Reclaim and Return

“What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.” So said John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement. Years later, a sociologist enlarged the statement by saying, “What one generation despises, the next generation tolerates, and the third generation accepts as the norm.” Without citing illustrations, of which there are many, let me just say that I’ve lived long enough to see that become a reality. While some would call it progress, and others would call it deterioration, the Bible speaks of a generation where, “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). May I remind you that historians also labeled that time, “The Dark Ages of Hebrew History.” Our post-modern, new age society says there are no absolutes, no right nor wrong; if it works for you, it is OK. I spoke to nearly 100 student, want-a-be preachers last week as they began their course of study that will culminate in them preaching a revival meeting as a part of a program entitled, “Reclaiming This Nation.” While everything around us moves us away from God, it is time to reclaim old truths and “return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness” (Joel 2:13).

Join me this week in interceding for the following global concerns:
• Yesterday was the annual Day of Prayer for Corsica. It’s not too late to pray for those who serve God on this island.
• Pray for Patricia as she trains workers this week in Ombessa, Cameroon to translate the first four chapters of Galatians.
• Pray for CHAT, a new English club which will begin on Feb 9 in Ukraine.
• Pray for a team going to Honduras to build a church in the small community of Azacualpita.