God said go tell, but so many of us believers just stayed home as sort of secret agent saints. It was more comfortable. And now things are really being shaken up globally, and the mission-fields of world (the people needing Christ's Gospel and hope) seem to be making their way to our doorsteps. It's interesting to me what God allows, and how He works.
I say it's time to obey the Great Commission -- yes, to live the life before those of this world and to explain the Good News.
Sure, in spite of all the chaos that's been goin' on around us, it's important to keep seeking Jesus with your whole heart. It's imperative to keep worshiping Him while we spread His Gospel to the last, the least, and the languishing -- to the Lost.
So many lives have needlessly been snuffed out this decade, so many saints have been murdered by those deceived in Islam.
But we Christians can still act wisely to protect citizens. We can pray and lovingly share our faith to God rescue people -- sure, any willing to hear His Message. You and I can determine inside.. not to start hating sinners (i.e., Migrants or rioting Antifa-thugs, or Globalist leaders or
Muslims all out for world domination and 72 virgins..that they’ll never see). If you see a crime, report it asap (Duh, churches and believers aren't the Police force..though some think they are).
It's been emotional, but during perilous times we can still be witnesses to sinners around us.. to young teenage rebels, to others
involved in sex trafficking taking advantage of children, or to those sneakin' in for whatever reason.. (i.e., to bomb, to rape, to mane, to destroy countless lives in order please Allah (one of the many non-existent gods of our age).
Sure we can--we have a living hope and really want many others to gain this hope as well. Colossians is all about this hope we've found in Christ (been teaching in chapters 1 and 2 lately).
Believer, you have a hope before you (Col. 1-12). Being together with Jesus in Heaven. -- Believer, you have a hope beneath you (13–23). A firm foundation on which you stand when all around you is shaking. The city of Colosse was located in an earthquake area.-- Believer, you have a hope within you (24–29). A living hope who has a Name (1 Pet. 1:3), and this hope that affects how we each think, talk and act. #HaveHisAttitudeAsUserve
The Apostle Paul had been teaching the Word of hope in Ephesus for a couple years and then local churches started up there as well as in nearby cities to the South. People were on the move, and Christians too. Kinda like has been happening in our day.
"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my HOPE is in you all day long." Psalm 25:5
“Without Christ there is no hope.” - Charles Spurgeon
"Jesus gives us hope because He keeps us company, has a vision and knows the way we should go." - Max Lucado
“Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present.” - John Maxwell
“Our world today so desperately hungers for hope, yet uncounted people have almost given up. There is despair and hopelessness on every hand. Let us be faithful in proclaiming the hope that is in Jesus.” - Billy Graham
“The Spirit of God first imparts love; He next inspires hope, and then gives liberty.." - D.L. Moody
“The only hope for this or any other society is to hear the Word of the Lord and obey.” - John MacArthur
We are so grateful for the Gospel, for Colossians and this new hope from God -- it makes us want thank God. And to share His Message with someone who hasn't yet heard.
“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.” Col. 1:3
“.. giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light." 1:12
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Okay, so I've got a “refugee praise report” for you. Let me tell you some of the story about Teddy the righteous migrant, he’s now a new-believer who has found real hope in Jesus Christ! He was once really poor, but now has his needs met in Christ. Teddy was in a small caravan of hungry locals escaping out of Liberia to Italy in the EU. It was a long trip -- over 5,000 miles, but he met Jesus along the way and made it there safe with his cell phone in hand. Christina, an American friend working with Global Media Outreach had via texting his cell phone.. been witnessing to Teddy.
Teddy left Liberia not sure if he'd see his mom again, if he’d survive or make the whole trek across the Sahara Desert of Northern Africa and then resettle in a refugee camp in Europe successfully.
He really felt this was his only chance at long-term survival so went for it, he’s made it so far (Read the whole story here).
And Teddy is just one of more than 120 million people that have been reached with the Gospel. This was in 2018 via Global Media Outreach’s effort, 1.5 million people reached with the Good News have now entered into an ongoing discipleship relationship with a GMO missionary.
FYI We really have some wonderful online missioraries, but the most wonderful Lord. And along with so many outreach ministries that our church (Prestonwood) backs, they also back the work of GMO. Thank you much for your loyalty to Jesus, in your church, in missions and for the prayers too!
