Imagine carrying so much of God’s presence and power on you that people who have no clue who Jesus is could literally sense Him on you individually or your church community. Duncan Smith
Quote for the Day
Author: newlifenarrabri
Today’s Bike Ride
Another beautiful morning. Great day for riding.
Quote for the Day
The Lord places such a high value on humility and intimate relationship, which is why the measure of the Holy Spirit we have on us, is related to the measure we ask for. Duncan Smith
Reflection on Zechariah 12:1-14
Scripture
“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son.”
Observation
The Lord will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nation stagger when they come to besiege it. He will cause riders to panic. Judah will know victory in the Lord.
Then He will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on the Lord whom they have pierced, and they will weep in repentance.
Application
To be touched by the Holy Spirit, to receive an outpouring, is an awesome experience. it is as if we are united powerfully with the heart of the Lord.
Here the Holy Spirit promises that a pouring out of the Spirit of grace and prayer will take place. Sometimes we need the grace of the Holy Spirit to pray as we should, to intercede with power for a pressing need.
This passage describes a solemn atmosphere of prayer. The people of Jerusalem come to a deep place of grief when they recognise that they have pierced the Lord. A spirit of grief and repentance overlays the grace and prayer.
This kind of assembly is sometimes called a “solemn assembly.” People gather in sorrow and repentance rather than in joy and celebration.
With the Lord, joy always comes in the morning, but sometimes we must pass through a long, dark night of the soul to get there.
Prayer
Lord, I recognise that my sins pierced your son. Please help me to repent honestly and thoroughly. Amen.
‘Biggest Seismic Shift’ in Christian Persecution: Watchdog Reveals Major Shakeup Involving Afghanistan, North Korea
Afghanistan is now the worst nation in the world for Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USA, an organization that tracks global religious maltreatment.
The shocking development is undoubtedly the “biggest seismic shift” in decades, as North Korea, the reclusive and oppressive East Asian country, was bumped from the top spot it had occupied for 20 years.
“This year’s 2022 World Watch List, we think, is the biggest seismic shift in over 20 years because Afghanistan is now the No. 1 country on the World Watch List, supplanting North Korea,” Open Doors USA CEO David Curry told Faithwire.
The Dire Situation in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has long been embroiled in chaos, but the situation devolved further when the U.S. undertook a chaotic withdrawal last August — a retreat that carried with it serious consequences.
“Many people are aware of what’s happened since August in Afghanistan,” Curry said, citing the chaos and uncertainty. “It has emboldened Islamic extremists in other parts of the world. We believe it’s going to have a ripple effect.”
Christians in Afghanistan face intensifying persecution at the hands of the resurgent Taliban, with militants purportedly arresting and possibly seeking to kill believers. Christians and Christian women, in particular, are especially vulnerable and are seen as ideological enemies.
“They are going to be targeted,” Curry said.
North Korea’s Continued Christian Persecution
Though dethroned as the top stronghold of persecution, North Korea still occupies the second spot, and there’s no sign the chaos and targeted hatred perpetuated by leader Kim Jong-un and his restrictive government will dissipate.
“For 20 years, North Korea was number one. They have a post-communist … system that has been generational,” Curry said. “They have lifted now Kim Jung Un as the dictator. People are forced to worship him.”
He continued, “It’s clear that they don’t want any other faith except the worship of their leader and the communist system…they control all the means of life.”
Government control persists over necessities like food and medical care. This systematic control has led to mass starvation for the general populace. Christians are many times the last people to get food and are sometimes put in labor camps or relegated to remote areas because of their faith in Jesus.
Curry said the “2022 World Watch List” shows, from a large scale, the “strength of extremism around the world.”
“When you look at the top 10 countries, places like Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, you have even India [which is] number 10,” he said. “These are there on the ‘World Watch List’ because these countries have extremist groups, which are either running the government or are influencing the government and culture in these countries in such a way that it is not safe to practice your faith.”
Read the rest of the article at faithwire.com
Quote for the Day
There is nothing Jesus did on earth that He did not do as a man. Therefore there is nothing we can’t do that He did. Duncan Smith
Reflection on Zechariah 11:1-17
Scripture
I got rid of the three evil shepherds in a single month.
Observation
The Lord tells Zechariah to go and care for a flock of sheep intended for slaughter. No one cares about these sheep – not the buyers, nor the sellers, not even the shepherds.
Zechariah takes two shepherd’s staffs, and names one Favour, and the other Union. He gets rid of three evil shepherds in a single month.
He takes the staff called Favour and cut it in half to show that God has revoked his covenant with the nations. Then he takes the other staff and cuts it in two to show that the bond of unity between Israel and Judah was broken.
The Lord then sends Zechariah to play the part of a worthless shepherd. The Lord will give the nation a worthless shepherd who will not care for the people. The Lord will punish this man.
Application
The Lord has the power to raise leaders up and pull them down.
The church must not follow the ways of the world in condemning leaders that we disagree with. Rather, we must be constantly in prayer for the Lord to grant us wise and Christ- loving leaders.
The last federal election in Australia was widely expected to be won by the Labor Party. Instead, Scott Morrison and the Liberal National Coalition were elected. Scott Morrison, who is a christian, declared it was a miracle.
The Premier of New South Wales scoffed about churches in a press conference detailing Covid restrictions. In a month or so, she was forced to resign, and was replaced by a devout Catholic Premier.
We must pray for our leaders, that we are given good shepherds not evil ones.
Prayer
Lord, I pray that every evil shepherd who does not acknowledge you will be pulled down. Thank you that you have that power to raise up and pull down. Amen.
What Is Fascism Anyway?
Today’s Bike Ride
Wild storms yesterday with our average, January rainfall coming in a couple of hours and gale force winds. More rain expected today, but good riding this morning.
Quote for the Day
Nothing is impossible for you and me in Oneness with Christ. God Himself dwells in us! Duncan Smith
