Recently we were in a neighborhood preaching the gospel to a rather large group of young men. There were mixed responses to our message, but overall they were pretty open to what we had to say.
After a while, a woman pulled us aside and began to tell us that it wasn't a good idea for us to be there. She told us of a recent home invasion and shooting, that left a man and woman badly injured.
Although we appreciated the heads up to what kind of drama was going on in the neighborhood, we assured her it was right for us to be there.
I believe one of the failings of modern day "Christianity" is that we see what's going on in our culture, but we we don't feel much responsibility for changing it.
Instead of just being shocked and saddened by the tragedy and trouble we see every night on the news, what would happen if it inspired us to go to where the trouble is, armed with the help of the kingdom of heaven.
Light shines brightest in dark places right? Jesus said "I didn't come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." In other words, Jesus got right out in the middle of the culture and powerfully let his light shine, we'd be wise to follow His example.
The true Gospel is genuine help for people today, it's a very present help for our culture, but they won't know unless we tell them, unless we bring it to them. It's not somebody else's responsibility, it's yours and it's mine.
We continued on that day to see a woman give her heart to the Lord and a number of other people get touched and stirred up for the things of God.
We have authority to affect neighborhoods, cities and yes, even nations, but much of the change depends on us. Our willingness to be available, to go, to say "yes Lord, send me."
God's given us all we need to accomplish His will, but the trap we find ourselves in many times, is that He will never violate our freewill or our tendency to say no.
The good news, is there is still time to get in the game, God's created us for such a time as this, all of heaven is backing you!
Be yourself, love God and love people. Follow Jesus, His lifestyle, His pattern for ministry, It works!
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