It's June, and which means in all places you flip you'll be confronted with LGBTQ+ flags and banners, memes and shows.
However somewhat than be annoyed by this in-your-face fixed, let's flip it right into a name to prayer.
That's why I posted on June third, “Each time you see a Delight flag or show this month, let or not it’s a reminder to wish that God's mercy will contact all who determine as LGBTQ+ and expertise the identical repentance and forgiveness and transformation , which you obtained as a follower of Jesus.”
Prayer is our biggest religious weapon and essentially the most highly effective expression of our love. Prayer wins. As SD Gordon stated, “Prayer strikes the profitable blow. Ministry gathers outcomes.”
It was praying Christians who helped convey me into God's household after I was 16 years previous, a rebellious, proud, heroin-shooting, LSD-taking Jewish hippie rock drummer.
It was their prayers that introduced the Spirit's conviction into my life and revealed the depth of my sin (I truly thought I used to be a great individual!). And it was their prayers that helped open my eyes to the reality of the gospel.
God actually does reply prayers!
Suppose again to the early Church.
Saul of Tarsus, a non secular Jewish man, violently persecuted the Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus). Then he had a radical, life-changing encounter with the resurrected Savior. Christians around the globe know him because the apostle Paul, the author of virtually half of the books of the New Testomony.
What prompted his radical transformation?
The Lord's phrases within the Sermon on the Mount are the important thing:
“You might have heard that it was stated, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' However I say to you, love your enemies and pray for many who persecute you, that you could be be kids of your Father in heaven, who makes his solar rise on the evil and the nice and sends rain on the simply and the unjust. ” (Matthew 5:43-45)
That is how we react. That is how we defend ourselves.
We overcome evil with good.
Love overcomes hate.
We overcome lies with reality.
By the ability of the flesh we overcome the ability of the Spirit.
And as a substitute of partaking in a muddy battle with our enemies or, God forbid, a violent response to violence, we love our enemies and pray for many who persecute us. (I'm not saying that we don't interact politically or that we gained't combat again when attacked by an invading military. I'm focusing right here on religious ideas in coping with our ideological adversaries.)
That is actually what these early believers did to their arch-enemy, Saul, who Acts data accredited of the killing of the Messianic Jew Stephen (Acts 8:1). Acts additionally says that “Saul started to destroy the church. He went from home to deal with, dragging off women and men and placing them in jail.” (Acts 8:3)
Saul actually turned the primary goal of their prayers, and when God heard their cry, he responded dramatically. As Saul/Paul later wrote,
“Although I used to be as soon as a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man, I used to be proven mercy as a result of I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out upon me abundantly, along with the religion and love which can be in Christ.” Jesus, however for this very motive mercy was proven to me, in order that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus would present his exceeding endurance for example to those that consider in him and obtain everlasting life.” (1 Timothy 1:13-14, 16 )
I encourage you to take the time to observe the great documentary produced by American Household Studios referred to as In His Picture. (Belief me on this one. You'll be really blessed while you watch.)
I had the respect of internet hosting this highly effective movie, which accommodates not solely an awesome, sensible, theological dialogue concerning the that means of man and lady and God's plan for humanity. It additionally options highly effective testimonials from ex-gay and ex-trans people, two of whom have had trans-related surgical procedures prior to now.
That's how dedicated they had been to the transition, and that's how radically God intervened of their lives.
I might particularly draw your consideration to the story of Laura Beth Perry (now fortunately married and formally Laura Perry Smalts) as a result of prayer performed a serious position in her personal salvation and transformation, as you will note in the event you watch the film In His Picture.
Might it even be an encouragement to each member of the family, good friend, and beloved one who identifies as someplace on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. As you proceed to point out them Christian love and kindness, always remember the ability of prayer.
We’re really providing a prayer that solutions God, and whereas God won’t violate our freedom of alternative, He really is aware of how you can change hearts and minds.
So each time you see a Delight flag or a Delight meme, use it as a reminder to wish for God's remodeling and saving mercy to be poured out on all who fly underneath that hijacked rainbow.
It's time for a superb soul harvest!
Might the church buildings be able to obtain them with love and reality.