Pastor Bob Alderman
First Baptist Church
I am heavily burdened this week for the men and women serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Several of these brave soldiers have given their life in the battle for freedom from oppression and safety in our own land. Many more are still in danger.
While most of us know someone who is actively involved in our armed forces and are currently in harm’s way, we will not be picking up an M-16 and fighting ourselves.
Can we still play a very real and active
part in this conflict? Absolutely!
Pray.
In our deepest times of trouble we are to
cry out to God with faith, hope and love.
Psalm 34:4-6 “I prayed to the
LORD, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him
for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their
faces.” I cried out to the LORD in my
suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears.”
Pray for the United States of America! Pray for repentance, for faith, for a return
to the Biblical principles or nation was founded upon. For some direction read 2 Chronicles
7:14-16.
Pray
for our leaders.
Pray for our President and U.S. Government leaders. Pray for the leadership of other countries.
God instructs this in 1 Timothy 2:1-4; we
must lift our leaders before God and plead for His mercy and conviction upon
them
Pray
for the salvation of the lost.
We are always to be seeking salvation for the world. Think of how our current situation would change if Sadaam Hussain, Osama Bin Laden and Kim Jon Il would come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? Do you believe God is to inadequate to save them? I sure don’t! God is able! We need to believe He is able and earnestly pray for them!
are at war with.
Matthew 5:44 “But I say, love your
enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”
Pray again! And again.
Effectively, fervently and persistently!
Never give up, never quit! Pray
expecting God to answer your prayers, then rejoice when He proves faithful.
Read the Word of God.
Seek comfort, direction and peace in His
Word. It has been long said that God speaks when you open your Bible and God is
silent when you close your Bible. Spend
some time today listening to God through His Holy Word.
There is support and comfort to be found in a body of like believers. Encourage one another. Cry with one another. Help one another deal with the realities of our current world situation. This is not the time to walk away from God, His commands or His people.
Stand up in support of our
country, our leadership and our military.
This is a time for unity and faith. Now is the time for us to rally behind our troops, our President and the United States of America. We need to be patriotic.
Trust God.
Proverbs 3:5-9 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn your back on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and vitality. Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces.”
Know that God loves you, the soldiers and all of the families touched by this war.
Know that only God knows what is going to happen in the next moment, hours or days. Trust Him.
My trust is not in the U.S., the U.N., duct tape or M-1 tanks! My trust is eternally and totally in Jesus Christ.
Seek Peace.
Work hard to be a minister of reconciliation. Not only with the nations or terrorists we are at war with, but also with those next door who may not act or believe the way you do. Do not allow this war to become a vessel that leads you to sin against God or your neighbor.
Support
one another.
Visit your friends and family. Visit those in the hospital, the nursing homes and those who are shut in.
Visit and spend time with people! Know that God is deeply concerned about people. He has great compassion for all creation. Encourage them. Help “carry their load” by being there to listen, to encourage and to support. Share your faith and trust with them so they may be encouraged and edified by your faith.
Remember that God loves you!
And so do I.