Turning to God, pleading for His forgiveness out of our sorrow filled confession, because we as a people have gone our own, destructive, way draws the heart...the ear...the gaze of God towards us.  Daniel, desperate to see God move to fulfill His nearly 70 year old promise, to bring the jews home, pours out his heart towards His beloved God...

"'Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant.  For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.  Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation...'  'We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy.'  'Lord, listen!  Lord, forgive!'  'Lord, hear and act!'  'For Your sake do not delay...'"  (Daniel 9:4-6,NIV)

Our country remains in a desperate state!  God, in His mercy, has granted us a reprieve; He has relented, in an answer to the prayers and the desires of the majority of Americans the God of Daniel has responded and openned the door for sweeping change, transformation in our country, and in our hearts.  Old leadership is being shut out, new leadership is being brought in.  God raises up leaders, and He expels leaders.

This raises the question, what will we do with this opportunity that God has granted us?

I know, in my life, when I've sought God in desperation and God responds in a way that affirms my prayers I've often said, thank you very much, now back to the same old same old, "life my way," instead of His Way.  WRONG!

Is this a TRUE turning of my whole life, or what appears to be a turning, just to get my way?  Mind You God knows the REAL truth!

So, America, is this a beginning of a movement, back towards God, acknowledging His Ways are BEST; and acknowledging our desire to WALK in His Way?  Or, is this us getting what we want and turning our backs on Him and His Way?

In Maryland our citizens have overwhelmingly voted to enshrine the outright murder of unborn children in our state constitution.  Maryland's Secretary of State, Susan Lee, approved the following language regarding this "Right To Reproductive Freedom."

“The proposed amendment confirms an individual’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but not limited to the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue or end the individual’s pregnancy, and provides the State may not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”

Notice, abortion appears to be the unstated purpose of this amendment, it is intentionally vague and makes room for future legislation that will infringe upon a parents rights to protect and make healthcare decisions for their children, specifically those who are struggling with genter confusion.  Though the politicians framed this amendment as a reinstatement of Row v. Wade, it is in all actuality a tool that will be exploited to not only justify the murder of infants in the womb, but it will be used to justify the states right to be directly involved in making sure minors have access to drugs and surgery's that permanently alter and destroy their bodies, circumventing parental rights and care.

God is NOT ok with abortion, the murder of infants and He is NOT ok with the mutilation of our children; regardless of what our leaders and 72% of Marylanders deem to be RIGHT.  Moses, emphasizes we are "made in the image, and likeness of God;" therefore, we are ALL sacred and have inherent value and dignity just as God created us.  David the a shepherd and king of Israel, writes we are, "knit together in our mothers wombs...we are fearfully and wonderfully made." (See Genesis 1, Psalm 139)

"In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is near'."

Matthew records these words of John the Baptist, it is informative and hopeful, it demands to be heeded, and it remains a warning.

The church, certainly must respond, and stand for what God says is RIGHT and stand against, what God says is WRONG!  Grace & Truth, must be mingled together in our response!  Silence, going along to get along will NOT DO, it is disobedience.

We must continue to plead for hearts to "Turn 2 God."  He alone is SALVATION, and this found in Christ ALONE!

A doorway has been opened, to America, to it's citizens and to the church.  Prayers have been answered.

Are you willing to ENTER into God, and His Way; or will you let this moment slip away as you CHOOSE to go your own way, destruction!

Will you CHOOSE to pray with Daniel and me?

"Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation...' 'We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy.' 'Lord, listen! Lord, forgive!' 'Lord, hear and act!' 'For Your sake do not delay...'"

Know this, John the Baptist's words ring true today just as in Jesus' day, "the kingdom of heaven is near," a looming reality, Christ's return is immenant, and with His return comes His judgement.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." (John 3:16-17, NIV)

Upon Christ's return, His second advent will come God's judgement.  And His judgement isn't based on what the majority thinks is RIGHT and WRONG, it's solely based on what God has already declared to be RIGHT and WRONG.  And the goodness, is you and I have access to God's mind and heart in His Word, the Bible; and through a living relationship with Christ, the Son of God; and in the Holy Spirit who desires to show us God's Will, and power us to live it NOW.

Hard, uncomfortable question, I always ask myself, Rob, are you ready?

Are you ready?