There is Barack, and then there is Barak!

There is a man in the Bible who shares our president’s name. Barak was chosen by God to lead Israel at a time of serious military and economic crisis. (Hmmm, I see some similarities here!) The Canaanites were plotting an invasion, so Deborah—the prophet of the Lord at that time—called on Barak to defend Israel even though Jabin’s iron chariots far outnumbered Israel’s ragtag army.
Barak had an unusual response to Deborah’s request. He told her: “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go” (Judg. 4:8, NASB). This may sound like an admission of weakness, but Barak was no mama’s boy. He is actually listed as a hero of faith in the book of Hebrews (see Heb. 11:32). So why did he insist that Deborah accompany him?

Barak knew he could not be a successful leader without the Lord’s prophet by his side. He needed the counsel of God. He wanted the supernatural wisdom and favor that comes from honoring the Lord and His word.

Every leader in the Bible was measured by his or her reliance upon the one true God. The Bible gives us a long list of the kings of Israel, and each one either stood or fell depending on how he aligned himself with God and His true messengers. Those who honored God and listened to His prophets experienced economic prosperity and military victory; those who turned to idols and listened to false prophets failed miserably.

(taken from an article by J. Lee Grady of Charisma Magazine)

"If President Obama truly wants to make the most positive mark on American history, he cannot simply position a few token Christians on his stage while the prophets of Baal surround him."

We must pray that our new president will honor the God of our fathers and seek counsel from His prophets.

Today is "National Religious Freedom Day" - Jan.16th

Did you know that?

Each year, the President declares January 16th to be Religious Freedom Day, and calls upon Americans to "observe this day through appropriate events and activities in homes, schools, and places of worship." The day is the anniversary of the passage, in 1786, of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom.

Yesterday, President Bush gave his Farewell speach to the nation, and today made the following post:

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Religious freedom is the foundation of a healthy and hopeful society. On Religious Freedom Day, we recognize the importance of the 1786 passage of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. We also celebrate the first liberties enshrined in our Constitution's Bill of Rights, which guarantee the free exercise of religion for all Americans and prohibit an establishment of religion.
Our Nation was founded by people seeking haven from religious persecution, and the religious liberty they found here remains one of this land's greatest blessings. As Americans, we believe that all people have inherent dignity and worth. Though we may profess different creeds and worship in different manners and places, we respect each other's humanity and expression of faith. People with diverse views can practice their faiths here while living together in peace and harmony, carrying on our Nation's noble tradition of religious freedom.
The United States also stands with religious dissidents and believers from around the globe who practice their faith peacefully. Freedom is not a grant of government or a right for Americans alone; it is the birthright of every man, woman, and child throughout the world. No human freedom is more fundamental than the right to worship in accordance with one's conscience.
Religious Freedom Day is an opportunity to celebrate our legacy of religious liberty, foster a culture of tolerance and peace, and renew commitments to ensure that every person on Earth can enjoy these basic human rights.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2009, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to reflect on the great blessing of religious liberty, endeavor to preserve this freedom for future generations, and commemorate this day with appropriate events and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH

This would be an excellent day to thank our God for the freedoms we still have, and to lift up the persecuted church here and around the world - Just a thought!

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)

I went to the prayer meeting Tuesday morning with the spiritual state of our nation in the forefront of my mind, admitting that although appalled by the rising intolerance toward morality and godliness, I have done relatively nothing about it.

Then, as 'fate' would have it (just kidding guys - relax!), I received an article titled "Becoming a Reformer". Needless to say, this piqued my interest. It started off with this challenge:

It is time for “good men”--the church—to arise and let their voices be heard. The spirit of reformation must arise in God’s people and turn this nation back to righteousness and to God.

I won't bore you with a recap of what is going on, as we all have eyes and ears, so let's focus on the solution. A clear definition of right and wrong must be put in place. We have to reestablish our plumb line to use as a measuring rod.

(Maybe that will begin with Rick Warren being given a voice at the Presidential Inauguration. I don't think our focus should be on Rick Warren being dubbed 'the next Billy Graham', because that takes the focus off of the Lord Himself as the answer, but it's definitely a start.)


In the Old Testament, God made a promise to the Jews. As long as they obeyed Him, He would bless them as a nation. “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Deut. 7:9, NKJV).
As believers, we cannot remain nonchalant. We must become new wineskins that have embraced the spirit of a reformer. Reformers are hearing the warning to awake! The destiny of our nation is waiting for them to arise and let their voices be heard. God will use men and women to release prophetic decrees that will snap the chains of death wherever God sends them.


True, we can't force a godless people to obey God, but can we obey Him? What is he calling you to do? Pray for Rick Warren as he delivers a speech and/or prayer in front of the millions who will be watching? Add a prayer meeting to your schedule? Intercede for our leaders? Call your Senator? Write a letter? I know I feel spanked, and I will have to re prioritize - how 'bout you?


Hey, what better time than now - January 1, 2009?

“‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord’”(Luke 4:18-19).
This is your acceptable, or as some translations say, “favorable,” year. Go forth in 2009 as a new wineskin! Be who you really are. Be anointed with the spirit of the reformer and change the world!

(excerpts taken from an article by Barbara Wentroble)