“Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O Lord—how long?

…

I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.

…

The Lord has heard my plea;
the Lord accepts my prayer.”

– Psalm 6:2,3,6,9

King David, the man after God’s own heart and inspired author of so many psalms, teaches us how to pray amidst pain. Sometimes there will be tremendous pain in life. Sometimes that pain doesn’t end, at least not as quickly as we’d prefer. How should we pray in these situations? Honestly! God already knows your heart and mind. There’s no need to wear a mask with God. There’s no need to pretend that everything is OK when it isn’t. David teaches us how to pour out our hearts to God. It’s OK to do so. You won’t offend God by telling Him of your hurt and your desire for the pain to end.

At the same time, David teaches us how to pray with faith and respect toward God. Even though his pain continued, David knew that God heard his prayers and that He cares for His suffering children. For followers of Jesus, we have the ultimate guarantee of this. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, suffered and died for our sins so that when we entrust our lives to Him, we are adopted as precious children of God. This guarantees that our Father in Heaven hears our prayers and loves and cares for us amidst our pain. Indeed, our Savior lives in us and walks with us through our suffering. And so, we can pray in faith, even when our pain continues.

Faithful honesty. That is prayer that will always be heard and honored by our Father in Heaven. Even when our pain will continue. Even when God’s answer is what it was for the Apostle Paul, that His strength will be displayed to the world through our weakness. Even then, there is value in faithful, honest prayers because they bring us closer to the presence and love of our Lord. #FollowJesus

“I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.”
– Psalm 3:6

King David was well aware of his danger, but he chose not to be afraid. He knew that God was his shield, his strength, and his sustainer. There is no army on earth that can win against the power of God! It was true 3000 years ago and it’s still true today. And so, even in the worst circumstances imaginable, David could trust and rest in the Lord.

God’s power hasn’t diminished. His will hasn’t grown weak. His love hasn’t grown cold. His plan isn’t in flux. If Jesus is your Savior, then you too can choose to trust and rest in the Lord. Serve Him without hesitation. Follow the promptings of His Holy Spirit even when others say that you’re being foolish. Follow Jesus and make disciples wherever He leads. Even when enemies oppose you. Even when the odds seem impossible.

Could enemies damage or end your earthly life? Certainly. But they can’t touch your eternal life and future! That is guaranteed by the blood of Jesus and the seal of the Holy Spirit on your life. Moreover, if you’re following God’s will, He remains infinitely strong and capable to make a way for His will to be done. It doesn’t matter how powerful the opposition – if God chooses, He can sweep it all out of the way to accomplish His purpose. Whether He does or doesn’t, either way, your faithful obedience brings Him glory and brings you blessings that will never end. Don’t fear! Just #FollowJesus

“And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.” – Acts 22:20

Saul of Tarsus was a committed enemy of Jesus and the church. He loved persecuting, pursuing, imprisoning, and killing followers of Jesus. And yet, there was abundant, overflowing, amazing grace available, even for him. When Saul repented of his sins and turned to Christ in faith, his sins were fully and completely forgiven, just like everyone else who submits their life to Lord Jesus. Not only was Saul forgiven, the Lord sent him out to do great things for Him. Things that would bring God glory and open the way of faith to many people throughout the world.

There is no sin that can’t be forgiven when a person turns to Christ in faith. There is no sinner so terrible that God can’t put them to work for His Kingdom and glory. God’s grace is sufficient to cover even the most vile of sins, because all sin is vile. If there is any sin in your own life that you haven’t yet confessed and turned over to God to fully wash away through the blood of Jesus, confess that sin right now, ask God’s forgiveness, and be free of it forever. Sin has no power compared to God’s grace!

Likewise, never assume that anyone is too far gone to be saved by God’s grace. Don’t assume anyone is too hardened to hear or accept the Gospel. Share hope and life with them in the name of Jesus. Offer them a relationship with God through faith in His Son. If they say, as many do, that God can’t possibly forgive them for what they’ve done, share the story of Saul with them. God may yet have great things planned for them, no matter how terrible their current spiritual situation. God’s grace isn’t merely pretty good or adequate, it’s amazing! #FollowJesus

“This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” – Acts 19:10

While our attention is often drawn to spectacular moments and events, the reality is that most Kingdom work advances through steady, long-term faithfulness. Day after day. Week after week. Month after month. It’s difficult to measure the eternal impact of serving the Lord faithfully in that way. How many lives are touched, souls saved, hearts strengthened, and disciples taught? The world is changed by those who teach the same Sunday School class, sing in the same choir, welcome guests weekly, or visit the sick for countless years. Those who serve the Lord visibly or invisibly without losing their focus on faithfulness touch eternity!

Most of the impact you’ll have on others will come through consistent presence and long-term service. So, is that the testimony of your life? Have you found your “long obedience in the same direction”? If you haven’t yet found “your thing” please make every effort to do so. Figure out what the Lord has specially gifted and called you to do for Him. Once you know what the Lord has called you to do, do it. Do it when you feel like it and when you don’t. Do it when it seems to be going well and when it doesn’t. Do it when people appreciate you and when they don’t. Do it for the pleasure of the Lord and the glory of your Creator. #FollowJesus

“And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed.” – Acts 18:27

This verse is a beautiful illustration of how we can all play a part in accomplishing God’s mission to make disciples of Jesus throughout the entire world. Some, like Apollos, are called to boldly go to new places with the gospel. Others are called to minister to those who may be hearing the Lord’s call. They serve by helping them discern their call and faithfully answer. They provide encouragement and ongoing prayer support to those who go out. Still others have the ability to open doors in a new place of ministry or mission or to help meet the practical needs of the mission. They can use their contacts, relationships, networks of influence, and financial means to make the way for those called.

No matter their particular role, all such believers are on mission for the Lord. That’s true even though only a few actually leave their home. This is a healthy mindset for every Christian to take on. How is God calling you to be involved in His mission? Is He calling you to go somewhere? Is He calling you to help prepare and encourage those who go? Is He calling you to assist with the logistics or open doors for those heading into God’s harvest fields? Of course, every believer should be learning about what God is doing in the world and praying for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done more and more amongst every nation, ethnic group, and language on earth.

There’s always something that every Christian of every age and life stage can do to advance God’s mission. There’s no more important task here on earth! So, are you playing your part? #FollowJesus