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There is a quote from Paul Washer that sits with me as I pray this mornings prayer of confession, “When people hear you pray, do they hear someone who knows God? Do they hear the rhythm of a religion? Do they hear words that have been taught to you by other men? Do they hear Form? Do they hear intellect? Or do they hear a man or a woman or a child who spends much of their time in the presence of God?”
Dear Heavenly Father, At the time of Christmas where we might be the most distraught over our sin, our hope is found in Christ Jesus. A baby born wrapped in swaddling clothes. So humble and so precious God resides in a babe. We recognize that we have much to be joyful about, our Hope, The messiah has finally come. As sinners in the hands of a loving God, we are thankful. But because of our shortcomings, we are fearful. A baby is born to die, and we were there at the crucifixion of Jesus. We were the Pharisees who beat the poor man senseless. We were the crowd shouting for Him to be handed over to the Romans. We were Peter denying Him his rightful place in heart and minds. And for that we ask your forgiveness for not recognizing you as sovereign. Let us be convicted, your grace and wrath is displayed on an old rugged cross. In your name we pray Amen.
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Something on my mind, we don't have the power to command angels, to raise the dead, to heal sickness as Christians these things are God's work not ours. Angels are messengers of God they have authority over us. I haven't seen the work of fallen angels at work ever since my charismatic days. I'd say that the top priority for a man or woman's struggle in life is the internal conflict of Sin. Not generational curses. If you believe these things and believe that you can do these things, you need to differentiate yourself from the disciples, and most importantly Christ. I believe we are in a time right now where God has spoken little. This is why I don't go to charismatic and Pentecostal churches anymore, they sound so Holy by the way they speak and How they deliver, but it is sprinkled with little bits and statements that you need to study and read for yourself to see what is true. Not just going off what others taught them and what may be taught for 100s of years. But rather read and be watchful of what these prophecies and teachings turn into. And if they come out to be false, at least you were smart enough not to jump the gun.
Sometimes I think I'm too comfortable in the country that I live in and I grow up in. As a Christian I don't know whether or not it comes form the wars and rumors of war, and the famine that graces the land. I see other nations who struggle more than the American countries do. We are a great country, a good place to raise a family and get a day job, but lately I've fallen ill asking if there is anything else I can do besides the modern life I'm living now.
I'm not living on the streets, but I am struggling living paycheck to paycheck. I've never been starving but I have been hungry. I've never been homeless, but I have slept without a roof over my head. This isn't approving white privilege, think of this as disapproving American Prosperity. It causes us to take our eyes off what truly matters, and improve ourselves rather than lending helping hand to the others around us. A couple of weeks ago I found myself sitting in a very nice Thai food Restaurant with my young adults group. I love Thai food, it's so rich and much better than an American cheese burger. Around the restaurant, there are pictures of Thai land, the farmers, the streets, the people going about their day to day lives. Without taking a shot at the restaurant or my friends I couldn't help but think about what it would be like live the way they do, walk in their shows, help them on their farms. It gave me a sense of grief that I had it easy to order my meal without the effort. I reminiscing about my short Month in Zambia Africa wishing I could've helped more, and I do still feel this need to get back to Africa and give them the roots of the gospel that I was shown here in America. Has any other Christians had this feeling in the pit of their stomach leave your comments down below. America is a very blessed nation, but to say that we have it harder in our country just because someone has posted a hateful comment about Christianity is down right ignorant. Their are Christians all over the world going through persecution and rather than American Christians, volunteering, they donate money for others to do it. Encouragement for today is to pick up your cross and follow him not because you felt an on your heart but because, he has already commanded you to do so. |
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