These Times Bring
Much Shaking
This past week there were devastating earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador. On April 14 fore-shocks of 6.2 and 6.0 magnitude hit Japan. On April 15, a 7.0 quake hit. On April, 16, a 7.8 quake hit Ecuador. There is much death and destruction. Rescue efforts continue. Please pray for all families affected and for all rescue workers as they labor to save those trapped in the rubble. These quakes took place along the Pacific Ring of Fire where frequent earthquake and volcanic activity take place.
Keep It Simple
So much is happening in the world around us every day. In this season it is imperative to work out your faith with fear and trembling. What exactly does that mean? How do you walk out your faith as a Christian today? First of all, do you have faith? Not everyone does. If you have faith, is it in all situations or only when things are going well? Real faith will carry you through the good times and especially through those times that are not as pleasant.
Paul tells us to work out faith with fear and trembling. Strong’s Concordance describes fear in this verse as respect or reverence. With deep reverence comes deep humility and unquenchable faith.
Being a true disciple of Jesus Christ requires a profound reverence for who He is as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
You may think that is a given but consider how you live your own life. Do you carry bitterness or unforgiveness? Do you talk about other people (gossip)? Do you follow through with your word to help someone or to meet for lunch? Or, do you just speak in the moment with no true intent? Are you disrespectful of other people’s time? Are you full of pride about who you are or who you know? Do you speak sharply to those in your household? If so, rethink your ways.
Simple, everyday living should reflect Jesus. You do not have to have a pulpit ministry or a worldwide evangelistic calling. You simply need to reflect Him to those around you in your everyday life. It is that simple.
Who Does Your Life Reflect?
Go through an entire day this week or even through the entire week, and in each situation ask yourself if you would be comfortable having the same conversation or doing the same thing if Jesus were right there with you. He is there even though you cannot see Him.
Your reverence for Him will change how you treat others. It will make you follow through on anything you say to another person. It will make you speak only what is lovely. Your reverence for Him will cause you to respect the dignity and boundaries of other people. Your reverence for Him will make you humble. You will care with His compassion. You will speak with His love for others.
If this does not look like how you live, determine today to change that picture. We certainly are in the midst of a “perverse and crooked generation.” If we continue to act and live in the same way as the world, then we will not be “as lights in the world.” Think about it. In this season we need to shine brightly. Souls lie in the balance for eternity. If we carry the ways of the world in how we live then who will know about the Kingdom of God through us?
Do Not Go Home Alone!
The time is so very short and your job, if you have chosen to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, is to be His hands and feet in this world to bring others to Him. We are all human and fall short but do not let that be an excuse to live beneath your calling. Those who lost their lives suddenly in Japan and Ecuador this week probably thought they had all the time in the world. You do not know the time or the hour you will be called from this earth. If you follow Him in Spirit and in truth you will know your eternal destination. Do not go home alone. Take many with you!
It Is Never Too Late!
If you have not yet made the decision to accept Jesus into your heart, do it now. Do not wait another minute. Speak to Him from your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Tell Him you have fallen short in your life. Sincerely apologize for your sins. Ask Him to cleanse you and come into your heart and be Lord over your life. From this moment forward let His Spirit guide you along the narrow road that leads to everlasting life.
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart for Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ~ Jesus, Matthew 7:21-23
“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” ~Jesus, Matthew 10:8
“Take heed that no one deceives you.” ~ Jesus, Matthew 24:4
“Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me...” ~Jesus, John 14:6
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” ~Romans 3:23
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” ~ Ephesians 5:15-17
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” ~Philippians 2:12-16
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.” ~Philippians 4:8
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” ~Proverbs 1:7
“You are Lord and You are mighty and You are merciful. Raise up all who would call upon Your name. Raise up those that love You and seek You and trust You. Lord, we need an army of believers that would stand on Your Word above all else. Raise up warriors, Lord, who will fight on their knees; who will worship You with their whole hearts, Lord. Lord, call us to battle that we may proclaim the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Raise them up, Lord. Raise them up!” ~Miss Clara, War Room the Movie
Please Join Me in Prayer
Father God, We thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to set us free. We humbly ask that You empower us to walk fully in Your Kingdom power and authority in this season. Let us not look to the left or to the right but to stay ever focused as You direct to bring Your Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven through us. Embolden our walk to live out the fullness of our destiny in You. Equip us to walk in Your ways and hear only Your voice as we arise in this season. Break from our lives anything that does not fully reflect Your Kingdom. Let us be the light in this dark world in this season for Your glory. Great is Your faithfulness, Oh God! We pray this in agreement in Jesus’ name. Amen and Amen.
A Prayer Request
These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour. #Pray for America. Please join us in prayer: https://drmicheleburke.org/esthers-warriors-ministry/
We thank You , Father God, that You keep Your hand on America. Forgive our sin and heal our land that we will remain One Nation Under God. May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. We continue to pray for truth to prevail concerning Benghazi and all issues as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.