We are ALL Racists! What?

WE ARE ALL RACISTS!! Shocking right? Actually, we are because we are fallen and sinful human beings. So, in a lot of ways, as humans, we are prone to be racists. When someone is a different culture than our own, we tend to see them as bad and us as good. Let's just admit it....we ALL do it, no matter who we are. Some of us do it in our thoughts, some out loud.

The good news however, is that through Christ, we can be redeemed from those thoughts. Here are two excellent scripture about "hate" and our own hearts. Ponder them this week.

 

1 John 2:9 "If we claim to be in the light and hate someone, we are still in the dark".

Psalm 139:23-24
"Search me, God, and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting".

As you pray for Montgomery this week,look around you and celebrate those who may be different in color or culture from you. We are ALL creations of God, so if that is true, we are to treat EVERYONE with love, grace and mercy. We are to embrace God's creation as he does.

Are You Excited?

So, this past weekend, I was helping orient 60+ mission volunteers from NC/AL to work here in Montgomery at various ministries serving and sharing the gospel. They were enthusiastic and excited. This morning as they headed out, they were "ready for the day". I got to thinking about whether we believers who live in Montgomery are as enthusiastic about "the new day" and sharing our faith with others.

This week, as we pray for our city, pray that the Lord will give you enthusiasm and opportunity to share what Jesus has done in your life. Don't be afraid to do it. God will be with you. He promised. Joshua 1:9 says:" Be determined and confident, don't be discouraged or afraid, for I am with you wherever you go."

Are you going to work today? Why not pray for an opportunity to share with a coworker or pray with them for whatever is heavy on their heart.
Isaiah 40:9 "Go up a high mountain, Zion. Tell the good news! Call out with a loud voice, Jerusalem. Tell the good news! Raise your voice without fear. Tell the cities of Judah: "Here is your God!"

Sitting in the doctors office? Look around you. The people there are needing some help medically, pray for the opportunity to strike up a conversation and share how the Lord can give them peace.
"Cast all your cares on him, for He cares for you." I Peter 5:7

At home with kids? Taking them out to playground or swim? Talk to other parents and ask the Lord for an opportunity to bless them. Like all parents, they can get weary in taking care of their kids.
I Corinthians 1:17 "...... He sent me to tell the good news without using big words that would make the cross of Christ lose its power".

Wherever you are: ask the Lord for trust in Him to give you the right words and to "listen" to what the other person is REALLY saying.

The only way to solve poverty or reduce crime or help schools or bridge racial divides is with a heart change. Pray for that as you are driving around this week.

LOVE MONTGOMERY the way Jesus loves Montgomery and you will see deeper than the surface issues here.
Jeremiah 29:7 "Work for the well-being of the city where I have sent you to and pray to the Lord for this. For if it is well with the city you live in, it will be well with you".

Is It All Just Too Much?

• So, here we are in the middle of summer and so much is going on in our city.

  
  CRIME is up...the officials are scattering around to figure out what to do......our SCHOOLS have MAJOR issues.......POVERTY is on the rise(according to Alabama Possible, 2013 stats show Montgomery has gone from 17% living under the poverty level in 2006 to 23% in 2010(US Census). Overall, our state's levels are on the rise and we are the 6th poorest state in the nation. Here is the ethnic breakdown of poverty in AL. 31/2 % Latino, 30.6% African American and 12.4% Caucasian. It is almost 10% higher than the national breakdown. There continues to be RACIAL disharmony around the Montgomery area. People continue to be caught up in CONSUMERISTIC thinking/living making them happy---most people feel a sense of entitlement (of all economic levels). Sounds like too much to handle, doesn't it?
  
  What did Jesus say: “For in this world there will be trouble, but take heart, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
  
  FIRST, even though we see all around us the troubles of this world, we have hope that Jesus HAS overcome the world. He has overcome ALL the problems of this world.
  
  SECOND, that does not mean we sit back and let it all happen. We are to be out...in the neighborhood" telling people and showing people the LOVE of Christ...investing in their lives. Acts 20:35 ESV says: "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
  
  THIRD, continue to pray without ceasing for our city, our county---for the people in it and opportunities to share the GOOD NEWS of hope and peace through Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV:"First of all, then, I URGE that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for ALL people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth".
  

  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING for our city!