Tag Archives: church

What happens in Rome…

We all know the story, or at least many of us do. You know, the one about what everyone thought Jesus had come to do, when in fact He hadn’t come to do that at all. Conquer Rome. Free the Jewish people from an oppressive government and restore to them a kingdom that was rightfully theirs.

We can all see it now. Jesus had something else in mind. Something no one imagined.

Jesus barely even mentioned Rome. Don’t you find that odd? That the biggest issue in the lives of His people at that time isn’t even addressed? That they were being taxed to death simply brought “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”. He showed zero indignation toward Rome. There was not a word mentioned of Jewish rights as the people of God, no talk about protesting what was happening, no call to resistance.

I assume you know where I’m going with this. We are the people of God. Just for giggles, let’s call our government Rome.

I know some people can rattle off perfectly good reasons (in their mind) that the Church needs to be involved in politics, needs to have their finger on the pulse of culture, needs to push back for our “freedoms”. There’s a lot of talk about taking back the seven mountains, taking back the government, standing up for righteousness, but the problem I keep running into is this: I can’t find it in scripture. I can’t find that part where Jesus told us we have rights and freedoms and that we are to dictate the culture of the world. I see this…

A scribe approached him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Matthew 8:19-20

Jesus isn’t saying “if you choose to follow me, it could get uncomfortable”. He’s saying that when we choose to follow Him, we relinquish our right to have a place to call home here on earth. No right to a roof over our head.

In Matthew, chapter 10, the first time He sent out His disciples on mission, He sent them with no provision. He told them they would be beaten and imprisoned for His sake, that they would be brought before people in authority, but they were to be His witness in that situation.

In other words – unfair and unjust treatment is not something to fight against, it is to be used as an opportunity to be His witness.

When I read the gospels, I do not see rights. I do not see a call to resist or a call to take something back. I see a laying it all down, a giving it all away.

I see “sell everything you have and give it to the poor and follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21)

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me”. (Matthew 5:10-11)

It is clear from the scriptures that the people of God do not have a “right” to comfort, to fair treatment, to be respected, or to be treated kindly or justly (except by the other members of the family of God. There are big expectations in that category).

Beloved, we have not been tasked with conquering Rome. Frankly, that is a far too narrow a vision. Our assignment is simple, but has profound eternal consequences – love God with everything we’ve got, and love people as ourselves. Carry the gospel to all the nations. Make disciples (not just converts). Trust God in all things. Fix our eyes, minds, and hearts on heaven, not on earth.

We are a people called to lay down and give away, not demand and take back.

I know it seems radical and uncomfortable and goes against so many things ingrained in us as earthly citizens of this nation (or any other free nation). But we have something so much bigger on us than constitutional rights and allegiance to political parties. We have a call to allow the Holy Spirit of God to pursue the hearts and salvation of people, through us. A call to co-labor with Jesus to build His Kingdom, not a political kingdom with political power and authority. That is way too small and narrow. We are increasing the territory of the spiritual authority and power of heaven, on the earth. But that power and authority is not against men (flesh and blood), it is against “the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” (Ephesians 6)

Our battle is not with Rome, it is with hell.

It is a battle fought through prayer, and through our obedience to the Word of God. It is fought best by those who are fully aware of who they are in Christ, and what they are actually fighting for – the souls of men. Not their political views or their opinions on current cultural issues. We are fighting for their eternal destinies.

The days are getting darker, and nothing in scripture tells us that evil will be vanquished or that the darkness will recede, until Jesus returns, no matter how bad we want it. That is not our fight.

Our fight is to pillage the darkness with the gospel that can save the souls of men and women held captive there, and to love one another while we do it.

#followJesus #betheChurch

Declaration & Praise: Day 12

“Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before Him.” – Ephesians 1:3-4

“We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!” – Ephesians 2:3-5

Today I declare that He is the One who blesses me. He is the One who chose me. He is the One who makes me holy and blameless.

I will not look to myself or to others for what can only come from God.

I was dead and now I live. I was under wrath, now I am under grace – because there is a great love that exists in God for me.

In the same way, my brothers and sisters in Christ were dead, and now they live. They were under wrath, but are now under grace. There is a great love that exists in God for them.

Today, I will remember that I am not alone in the grace in which I stand. I am not alone in being chosen, holy, blameless, and loved by God.

I will choose to see myself and others in the Body of Christ from the perspective of truth.

Forty Days of Praying the Word of God: Day 39

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

Lord, we need Your Spirit to come upon us today. I pray for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit over, in, and through Your Church in this generation. I pray we will stop being witnesses to what the world is doing around us, and will instead become Your witnesses, in our own nation and to the ends of the earth. I pray that we will stop talking about what politicians are doing and begin to speak of what You are doing in the earth right now. I pray for those of us who feel powerless, to receive afresh the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim Your truth.

I pray that as Your Church seeks You in this hour, You will begin to shake the room and fill us afresh with Your Spirit, Lord. And I pray we will then have courage and boldness to proclaim Your name to the nations. That we will speak Your truth, and tell of Your awesome power and Your wonderous deeds. I pray that, under the power of Your Spirit, Your Word will go forth, running swiftly through the streets of our nation, compelling hearts to turn from darkness to light.

Father, I pray for the power of Your Holy Spirit to fill our pulpits and our homes. I pray that every crooked place would be made straight, everything hidden will be brought to light, and that Your Church would walk and talk as those baptized into Your death, and raised up to Your life, holy and clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

Lord Jesus, I am asking that You breath upon Your Church again, filling us with Your Holy Spirit and power. Renew us, refresh us, and fill our cups again. Holy Spirit, teach us, remind us, and point us toward home, toward the throne of our Father.

Empty us of ourselves, and fill us with Yourself.

In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Forty Days of Praying the Word of God: Day 38

“ Do not be yoked together with those who do not believe. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? For what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” 

2 Corinthians 6:14-15

Lord, I pray for an increase in our obedience to Your whole word, including in the area of our alliances, partnerships, and marriages.

I pray that we will stop seeking common ground, and yoking ourselves with unbelievers. May we stop trying to partner righteousness with unrighteousness. I pray that we will be a people who set themselves apart, not as better than, but as different from. May every relationship we have with those in the world be redemptive, and gospel driven.

I pray we will be in the world, but not of it. That we will not allow ourselves to become conformed to the systems and ideologies of this world, but will continually seek transformation through the renewing of our minds by Your word. (Romans 12)

I pray that we will not compromise in order to keep from being hated by this world, but that we will rejoice in being identified with our Savior, who was hated first. May the love of God being poured out through us have priority over the approval of man being poured out on us. (Matthew 5; John 15)

I pray that nothing the world offers us will entice us, but that we will find all we need in You. May we find life and joy in You alone. (Psalm 16; John 10)

I pray that more and more, You will have a set apart people for Your own, a holy people that You have called out of the world, rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of Your Son. A people who love You and who love the people of this world as You do, but who have come out from among them. And from that love, may we go back out into the world to give them the good news of Your love and redemption.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Forty Days of Praying the Word of God: Day 32

“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience…”

Colossians 3:12

Father, You have chosen me, made me holy, and loved me, and I’m forever grateful. I pray for myself now, as well as for all of Your children, and I ask that You would teach us to put on compassion. I pray that we would turn from our outrage, from our suspicions, and from our side-taking ways, and begin to let compassion flow from us. Compassion for victims and families and all who are touched by the violence that is raging right now. When we could choose blame, let us choose compassion. Rather than assumptions, may we give compassion. Lord, make us the voice of compassion in the crowds of hate filled rhetoric, blame, and accusation.

As easy as it is to join the fray and raise our fists and exercise our outrage, I pray we will choose instead to look for Your footprints. I pray we will do the harder task of dying to our own opinions and choose to be like You, to have Your mind and Your heart.

Bring me, bring us, to a place repentance, so that we can rise up to kindness and humility. Gentle us Lord, gentle our attitudes and our voices. And may we wait, with patience, for You to cause everything to conform to Your purposes. I pray we will speak to injustice and give the voiceless a voice, but with compassion, with kindness, and with our ear leaned toward You, listening for Your heart, not to the many voices calling for our agreement down here.

Father, the worst of our culture has brought out the worst in us, and I pray it will stop. I pray that we will come to our senses as the people of God, and begin to walk in Your Spirit, against our own flesh. I pray for a holy restraint to come upon the Church – not a restraint of truth, but a restraint of our harsh words, our opinions stated as facts, and a restraint of our unkindness toward one another.

Jesus, call us again to ‘come, follow’ You, as You act with compassion for the world You died to save.

In Your name I pray. Amen.

Forty Days of Praying the Word of God: Day 30

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…”

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

Matthew 5:10; 2 Timothy 3:12; Matthew 5:44

Father, I pray for the persecuted Christians around the world, and I ask that Your presence would be so near to them, so tangible to them. I pray they will be strengthened in mind, body, and spirit by the Holy Spirit as they endure. I pray that You will encourage their hearts and be their continual comfort. I pray they will have the courage to speak truth, to preach the gospel, and to love those who are persecuting them. I pray that they will see the salvation of their persecutors! I pray that in the midst of persecution, Your Church will increase and be strengthened.

I pray for us, those who are not currently enduring serious persecution. Urge our hearts to pray for our brothers and sisters in the persecuted Church, Lord. Open our eyes to see them, and open our mouths to cry out on their behalf.

Father, I pray for an increased desire in Your people to live godly lives, even if it brings persecution. I pray that our souls will not yield to fear, will not yield to culture, will not yield to opinion, but will yield only to You. I pray we will steadfastly walk in Your ways, speak Your truth, and long for Your return. Strengthen us, and give us courage to walk contrary to the world around us, and to endure any persecution that comes from it. I pray that we will take the gospel You have entrusted to us into every place You send us, regardless of where that is. I pray that the gospel will go forth in increasing measure in the earth, especially in the western world. I pray for an increase in our witness here in the United States. May we see an increase in the sharing of the gospel in our neighborhoods, our grocery stores, our schools, and our workplaces. May we be willing to cross man made boundaries with Your life saving truth. I pray You will give us Your eyes to see the lost around us, and Your heart to see them saved. I pray, Father, that Your people will sense the urgency of the hour, and respond to Your Spirit.

I pray that You will teach us to pray for our enemies. May we be found praying for those who hurt us, reject us, and threaten us. Fill our hearts with Your love that we might actually, truly, love those who come against us. And in the days to come, in our hour of persecution, I pray that the Church in the west will rise up to be Your witnesses, not our own.

Prepare us, God, I pray. Prepare us to endure to the end. Prepare us to overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony. Prepare us to love not our lives, even unto death.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Revelation 12:11

Increase our longing for You, Jesus. Increase our desire to walk as You walked, to partake of Your suffering, as well as Your joy. Let the pull of this earth lose its strength over us, as the pull of heaven draws us to fix our eyes on You. May we, for the joy set before us, take up our own cross and follow You.

In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Forty Days of Praying the Word of God: Day 28

“Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.”

Proverbs 31:8-9

Father, I pray that You will give the Church her voice in this hour, and teach us to use it in righteousness. I pray that we will speak Your truth over and over again. I pray that we will cry out on behalf of the voiceless among us.

I pray we will see injustice and with one voice we would cry out against it. I pray we will not excuse it, but will speak truth to it. I also pray that we will not call injustice what the world calls injustice, but will seek Your heart and Your Word, so as to judge righteously.

Father, may Your Church lead out in this hour on behalf of the oppressed. May we counter our current culture with wisdom and mercy and compassion. Would we be the ones who rush in to love the victims of injustice and oppression with Your love. Would we see open doors for the gospel and boldly walk through them.

I pray that You will go through our land Lord, and stem the tide of racial divide and hatred. Come and do what we cannot do, Lord – cleanse the hearts and minds of this nation and heal her wounds. I pray for truth to be revealed wherever there has been deception and lies. I pray for humility where pride and all things “self” have led the day. I pray for conviction of our sins on every side.

I pray for courage for Your people. Courage to speak up and to be silent. Courage to act and to wait upon You. Courage to pray that Your perfect will would be done in this nation and in Your Church, no matter what. The courage to pray that You will do whatever it takes to turn our hearts back to You.

In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.