There is Hope For Us Yet!

'... ²We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. ³We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. ⁷And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, ⁹for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."

- 1 Thessalonians 1 (AMSV, From biblegateway.com)

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It is so hard to read this passage and not think of America. We are in the midst of a downhill spiral in faith, actions, and love. We, as Christians have been beaten down for our faith, maybe not individually, but through the media and a variety of other outbreaks during this holy war. We are weary, maybe even hopeless - how could God ever redeem a culture that has SO openly rejected Him and the way he calls us to live? It is hard to leave the world behind to take up our cross and follow him when we must leave every worldly thing we have ever worked for behind... it takes all of us together to do it. To know that you are a part of something bigger... an American Revival in spirituality. We must leave what feels good behind! We can't become comfortable with the selfish American lifestyle. We are CALLED to something different, that people may see how we choose to live our lives as a testament to the Lord's good work in us and become jealous- jealous of our peace and joy and WANT what we have.

" ²³ And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. ²⁴ For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."

- Luke 9:23-24

Think about this for just a moment. These are Jesus' words directly to his followers. Whosoever would save his life- meaning all of the things he has worked for in the world- shall lose it. BUT whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. The question has been continually popping up in my head... what are my vices? What is it that I am NOT willing to lose from my worldly life in order to take up my cross and serve my King? And why on earth is it so important?

We must ban together to win America back... we aren't going to do it on our own, but together our warm Christlike glow will bring light back into this horribly darkened America we call home.