It’s Easy to Get Discouraged

It’s easy to get discouraged–when you are looking at the devil’s world and the devil’s work.

When you look at what God is doing around the world, it is exciting, joyful, and encouraging.

It’s so hard to take our eyes off what is happening around us and to look for the work of the Holy Spirit throughout the earth. The Holy Spirit is at work. The evidence is everywhere.

Just recently, I watched a video of worship at Resurrection Church in Beirut. Lebanon! It was a worship service in December, and they sang Christmas carols. Except for the language, it seemed like what you might see in worship services anywhere. The building was modern and set up just the way we set up the leaders and the congregation. They sang “Angels We Have Heard on High” with a guitar accompanying. They praised God. It did my heart good.

My son-in law Brad Kirby went to Beirut with a group from his church in northern Virginia before Christmas to prepare to work with an unreached people group in Lebanon. Members of that group now live in Virginia. Isn’t it exciting what is happening around the world?

If people in Beirut can joyfully praise Jesus and live for Him, can’t we do the same?

Soon FBC Covington will host the Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda. Our church has rich experiences with Ugandans. I recently read that by the year 2050 there will be more Ugandans who live for Christ than the inhabitants of four or five of the largest European countries combined. Christ is being preached to the ends of the earth, and people from all over the world are trusting Christ. This is especially true in Africa, South America, and in the Oriental world. Some people suggest that Christianity is growing faster in Iran than any other country.

I have a quotation in my office that reads, “If Paul and Silas could sing in prison, can’t you hum a few bars wherever you are?”

Isn’t it time for American Christians to be bold as we gently and respectfully give reasons for the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15)? Isn’t it time to be strong and courageous as we seek to live for Him?

 

 

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