Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24 HCSB
Our hearts and minds are overflowing with joy and hope as we ponder the thousands, if not millions, of prayers of rededication lifted up on May 7th and May 17th. At our National Day of Prayer gatherings in the Capitol, all across the nation, and on our International Broadcast we gave people the opportunity to pray a personal Declaration of Dedication/Rededication of their lives to God. On Sunday May 17th at the 250th Celebration Gathering on the DC Mall, the United States was rededicated as “One Nation Under God.”
In significantly spiritual moments like these we should ask ourselves, “So now what?” What should we do to live out this declaration and covenant we just made to Jesus? This is not a New Year’s resolution, nor a death-destination decision, but an eternal decision of who we are going to live for – who is our LORD?
Receiving Jesus as our Lord begins with salvation, sin’s shame swept away, temptation dissolved as righteousness cleanses our hearts and minds, the gift Christ gives in exchange for the wrath we were owed but he paid our debt in full. But there is so much more, an abundant life filled with hope, purpose, righteousness, fruitfulness, sanctification from God that is continually shaping us in the character of Christ, fulfilling our eternal purpose and leading us to our Divinely designed destiny.
This is not a religion but a relationship; a relationship with the Creator of everything that exists, the God who created you and loves you more than you could ever comprehend.
As we live in this holy relationship, we honor God in awe, faith, and obedience. The One who created You really does know best. Life came with an instruction book, The Holy Bible, and in this renewed dedication we pray that you will read, pray, study, live, and share God’s Word daily and diligently, submitting to the Holy Spirit to help you understand and walk in the will and ways of God. God reveals His attributes, power, love, promises, and instructions in the Bible. This is how we get to know Him and grow in our relationship with Him!
This response is not of works but worship. Everything we do; whether we eat, drink, learn, work, serve, shop, exercise or sleep …EVERYTHING we do in life should be “unto the Lord.” It delights His heart when we use our time, talent, and treasures to glorify Him, to enjoy the life He has given to us, to love Him and love one another as He loves us. Our hearts overflow with glory, gratitude, and gladness when we live in His purpose, through His power and for His praise and glory.
We pray these significant moments gain momentum and become movements. We don’t want this to have just been a sweet prayer, but an oath, a renewing of lives across the nation a shift in hearts and homes, churches and communities that REALLY compels people to live in Christ and for Christ.
We pray we will see Christians everywhere living like the one who “built his house on the rock” with a firm foundation on Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit not only to survive the storms of life but to thrive in His joy, peace and purpose. Please take some time to pray and ponder how you will respond, grow and live daily in relationship and dedication to Jesus.
If you did not have the opportunity to pray the “Declaration of Rededication” on May 7th or you would like to post it somewhere in your home or office to remind and inspire you every day, we invite you to join us in this prayer now.
In this 250th year of America’s independence from an earthly king, we come to You, Jesus, King of Kings, to give You all glory, honor, and praise. In faith, we declare our dependence and dedication to You, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for You, alone are our Creator and Salvation. We come humbly to confess our sins and receive Your forgiveness. Today, in the presence of God and one another, we gather to pray, to celebrate, and to rededicate ourselves to You personally and in covenant as “One Nation Under God,” to love You with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, to love our neighbor as You have loved us, pray fervently, and tell of Your glory and goodness to all peoples as we abide in You and your Word abides in our hearts now, and forever more. Amen!
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President
