Celebrating "In-Dependence" Day

by Nate Stults

Associate Pastor

This week we celebrate as a nation our independence from the British crown, the becoming of a free country. It is an amazing story indeed of how these brave men stood and fought for freedom and liberty and became outlaws when they signed the Declaration of Independence. You can find some interesting information about the Declaration if you go to this website and click around-  www.constitutionfacts.com/us-declaration-of-independence/fascinating-facts/.

We need to remember during this time and season, however, not our independence as a people but our dependence upon God, our sovereign King, provider, protector, and as Rev. Claude Nicolas put it so well last Sunday – our Shepherd! (If you missed this insightful sermon, take a listen at our website - http://findlayfirstnaz.org/#/information/media-center.)  As he pointed out, we cannot trust a God who we do not know and we must also know the good Shepherd’s voice.  I would add that we spend time listening to Him and His Word, and spend time confessing on behalf of our own selves, community, country and/or fellow humanity our sinfulness, depravity, and waywardness; and ask for His healing and restoration.

I had mentioned last Sunday as we participated in the Call2Fall:

• that even evil Spirits fell down before Jesus to proclaim Him the Son of God (Mark 3:11)
• the vision in Revelation of those who fell down before God in heaven (Revelation 7:9-17)
• the word of the Lord that came to Solomon after he completed the temple and palace.    (2 Chronicles 7:11-22)
• and the telling verses that surround the well-known verse of 7:14, “…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…”

Also, consider the majesty and power of God as revealed in 2 Chronicles 7:1-10 just before this other section, and consider how we can celebrate and be joyful for the “consecration” and “dedication” of our own lives through the gift of salvation and holy sanctification. See how the people fell down in awe of his fire falling from heaven. I will include here just the first four verses:

The Dedication of the Temple

7 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. ² The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it.³ When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.” ⁴ Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord. 

You can easily read the entire chapter of 2 Chronicles 7 here:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+7&version=NIV

As we remember these verses about being humbled before God and falling prostrate before the Lord, let us be encouraged that the Lord listens to our prayers. We are called to be a people of prayer. As Oswald Chambers and many others write: Prayer is not the preparation for the work of ministry, prayer is the great work and ministry of the church! And the Spirit wants to give us the power of prayer.

I encourage you all to participate in the seven-day prayer movement that is now under way. It was begun by Billy Graham’s daughter, Anne Graham Lotz. Today is Day 2 and it concludes on the seventh day of the seventh month with a 7-hour fast. So mark your calendar for 7/7/14 and check out today’s prayer and info at http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/events/urgent-call-to-prayer/urgent-call-prayer-day-two/.  

I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday and hearing a word from Pastor Donna!

Have a Happy In-Dependence Day!
Pastor Nate