Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, begins to sum up his exhortations by telling them to be strong in the Lord and in His ability. It is with God's ability dwelling within us that we will overcome. It is His strength within us that gives us the courage to fight the good fight of faith. It is the strength of His love to us that He showers us with heavenly blessings on a daily basis. It is the strength of our love to Him that makes us persevere during trying times. It is because of the strength of His love that we sanctify ourselves and dedicate ourselves to His purpose.
Paul and the early Christians were given the task of reaching the lost. These lost were strong in other areas. Some were strong in their hatred for Christianity. There were a lot of religious people like that. There were some who were strong in their devotion to Rome and the Roman way of life. There people who were deliriously strong in their worship of idols.
In the Civil War, World War I, World War II and subsequent wars, we find people with different points of view strong in their hatred of each other. In our political arena today, we have several different groups that are strong in their opinions. The different camps cannot understand why the other camps cannot see their point of view. Each of these camps defiantly believe that their ideology is the cure for all of America's ills. Some are strong FOR taxes. Some are strong AGAINST new taxes.
Some are strong in their work ethic. Here lately, the news headlines are being captured by hordes of people with a strong LAZY ethic. Their strength lies in how much they can suck from the American economy while complaining about the hand that is feeding them. However, you might consider that a personal opinion. It happens to be a scriptural opinion that is not the topic of this blog.
AMERICA IS BEING PULLED APART BY THESE CAMPS OF DIFFERENT OPINION
We, the Christians, know that the healing of our nation comes from a strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Notice I said a strong personal relationship. There are many who go to church that have just a surface relationship with Him. The salvation for our communities and our nation comes from people who firmly believe that they can change bad situations. In each of the camps I mentioned above, there are closed minded individuals who refuse to see any other side of any question other than what they strongly believe.
Check your belief. What do you believe about America? Is your faith solidly planted in the idea that we are going 'down the tubes,' or 'to hell in a hand basket?' Have you given up your prayer life? Have you given up on worship? Some of you have probably dropped out of church because it no longer seems relevant. Our family was close to doing just that before we found a vibrant church that reaches the lost and is doggedly determined to make a difference against all odds.
God was doggedly determined to make a difference in the life of His love child. God sent His only begotten Son to die on a cruel cross because He STRONGLY believed that His actions would make a difference. Here is where the change for America hinges. Peter, Paul and all the early Christians STRONGLY believed that Jesus would make a difference in the direction of people's lives if only they would receive Him. They STRONGLY believed that their nation could be changed through lives changed for Jesus.
The early church felt that it was important to become STRONG in the Lord and in His ability. They prayed and sought Him and not just some form of doctrine. And then, they just declared themselves available for use by the mighty hand of God that was within them. Acts the third chapter records that Peter and John were just walking to church one day. They had done this many times. Passed by the beggars many times. But, on this certain day, when two men strong in the Lord passed by a certain cripple man, the STRONG Lord inside of them caused them to stop and heal the cripple. These men were STRONG in the Lord and in His ability and were just available.
In Acts 14, Paul was preaching away one day, when faith rose in a crippled man. Paul was STRONG in God's ability and was available for His purpose. That combination changed the crippled man and many others that day.
In these two occasions, men who had strengthened themselves in the Lord, men who had strengthened themselves with an idea that Jesus could change situations, and men who had made themselves available to Him, brought revival to whatever place they were. And, God will do the same here in America. When we quit allowing the TV news cameras to cause us to lose focus on Him, we'll change America. When we allow the Word of God and the Power of His Love to change us, we will begin to change America. The Father, the Son, Peter, Paul and many others brought a change in lives wherever they went. Why? Because, their belief in the ability of God's love was greater than what they saw happening. They STRONGLY believed God was greater than any circumstance they faced. When you and I STRONGLY believe the same thing and make ourselves available to Him, the headlines will read:
AMERICA IS DIVIDED NO MORE--JESUS IS LORD OVER AMERICA
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