DETERMINED

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              DETERMINED

	This morning a scripture was impressed upon me as I was waiting before the
Lord.  I came to the computer and found it in Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered
by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by
wicked hands have crucified and slain: 

	Not content with simply finding where it was located, I searched out the
root word that Peter used when he was inspired by the Holy Ghost to tell the
men of Jerusalem what was taking place on the Day of Pentecost.

	The word is used a few places in the New Testament, and it always points up
the fact that God has been the author of the events which might look like
tragedies from the human standpoint.

	We feel that we must remind ourselves of the fact that God is the SUPREME
BEING, and as such, is in COMPLETE CONTROL of the affairs of mankind.

	Individually, we are given the freedom of choice in our activities-- to obey
the Gospel or to disobey.  BUT THE CONSEQUENCE OF EACH CHOICE IS ALREADY
DETERMINED by decree of God.

	I cannot go so far as to say that our present condition, as individuals, is
the WILL OF GOD for our lives.  But I do, confidently, assert that our
present position has been DETERMINED BY THE LORD, and is dependent upon our
obedience or disobedience to His demands upon our lives.

	Nationally, the same holds true.  With a degree of sadness, I watch the
antics of the "clowns" we have sent to our government headquarters.  

	It reminds me of the condition described by the Prophet, when chiding with
Jerusalem for their disobedience.

	Isaiah 51:20 Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the HEAD  OF ALL THE
STREETS, (Government Offices)  as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the
fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God. 

	Men who are almost normal at home become like bumbling idiots when they get
back there.  

	Why?  Because our nation has drifted into immoral disobedience to the
principles laid down for us in the Word of God.

	It is, I'm afraid, destined to get worse-- before it gets better.

	What will it take to accomplish a turn-around in our nation, in the world?

	Certainly, getting involved in letter-writing campaigns, protest marches,
phoning our legislators, etc., will not turn the tide.    Carnal, fleshly
efforts cut no ice with God.

	Our present condition has been DETERMINED BY GOD in response to our actions.
 God is the AUTHOR OF THE CONFUSION in our nation.  It can NOT BE
COUNTERMANDED by legislation.

	NOTHING BUT REPENTANCE ON THE PART OF HUMANS WILL TURN THE TIDE.  All other
efforts will fall in futility.

	 WE MUST, SOMEHOW, MAKE CONTACT WITH THE AUTHOR OF THE CONFUSION WE ARE IN.

	Thanks be to God, we are dealing with a Merciful God, who listens intently
for our calls of repentance.

	We sometimes get the feeling that the confusion is too great at present for
our feeble pleas to make even a dent.

	But such is not the case, as we learn from several of the Old Testament
people.  They were able to start a turn-around by their anointed prayers to
God for mercy.

	Listen!  If God is burdening YOU to pray for HIS MERCY to our nation, and to
you individually, He is PROBABLY DOING THE SAME THING in the lives of other
people just like you.  Each of us MUST DO OUR PART, as we are burdened of the
Lord.  

	Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do
of [his] good pleasure. 

	The Prophet Ezekiel, writing of the time in which we live penned: Ezekiel
36:37 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet [for] this be inquired of by the
house of Israel, to do [it] for them; I will increase them with men like a
flock. 

	Yes, there is hope for our nation, and for us individually.  But that hope
lies solely in our willingness to seek the Face of our God for ACTION ON HIS
PART.

	                     HE DECREED THE CONFUSION.  

                             ONLY HE CAN COUNTERMAND IT.