9/27/2025
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has
broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh
the enmity that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances,
so as to create in Himself one new man from the two,
thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God
in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity."
Ephesians 2:14-16
These are exciting times, as we "forget about ourselves, concentrate on Him and worship Christ the Lord. Worship Him, Christ the Lord!" You guessed it! I'm listening to worship music again, and yes! I was singing to everyone!
"There is a sweet anointing in the sanctuary. There is a stillness in the atmosphere. Come and lay down the burdens you have carried, for in the sanctuary God is here."
I'm listening to John Wilds, Jesus Image, the song, "He is Here." When I'm having a taxing moment, I love to turn on worship music from Jesus Image, and when I need a calm, contemplative, or convicting exhortation from the Word of the Lord, I listen to Michael Koulianos, the pastor, walk the hungry, or in my case, the insatiably starving, through scripture. This evening is one of those evenings, just before time to pray for the government leaders in the United States. I have the privilege of praying for six elected officials each Saturday night as the new day begins. These are troubling, disturbing days, and there are conundrums afoot! For me, there is one response - Jesus!
Today marks Day 6 of 10 Days of Awe - One New Man with the Focus City - Mogadishu, Somalia, and the 110 Cities Region: Eastern & Southern Africa. There are multiple scriptures, as always, but the one I love is found in Revelation 7:9-10, because it holds the promise of what is to come:
"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: 'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'"
Although the words written above by John are wonderful, and we are anxious for the return of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, until that day we must continue the work He gave us in this present age. Each day brings more tragedy and suffering, persecution and horrors for the believer and follower of Jesus. Whereas this is alarming, we can never stop praising Him, because He is worthy of all praise. And His peace, the shalom peace of God, can keep us in a place where we do not fear, and we can smile, laugh, and take heart remembering the goodness of the Lord, regardless of what is happening around us. Jesus told his disciples what was going to happen in John 16:33: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Located within this region of Africa are the countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, and Eritrea, the areas where there is much persecution, murders, and horrendous acts of savagery against Christians. I was listening to a story from Voice of the Martyrs today of two missionaries in the area of DRC ministering to the survivors of recent massacres, sharing the stories. For weeks there have been multiple attacks on the same people, churches, villages, with mass murders that defy the term grotesque. This has been going on for a longer time, but many people are distracted by other things, and they have not paid attention, but I'm not one of those people, as you know. I have posted, re-posted, and I will continue to post these acts of inhumanity against my brothers and sisters in Christ. . The news and social media do not carry these stories routinely. Nigeria is another country hardest hit, yet it was removed from the Countries of Particular Concern list in 2021 by the previous constituency. Fortunately, the American Centers for Law & Justice (ACLJ), as well as other humanitarian agencies have continued to stand in opposition and provide reports daily to those who care.
"Precious to the Lord is the death of one of His saints."
Psalm 116:15
I pray for a time when I will not see such horrible reports. A time of peace, a time when children can play and laugh and enjoy the friendship of all nations and tribes. I think back over the age in which I was a child growing up, and although racism was prevalent in the South, where I lives, I somehow ignored it. I've told stories about separate bathrooms, water fountains, and other stupidities, but fortunately I never paid heed to signs then, and I certainly don't care about them now. I don't like it when anyone hurts. As I am finishing this post up on Sunday, news of this morning's shooting in Michigan at the Mormon Church has already reached my ears. Although I may not agree with the teaching of the Mormon Church, that is irrelevant. Someone drove their vehicle into a church, during Sunday service, and shot people with an assault weapon, for no apparent reason. The hatred and insanity is now reaching more people and religions, and more innocent people are dying for other reason that demonic derangement driven by the enemy of our souls.
We cannot continue to turn a blind eye. We must speak out courageously for our faith. We must do better.
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