Some days there just are no words to express how deeply God’s Word infuses encouragement and hope. This week in the devotional, “Awaken” by Priscilla Shirer, was no exception.

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Recently someone asked me this question: “Where does this all end?”

I truly don’t have an answer, as I do not know how the current crisis will end. But one thing I do know is that God is sovereign over every situation and all events.

“His sovereignty is involved in yours (your life) too. Everything that happens to you is either ordained by God or allowed by God.” (from Awaken, page 183)

We so easily forget He either ordains it or allows it. But no circumstance is ever happenstance.

The devotional encourages us to “thank the Lord for His sovereignty over every circumstance in your life. Ask Him to renew your confidence that He can use your current position for His purposes and your good.”

“I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”
(Job 42:2)

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“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14, NIV)

• Democrats vs Republicans
• schools opened vs remote
• masks vs no masks
• one race vs another race
• doctors vs lawmakers
• facts vs lies

Can I just admit – It gets exhausting.

If you look at the verse above, Paul mention two groups.  In the the list, each group again is plural.

But Jesus came to bring unity, to make us all one group – singular. No division. No separation.

“Wherever people are estranged and distant, unity in Jesus can bring them back into fellowship … Wherever the rift seems too wide and to complicated to repair, Jesus has already done what needs doing to fix it.” (from Awaken, page 192)

And that to me, is good news. Correction … It is the Good News!

The world will always have division as the enemy is hard at work. But, the Church as believers can stand firm in unity. Let’s live as we have been called to live – one unified Body in and through Christ Jesus.

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This season is presenting hardships of varied sorts to so many. What are we to do with all the needs? All the suffering? All the loss? We don’t want to do nothing just because we couldn’t do everything.

“Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Every small act is a ripple which spreads outward. Everything we do has the possibility of impacting someone.

Now is the time for the Church to arise and be the Church we have been called to be from the beginning.

“So do it. Give it. Extend it. Support it. Serve it. Care for it. Be a part of it. Whatever God has given you to do, do it with all of your heart and passion … because “even the least” is great when you do it for His sake.”
(from Awaken, page 200)

May we ask the Lord to open our eyes to a need within our current sphere of influence. What can you offer today to bring blessing and practical sustenance to that person or issue?

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His plans,
done in unity.
Make your ripple today and see what the Lord will do!

Photo 1: by Jacob Meves on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Conor Luddy on Unsplash
Photo 3: by David Tommasino

Today I am joining … Purposeful Faith and InstaEncouragements .