Summary: Our Nation Needs Change but only the right change will do!

“VOTE FOR CHANGE!”

Folk, one of the most important elections in our collective life times is this Tuesday. Knowing you I know that each and every single one of you will vote if you have not already. My wife and I did the 2nd day Early Voting was available.

I believe in the American process and the American way. I am proud of my nation. She’s not perfect by any standard but she is better than most. She may stumble but she has not fallen yet! Our nation is voting for a “CHANGE” on Tuesday! We need a change in our nation! Change in “DIRECTION!” Change in “LEADERSHIP!” Understand when I say the word “LEADERSHIP” my main concern is in the “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP” of this nation. The “SPIRITUAL DIRECTION!”

Make no mistake about “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP!” Understand something, “FREEDOM (OF) RELIGION” is not “FREEDOM (FROM) RELIGION!” You can change a President but still need a Change in “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP” for the nation!

But there is only one Election that will change our nation! This nation was founded not only on “SPIRITUAL FREEDOMS” but also founded on “SPIRITUAL VALUES” and those were “GODLY SPIRITUAL VALUES!”

That one Election is found in...

II Chronicles 7:14

“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 from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their nation.”

In this passage the author is basically telling the nation they need a “CHANGE” they need a change of “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP!”

“CHANGE” starts within the Spirit! If I were to ask you how many of you need a change! Many of you would say yes! But the “CHANGE” has to and always starts with “YOU!”

One of the beliefs of Communism is that you can overthrow a government or nation by war or you can do it without ever shooting a bullet from within! The same thing applies to us as well!

Our greatest “CHANGE” happens “WITHIN OURSELVES” first and foremost! If we want to change our town, our community the “CHANGE” starts within us!

The change of “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP” has to understood that our nations is being led down a path of destruction not only by a man in a white house but by the enemy of our souls! The lack of Revival in our nation is the worst problem then nation has! There is a battle going on for the heart of a nation but most of all the “HEARTS OF PEOPLE!”

What does our Scripture say about “CHANGE?”

II Chronicles 7:14

“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 from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their nation.”

1. TO HUMBLE

2. TO PRAY

3. TO SEEK

4. TO TURN

I. HUMBLE THEMSELVES!

II Timothy 3:1-5 says...

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! “

Proverbs 16:18

“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Folk, I’m telling you that God hates “PRIDE” because it puts self in front of God!

James 4:6

“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the HUMBLE.”

Please understand, I’m not saying “YOU” are the proud! I’m saying the attitude of our nation speaks of a “PRIDE” that flies in the face of God!

But I am saying that the “CHANGE” has to start here with people like ourselves! People who are not afraid to call sin “SIN!” People who are not afraid to live a life that is “OPENLY” pleasing to God in a manner that causes others to take notice!

II. PRAY!

“PRAYER” is one of the “GREATEST RESPONSIBILITIES” the Christian has! “PRAYER” is not only about self but “PRAYER” is about others, nation, civic duty & family!

I heard a talk show host say that part of the reason the last election went the way it did was because Evangelical Vote didn’t get out! For whatever reason that was wrong! But I’ll go you one better than that! A “LACK OF PRAYER” permeated throughout our nation!

Our scripture says if we’ll “PRAY” He will hear us! When He hears us He is moved by us! By our “PRAYERS!” By our “TEARS!” By our “CRIES!”

II Chronicles 7:14

“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 from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their nation.”

“PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!”

Never underestimate the “POWER OF PRAYER!”

James tells us that the “PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS AVAILS MUCH!”

If you want to help this nation! Voting is a good start! But “PRAYER” is the best solution!

III. SEEK!

Matthew 7:7

“Ask, and it will be given to you; SEEK, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:8 makes a statement of truth and fact after that!

“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

We need to continue to “SEEK” God for our nation! For our leaders! For our families! For our community! If we “SEEK CHANGE” we will find it! How do we “SEEK CHANGE?” We do that by “SEEKING HIS FACE!” When we “SEEKING FACE” then ‘CHANGE” is inevitable! That is what Matthew 7:8 says to us!

IV. TURN!

Deuteronomy 30:9-10

“The Lord your God will make you abound...if you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

CLOSING

II Chronicles 7:14

“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 from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their nation.”

He will “HEAR, FORGIVE & HEAL the nation!