"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." - John 15:18 (ESV)
Before heading to the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper, Jesus spent several hours offering His final words of wisdom to His Disciples, who would soon be beginning the key part of their mission: carrying Jesus' words throughout the world. He knew that life would be full of danger and hate as worldly people would see them as a threat to their ungodly way of life. This warning wasn't just meant for them, however, but for Christians then and now since His message is clearly one of a different world, a world where good triumphs over evil and where the requirements of God will always be first and foremost.
We who profess our belief in and allegiance to Our Savior know that by making this commitment we also become of another world. And now in today's America we are seeing signs of this same hatred to us the Jesus warned of even right here in America. Those who want to quiet Christians use slander, innuendo, ridicule, untruths and pure hatred of the vilest variety in order to push their views on others. It is clear that the ultimate goal is to completely silence Christians and force them underground where their mission of spreading the Gospel will be limited and eventually halted. Sadly, even some government policies, often unwritten but powerful just the same, are being used by some in high places to push an ungodly agenda and force believers into silence.
Won't you join me in prayer for the Lord's help in keeping us strong and resolute?
Dear Heavenly Father, We thank Thee for always being there for us and for guiding us with Thy wisdom and goodness. Help us to follow that wisdom resolutely and absolutely no matter what the future may hold. We know there are many who will attempt to defile and possibly even physically abuse us in an effort to quell our Spirit, but give us the strength to hold fast to Thy word.
Lord, we also know that we are called by Thee to love all others, even those who hate us and want to destroy us. Help us to keep our hearts open while also doing what we must to honor Thee at all costs. We will strive to love everyone, but not the actions that they seek which are ungodly, and we will strive to stand fast for Thee knowing that our ultimate reward is eternal life with Thee.
And Lord, we also pray for our leaders who must make decisions which impact our lives in many ways. Help them to open their hearts to Thee and to make godly decisions or, if they fail to do so, to see the errors of their ways, for it is never too late to see the light. And let our actions be a sign to them of the love that we have for all of mankind and the hope that we have for a better future.
Bless us, keep us and be with us in the trials and tribulations ahead. And lead us to Thy Promised Land where we can show Thee glory and live with Thee forever. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who died a horrible death that we might ever be free: free of the chains of bondage to sin, Amen.
Glory to God always.
Before heading to the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper, Jesus spent several hours offering His final words of wisdom to His Disciples, who would soon be beginning the key part of their mission: carrying Jesus' words throughout the world. He knew that life would be full of danger and hate as worldly people would see them as a threat to their ungodly way of life. This warning wasn't just meant for them, however, but for Christians then and now since His message is clearly one of a different world, a world where good triumphs over evil and where the requirements of God will always be first and foremost.
We who profess our belief in and allegiance to Our Savior know that by making this commitment we also become of another world. And now in today's America we are seeing signs of this same hatred to us the Jesus warned of even right here in America. Those who want to quiet Christians use slander, innuendo, ridicule, untruths and pure hatred of the vilest variety in order to push their views on others. It is clear that the ultimate goal is to completely silence Christians and force them underground where their mission of spreading the Gospel will be limited and eventually halted. Sadly, even some government policies, often unwritten but powerful just the same, are being used by some in high places to push an ungodly agenda and force believers into silence.
Won't you join me in prayer for the Lord's help in keeping us strong and resolute?
Dear Heavenly Father, We thank Thee for always being there for us and for guiding us with Thy wisdom and goodness. Help us to follow that wisdom resolutely and absolutely no matter what the future may hold. We know there are many who will attempt to defile and possibly even physically abuse us in an effort to quell our Spirit, but give us the strength to hold fast to Thy word.
Lord, we also know that we are called by Thee to love all others, even those who hate us and want to destroy us. Help us to keep our hearts open while also doing what we must to honor Thee at all costs. We will strive to love everyone, but not the actions that they seek which are ungodly, and we will strive to stand fast for Thee knowing that our ultimate reward is eternal life with Thee.
And Lord, we also pray for our leaders who must make decisions which impact our lives in many ways. Help them to open their hearts to Thee and to make godly decisions or, if they fail to do so, to see the errors of their ways, for it is never too late to see the light. And let our actions be a sign to them of the love that we have for all of mankind and the hope that we have for a better future.
Bless us, keep us and be with us in the trials and tribulations ahead. And lead us to Thy Promised Land where we can show Thee glory and live with Thee forever. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who died a horrible death that we might ever be free: free of the chains of bondage to sin, Amen.
Glory to God always.
RSS Feed