Watching what’s happening in our world today can be very discouraging and downright scary.  But feeling helpless, thinking there’s nothing we can do about it, makes it even worse. As Christians, we’re not supposed to just sit there. Jesus has given us our marching orders – and there’s plenty to do!

 As a Christian, YOU Can Make a Difference!

           Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” He said we are not to be hidden, but put on a stand – to give light to everyone.  “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16).   As the world around us grows darker, the Light within and flowing from us will appear brighter and brighter to the world – just as light emanating from a flashlight isn’t visible until it’s placed in a dark room.  I believe a time is coming when those terrified by the darkness will come running towards the Light!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

           The best way to let your light shine is to do what Jesus did. As Jesus was about His Father’s business, so should we be. Jesus went about doing good (Acts 10:38).  He fed the poor and healed the sick. He said His followers would be doing the same works He did, and even greater things (John 14:12).  There’s something else Jesus did continually and told His followers to do likewise. Jesus prayed.

           Jesus lived in a constant state of prayer. He taught his disciples how to pray, and made it abundantly clear there’s great power available through prayer.

           “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt 18:18-20). “Behold, I give you … authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19)

 Remember Your Identity

          In Eph. 1:18-23, Paul prayed that we might know “…what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all principality and power and dominion…” Eph 2:6, “…and God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”

           It’s of utmost importance that we as Christians understand our identity – especially when praying. Because our identity is the first thing the enemy will challenge. It’s in the name and by the authority of Jesus that we take our stand, decreeing and claiming all that Jesus died to give us. He is the Victorious One, and we stand in His victory! When a saint of the Most High exercises his authority in Christ, fully clothed in the armor of God, the devil won’t even see him (hidden in Christ), but will only see Jesus, and have to flee.

 Be BOLD!

           “Let us therefore Come BOLDLY to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:16

           After the cripple had been healed through the name of Jesus, Peter and John were arrested and taken before the High Priest and elders. Acts 4:18-19, “Then they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him?”  When Peter and John went back and reported all that had transpired, the entire group took it to God in prayer:         

           “When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (Acts 4: 29-31)

              Worldwide, Christians are now facing the same thing. The Church in the U.S. is being told not to pray in the name of Jesus at public gatherings. Chaplains in our armed forces can no longer teach or pray in Jesus’ name. Church pastors are now feeling the pressure to avoid certain teachings from the pulpit.  The worldwide squeeze of the Church has begun. But when you squeeze hard enough, as with anything, what’s inside the package always starts to come out, revealing its true contents…

              We have our marching orders. So let’s let our Light shine and not hold back. Let’s join our brothers and sisters worldwide and pray without ceasing – going BOLDLY before the throne of grace to obtain all the help we need. And we don’t even have to guess how this is all going to turn out – We Win!

 ToHimBeTheGlory!