BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

You may recall that the scripture specifically says our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). But that’s the key. We’re not talking about our righteousness. We’re talking about His righteousness. You and I are not righteous because of anything we’ve done. We are righteous for only one reason—because of what Jesus did. I was blessed with a good dad. He provided for me and my sister. He had gone through the Great Depression, fought in World War II and helped rebuild America. He worked hard, and when he died, we inherited everything that he had willed to us. When I found out, I said, “Lord, I didn’t do one thing to deserve any of this! I didn’t make it. I didn’t build it. I didn’t create it. The only thing that I did to deserve what my father left me was that I was born his son. That’s it!” And the Lord responded, 'Yes, and all you had to do to inherit what I gave you is to be born again, born into the family.' Our righteousness is inherited as a gift from God. We didn’t do one thing to deserve it, to earn it or to make it. The reason we can stand in His presence without any guilt or shame is because we didn’t do anything to get it. Jesus did. In Philippians 3:9, Paul says, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” God has already done what He needed to do, legally, for us to be righteous. Our part is the “by faith” side. And it’s a vital side. It’s the side that works this out day by day. What We Can Do So…what can the righteous do to uphold moral and political standards of a nation? First, we can pray. James 5:16 says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Like the saints of old, we need to pray with determination, not letting go until our prayers are answered. Second, we can stand before God. Romans 5:1-2 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Remember, we’re justified by faith, so as the righteous, we alone can stand before God without guilt or shame. Third, we can stand in the gap for the land. Ezekiel 22:30 says, “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” It’s not in God’s DNA to destroy. That’s not His M.O. Satan is the destroyer (John 10:10). That’s why God sought for someone who would make a hedge and stand in the gap. We can pray, stand before God and stand in the gap for our cities, our states, and our nation. At our church, we’ve taken a stand. We’ve gathered our church together and joined our city’s meetings. We’ve prayed for the board of directors. We’ve prayed with the governor. We’ve prayed with members of Congress. We’ve become involved, not to criticize and judge them…but to support them. In doing so, we’ve been able to help everyone from the homeless to the politicians. Remember 2 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 will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The Awakening We’ve Wanted We are living in a righteous revolution. This is our time to take our place in Christ and take our stand for what is right. It’s time we stood in prayer, before God, standing in the gap for our nation. Pray for our president. Pray for Congress. Pray for our leaders, all the way from the national level down to the local level—regardless of what party they belong to. Pray that no weapon formed against them will prosper and no evil will befall them. As we do, this righteous revolution will continue and flow like a wave. It’s an awakening, the revival we’ve been waiting for. V HAPPY CALDWELL is founder and pastor emeritus of Agape Church in Little Rock, Ark. He is also president and founder of Victory Television Network. For ministry materials or more information, go to vtntv.com. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * WATCH FAITH FOR OUR NATION George Pearsons, Buddy Pilgrim and Michele Bachmann Sept. 24-28 KCM.ORG bvovn.com ********************************************* “Our glory has never been in our military might. Our glory has never been in our education system. Our glory has never been in our statesmanship and diplomacy. Our glory has certainly never been in our brilliant politics. “Our glory has been in our people who pray. Our glory has been in the Name of The LORD Jesus Christ of Nazareth and standing on His WORD, and we’re still standing there and He’s still God and He’s still LORD of this nation.” —Kenneth Copeland BVOV : 25

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