Rusty Kuhn's Blog, page 7
August 30, 2014
Be Still
Early in the morning just after the fierce winds of Hurricane Katrina started to blow we heard an awful crash over the fellowship hall of Bethel Baptist Church. Bethel was being used as a Red Cross shelter for people of the community to ride out the storm. Within seconds of the awful crashing water began to food in through the ceiling. We didn’t know it yet but the entire back section of the roof had been ripped off the building.
I immediately told everyone to get into the sanctuary, which was the inner most part of the building. We had been staying in the fellowship hall but it was no longer safe and was quickly filling with water from the rain pouring in. It didn’t take much persuasion to get the folks into the sanctuary. They practically ran leaving most of their positions behind.
After about an hour or so I went back to the fellowship hall to assess some of the damage. When I walked in I was utterly surprised at what I saw. There was a young man standing in several inches of water with a mop and mop bucket trying to mop up the water while the rain was still pouring in. It was raining so hard the mop bucket itself was overflowing. I tried to convince him that he was wasting his time. It was a hopeless cause. I will never forget the look he gave me. It was a look of desperation and terror stating, “I just feel like I have to do something.” My heart broke for him. How often do we do things so futile?
I then explained to him that there are times, many times, when circumstances are totally out of our control. During those times we need to simply trust God. I felt just as helpless as he did. I too was frightened. We all were. But in those times we trust God all the more. In every moment, good and bad, our trust should be in God.
As one reads through Psalm 46 they will see a list of practically everything in this world that could ever go wrong; the earth changing, the mountains falling into the sea, the sea rising, the nations warring, the stars falling from the sky, and much more. However, the focus of Psalm 46 isn’t on all the bad things happening. The focus is on how faithful our God is. Psalm 46 starts with assurance in the first verse saying, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.” And, concludes with, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10).
So, when the times of helplessness come, and they will, trust in your refuge and strength, know that He is your very present help in your time of trouble, and be still and know that He is God. Rusty Kuhn
I immediately told everyone to get into the sanctuary, which was the inner most part of the building. We had been staying in the fellowship hall but it was no longer safe and was quickly filling with water from the rain pouring in. It didn’t take much persuasion to get the folks into the sanctuary. They practically ran leaving most of their positions behind.
After about an hour or so I went back to the fellowship hall to assess some of the damage. When I walked in I was utterly surprised at what I saw. There was a young man standing in several inches of water with a mop and mop bucket trying to mop up the water while the rain was still pouring in. It was raining so hard the mop bucket itself was overflowing. I tried to convince him that he was wasting his time. It was a hopeless cause. I will never forget the look he gave me. It was a look of desperation and terror stating, “I just feel like I have to do something.” My heart broke for him. How often do we do things so futile?
I then explained to him that there are times, many times, when circumstances are totally out of our control. During those times we need to simply trust God. I felt just as helpless as he did. I too was frightened. We all were. But in those times we trust God all the more. In every moment, good and bad, our trust should be in God.
As one reads through Psalm 46 they will see a list of practically everything in this world that could ever go wrong; the earth changing, the mountains falling into the sea, the sea rising, the nations warring, the stars falling from the sky, and much more. However, the focus of Psalm 46 isn’t on all the bad things happening. The focus is on how faithful our God is. Psalm 46 starts with assurance in the first verse saying, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.” And, concludes with, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10).
So, when the times of helplessness come, and they will, trust in your refuge and strength, know that He is your very present help in your time of trouble, and be still and know that He is God. Rusty Kuhn
August 29, 2014
Seek My Face
In Solomon’s prayer he asked God in II Chronicles 6:35, 35, “When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way You shall send them, and they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the house which I have built for Your name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.” Solomon was asking God to answer their prayers when they look towards His city and His house seeking Him. The Bible tells us in Daniel 6:10 that when Daniel prayed, he faced Jerusalem. The Psalmist also wrote in Psalms 5:7, “but as for me, by Your abundant loving-kindness I will enter Your house,
at (toward) Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.” The significance of facing the temple was to face the very presence of God. Today, we worship God in Spirit; therefore, we seek Him in Spirit.
Words of wisdom were spoken to Solomon many years prior to this great day by Solomon’s father, King David. He said to Solomon in I Chronicles 28:9, “If you seek Him, He will let you find Him.” David, the man after God’s own heart, was speaking to his son about God. God said that He wants us to seek His face. To seek one’s face is to know the person. God created us for the purpose of having a relationship with Him. He loves us and wants us to love Him back. He has not hidden His face from us. He has made Himself available. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
The greatest act of love ever committed was God sending His son Jesus to the cross. The purpose in this is that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Sin cannot come into the presence of God because He is perfectly righteous and holy. However, God desires a relationship with us so much that He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. The Bible says in John 14:13, “This is love, that one would lay down his life for another.” Through the cross God has done everything necessary for us to have a relationship with Him. The Bible tells us in Romans 6:23, “for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” For this reason alone we should be willing to respond to the Gospel laying down our lives in full pursuit of the fullness of God.
Growing up I was taught that when you speak to a person or they are speaking to you, you look the individual in the eye. If they are unwilling to look you in the eye, then they must be hiding something from you. Now that simply is the culture in which I was raised, and other cultures may think differently. However, God wants us to look Him in the eye. He wants us to seek His face because He has nothing to hide from us. He wants us to know Him. Psalm 31:16 says, “Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your loving-kindness.” I am thoroughly convinced that to know God is to love Him. Paul said in Ephesians 3:14-19, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” Rusty Kuhn
at (toward) Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.” The significance of facing the temple was to face the very presence of God. Today, we worship God in Spirit; therefore, we seek Him in Spirit.
Words of wisdom were spoken to Solomon many years prior to this great day by Solomon’s father, King David. He said to Solomon in I Chronicles 28:9, “If you seek Him, He will let you find Him.” David, the man after God’s own heart, was speaking to his son about God. God said that He wants us to seek His face. To seek one’s face is to know the person. God created us for the purpose of having a relationship with Him. He loves us and wants us to love Him back. He has not hidden His face from us. He has made Himself available. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
The greatest act of love ever committed was God sending His son Jesus to the cross. The purpose in this is that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Sin cannot come into the presence of God because He is perfectly righteous and holy. However, God desires a relationship with us so much that He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. The Bible says in John 14:13, “This is love, that one would lay down his life for another.” Through the cross God has done everything necessary for us to have a relationship with Him. The Bible tells us in Romans 6:23, “for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” For this reason alone we should be willing to respond to the Gospel laying down our lives in full pursuit of the fullness of God.
Growing up I was taught that when you speak to a person or they are speaking to you, you look the individual in the eye. If they are unwilling to look you in the eye, then they must be hiding something from you. Now that simply is the culture in which I was raised, and other cultures may think differently. However, God wants us to look Him in the eye. He wants us to seek His face because He has nothing to hide from us. He wants us to know Him. Psalm 31:16 says, “Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your loving-kindness.” I am thoroughly convinced that to know God is to love Him. Paul said in Ephesians 3:14-19, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” Rusty Kuhn
August 28, 2014
Pray
Prayer is an act of worship as well as an act of humility. The Bible reminds us in I Peter 5:6, “therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” Prayer is also an act of faith. As we recognize that we are insufficient on our own, we also come to the realization that through faith there is One who is more than sufficient. Before God spoke the words to Solomon that “I have heard your prayer”, he bowed his knees to the God of Israel claiming the promises of God in full faith and assurance that God was hearing his prayer. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrew 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God. Romans 12:3 also tells us, God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” In other words God has granted everyone some faith. But we must walk in that faith. II Corinthians 5:7 says, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” We must simply believe God. If God says He is going to do something, then we believe it. Romans 3:4 says, “Let God be found true though every man be found a liar.” With humility in mind we understand that we are in full dependence upon God and insufficient on our own. We then will pray in faith that God will supply our every need.
Jesus said in John 15:5, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” He also said nine times within that same text of scripture that we need to abide in Him. True life comes only from abiding in Jesus. Abiding in Jesus is the point in life that we have completely died to ourselves and come totally alive to Christ. One of many ways we abide in Christ is through prayer. We find life, hope, healing, restoration, reconciliation, provision, direction, wisdom, and every form of blessing God has in store for us through the power of prayer. Jesus said if we seek, we will find; if we knock, the door will be open; and if we ask it will be given to us. How do we do this? We do this through the great gift of prayer that God has given to us!
After God told Solomon that “I have heard your prayer” and after He gave him the formula for revival, God then said to Solomon in II Chronicles 7:15, “My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.” In other words, God is saying I’m waiting, and I’m watching, and I’m listening; now the rest is up to you. God heard Solomon’s previous prayer, and God answered Solomon’s previous prayer. But God wanted him to keep praying. Prayer strengthens our relationship with God. It strengthens our dependence upon God. God doesn’t just want us to pray when we are in need or we are in trouble. I Thessalonians 5:17, says to “pray without ceasing.” Abiding in Christ is not a switch we turn on and off. Christ is our life source. If you’re happy, tell the Lord. If you’re sad, tell the Lord. If you’re in need, tell the Lord. If you have abundance, praise the Lord.
In the Gospels we see Jesus going into the temple many times. One of those times Jesus drove people out for making His house something God had not intended for it to be. Many times we have become guilty of making God’s house into something other than what He intended. Jesus said in Matthew 21:13, “It is written My house shall be a house of prayer, but you are making it a robbers den.” We emphasize missions and so we should; but that’s not what Jesus said. He said His house would be a house of prayer. We focus on preaching and teaching, and so we should; but that’s not what Jesus said. He said His house would be a house of prayer. Music gets much of the attention in ministry as well, and again it should. But that’s not what Jesus said; He said His house would be the house of prayer. Jesus said, “My house shall be a house of PRAYER.” Missions, evangelism, teaching, preaching, music, and many other things are very important; however, they are empowered by prayer. Have we made God’s house a house of prayer? Or are we making it into something God never intended? Rusty Kuhn
Hebrew 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God. Romans 12:3 also tells us, God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” In other words God has granted everyone some faith. But we must walk in that faith. II Corinthians 5:7 says, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” We must simply believe God. If God says He is going to do something, then we believe it. Romans 3:4 says, “Let God be found true though every man be found a liar.” With humility in mind we understand that we are in full dependence upon God and insufficient on our own. We then will pray in faith that God will supply our every need.
Jesus said in John 15:5, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” He also said nine times within that same text of scripture that we need to abide in Him. True life comes only from abiding in Jesus. Abiding in Jesus is the point in life that we have completely died to ourselves and come totally alive to Christ. One of many ways we abide in Christ is through prayer. We find life, hope, healing, restoration, reconciliation, provision, direction, wisdom, and every form of blessing God has in store for us through the power of prayer. Jesus said if we seek, we will find; if we knock, the door will be open; and if we ask it will be given to us. How do we do this? We do this through the great gift of prayer that God has given to us!
After God told Solomon that “I have heard your prayer” and after He gave him the formula for revival, God then said to Solomon in II Chronicles 7:15, “My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.” In other words, God is saying I’m waiting, and I’m watching, and I’m listening; now the rest is up to you. God heard Solomon’s previous prayer, and God answered Solomon’s previous prayer. But God wanted him to keep praying. Prayer strengthens our relationship with God. It strengthens our dependence upon God. God doesn’t just want us to pray when we are in need or we are in trouble. I Thessalonians 5:17, says to “pray without ceasing.” Abiding in Christ is not a switch we turn on and off. Christ is our life source. If you’re happy, tell the Lord. If you’re sad, tell the Lord. If you’re in need, tell the Lord. If you have abundance, praise the Lord.
In the Gospels we see Jesus going into the temple many times. One of those times Jesus drove people out for making His house something God had not intended for it to be. Many times we have become guilty of making God’s house into something other than what He intended. Jesus said in Matthew 21:13, “It is written My house shall be a house of prayer, but you are making it a robbers den.” We emphasize missions and so we should; but that’s not what Jesus said. He said His house would be a house of prayer. We focus on preaching and teaching, and so we should; but that’s not what Jesus said. He said His house would be a house of prayer. Music gets much of the attention in ministry as well, and again it should. But that’s not what Jesus said; He said His house would be the house of prayer. Jesus said, “My house shall be a house of PRAYER.” Missions, evangelism, teaching, preaching, music, and many other things are very important; however, they are empowered by prayer. Have we made God’s house a house of prayer? Or are we making it into something God never intended? Rusty Kuhn
August 27, 2014
Humble Themselves
Upon this day of dedication the dedication of the temple, King Solomon stood in the midst of his subjects, the very people over whom he had full authority and a people that had great respect and reverence for their mighty king. No other nation could rival the power and influence of Israel under Solomon’s leadership. Through Solomon, the wealth of Israel increased beyond anything it would ever see again. The kingdoms of the world came from near and far bearing gifts simply to wonder at his wisdom. A king of Solomon’s wealth, power, and influence had to bow his knee to no one; they bowed the knee to him.
However, upon this day the mighty king humbled himself in the presence of his people and bowed his knee to the King of Kings. To bow one’s knee to another is an act of humility-a sign of submission to one who is sovereign. Solomon recognized that all the power and prestige he had accumulated upon this earth was nothing compared to the power and prestige of God. He also recognized that he had no power or authority other than what God had granted him. To bow ones knee to another was a sign of recognition that the other was greater than oneself. In the presence of his people Solomon recognized the greatness of God.
Worship is simply the recognition of who God is, followed by a response of the worshiper toward the character of God. This response can be acted upon in many ways. In the Old Testament the raising of one’s hands in worship was a common form of responding to God. The Psalmist wrote in Psalms 28:2, “Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.” Just before beginning his prayer, Solomon Spread out his hands toward heaven as an act of worship to his mighty God saying “O Lord the God of Israel, there is no god like You in heaven or on earth.” (II Chronicles 6:12-14)
Lifting ones hand to another is a sign of surrender. It is recognition that I am not sufficient on my own, I can no longer fight the battle, I recognize your superiority, and I have surrendered myself to your authority. It is like raising the white flag. Solomon was in total recognition that he did not have the skills, the power, or the wisdom to lead the people of Israel. Many times we think we are capable of standing on our own, but God’s Word reminds us in I Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” Jesus reminds us in John 15:5, Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Humility is the recognition of the fact that I am not nor will I ever be sufficient on my own; therefore, I must surrender to the sovereignty of God.
God is not impressed with our outward actions. Outward actions must be motivated by our inward attitude. If our inward attitude is one of worship that spontaneously motivates outward actions this is acceptable worship. However, if our outward actions are a form of appeasement to God or even worse a demonstration before man to show we are holy or righteous God will have no part of that. That is a form of pride. But when our hearts are filled with the fullness and splendor of the nature and character of God and we spontaneously surrender to Him in an outward form of worship which disregards the presence or even the thought of man surrounding us, this is pleasing to God. It is not only an act of worship but an act of humility. Rusty Kuhn
However, upon this day the mighty king humbled himself in the presence of his people and bowed his knee to the King of Kings. To bow one’s knee to another is an act of humility-a sign of submission to one who is sovereign. Solomon recognized that all the power and prestige he had accumulated upon this earth was nothing compared to the power and prestige of God. He also recognized that he had no power or authority other than what God had granted him. To bow ones knee to another was a sign of recognition that the other was greater than oneself. In the presence of his people Solomon recognized the greatness of God.
Worship is simply the recognition of who God is, followed by a response of the worshiper toward the character of God. This response can be acted upon in many ways. In the Old Testament the raising of one’s hands in worship was a common form of responding to God. The Psalmist wrote in Psalms 28:2, “Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.” Just before beginning his prayer, Solomon Spread out his hands toward heaven as an act of worship to his mighty God saying “O Lord the God of Israel, there is no god like You in heaven or on earth.” (II Chronicles 6:12-14)
Lifting ones hand to another is a sign of surrender. It is recognition that I am not sufficient on my own, I can no longer fight the battle, I recognize your superiority, and I have surrendered myself to your authority. It is like raising the white flag. Solomon was in total recognition that he did not have the skills, the power, or the wisdom to lead the people of Israel. Many times we think we are capable of standing on our own, but God’s Word reminds us in I Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” Jesus reminds us in John 15:5, Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Humility is the recognition of the fact that I am not nor will I ever be sufficient on my own; therefore, I must surrender to the sovereignty of God.
God is not impressed with our outward actions. Outward actions must be motivated by our inward attitude. If our inward attitude is one of worship that spontaneously motivates outward actions this is acceptable worship. However, if our outward actions are a form of appeasement to God or even worse a demonstration before man to show we are holy or righteous God will have no part of that. That is a form of pride. But when our hearts are filled with the fullness and splendor of the nature and character of God and we spontaneously surrender to Him in an outward form of worship which disregards the presence or even the thought of man surrounding us, this is pleasing to God. It is not only an act of worship but an act of humility. Rusty Kuhn
August 26, 2014
My People Who are Called by My Name
King Solomon stood on a bronze stage in the midst of his people to dedicate the newly constructed Temple to God. The Temple was a demonstration to the nation of Israel and to the world that the one true God of glory had chosen them as a people and that his hand of anointing and blessing and provisions would be upon them. God was showing the world that they were His people and that He was their God.
In II Samuel 7 God made a covenant with King David that one of his descendants would build for Him a permanent dwelling. Solomon was the one called to be the king of God’s people, those called by God’s very own name. God told Solomon, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice,” (II Chronicles 7:12). God also said, in verse 16 of the same chapter, “For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”
Solomon knew who he was a man-called by God. He knew the calling God had placed upon his life-to build the temple. He also knew and fully understood that this was not his plan in the making it was God’s plan. A plan that had been at work even before the light was commanded to illuminate the darkness of the earth that still laid formless and void. In Solomon’s prayer of dedication in II Chronicles 6:3-11, he repeated back to God the promises that he knew in faith would come to fulfillment long before the first stone of the temple had ever been laid.
Far too often we fall short of God’s glory because we fail to realize who God is, who we are and who God has called us to be. God said in His word in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD.” Apart from the scriptures how do we know the plans and promises God has declared and set aside for us? Apart from the scriptures we become guilty of conforming God into our image and turning His calling into our personal desires.
Solomon knew the God of the Bible and the calling the God of the Bible placed upon him because he knew God’s word. Jesus said in John 14:14, “If you ask me anything in My name I will do it.” Wow! That is an awesome promise. However, this is a greatly misunderstood promise. Asking something in someone’s name means, that you represent the very nature and character of that individual. Asking something in Jesus name is to ask what honors, glorifies and reflects the very character of Jesus.
God said, “If My people who are called by My name.” That is the starting point. To be one called after one’s name is to be a living representation of the other. Jesus said in John 17:3, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Eternal life is to know God. God has given to us His word and the Power of His Holy Spirit to understand His word in order to know Him. We must search the scripture to discover who He is, who we are, and who He has called us to be. Apart from the knowledge of God’s word, we can never truly know God. If we don’t know Him, how then can we represent Him?
Solomon knew the day of the dedication of the temple was not about him. It was all about God. As he stood to offer the prayer to God, he represented God as the man called of God giving glory to the name of God. The Bible says in II Corinthians 5:20, “we are ambassadors for Christ.” If we truly want God’s hand of blessing upon our lives we must be willing to lose our life and come to the realization that it is not about us; it’s all about Him. It’s not about who we are; it’s about who He is. It’s not about what we want; it’s about discovering what He has already set in motion and getting on board with God’s plan. It’s about being God’s people called by His name. The prayer that God heard was a prayer with full intentions of honoring the very name and character of God. Rusty Kuhn
In II Samuel 7 God made a covenant with King David that one of his descendants would build for Him a permanent dwelling. Solomon was the one called to be the king of God’s people, those called by God’s very own name. God told Solomon, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice,” (II Chronicles 7:12). God also said, in verse 16 of the same chapter, “For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”
Solomon knew who he was a man-called by God. He knew the calling God had placed upon his life-to build the temple. He also knew and fully understood that this was not his plan in the making it was God’s plan. A plan that had been at work even before the light was commanded to illuminate the darkness of the earth that still laid formless and void. In Solomon’s prayer of dedication in II Chronicles 6:3-11, he repeated back to God the promises that he knew in faith would come to fulfillment long before the first stone of the temple had ever been laid.
Far too often we fall short of God’s glory because we fail to realize who God is, who we are and who God has called us to be. God said in His word in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD.” Apart from the scriptures how do we know the plans and promises God has declared and set aside for us? Apart from the scriptures we become guilty of conforming God into our image and turning His calling into our personal desires.
Solomon knew the God of the Bible and the calling the God of the Bible placed upon him because he knew God’s word. Jesus said in John 14:14, “If you ask me anything in My name I will do it.” Wow! That is an awesome promise. However, this is a greatly misunderstood promise. Asking something in someone’s name means, that you represent the very nature and character of that individual. Asking something in Jesus name is to ask what honors, glorifies and reflects the very character of Jesus.
God said, “If My people who are called by My name.” That is the starting point. To be one called after one’s name is to be a living representation of the other. Jesus said in John 17:3, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Eternal life is to know God. God has given to us His word and the Power of His Holy Spirit to understand His word in order to know Him. We must search the scripture to discover who He is, who we are, and who He has called us to be. Apart from the knowledge of God’s word, we can never truly know God. If we don’t know Him, how then can we represent Him?
Solomon knew the day of the dedication of the temple was not about him. It was all about God. As he stood to offer the prayer to God, he represented God as the man called of God giving glory to the name of God. The Bible says in II Corinthians 5:20, “we are ambassadors for Christ.” If we truly want God’s hand of blessing upon our lives we must be willing to lose our life and come to the realization that it is not about us; it’s all about Him. It’s not about who we are; it’s about who He is. It’s not about what we want; it’s about discovering what He has already set in motion and getting on board with God’s plan. It’s about being God’s people called by His name. The prayer that God heard was a prayer with full intentions of honoring the very name and character of God. Rusty Kuhn
August 25, 2014
The Prayer that God Heard
A generation had passed since the promise of God came to King David that his son Solomon would build God’s Temple. With years of anticipation the people of God’s choosing, Israel, were gathered at the city of God’s choosing, Jerusalem, with the king of God’s choosing, Solomon, to celebrate the completion of the house of God’s choosing, the Temple. A house God said in II Chronicles 7:16, “For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”
Great sacrifices were given during this dedication that lasted twenty-four days with 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep offered up to God. God showed up and consumed the first of the offerings in one of the most spectacular demonstrations of God’s glory seen in the entirety of God’s Word. Although God accepted this phenomenal offering, the offering is not what captured God’s heart. God honored the prayer that was offered up as a sacrifice on that day. At the conclusion of the prayer, God’s Shekinah Glory, the manifest presence of God, filled the Temple.
God told Solomon after the completion of the dedication, “I have heard your prayer.” (II Chronicles 7:12). What’s so special about this prayer? Many people have told me through the years, “I don’t know how to pray”. Even the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, in Luke 11:1. For this reason we search the scriptures to discover prayers that were offered up to God, particularly the prayers that God honors. That being said, prayers offered up to God are not magic formulas or things we simply quote to conjure up the presence of God. They are tools to teach us what touches the heart of God so we too can pray with confidence that God hears our prayer.
God honors the attitude of prayer more than the words or actions themselves. God began to explain to Solomon that if Israel wanted to see the continual anointing of His hand upon them, they must do things His way. God told them to pay attention to the signs of His presence; and when they saw the evidence of His blessings and provisions being removed, He gave not only the greatest formula for revival but also the only formula for revival. God told Solomon in II Chronicles 7:14, that if “My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Solomon’s prayer that day resulted in one of the most magnificent manifestations of God found in all the Word of God and set in motion the hand of God’s blessing falling on the nation of Israel for years to come as they sought the face of God. As we examine Solomon’s prayer, the prayer that God heard, we realize that everything God said He required for His hand of blessing to be upon His people in II Chronicles 7:14 is found within Solomon’s prayer. I believe that not only was God giving a formula for revival, but He was also giving His approval of Solomon’s prayer. As we look at the prayer that God heard, we will see II Chronicles 7:14 demonstrated in Solomon not only through his words but also through his actions and attitude. Rusty Kuhn
Great sacrifices were given during this dedication that lasted twenty-four days with 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep offered up to God. God showed up and consumed the first of the offerings in one of the most spectacular demonstrations of God’s glory seen in the entirety of God’s Word. Although God accepted this phenomenal offering, the offering is not what captured God’s heart. God honored the prayer that was offered up as a sacrifice on that day. At the conclusion of the prayer, God’s Shekinah Glory, the manifest presence of God, filled the Temple.
God told Solomon after the completion of the dedication, “I have heard your prayer.” (II Chronicles 7:12). What’s so special about this prayer? Many people have told me through the years, “I don’t know how to pray”. Even the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, in Luke 11:1. For this reason we search the scriptures to discover prayers that were offered up to God, particularly the prayers that God honors. That being said, prayers offered up to God are not magic formulas or things we simply quote to conjure up the presence of God. They are tools to teach us what touches the heart of God so we too can pray with confidence that God hears our prayer.
God honors the attitude of prayer more than the words or actions themselves. God began to explain to Solomon that if Israel wanted to see the continual anointing of His hand upon them, they must do things His way. God told them to pay attention to the signs of His presence; and when they saw the evidence of His blessings and provisions being removed, He gave not only the greatest formula for revival but also the only formula for revival. God told Solomon in II Chronicles 7:14, that if “My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Solomon’s prayer that day resulted in one of the most magnificent manifestations of God found in all the Word of God and set in motion the hand of God’s blessing falling on the nation of Israel for years to come as they sought the face of God. As we examine Solomon’s prayer, the prayer that God heard, we realize that everything God said He required for His hand of blessing to be upon His people in II Chronicles 7:14 is found within Solomon’s prayer. I believe that not only was God giving a formula for revival, but He was also giving His approval of Solomon’s prayer. As we look at the prayer that God heard, we will see II Chronicles 7:14 demonstrated in Solomon not only through his words but also through his actions and attitude. Rusty Kuhn
August 20, 2014
Releasing the Mentored to Mentor
Once one accepts Christ as his savior our work has not ended. As a matter of fact our work has only begun. Now begins the work of disciplining the new convert. One of the greatest failures of the church today is the lack of discipleship. Due to our lack of discipleship our churches are filled with babes in Christ. Some of those babes in Christ have been babes in Christ for decades. The lack of true discipleship has led to the lack of evangelism resulting in the moral decay of our society. Jesus told us not only to go into the world and baptize, He told us to make disciples, and the way we make disciples is teaching them all that Jesus commanded.
Although there is value in every bible study, true discipleship isn’t offering a class on Sunday evenings calling it discipleship training. True discipleship is walking with someone. It is taking an individual or a small group under your wing for a period of time for the purpose of showing them how to walk, and teaching them what it truly means to be a disciple. Once one is taught and equipped he is then released to continue the process of witnessing and discipleship for another. It is an unending process of the mentor releasing the mentored to then be a mentor.
This is clearly the biblical model. We first see this modeled through the ministry of Jesus. Jesus assembled twelve disciples spending three years with them to then send them out for the purpose of fulfilling the great commission. Jesus spent time preaching the truths of the kingdom to the masses. Yet, at the same time, He had an inner circle of disciples that He would teach and equip on a personal level. Moments from is ascension He basically told the disciples, “Okay, now it’s your turn.”
After Paul’s conversion he went to Jerusalem only to find that the church of Jerusalem wouldn’t accept him. They didn’t trust him. They knew he was the one who was, not that long ago, trying to shut down the church at any cost. However, God sent Barnabas, the son of encouragement, into his path to take him under his wing and introduce him to the church encouraging the church to accept him. (Acts 9:26, 27). Imagine what would have happened to Paul had Barnabas not stepped in to encourage him.
Eventually Barnabas and Paul went their separate ways. Barnabas ended up in Antioch where God began to move mightily. Many were being saved and brought into the church. Barnabas knew that they needed help discipling all these new believers so he went and found Paul to bring him to Antioch to help in the ministry. After Paul arrived in Antioch Barnabas and Paul spent a year working side by side discipling the new converts. (Acts 11:23-26).
While Paul and Barnabas where still at Antioch the Holy Spirit spoke to the church telling them to send Paul and Barnabas out to the mission field. Up to this point Barnabas had been presented as the leader. However, once they stepped out into the mission field Barnabas took a back seat allowing Paul to lead. Thus we read in Acts of Paul’s missionary journeys rather than the missionary journeys of Barnabas. The mentor released the mentored to mentor.
Eventually, Barnabas and Paul separated ways once again. Barnabas went on to disciple Mark. Mark, who failed in the beginning eventually became a great asset to the kingdom. After all, one of the Gospels is the Book of Mark. We don’t have a Book of Barnabas, but all Christians owe a debt to Barnabas for being a mentor to Mark.
Paul was never alone on his missionary journeys. He worked with a mission team. Paul seamed to always have someone in his inner circle that he was mentoring. One of those was Timothy. Timothy eventually became the pastor of the church of Ephesus. Paul adopted Timothy as a son in the faith. (I Timothy 1:2). When Paul knew his death was eminent he encouraged Timothy to stay faithful to the ministry. This was the purpose of Paul’s second letter to Timothy.
Not only did Paul encourage Timothy to stay faithful to the ministry, he encouraged him to encourage others. Paul said to Timothy in II Timothy 2:1, 2, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Paul was telling Timothy, now that I have mentored you mentor others so they too can be released to mentor others.
The clear biblical model for every believer is to share the gospel with this lost world. Once one accepts the gospel it is then our responsibility to disciple the new believer. The best time to start the process of discipleship is the moment of their conversion. A new believer will be hungry to learn. As Christians we never reach the point of full maturity. Therefore, we need to continually be discipled. However, a mature believer will be a witness and a mentor. As a continuation of this biblical model we encourage the new believers, or older ones, to share their faith with the lost and mentor the saved. The mentor will then release the mentored to mentor. Although he has been released to mentor he is still in need of being mentored, just as Timothy continued to need Paul after he was a pastor. Rusty Kuhn
Although there is value in every bible study, true discipleship isn’t offering a class on Sunday evenings calling it discipleship training. True discipleship is walking with someone. It is taking an individual or a small group under your wing for a period of time for the purpose of showing them how to walk, and teaching them what it truly means to be a disciple. Once one is taught and equipped he is then released to continue the process of witnessing and discipleship for another. It is an unending process of the mentor releasing the mentored to then be a mentor.
This is clearly the biblical model. We first see this modeled through the ministry of Jesus. Jesus assembled twelve disciples spending three years with them to then send them out for the purpose of fulfilling the great commission. Jesus spent time preaching the truths of the kingdom to the masses. Yet, at the same time, He had an inner circle of disciples that He would teach and equip on a personal level. Moments from is ascension He basically told the disciples, “Okay, now it’s your turn.”
After Paul’s conversion he went to Jerusalem only to find that the church of Jerusalem wouldn’t accept him. They didn’t trust him. They knew he was the one who was, not that long ago, trying to shut down the church at any cost. However, God sent Barnabas, the son of encouragement, into his path to take him under his wing and introduce him to the church encouraging the church to accept him. (Acts 9:26, 27). Imagine what would have happened to Paul had Barnabas not stepped in to encourage him.
Eventually Barnabas and Paul went their separate ways. Barnabas ended up in Antioch where God began to move mightily. Many were being saved and brought into the church. Barnabas knew that they needed help discipling all these new believers so he went and found Paul to bring him to Antioch to help in the ministry. After Paul arrived in Antioch Barnabas and Paul spent a year working side by side discipling the new converts. (Acts 11:23-26).
While Paul and Barnabas where still at Antioch the Holy Spirit spoke to the church telling them to send Paul and Barnabas out to the mission field. Up to this point Barnabas had been presented as the leader. However, once they stepped out into the mission field Barnabas took a back seat allowing Paul to lead. Thus we read in Acts of Paul’s missionary journeys rather than the missionary journeys of Barnabas. The mentor released the mentored to mentor.
Eventually, Barnabas and Paul separated ways once again. Barnabas went on to disciple Mark. Mark, who failed in the beginning eventually became a great asset to the kingdom. After all, one of the Gospels is the Book of Mark. We don’t have a Book of Barnabas, but all Christians owe a debt to Barnabas for being a mentor to Mark.
Paul was never alone on his missionary journeys. He worked with a mission team. Paul seamed to always have someone in his inner circle that he was mentoring. One of those was Timothy. Timothy eventually became the pastor of the church of Ephesus. Paul adopted Timothy as a son in the faith. (I Timothy 1:2). When Paul knew his death was eminent he encouraged Timothy to stay faithful to the ministry. This was the purpose of Paul’s second letter to Timothy.
Not only did Paul encourage Timothy to stay faithful to the ministry, he encouraged him to encourage others. Paul said to Timothy in II Timothy 2:1, 2, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Paul was telling Timothy, now that I have mentored you mentor others so they too can be released to mentor others.
The clear biblical model for every believer is to share the gospel with this lost world. Once one accepts the gospel it is then our responsibility to disciple the new believer. The best time to start the process of discipleship is the moment of their conversion. A new believer will be hungry to learn. As Christians we never reach the point of full maturity. Therefore, we need to continually be discipled. However, a mature believer will be a witness and a mentor. As a continuation of this biblical model we encourage the new believers, or older ones, to share their faith with the lost and mentor the saved. The mentor will then release the mentored to mentor. Although he has been released to mentor he is still in need of being mentored, just as Timothy continued to need Paul after he was a pastor. Rusty Kuhn
August 19, 2014
The Concluding Remarks of My Second Book
I just finished writing the concluding remarks on my second book, How Beautiful are the Feet. It is a book that I wrote to encourage and equip people to share their faith in Christ. Pray God will use it for His glory. I still have an additional chapter to write that I have decided to put in the middle of the book and then it will be ready for editing. It still has a long way to go but I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. Tell me what you think:
Plan of Attack
This book was not intended to teach you the technique of witnessing. Rather, it was intended to equip you with a biblical foundation of the gospel. It was also intended to give you a better understanding of the need of the gospel as well as the purpose of the gospel. There are droves of resources that will help you with techniques leading you to hone your skills and become a better witness for the Lord. We should never cease striving to be a better witness.
The greater purpose of this book is to equip you with the biblical foundation that you are responsible in sharing your faith, as is all Christians. My goal was to equip you and encourage you. My goal was to encourage you to stand up in your faith and be the bold witness God has called you to be. Lost people are in your path on a daily basis. Some may be extraordinarily close to you while others may be casual acquaintances. Now you have to ask yourself, “What am I going to do about it?” My hope is that you do the right thing, the thing that God has called you to do-preach the gospel.
You might not be the next D. L. Moody. But then again, you could be. You will never know until you step out in faith by being the witness God has called you to be. You may be the one that God uses to lead us into the next great awakening. At the same time, you may be one nobody will ever listen to. Isaiah was the man that nobody ever listened to. After Isaiah said “here am I Lord, send me,” God told him that no one would ever listen to him. He surrendered to God anyway. It’s not about numbers and results; it’s about faithfulness-faithfulness to God. If we spend the rest of our lives investing our full effort and energy into sharing the gospel and only one person ever says yes, our effort and energy was well worth their singular eternal decision.
The ball is now in your court. You have been equipped with an understanding of the gospel, an understanding of the lost, an understanding of your personal call to preach the gospel to all creation, and an understanding of how to be empowered to share the gospel. Now you have to figure out, who you will preach to, and how you will go about doing it. Those answers will only be found on your knees fully surrendered to an almighty God. Yet, the moment you say yes to God, yes that you will be obedient, God will open doors that no man can shut. You will be utterly amazed at what God does through you. Yes this world would be a phenomenally better place if every believer took seriously the call to do the work of an evangelist. Could you imagine? However, we are not responsible for everyone else. Every individual is responsible for themselves as you are only responsible for yourself and the choices you make. Therefore, will you choose to be obedient today and share the gospel? Don’t wonder what God can do through you-walk in what God can do through you.
“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” Romans 10:14, 15 Rusty Kuhn
Plan of Attack
This book was not intended to teach you the technique of witnessing. Rather, it was intended to equip you with a biblical foundation of the gospel. It was also intended to give you a better understanding of the need of the gospel as well as the purpose of the gospel. There are droves of resources that will help you with techniques leading you to hone your skills and become a better witness for the Lord. We should never cease striving to be a better witness.
The greater purpose of this book is to equip you with the biblical foundation that you are responsible in sharing your faith, as is all Christians. My goal was to equip you and encourage you. My goal was to encourage you to stand up in your faith and be the bold witness God has called you to be. Lost people are in your path on a daily basis. Some may be extraordinarily close to you while others may be casual acquaintances. Now you have to ask yourself, “What am I going to do about it?” My hope is that you do the right thing, the thing that God has called you to do-preach the gospel.
You might not be the next D. L. Moody. But then again, you could be. You will never know until you step out in faith by being the witness God has called you to be. You may be the one that God uses to lead us into the next great awakening. At the same time, you may be one nobody will ever listen to. Isaiah was the man that nobody ever listened to. After Isaiah said “here am I Lord, send me,” God told him that no one would ever listen to him. He surrendered to God anyway. It’s not about numbers and results; it’s about faithfulness-faithfulness to God. If we spend the rest of our lives investing our full effort and energy into sharing the gospel and only one person ever says yes, our effort and energy was well worth their singular eternal decision.
The ball is now in your court. You have been equipped with an understanding of the gospel, an understanding of the lost, an understanding of your personal call to preach the gospel to all creation, and an understanding of how to be empowered to share the gospel. Now you have to figure out, who you will preach to, and how you will go about doing it. Those answers will only be found on your knees fully surrendered to an almighty God. Yet, the moment you say yes to God, yes that you will be obedient, God will open doors that no man can shut. You will be utterly amazed at what God does through you. Yes this world would be a phenomenally better place if every believer took seriously the call to do the work of an evangelist. Could you imagine? However, we are not responsible for everyone else. Every individual is responsible for themselves as you are only responsible for yourself and the choices you make. Therefore, will you choose to be obedient today and share the gospel? Don’t wonder what God can do through you-walk in what God can do through you.
“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” Romans 10:14, 15 Rusty Kuhn
August 18, 2014
Practice What we Believe
Are we practicing what we say we believe? According to a study conducted by LifeWay Research 80% of Christians who attend church at least once a month believe that all Christians have a personal responsibility in sharing their faith. According to the same study only 25% admit to sharing their faith only once in their life, while an astonishing low 14% say that they have shared their faith with a lost person within the last six months. Obviously we are not practicing what we say we believe.
I would also assume that a high percentage of evangelicals believe the clear biblical teachings that the church is not a building or location. I assume that they would believe that the church is the ecclesia, the gathering, or assembling of believers and that an empty “church” building is only a building, that if the believers are not assembled, it is not a church. All around the world churches are being started in houses, schools, movie theaters, store fronts, and a variety of other places. These buildings have multiple purposes but become the church when the believers assemble there for the purpose of worship.
We at least say that we believe the church is not the building. We say that we believe the church is the individual members assembled together. To the best of my knowledge I have never met an evangelical that believes otherwise. However, most churches do not act as though they believe this biblical truth. They may believe in theory but their practice shows otherwise. It shows otherwise when almost 100% of the work of the church is done within the confines of the building. Much of the reason our communities are going to hell is that the church has become lost within its walls.
One of the core doctrines that set evangelicals apart is the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer. The priesthood of the believer is the belief that all believers in Christ are spiritual, have direct access to the Father through our mediator, Jesus, and are therefore, priests. It teaches that every individual member of the church is called to serve.
But, again, is this our practice or are we only believing this in theory? I believe that one of the reasons we aren’t practicing the priesthood of the believer is that we are of the mentality that we have “professional ministers.” We can simply hire someone to tend to the work of the church. If this is our mentality we should stop calling these individuals pastors and start calling them priests. After all, that’s what we are saying we believe.
We find here three beliefs that greatly impact who we are as the church. If we aren’t practicing what we say we believe can we truly say that we believe them? If we do believe them but simply refuse to walk in them our only conclusion is that we are in rebellion against God. We have been so bold as to tell God, “I know what you require of me, but I won’t do it.” Wow.
I believe one of the problems is church leaders are not giving members opportunities to serve. Yes, every Christian should seek out opportunities of their own, and yes, often times when they are given opportunities they won’t take advantage of them. However, one of the responsibilities of the pastor and the church is to equip the saints. What greater way to equip them, than to give them an opportunity to go out of the building, into the community, and practice what they believe. Outreach and evangelism should be a regular part of the life and ministry of every church.
The church I pastor decided that we would not have Sunday evening service. Instead, we decided to do Sunday evening service. Every Sunday evening we go out, as a church, into the community. What we do from week to week and season to season varies, but, we go out with the specific intention of serving the community with outreach and evangelism. Whether we are prayer walking, going door to door, or doing some sort of servant evangelism, we are giving every member an opportunity to practice what they say they believe. Does every member participate? No. In fact, most do not. However, they are all given the opportunity. Let us not simply go to church, but determine to be the church by being an active witness to this lost and dying world. Rusty Kuhn
I would also assume that a high percentage of evangelicals believe the clear biblical teachings that the church is not a building or location. I assume that they would believe that the church is the ecclesia, the gathering, or assembling of believers and that an empty “church” building is only a building, that if the believers are not assembled, it is not a church. All around the world churches are being started in houses, schools, movie theaters, store fronts, and a variety of other places. These buildings have multiple purposes but become the church when the believers assemble there for the purpose of worship.
We at least say that we believe the church is not the building. We say that we believe the church is the individual members assembled together. To the best of my knowledge I have never met an evangelical that believes otherwise. However, most churches do not act as though they believe this biblical truth. They may believe in theory but their practice shows otherwise. It shows otherwise when almost 100% of the work of the church is done within the confines of the building. Much of the reason our communities are going to hell is that the church has become lost within its walls.
One of the core doctrines that set evangelicals apart is the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer. The priesthood of the believer is the belief that all believers in Christ are spiritual, have direct access to the Father through our mediator, Jesus, and are therefore, priests. It teaches that every individual member of the church is called to serve.
But, again, is this our practice or are we only believing this in theory? I believe that one of the reasons we aren’t practicing the priesthood of the believer is that we are of the mentality that we have “professional ministers.” We can simply hire someone to tend to the work of the church. If this is our mentality we should stop calling these individuals pastors and start calling them priests. After all, that’s what we are saying we believe.
We find here three beliefs that greatly impact who we are as the church. If we aren’t practicing what we say we believe can we truly say that we believe them? If we do believe them but simply refuse to walk in them our only conclusion is that we are in rebellion against God. We have been so bold as to tell God, “I know what you require of me, but I won’t do it.” Wow.
I believe one of the problems is church leaders are not giving members opportunities to serve. Yes, every Christian should seek out opportunities of their own, and yes, often times when they are given opportunities they won’t take advantage of them. However, one of the responsibilities of the pastor and the church is to equip the saints. What greater way to equip them, than to give them an opportunity to go out of the building, into the community, and practice what they believe. Outreach and evangelism should be a regular part of the life and ministry of every church.
The church I pastor decided that we would not have Sunday evening service. Instead, we decided to do Sunday evening service. Every Sunday evening we go out, as a church, into the community. What we do from week to week and season to season varies, but, we go out with the specific intention of serving the community with outreach and evangelism. Whether we are prayer walking, going door to door, or doing some sort of servant evangelism, we are giving every member an opportunity to practice what they say they believe. Does every member participate? No. In fact, most do not. However, they are all given the opportunity. Let us not simply go to church, but determine to be the church by being an active witness to this lost and dying world. Rusty Kuhn
August 16, 2014
Praying for the Persecuted
Christians shouldn’t be surprised when persecution comes. Jesus told us that we would be persecuted. (Matthew 10:16-23). Paul said in II Timothy 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Jesus stated the reason for the persecution in Matthew 10:22 where He said, "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” Jesus also told us that the closer we get to His return lawlessness would increase causing peoples love to grow cold. (Matthew 24:11). I have no doubt we are living in those days. As a result of the lawlessness and the lovelessness persecution will intensify among the Jews, God’s chosen nation, and among the Christians.
Clearly persecution is intensifying. We are seeing an intensification of a soft form of persecution here in the United States. We are also seeing severe and horrendous forms of persecution taking place all over the world. Christians are facing unspeakable atrocities with a level of intensity like we’ve never seen before. Most of this persecution is taking place by the hand of Muslim’s, a religion that the world blindly calls peaceful.
As Christians what can we do? There are a variety of ways we can help them physically/financially. However, the greatest tool we have at our disposal is prayer. We see in Acts 4 that when the fist church underwent persecution they gathered together and prayed. Paul said in I Timothy 2:1, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men.” We need to pray for everyone, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing persecution. We may be limited as to what we can do physically, but through the power of prayer, God is unlimited. So, pray for God’s presence and peace, pray for God provision, pray for their strength, pray for their deliverance, and pray they can be a witness to their persecutors and to the world. Rusty Kuhn
Clearly persecution is intensifying. We are seeing an intensification of a soft form of persecution here in the United States. We are also seeing severe and horrendous forms of persecution taking place all over the world. Christians are facing unspeakable atrocities with a level of intensity like we’ve never seen before. Most of this persecution is taking place by the hand of Muslim’s, a religion that the world blindly calls peaceful.
As Christians what can we do? There are a variety of ways we can help them physically/financially. However, the greatest tool we have at our disposal is prayer. We see in Acts 4 that when the fist church underwent persecution they gathered together and prayed. Paul said in I Timothy 2:1, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men.” We need to pray for everyone, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing persecution. We may be limited as to what we can do physically, but through the power of prayer, God is unlimited. So, pray for God’s presence and peace, pray for God provision, pray for their strength, pray for their deliverance, and pray they can be a witness to their persecutors and to the world. Rusty Kuhn
