Sunday, September 20, 2015

The American Flag


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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land…2 Chronicles 7:14

My early morning bike ride this past Saturday was refreshing!

The air was cool and crisp, making it necessary to wear a long sleeve shirt as I headed out for my early morning ride!

Fall was in the air and I was looking forward to my morning ride!

The path I took was familiar…one that I had ridden numerous times the past few months!

However, as I pedaled over that well-known path, something caught my attention!

It was a flag waving in the breeze over a large auto dealership in the area.






As I watched the flag waving to and fro…I wondered…has the flag always flown over the dealership, and if so, why hadn’t I noticed it before?

Did it stand out on this particular morning…just a week after September 11th?  Is that why it had caught my attention?

Was it more noticeable this morning, because my newsfeed the week before had been filled with images from 9/11?

My eyes continue to be drawn to the flag until it was no longer in my sight!




I continued to ponder the flag as I pedaled along!  And I thought about the events of 9/11!

So many lost their lives unexpectedly that day! 

And numerous men and women lost their lives as they tried to rescue those in need!

There are many that remember that day vividly…as they fondly remember husbands…wives…mothers…fathers…daughters…sons…cherished family members and friends…who passed away in such unforeseen events!

And each of probably remembers right where we were…what we were doing…when we first heard the devastating news!

I was deeply humbled as I thought about this…those who perished in crashing planes…collapsing twin towers…inside the pentagon walls…and those who bravely fought to save the lives of many!

As I continued to ponder the image of our flag waving in the breeze...I realized that though we have moved on with our lives since that tragic day in history, there are still disturbing events happening in the world around us.

Babies are aborted daily…

Teen pregnancies are occurring…

Marriages are crumbling…divorce rates are increasing…

Domestic violence…

Sexual promiscuity…

Murders, rapes, evil crimes are committed daily throughout our nation…

Children are abused…

Underage drinking …

Drug and alcohol addictions have become epidemics…

The list is endless…it’s heartbreaking!

God’s word tells us… 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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land…2 Chronicles 7:14

September 11th was a horrific event in history, but the choices we are making today are just as appalling!

We need to be on our knees…praying…interceding for our country…for our leaders…for our pastors…for each other!

We need Jesus!

We need to turn from our wicked ways!!

Our spouses…our children…our grandchildren…our family and friends…need Jesus!

We need to be bold about sharing the gospel!

We need to share the plan of salvation…how Jesus died on the cross for our sins and if we ask Him to come into our hearts as our Lord and Savior…we will be saved!

We need to share that Heaven is a free gift…and if we believe…we will spend eternity in Heaven!

My question for you is…who can you share this great news with today? 

Is it a family member…

A friend…

A co-worker…

Your mailman…

The clerk at the grocery story…

A neighbor…

A complete stranger…

Ask God to reveal to you that person…and then pray and ask God to prepare that person’s heart…and then share your story…tell them how much Jesus loves you…loves them…loves each of us! 

Let’s be people of prayer…willing to share God’s love with all those we meet.  Let’s make a difference…let’s be the tangible touch of Jesus Christ to all we meet.

Dear Heavenly Father…Oh how we need you!  Our nation needs you!  I pray that we will be people who will humble ourselves…people who pray and seek your face…people who will turn from our wicked ways!  Forgive us Father…heal our land…and help each of us to be willing to share You with others!
















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