Presidential Proclaimation on the National Day of Prayer

DISCLAIMER: The following post is not politically motivated, but flows out of the heart of a child of God, grieving for his nation.

Below I have posted the Presidential proclamation on the National Day of Prayer. Controversy arose a few days ago when the White House announced that it would NOT observe the National Day of Prayer (a legal national holiday), publicly as has been the case for the last eight years. I believe this should grieve the heart of every believer, regardless of political persuasion.

It is a tragedy when the President of the United States will publicly observe Cinco De Mayo, but gives no such respect for the day upon which prayer is emphasized. Some say he is endeavoring to curb criticism, or avoid offending those of other faiths. The question in my mind is, "Is prayer that offensive to the nation that exists because of it?" There is, of course, many underlying issues that I will not get into here. Suffice it to say that this may be the beginning of a new era of persecution of believers.

May I point out four things in the following proclaimation. Firstly, it places more emphasis on the work of our forefathers than it does on the importance of God's intervenion in our Nation. While I hold dear, and thank God for, the work and sacrifice of our forefathers, they are secondary to the hand of God upon us. They were, in fact, tools in the hand of God to preserve our freedom.

Secondly, this proclamation includes a statements that is strategically placed to keep this document politically correct, noting that people can "worship or not worship, according to the dictates of their conscience." This is contrary to the truth of the sovereignty of God. God judged old testament kings when they followed the dictates of their conscience, and did what "seemed good unto them." This statement suggests that we create our own right and wrong, and promotes personal righteousness. Our righteousness is as filthy rags.

Thirdly, the proclaimation seems to call America to peace and goodwill before it calls America to prayer in the second to last paragraph. Has our nation forgotten that without prayer there is no peace? Has our nation forgotten that the only person who brought peace and goodwill to earth was Jesus. When he was born the angels gave their own proclamation. "Luke 2:10-14 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Fourthly, the President has not necessarily done a noble thing by publishing this proclamation, as some suggest. According to law, until it is changed, the President of the United States is called upon to make this proclaimation every year.

The Church in the world needs now, more than ever in history, pray for the United States of America. For when our leaders crowd God out of every part of society, surely we will incur His judgement.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Throughout our Nation's history, Americans have come together in moments of great challenge and uncertainty to humble themselves in prayer. In 1775, as the Continental Congress began the task of forging a new Nation, colonists were asked to observe a day of quiet humiliation and prayer. Almost a century later, as the flames of the Civil War burned from north to south, President Lincoln and the Congress once again asked the American people to pray as the fate of their Nation hung in the balance.

It is in that spirit of unity and reflection that we once again designate the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer. Let us remember those who came before us, and let us each give thanks for the courage and compassion shown by so many in this country and around the world.

On this day of unity and prayer, let us also honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. We celebrate their commitment to uphold our highest ideals, and we recognize that it is because of them that we continue to live in a Nation where people of all faiths can worship or not worship according to the dictates of their conscience.

Let us also use this day to come together in a moment of peace and goodwill. Our world grows smaller by the day, and our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted; to make peace where there is strife; and to lift up those who have fallen on hard times. As we observe this day of prayer, we remember the one law that binds all great religions together: the Golden Rule, and its call to love one another; to understand one another; and to treat with dignity and respect those with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth.

The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on the President to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a "National Day of Prayer."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 7, 2009, as a National Day of Prayer. I call upon Americans to pray in thanksgiving for our freedoms and blessings and to ask for God's continued guidance, grace, and protection for this land that we love.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

Easter Sunday 2009, A Day of Harvest

Every Easter, people everywhere gather in houses of worship to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord. Preparations for this day include shopping for new outfits, hunting Easter eggs, attending Resurrection breakfasts, rehearsing Easter dramas and cantatas, and the like. 

Easter is proverbially the day the unchurched feel obligated to attend. When Easter Sunday morning comes, churches fill up with people coming to pay their honor to the Christian faith, many of which will not give the Lord a second thought until much the same festivities accompany Christmas, again pointed the masses to the work of Christ.

For the believer, Easter is the crescendo of everything we have celebrated all year. We prepare for larger crowds. We enhance the appeal of our buildings. We pull out all the stops and put our best foot forward. But what do we expect as the aftermath of Easter Sunday? Normally, once the excitement of the day has past, the masses return to ignoring God and the church returns to faithfully serving. 

I submit to you the obvious. Easter Sunday is not about dramas, breakfast meetings or egg hunting. These are presumably only tools to draw the masses. Easter is about the harvest. Easter Sunday is perhaps THE day when the harvest presents itself for reaping! It is the moment then the unchurched willingly grace the doors of our churches to do the decent thing. If we miss this opportunity, Easter has been of none effect.

I rejoice to declare that eight people made decisions for Christ this Easter at the House of Restoration. Those eight people were worth every hour spent cleaning, every egg filled with candy, every song sung, every word preached, every minute spent preparing for the day. Easter is a day of harvest. All over the country churches reported salvations taking place in their services. Heaven won a great victory. A mighty army was reached for the Kingdom. To God be the Glory!

Milford Revival Featured in General Overseer's Blog

Recently Dr. Raymond Culpepper, General Overseer of the Church of God, featured the Milford Revival in his blog. Click here to read the post in its entirety.

Dr. Tim Hill Visits the Milford Revival

Sunday evening, Dr. Tim Hill, 1st Assistant General Overseer of the Church of God, visited the House of Restoration in the 5th month of the revival. Dr. Hill shared, "We have heard about this revival in Cleveland, Tennessee..." He expressed that he was honored to be a part of what was happening, and stated that he sensed a "purity" to the meeting.

Dr. Hill preached a powerful message about Jesus' healing of the woman with the issue of blood and the daughter of Jairus. He proclaimed that when Jesus healed the elder woman, it symbolized the fact that it makes no sense to heal the younger generation first, only to turn it over to a sick older generation. He said, "The church has to be healed of its issues."

I believe that this visit was a divine appointment, and that God used Dr. Hill to confirm things that have already been spoken, as well as prophesy progress over the meeting. Thank God for continuing to give His divine direction.

Dr. Hill's message is available on CD, and can also be viewd in archived video.

HofR Webcast Goes Interactive

This Friday night at 7 PM EST, the HofR live webcast will go interactive. You will now be able to engage in live chat with a moderator present in the service, as well as follow live Twitter updates. The moderator will be receiving praise reports, prayer needs and similar info via the new chat box found below the video stream. Twitter updates will appear below the chat box, and on the footer of each page in the website.

Additionally, thehaven youth ministry has a new live student webcast page in the student ministries section of the website. They are broadcasting every Wednesday night at 7 PM EST.

We look forward to interacting with you!

God has chosen the House of Restoration

When I say, "God has chosen the House of Restoration," I am not saying or implying that we have exclusive rights to the power and presence of God in any form or fashion. I would like to take a few minutes, however, and explain to you what I AM saying.

There are many churches in our area that have a variety of ministry strengths. All of them are doing a great work for the Kingdom of God. Any local church body that endeavors to spread the Gospel is valuable and precious. Thank God for a group of believers that will submit themselves to be used of God to reach out to people, regardless of their label or religious affiliation.

Unfortunately, some churches are making a shift. The shift involves eliminating everything from their worship services that offend the unbeliever. That means that they remove all references to the Blood of Jesus, they no longer have altar time, they no longer allow the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit, all in an attempt to draw the seeker. Again, it is not for me to judge the method as long as the message doesn't change. However, it seems to me that some churches are denying the power of God.

I believe that God has called the House of Restoration to be that church in our area where you can still experience the distinctives of Pentecost in the worship service. He has called us to be the church where the gifts of the Spirit flow freely, and He is not put in a box. He has called us to carry the baton of His power and presence in a time when its not popular to be radically saved. The House of Restoration is the church that is not ashamed and will not apologize for being 100 percent Pentecostal!

Again, let me clarify. I am not saying or implying that we are the ONLY church in our area that is true to its pentecostal roots. I'm simply saying that I believe God has called us to raise that banner and declare it uncompromisingly. We must never give up ground. We must never retreat from that stand. We must never be afraid to shun conformity to the world, or even what is religiously normal. We have been endued with God's power, and are changed as a result!

Revival Continues, Format Changes

We are continuing to enjoy the move of the Lord at the House of Restoration Worship Center. For thirteen weeks, God has poured out His Spirit upon a hungry believers that have met together in this place. Beginning March6, 2009, we are changing the format of the meeting. Rather than having service Sunday through Wednesday each week, we will meet Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This change is brought about by the direction of the Lord, and I am looking forward to stepping into the next level of His presence.

We are taking next week, the week of February 22nd, off to rest and to attend Southern Ohio Prayer Conference. The following week, the week of March 1st, we will have service on Sunday night, and then resume revival meetings on Friday night the 6th. I look forward to seeing you there. Blessings!