Phoenix, AZ
1. Be AWARE
As our nation grapples with the ongoing losses resulting from the COVID19 pandemic, months of economic uncertainty, historic wildfires, increasing civil unrest in our streets, we are now facing HurricaneLaura threatening to make landfall along the Gulf coastal states within hours. All throughout biblical history we have seen how God has used crises to turn us from our disobedience in humble surrender to Him. While we cannot miss seeing the increasing chaos at our doorstep, as Christians we are reminded, there is nothing that is impossible with Our Lord. He is faithful and will never leave us nor forsake those who believe and follow Him as Lord and Savior. How should Christians respond?
When we see some federal, state and local government or political leaders who have lost their moral compass it is disheartening as it drains the very life blood of our Constitutionally based democratic republic. Or, when we see religious leaders grapple with how to “reimagine the Church” for survival, when the truth is we have already been given the blueprint for The Church to thrive in Scripture it is even more disheartening. The blueprint modeled by the Early Church was tested through persecution on a level most Christians today have never seen. Is re-inventing or re-imagining the Church the answer when people are facing a pandemic, loss, civil unrest and now natural disasters?
We are not being called upon to “reinvent or re-imagine” the Church like a new marketing campaign, rather we are called to “be The Church!” This means we need to confess we have not been praying, caring and sharing Christ and turn from our misguided ways in being an “event driven” institution grappling for survival, and return to being faithful, ready holy disciples who are “response driven.” It means we must heed God’s many natural and man-made warnings and PRAY as if our lives and those we love depend upon it; CARE for those who need to “see and feel” the Gospel first hand; and SHARE the life giving Hope of Christ boldly yet sensitively for such a time as this. And, while we must not be silent or unresponsive when we see injustice, we must also pray and support first responders, law enforcement and those in authority to make godly decisions. As Christians, we too are the front lines of the spiritual battle facing our nation. Let’s heed the wake up call for His children to be aware, ready and there right in the midst of the crisis sharing the Hope of Christ!
2. Be READY
“Be ready to give an answer for the Hope of Christ within you!” I Peter 3:15
Join a Ready Network
Be a ReadyChristian
Lead a ReadyChurch
Lead a ReadyCity
3. Be THERE
Pray
- Pray Psalm 107:29 over Hurricane Marco to: be weakened by wind shear, make landfall in areas of less impact, and weakened by dry air receding before Laura comes ashore. “He hushed the storm to a gentle whisper, so that the waves of the sea were still.” Psalm 107:29
Pray Luke 8:23-25 over the Hurricane Laura storm to: break up over land and enter the Gulf weakened, cross the path of Marco where water would be cooler and reduce impact, and experience wind shear and dry air to weaken the storm. “As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:23-25
Pray Psalm 55: 8 and Numbers 10:35 for CEN to receive news before the news to be effective in alerting Christians be ready to be The Church for such a time as this.“Rise up, O Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You.” Numbers 10:35
Care
Care for those in harm’s way by preparing now to assist as you are able. Learn what capacities you have using the ReadyChristian guidebook.”I would hurry to my refuge (my tranquil shelter far away) from the stormy wind and from the tempest.” Psalm 55:8
Care for those affected by understanding the capacities of your church to assist whether near or far. Learn what capacities you have using the ReadyChurch guidebook. “But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.” 1 Thessalonians 2:7
Care for those along with your Christian community by assessing damaged areas and making recommendations on how Christians and the local Churches may respond together. Learn what capacities your city networks have to assist using the ReadyCity guidebook. “When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.” Psalm 94:19
Share
Share with those who may have family and friends who are experiencing loss of loved ones to COVID19, loss of jobs, or who have been affected by the increasing civil unrest that Jesus is the only answer to the broken hearts, loss of supply, and able to provide true security. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
Share with first responders you are praying for them and specifically ask how you may pray for them and their families by name. “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
Share a note inspired by the words of Isaiah 58:8 in a gift card to encourage someone going through the hardships of COVID19, job or business loss, or displacement due to civil unrest or in the storm areas to open the door to share the ‘Words of the Gospel.” “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8
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