“God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Gen 1:27).
God loves humanity. He loves the human race; human beings collectively. “From one man, Adam, he made every man and woman and every race of humanity, and he spread us over all the earth. He sets the boundaries of people and nations, determining their appointed times in history.” God did this so that we would long for Him, feel our way to Him and find Him when we search for Him with all our hearts. For He is the God who is easy to discover! He doesn’t hide Himself from us! It is through him that we live and function and have our identity; just as your own poets have said,[d] ‘Our lineage comes from him.’ (Acts 17:26-28 TPT)
There is know greater joy than seeking God and finding Him. Deuteronomy 4:28 says when “you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Jeremiah 29:11-14 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.”
God says I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. (Proverbs 8;27)
In the New Testament, John 3:16 expresses God’s love in a profound way. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” What a powerful expression of love towards humanity.
In 2016, the Lord revealed to me through the presidential election how far America has turned from the path of righteousness. We are facing many humanitarian challenges as a nation that I believe are on God’s heart. Issues such as abortion, racism, poverty, inequality, gun violence, sexual exploitation and abuse (even in the church), sexual orientation (homosexuality, transgenderism, sexual fluidity), outright hatred among people groups, etc.
We have been witnessing growing incivility in public discourse in media and on social media every day. God hates injustice. He is calling for this nation to return righteousness to be a beacon of light and hope to other nations. He is calling Christians to return and be a representation of Christ in the earth. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach.
“Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov 14:34 NLT).
Times have changed and it is important that we understand the times we live in. We are seeing the confusion in the world intensify. We see and hear of wars and rumors of wars, potential deadly viruses, ethnic conflict, terrorism, economic conflict, trade wars and division among and within nations.
In Hebrews 12:26-28 (TPT) God says,26 The earth was rocked at the sound of his voice from the mountain, but now he has promised,“Once and for all I will not only shake the systems of the world, but also the unseen powers in the heavenly realm!” 27 Now this phrase “once and for all” clearly indicates the final removal of things that are shaking, that is, the old order, so only what is unshakeable will remain. 28 Since we are receiving our rights to an unshakeable kingdom we should be extremely thankful and offer God the purest worship that delights his heart as we lay down our lives in absolute surrender, filled with awe.
May the grace, joy, and peace of God be yours through Jesus Christ our loving Lord. To Him be glory, now and forever.
Blessings,
Dr. Francine
Endnotes
1 Swindoll, Charles, Romans, insight for living, insight.org
2 David G. Horrell, Corinth, Bible Odyssey, bibleodyssey.org
Note: All Scriptures are taken from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.
BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 
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