Church of the Good Shepherd

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 will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
-- 2 Chronicles 7:14
 
In today's world we get so caught up in success. Everything turns back towards a me attitude. It turns to "look what I have done" or "look at what I have accomplished." Way to often it is also that way in the church. God moves in our services and we say "man the praise and worship team rocked it today" or "the pastor did an awesome job delivering the message today." We lose sight on what is really happening. We let the enemy create a me-centric approach to our ministry. We let the enemy remove God from the center of our attention and replace it with "our" accomplishments.
 
Have you ever been in a situation where someone else took credit for something that you did? We have all been in that situation. How did it make you feel? Now look back and think about how you would feel if the person that took the credit came back to you and asked for a favor. You would probably laugh at them. You would probably tell them that they are on their own and they could work out the solution to the dilemma they are experiencing.
 
It is hard to imagine helping that person but in reality we do that to God on a regular basis. There is no doubt that our land is in desperate need of healing. At the current rate, only 4% of the younger generation will be bible believing Christians. We should be scared for our younger generation. We should be praying and interceding on a regular basis. We should be seeking the face of God on a daily basis. Not simply entering into praise and worship so we can have our needs met but simply entering in and asking for God to reveal Himself to us. Only then will He truly show up in a way that satisfies all our needs.
 
There is no arguing that we need to turn from our wicked ways. Even as Christians we struggle with way to many areas in our lives. Whether it be pornography, lustful thoughts, partying, using the Lord's name in vain or simply failing to trust God with ALL aspects of our lives. We need to turn from our wicked ways first and foremost. Then and only then can we be part of the people who are "called by my name." We need to cast aside our worldly thoughts and actions and make room/time for God. Without that we are destined to fail.
 
However, after we have turned from our wicked ways we need to do something else before we enter into our prayer time and before we enter into a time where we truly seek His face. We need to humble ourselves. When used as a verb as it is in 2 Chronicles 7:14 to humble means to "lower in condition, importance, or dignity… or to destroy the independence, power or will of… or to make meek." In other words, to humble ourselves in this situation means to make less of ourselves and in turn more of God.
 
John the Baptist understood and displayed true humility when he said… "29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:29-30. John the Baptist realized that not only was everything he was doing not about himself but that in order for it to move forward he must become less so there could be more of Jesus. How humble is that! We all need to come to the point where we simply lay ourselves aside and accept the fact that there needs to be less of ourselves and more of God in our lives!
 
I am tired of doing "youth group!" It is time to let God move among the youth so that He can heal our land! To do that… WE NEED TO HUMBLE OURSELVES!!!