Second Chance Run

So, today I ran my first 5K in 6 months.
In 2015, I ran six races. I was on fire!
Then in 2016, I don’t know what happened.
OK, I know. I got lazy, distracted, comfortable, and kept saying, “mañana.”

The fire burned out.
I stopped running.
I did half-hearted workouts at the gym.
Instead of going 5 days a week, I was lucky if I went 3.

Today, I struggled. I was disappointed because I knew that I had let the cares of this world distract me from running my race with endurance. I had grown weak.

BUT, the good news is that at least I did it!
At least I got up at 5:30, got my tennis shoes on, and showed up.
At least, I kept putting one foot in front of the other and I crossed the finish line. My time was only 6 minutes longer than my best clocked time.
And, what a glorious morning it was listening to my worship music and talking (breathlessly) to Jesus.

This was my second chance run. I was reminded of my purpose: to be healthy, to have energy, and to inspire others to run their race.

As I ran, I prayed for America.
America has been given a 2nd chance run.
We, Christians, over the years had let America get out of shape. We had grown lazy, complacent, distracted, and while we slumbered our nation moved further and further from God.
We’ve been given a second chance to get spiritually fit again.
But it is going to take being committed to doing the work to stay healthy.

You see, as Believers and Followers of Jesus Christ, we are all part of the same body. Jesus is our head but we all support the body. If one of our body parts is unhealthy, than the rest of the body suffers.  Even if part of the body is working out as hard as they can, eating healthy, and taking time to rest, if the rest of body is neglecting to do their part, than the whole body stumbles and falls.

In this 2nd chance run, it is going to take the whole body to keep America healthy.
We cannot go back to being lazy, complacent, distracted by the cares of this world and neglect our spiritual health.

So, just like I’m going back to training and running. As Children of God and members of the Body of Jesus Christ, we need to:

GO TO CHURCH!

More and more, I am meeting people who profess to be Christians but no longer go to church. When asked, they say:
“I home church.”
“I’m not plugged into a church right now.”
“I don’t really think church is necessary.”
And so on and so on, excuse after excuse.

But this is what Jesus says,
“In the last days, Christians will fall way from the faith. As evil and lawlessness increase, instead of drawing close to Me, the love Christians had for Me will grow cold.”  (Matthew 24:12)

God has given us this warning so that we will know what to do to avoid growing cold. He said, “Don’t stop going to church as many are in the habit of doing. Keep going and encourage one another to go, especially as you see the day of Jesus return approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)

Even though America has been given a second chance, the Bible has not changed. God’s End Times plan is still unfolding. All signs point to the return of Jesus Christ drawing near. So now is not the time to pull away from Him. Now, is the time to stick closer than ever. Now is time to know the Word of God and to share it.

God wants us to go to church because it is His home. He opens up His house to us and invites us to dine with Him at His table. As we walk through His doors, He removes our coat of darkness and sin that we have worn throughout the week and hangs it up at the cross. God knows how easy it is for us to lose our way, how quickly we can grow weary, and how vicious the attacks of the enemy can be. That is why He wants us to come home so that He can nourish us with His Word. He can heal our wounds inflicted by the enemy. He wants us to rest in His presence so that He can strengthen us to keep fighting the good fight.

If you are not going to church, God is inviting you to come home. He is standing with open arms to receive you. Find a church that opens up God’s Word and teaches the scriptures. If the Bible is not opened and they do not mention the Name of Jesus, run away from that church. Find a church that teaches Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone. Find a church where the Holy Spirit is invited into their worship, where the Spirit of God is alive and flowing through the hearts of the congregation. Take your children to church so that they will value it as a priority in their lives, so that they will love God and experience His goodness in their lives.

So this Thanksgiving, let us be thankful for God’s unfailing love and mercy, for His salvation. Let us be thankful for this 2nd chance run. Let us stay spiritually healthy, so that when Jesus comes back He will find us running the race He assigned us. For when He returns, He is bringing our reward with Him to give everyone according to how they ran their race. (Revelation 22:12)

Love,
Yolanda

The Rocky Balboa Prayer of Protection for America

One of my favorite movie series of all times is Rocky.
I, II, III, IV and so on. I've watched them all.
I love that he’s the underdog that never gives up.
Even when you want to say, “Rocky, just stay down already.”
But, Rocky never quits.
I love the training scenes when he has “the eye of the tiger”, determined and courageous.
He always enters the ring facing an enemy fighter who is bigger, stronger, and supported by influential, heartless, corrupt moneymakers.

On November 8th, I feel like America became Rocky.
We were knocked down and it looked like we were going down for the count.
But in those final moments, we found our inner strength and courage. The Spirit that founded this nation was renewed in us.
So we stood, a little bloody and bruised, and we looked right in the eye of the enemy and said, “We are not going down with out a fight.”

Now, we've entered the final round and across the ring from us is an angry and bitter enemy. He’s got his cohorts at his ringside who are plotting evil schemes to hit dirty and to steal the victory.

But, what they underestimate is who is in America’s corner.
GOD.
He is our trainer. He is our champion. He is our Father. He is our protector.
He is on the ringside shouting, “Get up! Rise up! Stand up! Fight! I’m right here with you.”

So, how do we fight this final round for the victory?
Raising our fists. NO!!!!
Our Trainer, GOD Almighty, has told us to unleash our secret weapon for victory in this final round.

PRAYER! WE NEED TO FIGHT IN THE SPIRIT!

Because the fight is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12

So, are you ready to win? Because there is more than a championship belt at stake. Our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world are crying out for a champion and are looking to America for help. God established and blessed this nation so it would be a light on a hill, so that from our shores we would give aide to the hungry, hurting, widows, and orphans.  God has given us a spirit of courage, compassion, and bravery so that we could be protectors of the persecuted and innocent. We have been sidelined for awhile but God is giving us a second chance to get back to fulfilling our calling. Our destiny was to spread the Gospel and fulfill The Great Commission and our work as a nation is not done yet.

So put on your spiritual gloves, Believers because the fight's not over yet. It is time to pray and fight in the Spirit!

Pray for the President-elect, for his Vice President, for his cabinet, for his advisers. Pray that God gives them wisdom and integrity to lead our nation for His Divine purposes. Pray that they are guided by the Holy Spirit, stand FIRM on God's Word, and serve to do God's will, because God works all thing for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. And pray for their protection against all attacks of enemy and a peaceful transition of power.

Love,
Yolanda

PRAYER OF PROTECTION 

O LORD, rescue us from evil people.

Protect us from those who are violent, who plot evil in their hearts
and stir up trouble all day long long.

Their tongues sting like a snake; their venom of a viper drips from their lips.

O, LORD, keep us out the hands of the wicked.

Protect us from those who are violent, for they are plotting against us.

The proud have set a trap to catch us; they have stretched out a net;
they have placed traps all along the way.

I said to the LORD, “You are my God! Listen, O LORD, to my cries for mercy!”

LORD, do not let evil people have their way.

Do not let their evil schemes succeed.

Let our enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned.

Don’t let liars prosper here in our land.

But, I know the LORD will help those they persecute;
he will give justice to the poor.

Surely righteous people are praising your name;
the godly will live Your presence.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—
he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength, it cannot save.

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.

We pray in Jesus Name. Amen!

Psalm 140; Ps. 33:12-22

What We Should Learn From Abraham Lincoln

In the midst of the horrors of the Civil War, Senator James Harlan, introduced a Resolution in the Senate on March 2, 1863. The Resolution asked President Lincoln to proclaim a national day of prayer and fasting to restore healing over the nation. The nation was being ripped apart by the Civil War as brother fought against brother, father against son, neighbor against neighbor.  Sound eerily familiar to what is happening today?

The Senator’s Resolution stated:
"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!

It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness…
All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the Nation will be heard on high, and answered with blessings, no less than the pardon of our national sins, and the restoration of our now divided and suffering Country, to its former happy condition of unity and peace.”*

Senator Harlan recognized the need for God’s divine intervention to restore and unite a country divided. Abraham Lincoln agreed, so he issued A Proclamation of a Day of Fasting. Abraham Lincoln wrote:

“And whereas, when our own beloved Country, once, by the blessing of God, united, prosperous and happy, is now afflicted with faction and civil war, it is peculiarly fit for us to recognize the hand of God in this terrible visitation, and in sorrowful remembrance of our own faults and crimes as a nation and as individuals, to humble ourselves before Him, and to pray for His mercy, -- to pray that we may be spared further punishment, though most justly deserved; that our arms may be blessed and made effectual for the re-establishment of law, order and peace, throughout the wide extent of our country; and that the inestimable boon of civil and religious liberty, earned under His guidance and blessing, by the labors and sufferings of our fathers, may be restored in all its original excellence: --
Therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do appoint the last Thursday in September next, as a day of humiliation, prayer and fasting for all the people of the nation. And I do earnestly recommend to all the People, and especially to all ministers and teachers of religion of all denominations, and to all heads of families, to observe and keep that day according to their several creeds and modes of worship, in all humility and with all religious solemnity, to the end that the united prayer of the nation may ascend to the Throne of Grace and bring down plentiful blessings upon our Country.”**

Today, as civil unrest is erupting on our streets, let us learn from Abraham Lincoln and history what it takes to heal a nation divided – united, national prayer and fasting. “Abraham Lincoln led the US through the Civil War – its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis. In doings so, he preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government, and modernized the economy.” Quote from https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/proclamation-of-national-day-of-prayer-and-fasting/

God will bless a nation who humbles itself, repents, and prays.  We are in the midst of a modern day civil war as brother is fighting against brother, father against son, and neighbor against neighbor. Not only in the street as riots and violent protests have broken out but on social media as friendships have ended, family ties have been strained, and words have been spoken that cannot be taken back.

If the nation can heal from the bloodiest war in American history, we can heal from the results of an election. We need to stop seeing one another as the enemy, as left and right, blue and red. We need to see each other as fellow Americans, all wanting the same thing: a safe, prosperous, free, flourishing country that is best for our children and grandchildren.

Will you join me in praying daily and fasting at least once a week for our nation, from now until the inauguration on January 20, 2017?
Pray for divine protection over our nation from spiritual and physical attacks of the enemy. Pray no weapon formed against us will prosper.
Pray for peace, righteousness, and justice to be restored in our city streets.
Pray for the safety and security of our law enforcement officers and first defenders.
Pray for economic blessings so that those who are without work can return to work.
Pray for wisdom, courage, and integrity in our political leaders.
Pray for a peaceful transition of power from now until the inauguration.
Pray for healing in relationships among friends, family, and communities.
Pray the spirit of fear, coming from the enemy, is lifted from our nation and individuals. And, for the spirit of peace, courage, and sound mind that comes from God to flow over our nation and into the hearts and minds of the people.
And like Abraham Lincoln, let us pray the “united prayer of the nation ascend to the Throne of Grace and bring down plentiful blessings upon our Country”, in Jesus Name. Amen.

Love,
Yolanda

*http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/fast.htm

**http://www.historyplace.com/lincoln/proc-3.htm

This Was Our Wake Up Call

God has given America a reprieve and we rejoice! The soul of America was on the line and God breathed life into us again. Thank you, LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
“LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress.” (Psalm 107)
Hallelujah!!!
But what now?
This election has brought us to our knees in prayer...
This election has awaken the Church from its slumber...
Now, we must never slumber in complacency, apathy, and indifference, growing lukewarm again.
We must never retreat from the spiritual battle again.
Jesus told the church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:19) “Be diligent and turn from your indifference.”
We must give thanks and see this moment for what it is, a modern day miracle in our lifetime.
We must remember this moment as a parting the red sea, defeating the giant, surviving the lion’s den miracle moment. We must tell our children and our grandchildren of God’s mercy and grace bestowed on us today.
This was all God.
This was not man.
This was His victory and we stood still and saw the Salvation of our LORD.
In His unfailing love and mercy, He gave His people a chance to wake up.
This was our wake up call!

Now, we must stay alert, keep watch, read His Word, get back to church, speak out, reach out, share the Gospel, and ask for the Holy Spirit to unite us.
We are a divided nation and many are waking up fearful this morning.
Jesus said, “How will the world know you are My people? By your love.”
We are called to love one another as Christ loved us.
It’s up to the church to bridge the divide through the power of the Holy Spirit.
That is what this reprieve is for.
It’s time to stop being silent about our faith.
It's time to put our faith in action, through good works, service, maybe even public office.
It’s time to stop being politically correct.
It’s time to share the hope of Jesus that sustained us this election season, with those who need the hope we have.
No more excuses.

My scripture reading this morning read:
Psalm 107:42-43
The godly will see these things and be glad, while the wicked are stricken silent. Those who are wise will take this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the LORD.

So, Church let us be wise and take this reprieve to heart. We have seen the faithful love of the LORD. He heard our cries for mercy and was merciful. Let us give Him glory and praise! BUT, we must not put down our spiritual armor. The enemy will not take his defeat lying down. Our enemy goes around like a roaring lion seeing whom he will devour. We must continue to pray without ceasing for our nation, especially from now until the inauguration.

This morning, I am giving thanks for the miracle I got to witness in my lifetime, but I also have a deep sense in my spirit that God is calling His church, calling me, to use this time wisely. This revival that came to our nation must not diminish but it must flourish and grow throughout the land, healing our nation. May we once again be a beacon of light to the nations, shining God’s goodness and mercy.
My prayer is:
Romans 13:11-14 (MSG)
Yolanda, make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!

Love,
Yolanda

Prayer for America

LORD GOD, today as thousands upon thousands of Your Followers fast and pray, interceding for America, we boldly come before Your throne, fall on our face in humility and ask for Your mercy and grace on our nation.

LORD, we are:

David facing a boasting Goliath

Moses confronting a cruel Pharaoh

Daniel surrounded by devouring lions

Esther against the corrupt schemes of Haman

And just like Esther went before the king, we go before the King of Kings, and ask You to save us from the evil schemes of the enemy.  We know that we do not battle against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness. How do we fight the spiritual battle, LORD, only through prayer and speaking Your Word. We pray that You unleash Your angel army over our land, that You give them the power to defeat the demonic forces that have created strongholds over our land. We pray that chains of bondage and deception are broken, in Jesus Name.  We pray for the eyes of the blind to be open, that the veil of deception is lifted.  We pray for spiritual revival and renewal over the land. We pray for Your Holy Spirit to sweep over the oceans, valleys, mountains, cities, from sea to shining sea, penetrating hearts and souls.  

We speak Your Word over the nation.

You are the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords.

The enemy is a defeated foe.

You, Jesus, have the keys to the earth. You rule the earth from Your throne in heaven. We ask that You restore justice to our government. We ask for Your divine protection over the nation. We ask that You prevent corruption and fraud in this election. We give You all the glory and all the honor for the miracle work You are doing and will accomplish. We ask that You give us peace these next few days that surpasses understanding. That we offer hope to those who feel hopeless, that we offer strength to those who feel weak, that we offer wisdom to those who are confused, that we offer Your love to those who are broken. We ask for unity to be restored among the people of this land. We ask for Your blessings because You are a God of unfailing love and unending mercy.

Let today be the day that America turns back to You. Give us the courage and faith to face the outcome, in Jesus Name. Amen. 

#PrayVotePray
Love,
Yolanda

Walking In Spiritual Confidence In Uncertain Times

Days before this presidential election, I feel overwhelmed and deeply saddened by the amount of corruption, greed, and evil that has infiltrated all levels of government. Just when you think it could not get any worse, more wickedness is revealed. I wonder is there anyone left in halls of justice that will fight for truth and righteousness? Who can the American people trust?

When doubt creeps in and faith is hard to find, God always provides hope through the pages of His Word. Recently, I was reading about the prophet Habakkuk. Habakkuk lived in a time when violence, corruption, and evil dominated his country. My Bible commentary says, “It was a time of fear, oppression, persecution, lawlessness, and immorality.”* When I read that I thought, “Wow, that totally sounds like today’s headlines.”

Habakkuk was deeply saddened by all he saw and he cried out to the LORD:
“How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen!
'Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but you do not come to save.
Must I forever see these evil deeds?
Why must I watch all this misery?
Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence.
I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.
The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.”

The LORD replied,
“Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! 
For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.”

So, Habkkuk said, “ I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guard post.
There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint.”

Then the LORD answered Habakkuk:
“Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.  But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.
Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest.
They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied.
In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples.
But soon their captives will taunt them. They will mock them, saying, “What sorrow awaits you thieves! Now you will get what you deserve! You’ve become rich by extortion, but how much longer can this go on?’
Suddenly, your debtors will take action. They will turn on you and take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless.
Because you have plundered many nations, now all the survivors will plunder you.
You committed murder throughout the countryside and filled the towns with violence.
What sorrow awaits you who build big houses with money gained dishonestly!
You believe your wealth will buy security, putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger.
 But by the murders you committed, you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives.
The very stones in the walls cry out against you, and the beams in the ceilings echo the complaint.
What sorrow awaits you who build cities with money gained through murder and corruption!
 Has not the LORD of Heaven’s Armies promised that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes?
They work so hard, but all in vain!
For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the LORD.”

The answer God gave Habakkuk is the same answer God is giving us today. He is not blind to the evil and corruption that is taking place. He is at work in ways we cannot imagine or understand. The wicked will not get away with their schemes forever. He wants us to trust Him and live by faith.  My Bible commentary says, “God is alive and in control of the world and its events. We cannot see all that God is doing, and we cannot see all that God will do. But we can be assured that he is God and will do what is right. Knowing this can give us confidence and hope in a confusing world.”*

So, in these confusing days, let us go up to our watchtower, stand guard, and scan the heavens knowing that God is working all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Then we can confidently pray like Habakkuk prayed:

I have heard all about you, LORD.
I am filled with awe by your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger, remember your mercy.
I see God moving across the deserts from Edom, the Holy One coming from Mount Paran.
His brilliant splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise.
His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise.
Rays of light flash from his hands, where his awesome power is hidden.
When he stops, the earth shakes.
When he looks, the nations tremble.
He shatters the everlasting mountains and levels the eternal hills.
He is the Eternal One!
You went out to rescue your chosen people, to save your anointed ones.
I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign LORD is my strength (my source of courage; my invincible army)!
He makes my feet steady and sure. 
He makes me walk forward with spiritual confidence on my high places of challenge and responsibility. 

My brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of how the election turns out, there are difficult days ahead: the economy, civil unrest, wars and rumors of wars, etc. But in these Last Days, God has promised to not leave us or forsake us. We walk forward on November 9th with spiritual confidence knowing that God is good. God is just. God loves us. And all signs point to our greatest hope, that Jesus is coming back soon! So until then, we are called by God to be Habakkuks. We are to keep watch, stand firm on God's Word, and we are to write and share plainly His message of salvation in Christ Jesus.

Love,

Yolanda

#PrayVotePray

Here is a link to great message on Habakkuk: https://vimeo.com/189542493

Bible commentary is from the Life Application Study Bible.