“What is the source of quarrels and conflict?” (James 4:1)
We have plenty of conflict in our world today. Conflict over ideals. Conflict over the handling of those ideas. Conflict of who said what and who should have said something else.
When it all boils down, we just want our own way, huh?
Then how do we live?
Be encouraged.
This is the very time that we can be a great contrast to the world. Through Him, we can love one another. It’s obviously, not happening on the media or in our politics, but we’ve been given a greater grace. In other words, no matter what, we’ve been given the aid of divine favor.
We don’t look up to the mountains or to our government for help. Our help must source from the Lord. His Presence and Power resides within us and is greater than anything surrounding us.
Be encouragers.
In such a climate, encouragers will serve as magnets to the discouraged. While others are skeptical and distrusting, the Spirit-thriving individual will stand out like an anomaly. Pure Christianity is perfect suited for such a time as this.
We’ve talked about peace, joy and love. Now, let’s live it out. Let’s be more intent upon prayer than protest.
Find your strength deep within His Presence.
Brother Yun, a Chinese Christian evangelist who’s served several prison terms for the cause of Christ states this well:
“Once I spoke in the West and a Christian told me, “I’ve been praying for years that the Communist government in China will collapse, so Christians can live in freedom.” This is not what we pray! We never pray against our government or call down curses on them. Instead, we have learned that God is in control of both our own lives and the government we live under. Isaiah prophesied about Jesus, “The government will be on his shoulders” (Isaiah 9:6.)
God has used China’s government for his own purposes, moulding and shaping his children as he sees fit. Instead of focusing our prayers against any political system, we pray that regardless of what happens to us, we will be pleasing to God.
Don’t pray for the persecution to stop! We shouldn’t pray for a lighter load to carry, but a stronger back to endure! Then the world will see that God is with us, empowering us to live in a way that reflects his love and power.
This is true freedom!”
No matter how we voted, we must live united as Kingdom citizens. Jesus lived in the midst of a volatile political climate and yet there are very few places in which He even mentions a current event (see Luke 13:1-5; 31-32).
So here is my blessing upon you today:
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
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