…If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
(2 Chron. 7:14 NKJV)
America needs healing in every way – spiritually, politically, financially and relationally. Does God have a remedy? Yes, He does! He’s told us to hit our knees in humility, prayer, seeking and turning.
Humility. Healing starts with humility. To be humble doesn’t mean to berate yourself or to think of yourself as an unworthy worm; rather to be humble simply means to place yourself under the Lordship of Jesus and to submit to His Word. That eliminates the temptation to yield to ego, arrogance and a “told you so” haughtiness. True humility is to see yourself the way God does and to submit yourself to the authority of God’s Word. The Bible tells us to “humble ourselves” which means God won’t force us to be humble, we get the choice to go low. If the truth be known…if it wasn’t for the Lord, we would know nothing, have nothing, be nothing and do nothing of any significance. In that light…it’s easy to be humble!
Prayer. Prayer is a verb. It’s something we do. In fact James 5:16 promises that when we pray earnest, heartfelt, continued prayers they make tremendous power available. Let’s make power available as we pray for our country. Pray for our election. Pray for our leaders. Pray for Americans. Pray that our hearts will be receptive to the things God values and the truth of His Word. Pray that the eyes of our hearts will be opened to see the things God wants us to see. Pray that we will be filled with the knowledge of God’s will for this country. (For those of you receive this edevo and live in other nations, we appreciate your prayers and spiritual support for America in these days.) When we pray, it’s our opportunity to ask! God said we have not because we ask not…so, let’s ask! Pray and ask Him for mercy, grace, wisdom, help, favor and all that He’s already promised in His Word.
Seeking. Seeking God is a lost art among many. To seek the Lord is to pursue God; to go after Him and His plans and purposes with vim and vigor. To crave God is to desire and require His thoughts, His will and His direction in any matter. Seeking God is the expression of a heartfelt desire to know Him, to walk with Him and to have His heart. The level of our seeking can be determined by our hunger and thirst for the Lord and His ways. Are you hungry for God? Thirsty for the Lord? Cry out to the Lord from the depths of your soul and seek to know and find Him afresh!
Turning. We have to weigh things the way the Lord does and turn from the things that are not pleasing to Him. We have to be willing to admit, repent and forsake. We are to turn from wickedness, ungodliness and sin. (I know these are not popular words…but things we really need to evaluate.) Are we willing to turn from things that are contrary to God’s Word? Are we willing to repent and turn around 180 degrees if necessary? Are we willing to let go of some things so that we may lay hold of the things God has in store for us?
God has promised to hear from heaven and heal our land, if we will demonstrate humility, prayer, seeking and turning. Perhaps, today would be a good time to put this verse into practice.
Prayer: Father, I choose to humble myself before You and Your Word. I place myself under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of Your Word. I pray for America today, Lord. Help our nation. Open the eyes of our hearts so that we may see one another the way You see us. Fill our leaders with Your knowledge, wisdom and discernment. Jesus, I seek Your face. I seek You with my whole heart. I am Yours Lord – help me to live in a way that pleases You. I turn from every wicked and ungodly thing that would be a distraction in my life. You are a good God and I ask You to hear from heaven and heal our land. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
As a young couple, fresh out of Bible School with Two daughters and a third child on the way, Jeff and Beth Jones felt God's call to pioneer Valley Family Church in 1991 with a vision to make an eternal difference in Southwest Michigan. As a husband and wife team, they have always led together as visionary pastors and have shared the pulpit as Bible teachers. They are passionate about building the local church in greater Kalamazoo and the global church around the world.
Their message has always been focused on the basics of the Bible and has remained consistent since VFC's beginning. Throughout VFC's history, the goal of their teaching has been to help people live an abundant life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and through faith in God's Word. In short, it's our mission statement: we exist to help people become devoted followers of Jesus who get the Bible basics, live the life and do the stuff.
Jeff and Beth have four kids and four grandchildren. Meghan is married to Brodie Hock. Annie is married to Zack Spangler. Luke is married to Kelsey Jones. Eric is married to Alexa Jones. All of their kids and in-laws have served with them in the church for many years and each sense their own unique calling to ministry.