Press On!
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Lord, when the weight of this world grows heavy on my shoulders, remind me that you sustain me and keep me. “He said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness, therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me,” (II Corinthians 12:9, NIV).
“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” I Timothy 4:15-16
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3
REFLECT:
Currently, in the United States, the persecution of the church is nonexistent. There are, however, many exceptions of individuals who have taken stands for Christ who have lost their businesses or jobs opposing unjust laws in this land. You may remember Jack Phillips, the baker from Colorado who was sued for refusing to make a transgender-themed cake. This decision cost him a great deal of time and money but he felt it important for what he believed the Bible says to us on how God wants us to live. Joe Kennedy was a football coach in Washington State who was asked to stop praying silently on the football field after each game and was fired from that position five years ago. He has endured many court battles, ridicule and unfriendly media coverage since.
I recently finished reading a book that outlined the lives of several Christian martyrs who lived in the Muslim nations of Iran and Syria. These stories told of men and women who, once they chose to become Christians, literally issued themselves a death sentence. The profession of Christ in these countries is considered treasonous and the stories in the book outlined the pursuit of assassins who sought out, found and killed many of these individuals. You see, to be a follower of Jesus in many parts of this world, costs you your life.
Our lives have been challenging over the last year plus with the COVID epidemic. I personally have known many friends and acquaintances who have lost their lives to this dreaded disease. So, today, more than ever, it is critical that we model Jesus to our families, to our community and to the world around us. We may not be called to stand on the street corner and preach the literal gospel message, but we are “all called” to share the gospel message through our lives - “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV).
APPLY:
Ponder your next steps with the words of Isaiah the prophet…“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8, NIV).
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for your provision in our lives. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV).
WORSHIP: