Devotional Thoughts for the Week of November 3, 2024 - A Time For Reflection
Are you better off today than you were four years ago? This is a question often heard during election seasons, but it is, perhaps, too broad an inquiry to answer simply. On a national level things may seem significantly worse economically, but on a personal level some people are probably better off today. Four years ago we were still dealing with covid, masks, intermittent shut-downs, and vaccines. We have learned what a “woke” agenda means. These 4 years have brought both joy and pain, like all the years before. On a personal level we are both better off and worse off than we were in 2020. Nationally the level of respect and trust in elected officials is very low and the problems we face seem very big. The question, then, may not be particularly helpful in making election decisions. It does have merit, however, in the spiritual realm.
Is the American church doing better than we were four years ago? Some mainline denominations have gotten off track, and in many cases the focus has been on the works of men rather than continuous dependence on the Holy Spirit. There are, however, several positive signs. There is far more focus today on praying for our nation. Christian leaders from a wide range of ministries have joined together in Washington DC and elsewhere for times of repentance and intercession for America. Believers are declaring their faith more boldly (and hopefully more lovingly) on social media. We have seen at least a dozen reports of the Holy Spirit moving on college campuses where students are declaring faith in Jesus Christ and being baptized. For 4 ½ years now we have been meeting weekly to pray for our nation and for national issues, which has strengthened our faith and awareness of our complete dependence on God.
What about you as an individual? Are you in a better place in your faith journey than you were four years ago? Are you praying with more faith and greater desperation? Have you grown in your faith and in awareness of your dependence on God to do what He alone can do? Do you love Him more? Do you treasure His Word more and feed your soul on it daily? Have your thoughts and longings shifted from temporary, earthly things to eternal things? Have you discovered, or re-discovered, the indescribable pleasure of His nearness? Does your soul increasingly yearn for a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit that brings a new fire and passion into the church? Have you heard the Holy Spirit speak words of conviction, calling you to put to death the deeds of the flesh and live in holiness? Are you filled with increasing anticipation of what God is going to do in this generation? Is your heart more burdened for lost souls than ever before?
I pray that you answered “yes” to most or all of these questions. God is clearly moving in countless lives today. He is willing and eager to work in each of our lives if we will surrender control fully to Him. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to press in all the more urgently in these intense days. Let the things of this world fall away and cling tightly to the vine. Abiding in Christ moment by moment is the key to fruitful living (John 15:1-8). May God’s name be glorified in us. His kingdom come. His will be done.
Lynn
Are you better off today than you were four years ago? This is a question often heard during election seasons, but it is, perhaps, too broad an inquiry to answer simply. On a national level things may seem significantly worse economically, but on a personal level some people are probably better off today. Four years ago we were still dealing with covid, masks, intermittent shut-downs, and vaccines. We have learned what a “woke” agenda means. These 4 years have brought both joy and pain, like all the years before. On a personal level we are both better off and worse off than we were in 2020. Nationally the level of respect and trust in elected officials is very low and the problems we face seem very big. The question, then, may not be particularly helpful in making election decisions. It does have merit, however, in the spiritual realm.
Is the American church doing better than we were four years ago? Some mainline denominations have gotten off track, and in many cases the focus has been on the works of men rather than continuous dependence on the Holy Spirit. There are, however, several positive signs. There is far more focus today on praying for our nation. Christian leaders from a wide range of ministries have joined together in Washington DC and elsewhere for times of repentance and intercession for America. Believers are declaring their faith more boldly (and hopefully more lovingly) on social media. We have seen at least a dozen reports of the Holy Spirit moving on college campuses where students are declaring faith in Jesus Christ and being baptized. For 4 ½ years now we have been meeting weekly to pray for our nation and for national issues, which has strengthened our faith and awareness of our complete dependence on God.
What about you as an individual? Are you in a better place in your faith journey than you were four years ago? Are you praying with more faith and greater desperation? Have you grown in your faith and in awareness of your dependence on God to do what He alone can do? Do you love Him more? Do you treasure His Word more and feed your soul on it daily? Have your thoughts and longings shifted from temporary, earthly things to eternal things? Have you discovered, or re-discovered, the indescribable pleasure of His nearness? Does your soul increasingly yearn for a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit that brings a new fire and passion into the church? Have you heard the Holy Spirit speak words of conviction, calling you to put to death the deeds of the flesh and live in holiness? Are you filled with increasing anticipation of what God is going to do in this generation? Is your heart more burdened for lost souls than ever before?
I pray that you answered “yes” to most or all of these questions. God is clearly moving in countless lives today. He is willing and eager to work in each of our lives if we will surrender control fully to Him. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to press in all the more urgently in these intense days. Let the things of this world fall away and cling tightly to the vine. Abiding in Christ moment by moment is the key to fruitful living (John 15:1-8). May God’s name be glorified in us. His kingdom come. His will be done.
Lynn