~~Transformed Hearts / We All Need a New Heart ~~
--[ Please Read / John 3:3 thru 8]

~~THE RESPONSIBILITY BELONGS TO US~~

~~“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.'
---[JOEL 2:12-13/ NIV]

~~Israel’s inhabitants were the chosen people of God. The Temple was the center of their nation. The rhythm of their lives, even the food they ate, was established by their God. They were totally enmeshed in behaviors directed toward Him, but God said to them, “Your hearts are a long way from Me.” We, too, are a people with a heritage of faith, but our hearts are far from God. Our nation’s capital is filled with verses of Scripture carved in its stone. Our founding documents were unquestionably derived from a biblical worldview. But as a culture we have drifted far from those moorings. Will we look at what is happening in this generation and do what Joel is asking us to do? Will we return to God with all our hearts — fasting, weeping, and mourning? This is not the responsibility of “someone else.” This responsibility belongs to us. What is the only Name to remember? JESUS!

THINK ABOUT IT
What part of our current national condition grieves you most? Begin your prayers for America—and yourself—there. Believe that God has the grace and power to cause His “righteous opposite” (truth, instead of lies; justice, instead of corruption, etc.) to spring up.

PRAYER
--"Heavenly Father, forgive us for complacently accepting what grieves You, acquiescing in silence, instead of daring to be true, and squandering our inheritance of freedom on self-indulgence. Have mercy on us; restore our land. In Jesus’ name, amen."
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson--"Only Jesus"//Casting Crowns // <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAtx1y58jS0>
~~~~~~~