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If My people who are called by My name 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 land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Today's podcast episode is a bit of a departure from other episodes in that its focus is primarily on prayer. There are 4 major areas of focus:

1. Prayer of repentance over this land

2. Prayer for God to bring the right persons into power (president, governors, senators, reps, state and local level officials)

3. Prayer for Christians to be involved in this process and to be bold

4. Prayer for the future of this country and to turn its eyes back to God (revival)

Join Derek as we walk through each of these areas and spend some concentrated time in prayer. We are crying out for the Lord to heal this land. We are crying out for His hand upon this election and leaders as we move forward. We are asking for boldness with the Body of Christ. And we want to see revival in our lifetime! Amen.

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In looking at various passages of Scripture, especially in the New Testament, there are encounters in which a similar sentiment or expression is raised: how do I find salvation? In these encounters, a similar response is given and in-roads are made to the hearer; an unbeliever who is not a follower of Christ but a seeker of truth. A few of these conversations are looked at today: we revisit Paul and the jailer in Acts 16. We look at Nicodemus and his late night visit to discuss matters with Jesus in John 3. And we contemplate Peter once again and the hearers of his sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2 (an event in which 3000 find salvation). Do we understand that many are so close and are looking for the answer to "What must I do to be saved?" If and when we do, we find out that we are the tools God uses to bring about these salvations, through the Holy Spirit.

God Questions - How Can I Be Saved Article: https://www.gotquestions.org/how-can-I-be-saved.html

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Finishing up this batch of Profiles In Courage episodes, we are looking at Paul. In Acts 16:16-40, Paul and Silas have an encounter in Philippi that leads to them being beaten and thrown into prison. As we observe the reasoning behind their imprisonment, we can easily see why this was unfair and unjust. Yet Paul praised God while he was in jail. During that time at midnight, God sends an earthquake and the prison doors fly open. Long story short, Paul's obedience to the Lord leads to the conversion of the jailer and his entire family. Through this passage, we learn that sometimes tough things come even we are obedient to the Lord. But through those circumstances we must and should still praise. As we do, we see God is faithful and walks with us through the trials we face.

I hope you will be blessed with this episode and encouraged to go back and listen to this entire series from these past few weeks. Feel free to reach out: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com

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Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13

As we move into the New Testament and look at Peter this week and Paul next week, we see boldness in both men in the pages of Acts. After Christ's ascension, there is something that takes place within Peter. It is apparent through the first few chapters as he preaches and addresses various crowds: from those gathered at Pentecost, to those after the healing of the lame beggar, to the ruling council of Sadducees. In each instance, Peter's boldness leads him to share the Gospel and to connect this same Jesus with prophecy as a fulfillment of the Scripture. Peter's boldness can and should become our boldness. In a world which needs to hear, are we taking the truth with us into the settings we're in each day?

Listen to: Jesus & Peter - Prior To/Following The Crucifixion (ENCOUNTERS) https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1663204/episodes/8520597-jesus-peter-prior-to-following-the-crucifixion-encounters

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Continuing on in our Profiles In Courage series, we are looking at Daniel. Specifically, we are looking at Daniel 6 -- the famous "Daniel in the lion's den" account. Daniel was a man who was willing to defy governmental orders in order to obey his God. The fact that he ends up in the lion's den attests to his own refusal to bow to man over God. In the process, he gives all praise and glory to God when he is found alive and well after a night with the lions. In this, his stand for God is something the King takes and pronounces to his entire kingdom: the God of Daniel....He is the living God, enduring forever (Daniel 6:26).

What might our stand for God look like in the end? If we are saved from the lions as Daniel was, we give glory to God. If we face martyrdom like Stephen in Acts, we give glory to God. Either way, the Gospel goes forth and God is praised!

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Rebooting a series that debuted in 2021, this week we are looking at Abraham and the path he took as he courageously obeyed his God. Our text comes from Genesis 22, the retelling of Abraham's sacrifice of his son Isaac. Isaac was the promised heir and the one through which God would make Abraham a mighty nation. In choosing to follow the Lord, Abraham shows an outward obedience despite any inward hesitation he may have felt. He shows that God brings provision through our obedience. Finally, God does not forget His promise to Abraham and makes good on all He said He would do.

We know the names of these Profiles In Courage, these heroes of the faith, because they stepped out. If they had refused, their account would not have made it into the Biblical record. But because we know their names and their stories, we can take heart. God goes with us and before us into the steps of faith we must take.

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Seek the Lord while He may be found;
call upon Him while He is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:6-10

Derek shares a standalone episode this week, detailing some insights from a recent passage he has studied: Isaiah 55:6-10. In this passage, we see that God invites us to seek Him while He may be found. He has compassion and extends His pardon to the wayward sinner. And we can trust Him despite what we see going on around us. His ways and thoughts are higher than our own. Listen in and be encouraged by this episode; a subject that should give us much hope even in these days.

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Finishing up this last group of 3 episodes in this series (Stuff That's Been On My Mind), we're diving into the election. Yes it is on everyone's mind. No I don't intend to tell you who to vote for. But as a Christian, I believe we CANNOT afford to sit this one out. 2024 will have lasting implications for our country. We must pray, go to the polls, and keep praying. There are certain value voter issues that have stark contrast between the two candidates: know what Scripture says and vote those values. No matter what happens, we know God is in control and He reigns. Kings and kingdoms bow down to Him and no matter who is in the Oval Office, that office must bow to the King of kings. May this episode encourage you as a Christian and may we continue to pray for America in these days; days that are vitally important to our future existence and freedom.