Dave’s Monday Blast – December 7, 2020

Romans 12:10 – 21 was written during very dark days for followers of Jesus Christ. It was written to help believers navigate the anti-Christian waters of first century Rome. It provided a powerful recipe for Christian living. In many ways our days are just as dark as an anti-Christian sentiment grows. I would encourage you to read this passage several times and then focus specially upon verses 12 and 13.  Mediate upon their wisdom and commit them to memory. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

We need hope in these dark times. Fortunately, our God has provided all the light we need to navigate our dark days in the personage of his son. In Him we find hope for today and for eternity. Author Bob Goff comments: “Hope does not go to sleep just because it is dark. It lights a candle and waits up for the rest of the story.” As Christians, we know what the rest of the story is. We have a God who is on His throne working to bring all things into this season of history. The result of which is going to be a world where everything will be made new. No more sorrow, no more pain, no more sadness and no more challenges like you are experiencing today. So be joyful in this hope.

But also be patient in your current affliction. In Matthew 1:22 and 23 the Christ child was called Emmanuel, which means God is with us. We can be patient in these trying times because our Creator God is with us. Don’t give up or give in. Don’t seek to hole up in a cave to wait it out. Trust in the Lord! Trust in His presence!

Additionally, we must be faithful in prayer. Prayer is the way we Christians push against the darkness. In this season where it seems that darkness is pushing against us, we must push back IN PRAYER. Our flesh encourages us to push back in our own strength…but our God admonishes us to pray. Let Him do the heavy lifting.

Lastly, we must look beyond ourselves and see to the needs of the saints by practicing hospitality. We can not meet the needs of everyone, but we must be there for those within our sphere of influence. Some one this very day desperately needs you to be there for them. Be INTENTIONAL in this regard my brother.  My challenge to you today is to ask the Lord to allow you to be the answer to someone else’s prayer.