How God Can Use Our Prayers
To Move Heaven And Earth.
Sermon & Notes by Reverend Dr. R.R. Schwambach
delivered January 20, 2008 at The Bible Fellowship Hour
service, Bethel Temple Community Church, Evansville,
Indiana.
INTRODUCTION
I had Miss Harris, a 7th Grade history teacher, who
made history come alive for me. Her countenance would
brighten, as she would unfold for us, how America became
"the land of the free and the home of the brave."
She would recall how every generation struggled -- but
persevered, with the stories of sacrifice and success,
as our founding fathers glorified God, with one hand
on the American flag and the other hand on the Bible.
But she did not envision what would happen to her America
70 years later.
Let's look at ta couple of problems thoughtful writers,
thinkers and Bible Believing theologians are seeing
as we find ourselves being affected by the overall world
scene.
The world now envisions America with its hubris (excessive
pride and arrogance), and believes its days are numbered.
They are now envisioning the possible demise of this
land of the free and the home of the brave. And some
of us do believe that America is on a path to national
suicide, having brought into the "Great Lie."
Recently, I heard someone say America is no longer the
United States of America, but the United States of Entertainment!
The American Civil Liberty Union, is misinterpreting
the Constitution and Declaratino of Independence to
remove any mention of Prayer, Christianity Crosses,
from our schools, colleges, also Government Buildings
and property. Fifty Years Ago, the Church in America
was without understanding of what Satan was planning
and he got the greater portion of our schools. All too
often, some Judges have failed to decide matters by
the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, and
have rather bought into the slippery slope of interpreting
what is the "status quo" among their segment
of society and friends; instead of upholding the truths
upon which this nation was founded.
Patrick Buchanan, in his recent book, "Day of
Reckoning" writes "A day of reckoning is approaching.
It is my hope, that the price in blood, treasure and
humiliation, America will eventually be forced to pay
for the hubris, (arrogance, and folly) of our reigning
foreign policy is not, God forbid, war, defeat, and
the diminution of the Republic -- the fate of every
other great nation or empire that set out on the same
course."
Evangelist Jerry Johnston, in his book, "The Edge
of Evil" says "Although occult practices are
as ancient as man, there is a fast-growing developing
subculture movement in America's teenage community,
namely Satanism! Unlike the temporarily mimicked dress-style
of rock idols, Satanism among the young is here to stay."
Johnston predicts "this will become the most hideous
and horrendous reality for educations, parents, and
teens themselves to deal with in the next decade."
This is why our Church and School are working desperately
with the minds of our children and youth; to help them
guard against the horrible attacks Satan is exercising
on the minds of the Youth of America and the world.
You see, the word "occult" means hidden things.
Written words as 666, and NATAS, is SATAN spelled backwards.
More than one parent has been shocked upon the discovery
of "materials" left behind inthe room of a
son or daughter who has committed suicide.
Geraldo Rivera writes in the forward to Evangelist's
Johnston's book "It's a violent impulse that preys
on the emotinally vulnerable, especially teenagers who
often feel lonely and lost. It attracts the angry and
the powerless, teens who often sink into secret lives..."
Then, Joel C. Rosenberg, Author of the New York Times
best seller "the Last Jihad"; predicted a
kami-kaze attack on the U.S., which happened September
11, 2001; also, a war with Saddam, the death of Yasser
Arafat and Iran's nuclear threat against Israel. Rosenberg
has written the book "EPICENTER" with ten
new predictions that will change our world.
Pat Robertson, on the 700 Club, has repeatedly mentioned
and rightly feels our President and Israel's political
leadership are "mentally muddles" in their
thinking and going against Bible Prophecy, by planning
to give Hamas & the other Arabs back... territory
"God" had already given back to Israel in
the Six Day War a almost half century ago!
BODY
1. Keep in mind, that the evidence of everything I have
mentioned heretofore, is what we are seeing and have
see, which is controlled and directed by the "UNSEEN."
I repeat! The greatest battles presently raging, are
being fought in the UNSEEN, in the Spiritual reals and
in the heavenlies!
Paul E. Billheimer, in his book "Destined For
the Throne" wrote "Daniel evidently realized
that intercession had a part to play in bringing the
prophecy to pass. God had made the prophecy, but, when
it came time for its fulfillment, He did (not) fulfill
it arbitrarily outside His Program of Prayer! God sought
for a man, on whose heart He could lay a burden of intercession.
God made the decision in heaven. A man was "called
upon" to enforce that decision on earth, through
intercession and faith.
In Ezekiel 22:31, is another account. Because of Israel's
wicked leaders, God sought for a man who would stand
in the gap, on behalf of the land, but found no one.
In Ezekial 33:11, God says, "I have no pleasure
in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn
from his ways -- and live. Turn -- turn from your evil
ways! For, why would you die, O house of Israel."
Wth the breakdown of America's fundamentals being critically
attacked, we need to pray for America and our world-wide
Missionaries the way Daniel prayed for Israel (Daniel
9:3). Daniel persevered! Let me explain. Israel was
in bondage to Babylon Persia, (where Iraq and Iran are
today.)
In 606 B.C., Israel had been taken captive by Babylon.
God allowed it because of Israel's rampant sin. Years
later in Daniel 9:2, we are told that by reading again
after the prophet Jeremiah, in 27:22 and Jeremiah 29:10-13
it was time for Israel's 70 year captivity to end. Let's
read from Daniel and Jeremiah...
Daniel did something very different from what most
of us usually do! When we receive a promise of revival,
deliverance, restoration, et cetera, we tend to say
"there -- that's that" and we passively wait
for its fulfillment -- but not Daniel! He knew better!
Through reading the writings of Jeremiah, he learned
and was "impressed" to continue to seek the
Lord by prayer, supplication, persistence... and fasting
(Daniel 10:13). However, it took Daniel 21 days to overcome
the powers of darkness in the heavenly, until one of
the chief princes, Michael, was dispatched by God, and
cleared the way from Satanic blockages, to bring assurance
and deliverance!
NOW THIS:
You see, God wants US, to "partnership" with
HIM! For another eSo you ask, "What is our role
as Christians? What can we do? What is God desiring
of us? Last week, former Bethel member and now retired
Pastor of the Bloomington Illinois Church, & the
Indian Mission, emphasized needs that can be healed
through persistently pursuing and believing that God
is hearing us through consecrated, believing Prayer.
Dutch Sheets in his book on Intercessory Prayer page
140 writes of the deliverance of a person for whom he
had prayed at length. It seems this person could never
achieve any stability in life or in his walk with the
Lord. He would find a job, then quickly lose it; walk
with the Lord for a while, then turn away. This cycle
repeated itself again and again with no amount of prayer
seeming to make a difference. "One day as the minister
prayed for this young man, the Lord showed him a picture
of three demons that were following the fellow everywhere
he went. They were not in him, but always there to influence
him. The minister saw names over each deom, describing
what they did. One at a time he bound them in Jesus'
name and commanded them to leave the young man alone.
"From that moment on, everything changed. Stability
came. Success followed. Eventually the young man became
a wealthy businessman as well as a minister. And he
is still walking with God today."
.... additional text to be added soon
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