The prophet Joel had the difficult task of convincing the Jewish nation that God was unhappy with their waywardness and their sin. Does God have the same message for our nation as well?
"Yet even now," declares the Lord, "Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments" (Joel 2:12-13).
This week we have two opportunities as a church to respond to God in this time in which we live.
FIRST, this Friday night at COTRM at 7 PM is the monthly MyHop meeting. MyHop meetings are focused on prayer and worship. At MyHop you have the opportunity to pray quietly at your seat or to get up and pray at the microphone so others can pray in agreement with you.
SECOND, the Elders have called for a day of prayer and fasting and for a Solemn Assembly this Saturday, August 6th.
We are asking every member of COTRM to make this coming Saturday a day of prayer and fasting. The church building will be open from 11 am to 3 pm for a Solemn Assembly. Everyone is encouraged to come out for all or part of the time to pray for our nation.
As we study through the book of Joel, we will see that God was looking for a response from His people. Individual prayer should be a very important part of every Christian's life. However, the response we see God asking for during a time of national crisis is God's people gathering together to pray.
"Blow a trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, gather the people sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and the nursing infants" (Joel 2:15-16).
Our nation is indeed in crisis in many areas - fiscally, morally, spiriutally - in every area we are in need of turning back to a wise and benevolent Creator.
This weekend we get to throw a double punch at our spiritual enemies and demonstrate a grateful and yielded heart to our Lord.
We live in a very busy culture and everyone has a full schedule. Let me encourage you, if at all possible to participate in some way this Friday and Saturday. If you cannot throw a double punch at least throw a single punch if possible. Together we can accomplish much for the glory of God and His Kingdom.
Let's be the first to get out of our fox holes and go on the offensive for our nation.
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