HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS

As I type this it's now the day after the election of 2016. Donald Trump became the new president elect. I had a hard time falling asleep last night. I couldn't get comfortable. Not because Trump became won the election. Honestly I feel that it was because it seemed as if the ones that are supposed to have hope were hopeless. The same ones that were posting stuff like, "No matter who wins the election, God is still on the throne." were now the same ones with no hope. How are ones seeking for hope supposed to find it when the ones that have the answer are acting the same way? If I was a smoker looking to stop smoking, I wouldn't go to someone like Dave Chappelle for advice on how to stop smoking.

John P. Kee sang, "There's a lily in the valley, found it to be bright as the morning star." I find that to mean there's hope. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Matthew 28:20 says, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." That right there is reason to have hope. That right there is a reason to continually "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Ephesians 6:10)

If people are really as scared as they say they are they're going to be seeking some answers to what to do. That's why it's important to stay strong. Not just in face but in spirit as well. It is written where it said, "I'm not afraid of the darkness. Whom shall I fear if God before me. What shall we say to these things, I'm not afraid anymore." That is where we should be, but to keep it real, life happens, and fear sets in. But there should be something in us that reminds us that our "

hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand."

So while I couldn't sleep, I went to God in prayer after trying other things to get to sleep. As I was praying I got reminded of a story my dad would refer to sometimes when he was preaching. The story is found in the Bible, 2 Kings 6:8-23. The main part I focused on was verses 15-17a, "And when the servant of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw; and, behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." One commentary says, "Faith reveals that God is doing more for his people than we can ever realize through sight alone. When you face difficulties that seem insurmountable, remember that spiritual resources are there even if you can't see them."

Romans 8:31, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us." 2 Chronicles 32:7-8, "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles." Exodus 14:14, "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

PRAY MORE

It's been too long since I've posted. That was on me. I could've posted something more recently, but I didn't want to post without thinking. Without praying. I didn't post out of reaction, like I did with some FB posts that I know has cost me, but it is what it is.

Here's a little background. I was watching this parody periscope video featuring two characters, Mother Walker, a church mother played by Lexi Allen, and Antwan, a gay man played by DW Bass. Periscope for those who don't know is an app that allows users to do live video shows or sessions. So Mother Walker and Antwan was doing what some would consider a mockery of an old school prayer service. They were taking prayer request and all that. I will admit that I was laughing and laughing hard. But there was one part where I feel that they went a bit over the line, and I felt convicted after laughing. The name of Prophet Brian Carn came up, and the real mockery started. If you don't know who Brian Carn is, he's one of the well known prophets. I guess best known as a traveling evangelist.

Before I go on, let me say that I'm not going to offer an opinion on him or his public perception right now because this is not the place for it. And I got enough heat on me already.

Anyway, they began to make a mockery of the accusation of him being a false prophet. I was aware of the story, and I was laughing. Where I got convicted is that it came back to my remembrance when  my pastor talked about the story in the Bible about Elisha and when some youth made fun of his bald head.

"And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them." - 2 Kings 2:23-24

So I looked at those verses and then I read the commentary which had this to say, "When we are cynical and sarcastic toward religious leaders, we are in danger of mocking not just the person, but also the spiritual message. While are are not to condone the sin that some leaders commit, we need to pray for them, not laugh at them." Now that's heavy. How many times have we mocked people and not prayed for them. Now let me say that I'm that guy that mocks and makes fun. So I understand the gimmick. But, how much is too much?

"...men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" Luke 18:1

"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honestly. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." - 1 Timothy 2:1-4

"Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." Luke 6:28

When you hear about the "old school church" you hear about the healing that took place. The miracles, signs, and wonders that took place. And you hear about the prayer that used to take place. Of course some focus on the part of the old school that is about make-up and the women wearing pants thing. I say let's focus on the parts of the old school that made it work. I'm pretty sure that it wasn't the clothes they were wearing that made things go the way they want back in the day. I could be wrong, but I read no where in the Word that these things come by wearing a long skirt and no pants.

Back to prayer tho. Prayer is how most ministries got their start. Stop allowing the devil to take prayer out of your life. I hear it talked about all the time that prayer got taken out of schools. Well it didn't get taken out of your home or your church did it? You don't have to be in the school to pray.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear form heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

I think the old school church really understood that. The same God back then is the same God today. God hasn't changed, We have. We need to get back to basics. Not talking about clothing. I'm talking spiritual. Get back to prayer. Get back to fasting. Get back to the "songs that brought us over." That can still bring us over. Those old songs still work if sung with power. Lets get back to prayer.

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16

Pray for me.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson