THE MIDNIGHT HOUR: Will America Turn Back To God?

(New release: available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Xulon Bookstores, etc.)

(By Deborah Starczewski)

From the Harbingers, the Four Blood Moons, to the Shemitah, and explicit timing of events that we are witnessing across the globe, we are watching the Bible come to life before our eyes.

With the world in chaos many are living in fear, discouragement, and despair, while some are going about life oblivious to what is happening globally.

Discouragement is not a respecter of persons or even rank. Satan comes to discourage and paralyze the people of any nation.

The Bible says: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Keep your eyes on Jesus and refocus. It is time to pray strategic prayers to take down the enemy and run him out of our homes, families, and communities. When we take time to pray, we begin to see what God sees. You have never locked eyes with anyone that does not matter to God.

Begin to pray like Elisha prayed and said: “Lord, open his eyes, that he may see…and Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see” (2 Kings 6:17, 20).

 “Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13 NASB). Pray for a pure heart (Psalm 51:10).

It is not God’s will that any should perish. He has already paid the price for all mankind. We must receive the gift of salvation in our hearts through believing and confessing Him as Lord. We are born from above to believe within.

The message within the new book the Lord inspired me to write is a heart-cry for America to turn back to God in repentance—before it is too late. It is a call for repentance for all people in America, to move away from power, prestige, performance, and position—to caring about what matters to God—people. There is a path that leads to life and one that leads to death. “The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road difficult, and only a few ever find it” –Matthew 7:13-14  

It is more important how you live your life than what you accomplish. Knowing about God and not knowing Him personally in your heart leads to death—separated from God for all eternity.

We could be the generation that sees the return of Jesus Christ. From threats of terror, beheadings, wars and rumors of wars, the spirit of Anti-Christ rising up against believers, family turning against family, attacks against marriage, family, and the Bible, to the signals from heaven that are confirming the times, we must return to God and repent for America—and stand with Israel.

Jesus explains His return in Matthew 24 and the signs of the times and the End of the Age. Jesus warned us the times would be like the days of Noah.

The recent series of events are confirmations of a timely message needed for America—she must turn back to God in repentance. The Church must awake—waking has everything to do with prayer. Real battles are won in prayer. Strategic praying of God’s Word brings the dead to life, brings lost kids back to God, turns nations around, restores marriages, and can heal a nation if she will repent.

Pay attention to the details of what happened just before the book released.

We drove to visit family on Wednesday 6/24 and arrived at the midnight hour in John’s Island, SC which was actually on Thursday 6/25.  Later in the morning, I checked my emails and saw the final proof for THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (my new book) came through for me to approve. Due to a storm and power surge throughout the night, my Apple laptop went into protection mode and it would not charge. The computer showed I only had two hours left so I had to take it to the Apple Store in Charleston to be reset. Much like the laptop had to be taken to the Apple store, we must return to God as individuals in need of His help for America. We cannot continue to defy God as a nation, and expect His hand of blessing and protection.

When driving to Charleston, I remember seeing a restaurant on the corner “FIVE LOAVES CAFÉ” and I heard the Spirit of the Lord say, because you look to me like My Son did, I will bring multiplication. What a beautiful Word. We all have the opportunity to look up to our heavenly Father God, and be led by the Holy Spirit here on earth. It is imperative that we have a close relationship with the Holy Spirit by spending time in God’s Word, renewing our minds, praying, and paying attention to the signs from heaven. We must testify to the authority of God’s Word here on earth by praying His Word back to Him—as we have been given direct access to all of heaven’s resources. We are designed to be in relationship with the God of the entire universe, to love Him, love people, and pass it on–building relationships with others.

That’s what we did in the Apple Store—connected with other people. We actually saw someone we knew that was unexpected—but planned by God. That is how our heavenly Father works. I believe that if we are not willing to stop for one, we are not fit to stand before thousands.

The wait at the Apple store was over four hours so I chose to leave Mother with our friend to talk while I went to move my car closer to the store. I walked the main street of Charleston—all the way to the bridge and back, praying for the people of Charleston. Nine people recently lost their lives at the massacre at Emanuel AME Church when Dylann Storm Roof chose to open fire during a Bible study.

The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart that we had to walk to the bridge and back because everywhere we place our feet, we claim that land for Him. God needs each and everyone to make a stand for Jesus Christ. After moving the car to a closer parking place, we walked the streets of Charleston, talking with owners of stores and hearing their stories about what happened and about the upcoming funeral.

THE NEXT DAY

President Obama attended the funeral of slain pastor and state senator Clementa Pinckney (called a “bridge builder”) on Friday, June 26,and sang “Amazing Grace.” The same day the Supreme Court ruled on same-sex marriage for America. Then to top it all off, “The Bethlehem Star” was clearly visible for the first time in 2,000 years on June 30^th. Jupiter and Venus lined up and offered a heavenly display—which may be the same event that led the three Wise Men to Jesus. God is giving us signals from heaven—time is short and we are living in the “last hour.” The Bible is unfolding before our eyes—with all the signs of the times showing forth from Jesus’ discourse in Matthew 24.

The Bible says, “If My people who are called by My name will 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 NKJV). He is talking to believers in this verse—that’s the church!

From the 4 Blood Moons to the Feast where the Lord spoke to Moses in Lev. 23:1-2, the word Feast means a fixed time or season—to fix upon or engage (for marriage). When Jesus calls His church home—there will be a great celebration as the Bride of Christ meets the Bridegroom.

Our only hope is in turning back to God in repentance and trusting in Him through His amazing grace—from the President of the United States and all forms of government to the Church and every pastor and leader across this nation, as well as every family and individual.

It is way too late to sit on the sidelines. We are not here to be entertained but to live in God’s power and advance His kingdom here on earth. We need God’s wisdom. God’s Word can make you wise—wiser than your enemies and even those older and more experienced than you. It is plain and simple. All you have to do is love God’s Word, keep it as number one—holding first place in your heart and mind, and obey it (Psalm 119:98-100).

This is a timely message for America to turn back to God in prayer and repentance! We are called to endure to the end. We must hold our ground in conflict, bear up against adversity, stand firm, persevere under pressure, and stand strong upon the solid rock of Jesus Christ! The King is coming! His name is JESUS!

Enduring to the end is not a way to be saved but rather the evidence that a person is truly committed to Jesus Christ. Persistence is not a way to salvation; it is the by-product of a truly devoted life. Jesus said that God was aware of everything that happens, even to sparrows, and you are far more valuable to him than they are. You are so extremely valuable that God sent His Only Son to die for you (John 3:16). Because our loving heavenly Father God places such high value on you, you need never fear personal threats or difficult trials. If you are walking through a difficult season, it doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love you. Satan doesn’t roll out the red carpet for anyone taking his territory. Nothing can shake God’s love or dislodge His Holy Spirit from within you.

This doesn’t mean God will take away all your troubles. The real test of value is how something holds up under pressure, wear, tear, and abuse of everyday life. Those who stand up for Jesus Christ in spite of their troubles have lasting value and will receive great rewards. Despite the struggles and trials you may be facing, remember that you are highly valuable to God and that He is making you more like Christ (Romans 8:29). 

It’s in the Bible, “If anyone acknowledges Me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before My Father in heaven. But if anyone denies Me here on earth, I will deny that person before My Father in heaven. 

Clinging to this life may cause us to forfeit the best from Christ in this world and the one to come. The more we love this life’s rewards (power, leisure, financial security, popularity), the more we discover how empty they really are. The best way to enjoy life is to loosen any greedy grasp on earthly rewards and promotions, so that we can be free to follow Christ.  In a world where good is sometimes labeled evil, we can expect that similar accusations may come, but we will be vindicated by God Himself. (The Pharisees called Jesus “Satan” (see Matthew 9:34). 

Take time to spend reading and studying the Word of God–this will prepare you for things to come. Scripture makes it clear, that we are to be prepared ( 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 3:15). Jesus is teaching us not to be unprepared but to be unworried about what we will say. Jesus told the disciples that when arrested for preaching the gospel, they should not worry about what to say in their defense–God’s Spirit would speak through them. This promise was fulfilled in Acts 4:8-14. Be prepared by developing an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit through renewing your mind in the Word of God. This way–when life doesn’t go as planned, the Word of God rises up and empowers us to stand! 

I had a precious lady tell me, “The Scriptures you gave me to pray made all the difference between life and death and changed my life.” You see, the power of praying the Word of God is how Jesus defeated Satan after he fasted for forty days in the desert and was tempted by Satan.

It is not a sin to be tempted. Sin is when a person acts on the temptation or has bought the lie from the pit of hell and believes it–which puts the person in agreement with the enemy. It is vital to find out what God says about you in His Word and to replace the negative speaking and thinking with God’s Word. There is power in your words.

Every person needs to know they are valued and who they are in Christ after salvation. Most people have heard someone in authority speak death over them at some point in life. It may have been a teacher, a parent, a neighbor, or some other figure that left an impact on your life. Choose today to believe what God says about you and resist the enemy and he will flee.

It is very possible you or someone you love is believing a lie from Satan. Many people grow old and live with tremendous amounts of regret. Choose to live out of your identity in Christ as a believer and embrace total forgiveness. People who are forgiven forgive much and love much. Let your heart be light with the realization that God loves you unconditionally and His mercies are new for you each morning. You will be more effective in all you do with God in advancing His Kingdom.

Choose to live free and forgiven without hauling any designer baggage around–fully knowing your are loved by God and He has an awesome plan for your life. There is no circumstance, no power, no person, no demon from hell, no strategy from the enemy, nothing in existence that can separate you from the extravagant–totally awesome love of God. 

Your past is the only thing that can separate you from your awareness of the love of God. Remember, only Satan and the people he uses will remind you of your past. If you are born-again, you are forgiven. Don’t allow your past to become your present identity. Jesus didn’t pay the price for your redemption, only to bring it back up again to destroy you. Let go of the past. If you’ve experienced severe trauma or tragedy, and are having a hard time, find a biblical counselor or minister that can help you walk through the pain to purpose. 

Begin to renew your mind and PRAY THE WORD OF GOD with your own mouth–yes say it so you can hear it. Pray what God says about you and watch your life change drastically—for the good. Our first thought when we wake up each day should be: “His mercies are new for me every morning!” (Lamentations 3:23). 

Start praying the Word of God over your life and every single time a negative thought tries to rise up. Allow God’s precious promises to saturate your heart and soul till they become part of the very fabric of your being. You are a new creature in Christ when you are forgiven. Start right now–pray God’s Word over your life. 

If you don’t know how to pray the Word of God, purchase an awesome tool: Prayers That Avail Much (25th Edition) and begin to align yourself with the Word of God. Listen to the Bible and read it every chance you get. Surround yourself with other believers and read inspiring Christian books that the Lord leads you to read. His timing is perfect and He loves you with an everlasting love!