You Are Not the Only One

The Christian life is not supposed to be a bed of rose petals. Just look at what Paul endured. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2011%3A16-33&version=NIV We will experience similar things as we draw closer and closer to the time of the “tribulation.” Lord, prepare our hearts for the persecution. Being a child of God is NOT a cakewalk.

Standing up for what is right in your sight will shine a light on us in the middle of the darkness. we will STICK OUT like sour thumbs. Give us hearts that are prepared to FIGHT the GOOD FIGHT with all our might. Keep us focused on your Kingdom Mission Lord Jesus. Release our grasp on the present time. You did not promise up perfection in the flesh. Open our eyes to the sin that is around us.

Paul suffered greatly, but while he was suffering he was at peace. WHY? Father, I know that your perfect peace does not mean that I will not have trials. Paul knew that! Teach us all to embrace that fact too. In the middle of his darkest hours, Paul knew that.

“6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

This was the reality of his life in you. Father, I desire this type of perfect peace too. Please help me in all of my trials, predicaments, health challenges, troubles without, and troubles within to live a life that shows your ‘perfect peace.’ If ever this world needed that peace Lord Jesus it is now. Folks need to know that even if the sky is black and the rain is pouring down – YOU, Father are there. USE us Lord to lights in the darkness. I see the darkness and I know that it is real, but it does not have to be my internal reality.

Lord, you have shown the time and times to your prophets of old. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+24-25&version=KJV In Isaiah 24-25 the prophet saw what the time and times would look like the end of all things.

“8 The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.9 They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.10 The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in.11 There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.12 In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.”

Today we are experiencing just a little of that destruction and we are turning on each other. Father let your peace reign in the heart of this your servant, and my brothers and sisters in Christ. BUT we have read the end of the Book Father, and we know what lies ahead for those who love and serve you. The prophet was inspired to write.

6 And in this mountain, shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.” 7And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. 8 He will swallow up death in victory, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. 9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isaiah 25 KJV

Father, I am looking forward to that day when the new heaven and the new earth becomes the dwelling place of the called our ones. The ones who gave it all up in this Lord to be on mission for you. The spread the word of truth that you placed in their hearts. To be Jesus to the least of these. To maintain the unpopular step and to love others as you have loved them. Those who reached out to the lost and the lonely with your Holy Word and gave the same hope that they once received. Yes, it is dark right now and will become darker, but LORD I KNOW that I KNOW that the redemption of your people draws near. The prophet proclaims a time when.

“Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead” Isaiah 26:19

In Revelation 21:4 it states

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

YES and AMEN. All of the pain, confusion, suffering, and mayhem will cease FOREVER. Glory to your Father. IN THE MEAN TIME GIVE US ALL the boldness of

1. Daniel in the Lion’s den.
2. The faith of the 3 Hebrew children who stood up to Nebuchadnezzar knowing that when they did they would surely die.
3. Jeremiah – who suffered all kind indignities for the sake of “the Kingdom” He did not want his calling but he was called for your people to separate themselves from the world. Jeremiah was called to proclaim the word of the Lord: “O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord.” (Jeremiah 22:29). Use me oh Lord to proclaim the word of the Lord!. I know that it will not be a popular word, nor an accepted word, a word that allows us to continue to live as we are today in a place that is hateful just because a person is different. But I want to boldly declare your word because it is needed at such a time like this.
4. When all around us seems to gender anxiety and fear give us the mindset that believes “Isaiah 26:9,12–13 12 Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.13 O Lord our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.”
5. Father as a human being anxiety will rise up within up. Please take the power, gentleness, and cleansing of the Holy Spirit and sanitize our hearts and minds in Jesus’ name. There is so much going on in this world that could challenge our mental health. Show us how to flip that script and think with our spirit man. See with your eyes. Hope with the hope that you have given to each of us through the blood of your one and only son King Jesus. I believe and receive the perfect that you have promised to your children Father. in Jesus’ name. – Amen.