One Person At A Time
One Person At A Time
O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD From this time forth and forever.
Dr. Tom Phillips, Vice President of the Billy Graham Association wrote a book called Ignite Your Passion for Jesus, Your Guide to Experience Personal Revival. He says, “If you and I turn our focus on Jesus, we will see how He is working personally in our hearts and calling us to open the door for revival in our communities, our country and the world. He is beginning a world wide awakening for revival – one person at a time.” As the people of God, how do we turn our focus on Jesus? How do we get still enough to hear our “marching orders” in this war? How do we use our influence and platforms to speak forth His heart for healing, for justice, for unity and point the way to God? People are dying and they need what we have: Jesus and the words of life.
Dear Jesus. We need You so desperately. You ARE the hope of the world. We humble ourselves before you. Our nation is in a crisis of hate, greed and anger being unleashed in our streets while systemic racial injustice is being exposed for the ugliness and horror that it is. Forgive us O Lord! Would you bring healing to hearts and bring real unity and honor and dignity between races? We turn from our wicked ways and declare that You are the One True God. Bring revival to us – open the Heavens and let justice pour out like rain on us! May Your CHURCH wake up and RISE UP to lead the way back to You. In Jesus holy name, Amen.
We know that God’s word says that His people are the light of the world. As the people of God, we are to reflect His light in a world full of darkness. “A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) I don’t know about you, but I have had to limit the amount of time that I am filling my mind with the swirling theories and stories that are being circulated all around us. I was feeling like a ship, driven and tossed by the wind, losing my way and filled with angst and anxiety. I have had to practice over and over the discipline of stillness before God. I have had to run to Him constantly and find my refuge in Him, grounding myself in His truth, His unchanging nature and His love. Meditating on the above scripture passage from Psalms helps me to quiet my heart and mind before Him.
For those of us that know God, it is not only crucial that we know how to live our our identity in Christ, as His beloved child but that we also know how to share His love with others. Many around us, especially our black and brown brothers and sisters, are experiencing grief and anger and sadness over recent events – and we need to unite our hearts together praying for real healing and change. It is so important that we reach out. Our life-giving words over phone calls, emails, and social media and especially in our own homes can change the atmosphere and breathe deep encouragement into those around us. My grandmother always used to say “Stay near the spout where the glory runs out and it will splash out on all those around you!”
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