It was around 3:00 am when I woke up early Monday morning and rolled over to grab my phone. (A habit I need to break.) When I looked at snippets of the world news, my heart stopped as I read the headline, "50 dead and at least 200 Injured in a Las Vegas Shooting." My heart skipped a beat and out loud I cried, "Oh no!"
My husband woke up and asked me what happened, together we went to the living room and watched the news for at least an hour. In my mind I kept telling myself, "Not again, this can't be! What in the world is the world coming to?" I was, and still am, so heartbroken for the people who passed and for those who have been injured. I have been praying for all who were involved since this horrific incident happened and I will continue to do so.
It's as if the world doesn't make sense anymore...what's right is wrong, and what's wrong is right and things seem to be getting progressively worse with each passing day.
Friends, I fully believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is coming and He's coming very soon. We see day after day the book of Revelations being played out before our very eyes. It is an unsettling time. A time where we need to cling to God like never before.
When the world doesn't make sense anymore, there are a few things I have learned that help to bring clarity and peace to an uncertain time.
It's time to be ready.
It's time to make sure that we've asked the Lord for forgiveness of our sins and that we are living a life that's devoted to Him. When we wake up in the morning we need to being our day with prayer and reading His Word. We need to put on the full armor of God before our feet hit the floor.
"10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." - Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
We also need to pray, for the safety and protection over our family and friends. We need to pray that by the grace of God, He would watch over our loved ones and guide their steps and that the enemy's plans for any type of harm would be immediately stopped.
Not only do we need to pray and read the Word of God in the morning we need to be doing it CONSTANTLY throughout the day.
"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17
"Don't pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees." - Corrie Ten Boom
The Word of God is so powerful. More powerful that we will ever know. It's a tool that God gives us that shouldn't be neglected, but rather used to help us to grow closer to Him, to protect ourselves and family and to further His Kingdom.
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." - James 1:22 (NIV)
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
I do not have all the answers, no one does. However I do know the best thing we can do is cling to Jesus and draw near to His presence and be watchful and alert. Now is not the time for hate or division, but rather a time to love one another, and go before the throne of God begging for His grace and mercy to protect us and keep us, until one day when we reach our eternal home.
It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments.
Use hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday
Three rules to this link up:
1. Must be a {Christian} faith post.
2. Link back to W2W somewhere in your post. (Feel free to use our button if you want!)
3. Visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.
Joining you in prayer for the victims, their families, and our world.
ReplyDeleteLove the last paragraph especially.
ReplyDeleteLife is so full of uncertainties. We never know what we'll wake up to, good or bad. :( So grateful that one day all will be healed and whole again. Until then, yes, let's stay ready. And stay praying. Thanks, Shari.
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