I am pondering these headlines from around the world and one closer to home today and I am wondering if you are too. Here they are:
2019 Was the Year the World Burned
Second Wave of Locusts in east Africa said to be 20 Times Worse
Coronavirus Pandemic: Update From Around the World
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-05-28-20-intl/index.html.
MINNEAPOLIS SMOLDERS AFTER NIGHT OF PROTESTS, VIOLENCE
II Timothy 3:17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” So, in light of this verse, how are we, in Christ, to respond to all the headlines above? We are to know His word and let His word instruct us on how to respond. We are to know Him and know who we are in Him so well that we set up boundaries to protect what we know to be true about that Lord and know to be true about who we are Him. With that, let’s look to His word and let it teach us.
- It is tempting in times like this to live in fear and let it have its way keeping us from doing what the Lord intends, keeping us from being doers of His word. However, His word says that we are to Fear Not.
Isaiah 43:1-3
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
- It is tempting to rise up in pride raising our fist in question of a Holy God during times like this. However, His word says that we are to Humble Ourselves, Pray, Seek the Lord, and Turn from Our Sin.
II Chronicles 7:13-14
“When I (God) shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name 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.”
- It is tempting to just turn a blind eye to all that is going on in the world and pretend like all is well. But, His word says that we are to be watchful and Know the Signs of the Times.
Matthew 16:2-3
“When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.”
Matthew 24:3-8
“As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”
II Timothy 3:1-5
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
- It is tempting to trust in ourselves, or government, or science, or whatever to make this crazy world better. But, I am here to tell you that only the Lord is able to make things better, to make all things new. So, Trust the Lord Knowing That He and He Alone Will Make All Things New.
Revelation 21:3-5
I (John) heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
5. It is tempting to give up thinking that you are not equipped to anything, but God’s word calls us to Be Salt and Light to this Broken World.
Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Oh, may we be doers of the word! Matthew 7:24-27 says,“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
I have posted this song before, but it’s worth posting again in light of all that is going on in this world. Jesus is our Firm Foundation, our Rock, our Solid Ground. Here is the song, “Firm Foundation” by Selah.
I will close with Romans 12:9-21 which describes how we are to live in light of knowing who He is and who we are in Him.
Romans 12:9-21
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,serve the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Blessings to you,
Heather
When You Pray 
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