It's a slow process, but are we just about "cooked"?
One day after the elections, and things are stirring! It's like a pot on the stove that has a lot of different ingredients and we're all getting the heat slowly turned up. Ever hear of the frog that got boiled? It's not an overnight process and unfortunately what we are seeing now is a result of many years of God being removed from our country...or should I say WORLD? It is truly fascinating and jaw dropping that our US election has received overwhelming global support and expectations of world leaders for peace, unity, and solidarity. Folks, are we in the END TIMES or what????
For an interesting read on putting other things before God when it comes to the vote, go here:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=308498
To read the reaction article from The Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission go here:
http://erlc.com/article/dear-president-elect-obama
I went back to the stats on the elections that I have been able to vote in. I am including them in my blog today because I thought you might find them interesting as well. Only the main contender data is listed (also in total votes figures), but keep in mind there were plenty of Independents that voted and that party continues to surge!
1992
Clinton 43% 44,909,806
G.H. Bush 37.7% 39,104,500
Ross Perot 18% 19,743,821
Total Votes Cast: 103,758,127
1996
Clinton 49.24% 47,402,356
Dole 40.71% 39,198,755
Total Votes Cast: 86,601,111
2000
Bush 47.9% 50,456,002
Gore 48.4% 50,999,897*
Total Votes Cast: 101,455,899
2004
Bush 50.7% 62,040,610
Kerry 48.3% 59,028,444
Total Votes Cast: 121,069,054
2008
Obama 52.31% 62,419,768
McCain 46.40% 55,363,122
Total Votes Cast: 117,782,890
Our US population constantly grows. There are roughly 305 million 600 thousand people in the US. Go to...
http://www.census.gov/population/www/popclockus.html
...to see a current pop clock. It's really interesting and accounts for births every so many seconds, etc. Of our current US population there are around 231,229,580 people who were eligible to vote.
According to most stats, our total vote (in all parties) was somewhere around 148,216,141. That means 64% who were eligible actually voted...a record turnout!
What can we glean from these numbers? A few things. First of all, it's been evident for many years now that we are a nation that is divided. Things seemed to be shifting more to the left now. We do have cause for concern. But, we also must realize when looking at the numbers that we still have company in our beliefs! The Bible refers to the true believers in the last days as a remnant.
We can see the remnant, similar to Gideon's army. I have a feeling, just like Gideon, that many of these are going to fall away from the ranks and we will be left with a smaller number when all is said and done. Gideon's army went from 22,000 down to 300! That's roughly a decrease of 66.6% If McCain supporters decrease in the same vein, our total left would only be 831,278! I am in no way predicting that true evangelical Christians will decrease to that small of a number because I am trusting God for the end time harvest, but my question to you today is... what if it DID?
Use discernment in what you say!
Iniquity is increasing and the Word says that in the last days many will wax cold before He comes- even those who once served the Lord with gladness will now find Him and His Word offensive. "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matthew 10:22 We will be hated because of Christ, so be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove! "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16
Those who are labeled as people who "hide behind their guns and religion" will be hated and persecuted. It will not be 'correct' for anyone to believe in the Bible or uphold its principles. Christians will be accused of hatred and intolerance. Our free speech will not be free any more, but will come at a cost. Look around and you will already see that there is a call for UNITY, no matter what you believe in. This call will continue and those who oppose it will be shunned.
Specific Prayer Requests Today
Our Kids and Public Schools
At Youth Prayer meeting last night, I was about to share that (earlier yesterday afternoon) the Holy Spirit had placed a burden on my heart to pray for the kids at school (especially the High Schools) due to the arguing and posturing of some following the elections. Before I could get the words out of my mouth, one of the students raised their hand and said, "We need to pray because things were bad at school today with the arguments." The student didn't even want to go into what happened, but I was able to confirm that God indeed had someone praying for the students - and this particular student that offered the request was one on my mind!
The young vote is one of the biggest factors in the election outcome. We need to pray for these young people! I don't see things getting easier in the days ahead.
Work Environments
One of my friends also relayed a story about a work situation and the outspokenness of one of her co-workers. Again, it feels "incorrect" to say what we believe.
Sarah Palin
Even though the elections are over, the attacks on Mrs. Palin and her family still continue. Please remember to pray for her. God has used her in a mighty way and now the backlash is coming. Those who hate her are trying to burn her image so she can never rise from the ashes into politics again! Attacks are even coming from those who once put her on a pedestal as if she were Jesus. One week they are hailing her the savior of the nation and "waving their palm branches" and the next they are shouting "crucify her"! If you haven't read my previous post about how God has used her during these elections, please search my archives.
Great Outpouring of the Spirit
Finally today, I would urge all of us to pray for a great outpouring of the Spirit to begin to move across the body of Christ. We need God's Spirit to rest upon us like never before!
These times call for patient endurance and faithfulness. Pray, pray, pray.
AND PERHAPS THE MOST PRESSING THING ON MY MIND TODAY...
I will leave you with this song that has been on my heart all morning. If you've seen the movie, "Fireproof", it's one of the songs on the soundtrack.
Think of our nation when you listen to the words today.
We've become an adulterous people following after our own passions and lusts instead of God. Hey, there's a thought. Maybe we should be taking the "LOVE DARE" and applying it to our nation!
