“Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men, Who plan evil things in their hearts; They continually gather together for war. They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of asps is under their lips. Selah”
Psalms 140:1-3 NKJVChallenge
I know life filled with challenges. I have known life in pain and struggle, I have known life under threat or duress. Many of my years have been spent under the knife’s blade, waiting for it to fall. Even in the darkest of times, I have sought to keep living. One must not stop and be consumed with worry. I have found that the evil one brings concern into our lives as a alert to motivate us to do what we are meant to do.
As I ponder living as a Christian in these current times, I am reminded of my brothers and sisters in far off places who have day to day persecution. In those places, bullets are fired, swords swung, and bombs exploded, as many believers pay the ultimate price for their faith. Yet they persist.
We know that new leaders may bring persecution to those that call upon the name of the Lord. For those who place faith in Jesus in a compartment, but choose to live in the world, they won’t even notice. Those who live out the Great Commission, to spread the Gospel, and live by the word of God, will notice the pressure. Some of us are anticipating this and fear is creeping into our hearts. Be assured, my brothers and sisters, God knows of this and He is with us.
Let us not be distracted from the call that the Lord has placed on our lives. We must be about the sharing of the Gospel, about sharing the message of the God/Man who died for our sins and brings salvation.
The evil one is using the division to close down discourse, including the presentation of the Good News. He also wants us to close down our hearts, to cease to love, so that we do not see the humans on the other side.
We are in a time when actions need to precede words. We are a nation in need. So many are suffering in this pandemic, at no fault of their own. I remember from my teacher education days, I learned about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. In a nutshell, people must have their basic needs met, before thay can consider anything else, even the Gospel.
My church has been handing out bags of food to the panhandlers at all the freeway on and off ramps. With the food, we include a Gospel tract. We also get face to face as much as possible, so that we may pray with those we meet. That is just one example, there are many others.
These perilous times are full of opportunities to take the Gospel into the streets, to show love in action with the Gospel of salvation. Both need to happen, because people are hungry for food, but starving spiritually without God. We must also pray.
God has given me the desire and heart committed to praying for people. He has made me raw, as I take people to the throne. There are days when I am overwhelmed. Much prayer has opened my heart to the struggles of those who do not know the Lord.
Brothers and sisters, let us be about the Father’s business with love, grace and mercy, but let also communicate God’s justice. He is coming again soon, and it will be to judge the world. I have many people that I am praying for to come to Christ before it is too late.
In my time of prayer, I take my concerns to the Lord. I seek Him everyday. I marvel at the answers that I have gotten. He reminds me daily that He is in the midst of me, and I will not be shaken. I praise Him constantly, and I will do so until the last bits of breath leave my body.
“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalms 34:1-4 NKJVHe will deliver you from your fears as we embark on the coming adventure. He knew this time would come from before the world began.
Go forth and serve your King!
THE PRAYER CHAIR IS OPEN! Send me your requests!
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Musings from an idle mind 
Good reminder Bernie! Thank you so much friend.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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