Everywhere we turn there are signs of recession. Prices are rising but the moral climate of our society seems to be declining. Gas costs are going up. The cost of living is going up. Unemployment is going up. Can we recover from this recession?
President Barack Obama, upon taking office, instituted a recovery plan. Some people have doubts this plan will work while others say it will take time to see results.
One of the things we need to understand is that we are dealing with a spiritual problem, and spiritual problems need spiritual solutions. Until we seek God, all we have done with our “recovery plan” is put a bandage on the problem.
Second Chronicles 7:14 says, “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.”
God has a plan to recover this nation and his plan has to do with his people. Our nation is infected with sin and the church has the cure. I believe God has called us to be agents of change. Jesus said we are the salt of the Earth and the light of the world. Salt and light are agents of change. Salt purifies, preserves and enhances. Light dispels darkness, making it possible for us to see. Both salt and light create change.
The people of God have been called out of darkness to be a light in this world. However, we cannot be effective if we are conforming to the world.
Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” We are supposed to be different from the world.
Second Chronicles 7:14 speaks to the people of God. Before our nation can recover, His people have to recover. We need to understand God’s promise of recovery to this land is conditional. If the people of God humble themselves, pray, seek Him and repent, then He will heal their land.
The ball is in our court. God is willing to heal our land. The question is, are we willing to do our part?
What does God’s recovery plan ask us to do? First of all, it calls for us to humble ourselves. We cannot begin to recover if we are too lifted up with pride. If we humble ourselves, God will exalt us in due time.
Then we must pray. I am a firm believer there is power in prayer. Earlier this month, we observed the National Day of Prayer. All across the county, prayers were being said on behalf of our community. Prayer is our communication with God. Communication is the most important aspect of a battle. We are fighting a spiritual battle and we need to stay in contact with our commander-in-chief.
Next, we have to seek the face of God. To seek the face of God is to have a relationship with God. Too many times we seek the hand of God and not His face. We want God to provide and protect us without having a relationship with Him. I am convinced that when you seek the face of God, His hand is included.
Finally, we need to repent. We have to change directions and return to God. If we repent, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. We have to remember God loves us and He doesn’t want His people to perish.
If you are a child of God and you want to see our nation recover, accept God’s recovery plan. Trust God to do what He said He will do.
Jackson is the pastor of the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church on Elim Road and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.
President Barack Obama, upon taking office, instituted a recovery plan. Some people have doubts this plan will work while others say it will take time to see results.
One of the things we need to understand is that we are dealing with a spiritual problem, and spiritual problems need spiritual solutions. Until we seek God, all we have done with our “recovery plan” is put a bandage on the problem.
Second Chronicles 7:14 says, “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.”
God has a plan to recover this nation and his plan has to do with his people. Our nation is infected with sin and the church has the cure. I believe God has called us to be agents of change. Jesus said we are the salt of the Earth and the light of the world. Salt and light are agents of change. Salt purifies, preserves and enhances. Light dispels darkness, making it possible for us to see. Both salt and light create change.
The people of God have been called out of darkness to be a light in this world. However, we cannot be effective if we are conforming to the world.
Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” We are supposed to be different from the world.
Second Chronicles 7:14 speaks to the people of God. Before our nation can recover, His people have to recover. We need to understand God’s promise of recovery to this land is conditional. If the people of God humble themselves, pray, seek Him and repent, then He will heal their land.
The ball is in our court. God is willing to heal our land. The question is, are we willing to do our part?
What does God’s recovery plan ask us to do? First of all, it calls for us to humble ourselves. We cannot begin to recover if we are too lifted up with pride. If we humble ourselves, God will exalt us in due time.
Then we must pray. I am a firm believer there is power in prayer. Earlier this month, we observed the National Day of Prayer. All across the county, prayers were being said on behalf of our community. Prayer is our communication with God. Communication is the most important aspect of a battle. We are fighting a spiritual battle and we need to stay in contact with our commander-in-chief.
Next, we have to seek the face of God. To seek the face of God is to have a relationship with God. Too many times we seek the hand of God and not His face. We want God to provide and protect us without having a relationship with Him. I am convinced that when you seek the face of God, His hand is included.
Finally, we need to repent. We have to change directions and return to God. If we repent, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. We have to remember God loves us and He doesn’t want His people to perish.
If you are a child of God and you want to see our nation recover, accept God’s recovery plan. Trust God to do what He said He will do.
Jackson is the pastor of the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church on Elim Road and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.