent for our sins.
Recently a cricket got into our office space. Everyone commented on the chirping cricket. I could not hear it. I honestly asked them if they were kidding me. I could not hear the sound of that cricket at all! I began to get disturbed. To my knowledge, I hear just fine. My co-workers were even puzzled that I couldn’t hear this cricket.
God immediately began to speak to me and showed me that some Christians hear different things at different times in the natural and in the spiritual realm. I have heard some godly leadership say they do not have any clear revelation about Hurricane Katrina and what it means for our times and our nation, while others are alarmed at the bell that seems to be pealing in the Spirit realm; BE WARNED! BEWARE! BE WARNED! BEWARE!
Recently, God began to give me a clear revelation about Christians in this country. He told me that many intercessors are caught up in idol worship. We are guilty of putting people and things ahead of praying and entering in with Him. As I have prayed in the Spirit about Hurricane Katrina, one prayer keeps coming up -- that God will re-establish our nation’s borders and that the Watchmen will get back on the wall.
God is gracious and kind, but God’s Word prevails. In the days of Noah, God gave the people over a hundred years to repent. But then a day came when the rains started. On that day, no amount of crying out could change the outcome.
A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. (
NLT)
We must heed the signs of the times. Do we believe the word of the prophets? Are we going to take seriously the admonition of the Lord to repent and to destroy our idols! If we do not repent, there is a day coming in this nation where no amount of crying out will change the plan God puts into motion.
“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry. God's terrible anger will come upon those who do such things. ” (
NLT)
“Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry…” People everywhere are caught up in the “good things of this life”. There is a bell tolling in our nation today. We must pay attention. However, As Patricia King notes, the Body of Christ is full of sin. “As long as there is unaddressed darkness in the church, we lack authority.” We’ve got to address what hinders our walk with God and let it go!
To take authority, we’ve got to release the sins and repent. The Word points out that man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at our hearts. Our hearts are guilty before the Lord. God is done with the mess we call righteous living. We have to destroy idol worship. We have gone long enough with a wink and a nod toward sin in the Body. I am not pointing fingers. I am as guilty as anyone is.
There is a call going out among the Body today. I hear the Lord saying,
WAKE UP
SHAKE YOURSELVES
KILL YOUR IDOLS
REPENT
GET BACK ON THE WALL
RE-ESTABLISH THE BORDERS
TAKE AUTHORITY
The Word of the Lord for this hour is NEW BEGINNINGS. In the Spirit realm, we are coming into a spring season. Spring is a time of new growth. It’s a time of renewed hope. This is a time of new beginnings in the Spiritual, but only if you’ve left the baggage of the past behind.
The Word says it’s better to obey than sacrifice. Obey what? The Word of the Lord. When God says to repent, we must repent. God hates idolatry. It’s a commandment and God has been judging -- yes, judging righteous people on earth for it since time began. It’s true, He loves us and yes HE HAS A PLAN for each of us but only in His parameters.
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. (
NLT)
More from Patricia King, Extreme Prophetic Television, www.extremeprophetic.com
