Triumphant and Tragedy- Where is God?
Past week- nation experienced triumphant/tragedy.
After more than 34 yrs of court-allowed abortion on demand- at any time, for any reason- the Supreme Court of the United States has upheld a ban on an abortion procedure. (Center for Reclaiming America)
Specifically they declared the 2003 ban on partial-birth abortion is constitutional- now illegal in US.
Sen. Reid/Clinton/Obama- declared- infringement on- constitutional rights of a woman to kill her baby.
Partial-birth abortion involves delivering a baby feet-first, so that the head remains in the birth canal. The doctor then punctures the skull and suctions out the brain, allowing delivery of a dead baby.
Thomas Jefferson- all people are endowed by their Creator with an inalienable right to life- (fetus).
No question- life begins at conception.
For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. (Psa 139:13, NASU)
As exciting as this victory is- over-shadowed by the tragedy that took place on- Virginia Tech campus.
Gunman walked into Virginia Tech- opened fire on students/professors- killing 32 plus himself.
Italy’s leftist Il Manifesto newspaper said the shooting was "as American as apple pie" ...
Is it purely an American problem?
Many questions arise … If God is perfect/all-powerful, why does He allow evil?
Experts/media- focus on the mental, emotional health.
Never get to the root issue- the sinful nature of man.
It is man’s fallen nature, apart from God, that allows demonic forces to oppress and direct his life.
Murderer- not merely troubled- under the influence of demonic forces because of his fallen nature.
Rick Joyner- interesting comment on the situation …
The Lord obviously allowed this to happen … we can be confident that this was not His will, and the Lord would not have allowed this to happen if we had not allowed it.
He does not mean that any one individual is responsible for what happened at Virginia Tech.
However, consider this verse …
The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, But the earth He has given to the sons of men. (Psa 115:16, NASU)
Genesis- man was created like God to rule the earth.
God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth." (Gen 1:26, MSG)
Rick Joyner …
There is no true authority w/o responsibility.
Things like this happen, not because God wants them to happen, but because of the fallen nature of man.
In a world that does not acknowledge God, sin, empowered by- demonic, often rules (has its way).
The church, those with a correct understanding and relationship w/God, have a responsibility to pray
that God’s will in heaven will be done on earth.
Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. (Mtt 6:9-10, NKJV).
The Bible says …
He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father … (Rev 1:6, NASU)
The typical role of a priest- intercede for his people.
You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 2:5, NASU)
The church must learn to …
intercede on behalf of our world,
stand against demonic activity, and ask God to
establish His Kingdom in the hearts of men.
John Tyler, after death of William Henry Harrison …
When a Christian people feel themselves to be overtaken by a great public calamity, it becomes them to humble themselves under the dispensation of Divine Providence, to recognize His righteous government over the children of men, to acknowledge His goodness in time past, as well as their own unworthiness, and to supplicate His merciful protection for the future.
(no attacks since 9/11/2001- prayer- acknowledge God’s goodness- be thankful- Psa 100:4-5)
In times of personal/national trauma, we can take to heart the words of Isaiah …
When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. (Isa 59:19, NKJV)
Last week- morning prayer- felt God wanted to release truth into the hearts of the people of COTR.
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (Jn 8:32, NASU)
Satan- father of lies and he deceives people, as in the case of the young man who killed at Virginia Tech.
He can convince us that doing evil is good.
(It is alright- sleep w/girl friend- I love her)
Rick Joyner said this- referencing Isa 59:19 …
If this is true, then we can also expect great truths to be released from the Lord with the power to counter any lie of the devil.
First, the church, must embrace truth.
To embrace it we must know it.
John Bevere- people’s ideas about salvation-
They’ve taken a false hope in concepts that are not found in the Bible. Some think God will take into account all the good they’ve done and if it outweighs the bad, they will find favor. Others who profess a new birth experience have thought that they will not stand before Jesus as Judge because He is their Savior … Then there are some who think everything will just pan out. They are trusting in an unscriptural mercy.
Verse that is prerequisite to Jn 8:32, v31 …
If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine and …
you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (Jn 8:31-32, NASU)
We must know God’s Word to be able to raise up a standard of truth in our own lives and
pray effectively for the world around us.
Prayers for the Virginia Tech community …
Comfort for families planning funeral and memorial services
Rest and wisdom for administrators
The students and faculty as they prepare to return to classes
Complete healing for those recovering from injuries
Additional Information
Many demons can be empowered by the media’s take on this. Fear and ideas give demons more power. (Steve Shultz, Elijah List)
President Bush Speaks Words of Hope at Memorial Convocation, April 17:
People who have never met you are praying for you. They’re praying for your friends who have fallen and who are injured. There’s a power in these prayers, a real power. In times like this, we can find comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God. (Blacksburg, VA)
Today, our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. We hold the victims in our hearts, we lift them up in our prayers, and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering today. Thank you.
--George W. Bush, April 16, 2007
Prayer for the Virginia Tech Community …
Heavenly Father, come with Your peace to the students, faculty and staff at Virginia Tech, and to the greater community of Blacksburg. Calm their fears and bring Your comforting presence. Give wisdom and strength to the administration of the University as they deal with this crisis. Grant healing and comfort to the injured and wisdom to those treating them.
Bring Your powerful strength and presence to those those families who have lost a loved one. Send Your ministering spirits to heal and restore the community as they seek to recover from this horrendous act of violence. Amen.
When a Christian people feel themselves to be overtaken by a great public calamity, it becomes them to humble themselves under the dispensation of Divine Providence, to recognize His righteous government over the children of men, to acknowledge His goodness in time past, as well as their own unworthiness, and to supplicate His merciful protection for the future.
--John Tyler, following the death of William Henry Harrison, April 13, 1841
And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance? Without His concurring aid...we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages.
--Benjamin Franklin
Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
-- John Adams
