For lack of an appropriate reaction, the disciples of Jesus were called those men, as they were frightened by the storm that had come upon them. Would you do the same? Be honest: have you learned to defeat the force of evil that has taken hold in your life and ministry? When you take on the role of a true disciple of the Master, people will recognize it. Prepare yourself to be an instrument of God!

Every time the Lord uses you or someone else, and you hear about the wonders accomplished, if the fullness of the Spirit is in your being, your soul will rejoice in the divine action in any struggle. However, being out of communion with the Father, it will be as if nothing different happens. Those who live in the presence of God rejoice with Him and in Him, but those who despise Him feel nothing (Luke 1:39-45).

In one of his Psalms, King David revealed an important fact to us: he rejoiced at being invited to go to the house of God: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122.1). People who are not living by faith in Christ do not take pleasure in going to the house of prayer for all nations (Mark 11:17). Therefore, let us pray for those who make excuses not to attend services!

Examine what comes out of the lips of those who try to justify their absence from church. Words reveal the state of the heart: For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  (Matthew 12.34b), and behavior externalizes this: Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right. (Proverbs 20.11). Thus, parents should observe the words and deeds of their children, just as the church needs to check how its members act and pray for those who make excuses not to dedicate themselves to the Lord.

In the book of Acts, the revival that occurred due to the scattered Christians from Jerusalem going to various places and preaching the Gospel to everyone, including the Gentiles (initially, it was only announced to the Jews), is recorded. Some Christians went to Antioch and preached the Good News to the Greeks (Acts 11:20). The Church in Jerusalem heard this and sent Barnabas to verify everything. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. (Acts 11.23).

When a pastor speaks ill of another out of jealousy for their success, people quickly sense that this comes from the flesh. Well, at the very least, he should pray to the Lord to know whether that comes from the Holy Spirit or not. We are co-workers with God, not adversaries fighting against something He is doing thru our brothers in faith. Now, if we sense that the newcomer has ulterior motives in their actions, interceding for them will benefit the work of the Lord!

Those sent by God are kind, do not hold grudges against evil, and want to see the expansion of the Kingdom of Heaven, for divine love dwells in them (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). In the Lord and in His work, there is no deceit: For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity. (Psalm 125.3). Pray!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares