Thursday, January 8, 2015

This Week's Question: What Can Faith Do?

This is very late, and I realize that :/ However, "better late than never". Question is inspired by Kutless (LOVE THAT BAND) "What Faith Can Do". Awesome song, by the way, go listen to it :)

Recently I read a book by "Brother Andrew" called "Secret Believers". It's about Christian believers over in Islamic countries. Obviously, he did not give actual names or places... that would be too dangerous, but the stories are real, and they're sad. They're inhumane, they're (in my case) angering, and they're inspiring! Basically it's telling how there are some radical moslems that really mistreat people of other religions, not only Christians, either!

My reactions to the book were... man did I really want to read that? Radical Islam is really EVIL! Those Christians over there are really strong! Could I do that if I were in their shoes? and.. anger toward people that persecute our brothers and sisters. Looking back now on those reactions I'm figuring that, yes I not only wanted to, but needed to read it. Yes, radical Islam is very evil! Yup, those Christians are very strong. Yes, because Jesus would help me be strong. and... I'm still called to be forgiving.

Right now there is a lot of anger and hatred toward Moslems, especially terrorist Moslems. But did Jesus hate the Jews and the Romans when they tortured, persecuted, and killed Him? No. He said, "Father forgive them, they know not what they do." and what do we see? His prayer was answered immediately. The centurion was saved directly after Jesus' death. "Truly, this was the son of God!" He acknowledged Jesus as Lord! Jesus' faith in His Father's promises saved that centurion, and us too, really! :)

The Bible says when God looks on us, and listens to us, He is looking on, and listening to Jesus, because Jesus makes intercession for us. Faith can do anything. Faith can bring us from darkness to light, from death to life, from sin to righteousness, from hell to heaven, from hate to love, from anger to peace, from condemnation to forgiveness, from satan to God. Why don't we pray for these miracles? Is our faith too small? Paul writes that "To God, who is able to do far more than you ask". He can do more than delivering our brothers and sisters, He can forgive their persecutors as well! Jesus doesn't hate people, He hates sin. If we turn from our sin to Him, He immediately accepts us! Why don't we pray for terrorists of all types, Moslem or otherwise!

A few months? weeks? ago, I tried to organize a prayer night.. not sure how many people actually took part, and I actually fell asleep for part of it.. (no better than the original apostles I'm afraid!) But you know, persecution wasn't as real to me then as it is now. I mean, that book really gets you into how this goes, and it's scary, horrific, violent, and sad.

So.. the point? Faith can do ANYTHING! Forgiveness is called for! There is forgiveness, no matter what you've done! and last of all, I love everyone! Jesus loves you and you've hurt Him, spurned Him, and sinned against Him more than you ever could against me! I have no right to hold anger and hatred against anyone when I have been forgiven so many things and kept from doing others that I would have regretted!

Love and prayers,
Ruth

P.S. If you're interested in another prayer night, feel free to comment and let me know! :) Oh, and side note, if you're under sixteen, I do not recommend reading "Secret Believers".


4 comments:

  1. yes, that is so true. I think it helps to remember that muslims (and anyone else) are just sinners like us the only difference is that we have been saved by the blood of the lamb. We need a savior just as much as they do.

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    1. Yup :) My point in the post... did it make much sense? lol It was really half preaching to myself about it :/ I can get really angry at people that misuse others.

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    2. yes, it made sense! yep, I totally agree!

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    3. I tried to send you an email but it didn't work....I'll have to get your email from you on sunday sorry about that. :( I am thinking of you though! :)

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