Experiencing Victory in Trials – Part 4

WHAT CAN EVERY CHRISTIAN DO IN THESE END TIMES AS EVENTS OCCUR?

AS WE HEAR ABOUT EVENTS THAT ARE OCCURRING IN OUR COUNTRY OR IN ANOTHER COUNTRY SUCH AS EARTHQUAKES, TORNADOES, FLOODING, HURRICANES, FAMINE, SICKNESS, TERRORIST STRIKES, VIOLENT TRAGEDIES, WARS, LEGISLATION AGAINST GOD’S WORD, LEGISLATION SUPPORTING GOD’S WORD, ETC.

• As soon as we are aware of these events we should go to the Lord in prayer

• We should ask ourselves, “If I was in this situation, how would I want people to pray for me?”

• Part of our prayer should be asking our Lord what to pray for, writing those things down as He directs us, and praying them back to Him often throughout our prayers – examples of prayers are: Lord, intervene with your mercy, with your favor, with your healing, with your protection, with your provisions, mobilize others in the area to help, etc.

• If we have received a prayer language to pray in the Spirit, we should do as the apostle Paul did, pray with your spirit and pray with your mind (1 Corinthians 14:15 NIV)

• We should ask our Lord if we are to do more, such as write letters, make phone calls, go to the scene to help, etc.

WHEN WE COME ACROSS SITUATIONS SUCH AS AN ACCIDENT, A PERSON WITH OBVIOUS NEEDS, ONE OF THE ABOVE EVENTS HAS OCCURRED IN OUR AREA, ETC.

• Immediately ask yourself, “If this happened to me, what kind of help and prayers would I want?”

• If it hasn’t already been done and is needed, phone for emergency help such as an ambulance

• ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO LEAD YOU IN RESPONDING TO THEIR NEEDS – If you are first on the scene, what action – if already a crowd, then what prayers should you make

• Reach out to them in love – if they are hurt and you can reach out and touch the injury let the love of the Holy Spirit and the healing of the Holy Spirit flow through you into them (you don’t have to pray loudly making a spectacle)

• Offer whatever help you can to comfort and meet their needs and the needs of their relatives and friends that may be there – blankets or coats, rides, food, clothing, helping them find shelter, etc.

• Tell them Jesus is helping them through you and that Jesus loves them very much. Share scriptures with them that give hope as well as instructions – examples are: you are important to God (Ephesians 2:10); Jesus gave His life so that you can receive forgiveness and have a new start (1 John 1:9); The answer we need is in the Bible (2 Timothy 1:16,17); You can have the peace of God even in the midst of your trial (Philippians 4:6,7); The Lord is near (Philippians 4:5); We can change (Romans 12:1-3); Jesus has died for your sins and provided for your healing (Isaiah 53:4,5); etc.

• Release the spirit the Lord has given you – “a spirit of power, love and a disciplined mind” (2 Timothy 1:7) by being calm, giving assurance, expressing love through your concern and actions, and let the Lord lead you step by step as He has promised to do (Proverbs 16:9; Galatians 5:25)

• If it is apparent that they need more help than you can give them, put them in touch with those who might be able to help them more – try to get their names and phone numbers so you can follow up

• Do not judge or condemn them if you see habits that need to be corrected – cover them with prayer and focus on the immediate need first – then offer the hope of change through Jesus Christ as they realize that they should change – the Holy Spirit will do the convicting and use you or others to help them repent once they are willing to respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit

• All of us can change the atmosphere around us by being upbeat – people want to be around us and eventually ask us where we get our strength and optimism from – that is when we can share what Jesus has done in our loves and what Jesus would like to do for them

• All of us can carry a set of tracts that explain salvation, healing, and give hope in Jesus Christ

• Never underestimate what a loving smile, a kind word, and a helping hand will do