II Chron. 7:14; 20:14-30 God's people are undergoing a tremendous amount of pressure at this time. It seems as though every time a Christian makes a stand or determines to do right before God, the pressure is on. There is the temptation, pressure and encouragement to go back to the old flesh life style. Some become physically ill, or if they already are struggling with health issues, they seem to get worse. There are financial reverses and loss of jobs or housing A lot of us are coming to the wrong conclusions. God is not disapproving, but we are in all out warfare, some time ago as I was in prayer, I was asking God what was going on and how can people be enabled to resist and stand in their faith without crumbling. God's reply was that we needed to praise Him - to become people of praise, both individually and corporately. Not only as Psalm 22:3 says that God lives in the praises of His people, but also as we offer praise and thanksgiving to Him we are developing an attitude of trusting Him. (see Prov. 3:5&6) The battle is not ours but His. The second thing that He showed me was II Chron. 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 will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land." there are four words that are critical: Praise, humble, pray, seek, and turn. If we'll spend time before God on these five fronts, we'll find ourselves equipped to meet God's call on our lives. This won't start as a nation and don't wait for the whole church. This will only start with the person who looks at you in the mirror. It is only there that revival starts, and from there it can spread. Let it begin in me.

Standing in the Midst of the Battle