I am watching the news from around the world today. I am convinced that we must bring a divine interruption into the ongoing devilish involvement in the affairs of man, and pray. Pray many times throughout the day over people, leaders, and situations out of control.
I cannot change the situations, or the people involved, but God can. In all this negativity I don’t have to let it eat me up. Give it to God and pray the Holy Spirit engages hearts and minds with the Gospel seed to transform lives.
Pray that someone comes alongside the “other” who is called by the Holy Spirit to engage in a conversation that leads to a Jesus formation.
Begin with asking God to change how you view the world. All the people whom we despise and hate are God’s children, they just don’t know it or care — but He does. Position yourself differently from the world. You are His ambassadors to represent Him.
Many bible passages will come to your mind, but I thought of these two passages to use, and I offer them to you:
Philippians 2:1-18
“1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured as a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”
Acts 4:12
“12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Pray, praise, give thanks, and stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
