GOOD MORNING:
there is a certain tightness in my body the last few days, a waiting in anticipation for what will happen next in this world, which page of history will turn. where is God in this world? there is so much confusion over what is true. so much hatred, evil, sin, lies, corruption, murder, hypocrisy. so much need and so few examples of the shining love of Christ. the sky is not very mentionable today, just violet haze pasted over turqoise blue haze, and the sun is a dull orange. i want to invite you all to pray with me this morning, but not without first going to the cross. i’m just letting go of my preconceived notions, and i’m submitting to the Spirit, opening my heart to the words Jesus spoke on the day of his death:
“Jesus said, ‘my kingdom is not of this world. if it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. but now my kingdom is from another place.’ ‘You are a king, then!’ said pilate. Jesus answered, ‘you are right in saying i am a king. in fact, for this reason i was born, and for this i came into the world, to testify to the truth. everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’ ‘
what is truth?’ pilate asked…” pilate then, in his divided heart, proceeded with the crucifixion, interrogating Jesus, fearful of this man who they said claimed to be the son of God:
‘do you refuse to speak to me?’ pilate said. ‘don’t you realize i have power either to free you or to crucify you?’ Jesus answered, ‘you would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’ john 19
then, they crucified the King. “…he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.” philippians 2
Ah, Sovereign Lord, these days feel so full, like some great harvest is near. for years, the fruit has been ripening in our land. the seeds of faith and seeds of evil have been ripening and turning into fruit, only now visible, only now becoming whole. there is so much turmoil and division everywhere, there are so many cries for direction and revival and hope!! Jesus, i beg your mercy on our land. i can only see in part, what the purpose might be in these days and times. fear comes to my heart, and i look desperately to you. King of Kings, revive my heart to trust you for the future. it is in your hands that i can even breathe and walk and drive, or even speak at all. you are. so here i come, empty, needing. speak truth to me, and to your people, your bride. i pray for my friends also. raise us up, each to the work you have called us to do; Spirit of God, let nothing slide- whisper your love and confidence. you have died for us. you are living, risen, the King in authority over all the world’s events. may we hide in your love and live in your truth, obeying your word, submitting to you, worshipping you, persevering in you.
FRIENDS, today is a day to trust in the Lord. this week is a week to continue trusting him. though all around the cries for truth and understanding and righteous leadership ring out, we have known Him all along, and our mission is unchanged. our prayers cannot stop and our faith in the King is unbroken.
as paul writes: “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his purpose. do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life-” philippians 2
