Praying for Critical Mass in a Critical Media World

060806 - Praying for Critical Mass in a Critical Media World
Last week including this past Sunday we celebrated Vacation Bible School with several children in our community and especially at the Hunt Learning Center. God’s grace is given to all of us in Christ Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:4)
This week God is telling our stories through WSFA and their reporters Theo Travers and Aaron Lee. We pray for these people who publish inspirational messages like ours. Christ sends the Holy Spirit to mediate compassion, hope and community so that God’s will is done and His Kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven.
We pray for other, because prayer helps us as well as those for whom we pray (James 5:16). Our gatherings and activities celebrate how God saves us through the gift of faith and not from our works (Ephesians 2). God doesn’t publish "junk mail" with eye-catching notices that offer empty promises. Salvation through Jesus Christ is free, but not cheap. The blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ purchased our salvation, so that anyone who believes on Him will not parish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Discouragement is banished, even if the world’s messages try to flood our attention with bad, shocking, and sensational thoughts and feelings about selfish and self-seeking people who prosper and people of faith who utter petty and snide comments. "Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kings 6:16). No matter how bad or evil things seem to be . . . no matter how small our numbers may seem to be or how far away from critical mass our church growth may seem - God is with us and the heavenly hosts are on our side! If God be for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? We don’t have to feel confused and vulnerable, because God’s purposes are clear. God's purposes will not be thwarted. God's holy forces for good surround us.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for people who are willing to tell about their experiences with You. Thank you for Jesus, who taught us to pray to You. Thank You for helping us to hear more clearly what others are saying when we pray for them. Thank You for those who write for, listen, watch and read positive uplifting messages about how You are building Your Church in our community and the world. Thank you for making us part of Your plan to imitate Your grace to the end that all knees will bow and all tongues confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Forgive us, Father, for allowing our hearts to be overwhelmed by the evil in the world. Open our eyes to the good that surrounds us. We place our confidence in Your goodness and grace and not on what we can see or feel. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Ron