Day 5 Repenting

So on Day 5 we began the day with the prayer point of repenting for the innocent bloodshed that we as a nation have shed over the past 39 years that abortion has been legal.  Over 54 million babies murdered in their mothers wombs has brought bloodguilt upon America, and for the shedding of innocent blood God requires blood.

“Whoever sheds man’s blood,

By man his blood shall be shed;   
For in the image of God He made man." 

 Genesis 9:6

Tenille, Beloved Redeemed of the Lord

Tenille shared her testimony of having an abortion at age 18, and finding out at the abortion clinic that Planned Parenthood had forgot to mention her positive pregnancy test showed she would have had twins.  Her life continued in guilt, anger, shame, and substance abuse.  In her low self-esteem she allowed herself to be in an abusive relationship, and behaved in dangerous & irrational ways daily.  She expressed all her woes as being symptoms of post-abortive trauma that millions never deal with.  Finally, she returned like the 'prodigal' daughter to her true Father, God.  She allowed Jesus' blood to speak mercy and redemption over her sin of bloodshed, and free her from the bonds of wicked mindsets & actions.  God brought her home with open arms and took away a desire to self-destruct; replacing it with a desire to see Him make all things new out of the ashes of her life.  

 Tenille and her son

This story is very similar to mine, and so many women out there who have had abortions and found the only answer to break free from the darkness is to turn to the Light, His name is Jesus, the Christ, our Savior.  The only way our country will be pardoned from the guilt of our innocent bloodshed is to post the blood of Jesus all over the doorsteps of this country.  God's 'passover Lamb' who was slain before the foundations of this world, is the predestined pardon that washes us white as snow, but we must apply Jesus' blood.  We must plead His blood.  Our fear of God has to be real in our hearts that we would actively cling to, rely on, and trust in the blood of Jesus as our only hope day by day.

I met a guy the other day who grew up being a leader in the youth group at church, and then he described to me how after a while he was just 'done'; ready for someone else to lead.  Now he doesn't even go to Christian church.  So many of us have grown up and seen the compromise, doubt, and faithlessness of the church, and are now cold to lukewarm ourselves.  I have been struggling myself with keeping up with the prayers I've committed to pray and lifestyle of 'watching' for my Lord Jesus' soon return.  Can we live everyday in the urgency of the hour?  Only by being as close as God wants us to be to Him (and He wants to be very, very, close...living on the inside!)  Knowing that the Kingdom of God is at hand is not enough to keep living a lifestyle as a disciple of Christ, who makes disciples, who is a witness of His love and redemption.  The disciples knew, because John the Baptist and Jesus preached, "Repent! for the Kingdom of God is at hand!" and the disciples also knew another motivation...JESUS.  

We must know God's message, His word, what He is saying, and has said, YES...but we must also know who we are waiting for...JESUS.  Those who did not meet Jesus personally where introduced to His Holy Spirit when they received salvation, and so are we.  We must talk to Holy Spirit and get to know our Lord Jesus so that we can have a relationship with God, not a distant plan of obedience that earns our way to 'paradise' and out of eternal fire.  We will burn out in doing good unless we partner with Holy Spirit, the closeness of God inside of us, the living God on the inside of us, Jesus in us.  

Day 5 we also passed the Sam Houston statue

²⁰ “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.²² And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: ²³ I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
²⁴ “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵ O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. ²⁶ And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”  John 17

This is how we know the love of God, that Christ died for us, and God sent His Holy Spirit to help us; revealing to us the true nature & personality of God.  This truth is undeniable, irresistible, and fills us with energy to persevere through it all even to the end.  

God thank You for sending Your Spirit, baptize us with fire, that we may know You, others can see and know You too.  Jesus we plead Your blood over our sins and the sins of our nation!  God we repent and turn to You alone, our Savior!  Set our hearts ablaze with the eternal love You freely give to those who believe in You! Come, Jesus, come Lord!  Spring up a well within my soul, within the soul of our nation; make us whole again, make us love You again, help us trust in Your word and obey Your good commands.  Have mercy on us God!  We choose Your love, Your ways, Your salvation, Lord Jesus!  Pour out Your Spirit on all flesh!  Help us God!

John 14:25-27

John 15:25-27

John 16:6-8