#7for

[redenokjvbiblestudy]

A Jihadist Overcome by the Love of Jesus

1 John 5:4

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:5-2-3-7

2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

[thatrandomartistjavi]

7for the ask game? (if youre stil doing it. i forgot to check the time on the post)

7. Have you had any other special interests before? What were they?

Oh yeah, tons. The first one that I remember kinda identifying as a very strong interest I thought about a lot was Undertale when I was like 11-12

Then it shifted to Sanders Sides during most of middle school

Then the last year of middle school to like 10th grade it was Finding Nemo

Then from 2020 to 2022 it was Aladdin specifically the Broadway musical. Tho 2022 was complicated cause I also developed a special interest for Falling in Love With Mr. Dellamort

And now it’s just Alice in Wonderland

[oya-oya-okay]

7for the art thing oya 🧡💜🧡💜☺️(I'm really interested what style you're going for)

7. What is a style of art you have been meaning to try?

TYSM🥰🥰🥰 Maybe try to draw a drawing without a line.. Like without a contour!🤔

Such drawings are really amazing, I would also like to learn how to draw like that💗

HERE ASK

[coolksaposts]

Matthew 24:12

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(12) Because iniquity shall abound. . .—Better, lawlessness. No word could more fitly represent the condition of Judæa in the time just referred to: brigandage, massacres, extortion, assassination, came to be common things.

The love of many . . .—Better, of the many; the greater part of the true Israel who would be found in the Church of Christ; perhaps, also, the greater part of the nation as such. This was the natural result of the condition of things implied in the “lawlessness.” The tendency of all such times, as seen in the histories of famines, and pestilences, and revolutions, is to intensify selfishness, both in the more excusable form of self-preservation, and in the darker form of self-aggrandisement. In the tendency to “forsake the assembling of themselves together” among the Hebrew Christians, we have, perhaps, one instance of the love waxing cold (Hebrews 10:25).

New American Standard Bible►► 

Signs of Christ’s Return

1Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way [a]when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2But He responded and said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

3And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the [b]end of the age?”

4And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one [c]misleads you. 5For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the [d]Christ,’ and they will [e]mislead many people. 6And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.

9“Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10And at that time many will [f]fall away, and they will [g]betray one another and hate one another. 11And many false prophets will rise up and [h]mislead many people. 12And because lawlessness is increased, [i]most people’s love will become cold. 13But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. 14This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole [j]world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

[stillchuunya]

Psalms?

Which Psalm do they mean? Because Psalm 9:11-12 goes:

11 Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion;     proclaim among the nations what he has done. 12 For he who avenges blood remembers;     he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.

Revenge? The afflicted? Terzo's Resurrection theory?

Also, Psalm 11 is about justice too:

5The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence. 6On the wicked He will rain down fiery coals and sulfur; a scorching wind will be their portion. 7For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.

And Psalm 12 (entitled "The Godly Are No More", lol, Deus In Absentia?) goes:

5“For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.” [...] 8The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.

it seemed so obvious they wanted us to google the Psalms but I'm still confused 😭

thoughts?

[hiswordsarekisses]

“One of the scriptures that I have tested over and over and have seen the LORD’S faithfulness time and time again, is His promise to ‘give ‘wisdom’ to those who ask’, found in the book of James.

All of my journals are riddled with my messy writing crying out for wisdom over and over and over.

God loves to help us!

Pride won’t ask. Pride wants to do life without God. Pride is a blinding disease that robs its victims of communing with the ‘actual’ presence of True Love.

Humble dependency creates a Supernatural bond with God, but also it creates the posture and attitude of ‘expectancy for good things’.

In a sense it inclines our subconscious mind to lean into hear and see ‘The Wisdom’.

Countless times I hear specific ‘lighted’ wisdom to all of my life’s problems.

The book of James, even just the first chapter, is packed with rich wisdom and insight to instruct our lives closer to the heart of God.

JAMES (Chapter 1) AMPLIFIED ❤️

“esting Your Faith

1[a]James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)!

2Consider it nothing but joy, my [b]brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

5If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. 7For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides].

9Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God]; 10and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away. 11For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; its flower falls off and [c]its beauty fades away; so too will the rich man, in the midst of his pursuits, fade away.

12Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. 14But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). 15Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death. 16Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters. 17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow [d]cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. 18It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself--sanctified, made holy for His divine purposes].

19Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; 20for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. 21So get rid of all uncleanness and [e]all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. 22But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. 23For if anyone only listens to the word [f]without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; 24for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets [g]what he looked like. 25But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but [h]an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].

26If anyone thinks himself to be religious [scrupulously observant of the rituals of his faith], and does not control his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless (futile, barren). 27Pure and unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit and look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the [secular] world.””

(Posted on Facebook by Troi Cockayne)

[gracefortheday]

ENTRY: 61125

JUNE 11, 2025, WEDNESDAY Entry: 1:11pm, Fairview QC

VERSE OF THE DAY: 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every through captive to obey Christ,

HOLD ON TO WHAT'S TRUE Reading Scripture is vital to our intimacy with God. God’s Word is our weapon. It’s alive, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). And when we hide Scripture in our heart, it helps us battle with the forces of evil. We have an enemy, and the last thing he wants us to do is trust God and His Word. Our spiritual enemy wants to keep us in a place of doubt and insecurity. But when we know who we are, we can confidently demolish every lie that distracts us. Just like Jesus did, we can use Scripture to remind ourselves of the truth and fight back against the devil’s schemes. Think through some of the lies you’ve believed. Maybe it's "I'm a failure, I'll never do anything right," or "God doesn't care about me, it's why these bad things happen." It’s easier to entertain lies when we allow them to become a part of us. But once you recognize the lies you’ve internalized, you’re halfway to victory. God gave us His Word so that we could know the truth, and it’s His truth that sets us free.

SHARE YOUR FAITH If you notice that a friend is believing a lie-about God or about themselves- you can lovingly remind the, who they are in Christ.

God, You know everything about me. You know what I'm going to say before I speak it. You know all of my thoughts, desires, and intentions. All that I am, I give to You. Please remove any idea, behavior, or lie that will keep me from becoming the person You created me to be. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING: EZRA 1-2 JOHN 19:23-42 THE PROCLAMATION OF CYRUS he Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. THE EXILES RETURN THE CRUCIFIXION “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. THE DEATH OF JESUS “I thirst.” When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. JESUS' SIDE IS PIERCED when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. “Not one of his bones will be broken.” “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” JESUS IS BURIED Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there

2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10 OUR HEAVENLY DWELLING we have a building from God,5He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee 6So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

INSIGHT In 2 Corinthians 5:6-9, Paul describes the tension of living on earth (“at home in the body,” v. 6) and life after death for believers in Jesus (“at home with the Lord,” v. 8). Metaphors like “jars of clay” (4:7) and “earthly tent” (5:1) point to our mortality. But Paul assures us that “we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself” (v. 1 nlt). We will “put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing” (v. 2 nlt). As we answer the call to serve Christ, our goal is “to please” Him (v. 9). We’ll receive or suffer the loss of rewards depending on how we’ve lived (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). And by staying ready and serving in God’s strength, we’ll truly live well. By: K.T. Sim

STAY READY Betty is ready. She began following Jesus as a teenager and has taken opportunities her whole life to serve and please Him. She attends Bible studies, worship services, and prayer meetings. She’s taught studies, visited mission fields, worked in the nursery, served alongside her pastor-husband, and she loves being with God’s people every chance she gets. And remarkably she’s 102 years old and is still ready to do whatever pleases God. She’s an inspiration to many who might not feel like gathering with other believers some days. Then they remember, Betty will be there. I certainly can get there! Betty now says she’s eager to get to heaven to be with her Savior. She says, “I’m ready to see Jesus; I love Him so.” The apostle Paul said he “would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). But he knew God had work for him to do in encouraging believers in many churches (Philippians 1:23-24). So he kept serving and living “by faith” and “not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Paul remained ready and kept serving under God’s direction. Whatever our age and stage in life, let’s ask God to help us make it our heart’s goal “to please [Christ]” (v. 9) and stay ready. Betty is ready. And if someday she isn’t ready, it’s because she’s already seeing Jesus face-to-face. By: Anne Cetas

REFLECT AND PRAY In what ways can you practice answering God’s call to service? How can you become more ready for His call to heaven?

Dear God, I love You with all my heart and want to please You in whatever ways You want. I look forward to seeing You soon! In Jesus' name, Amen.

WHO CHRIST CALLS YOU TO BE DAY 2: CHRIST CALLS YOU TO BE A CHAMPION OF THE POOR AND NEEDY Key Verses “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. . . . Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” (Matt. 25:34–36,40)

Why doesn’t God do something to help people who are poor, needy, or suffering?

That question (or some variation of it) lies at the heart of countless struggles and doubts concerning the Christian faith. You can find any number of theological explanations about the nature of suffering. But there’s a more immediate answer that shouldn’t be overlooked. In fact, God has done something about it. He has entrusted the sacred task of caring for the poor and needy to Jesus’ followers. He has given us the responsibility to make a difference in the lives of people who need it most. The job is not a popular one. There’s little prestige in it—at least as prestige is measured in earthly terms. Caring for the poor and needy aligns with the theme of “downward mobility” that runs throughout Christ’s teachings: “So the last will be first, and the first last” (Matt. 20:16). “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matt. 23:11). Jesus doesn’t give His followers the option of treating those who are poor and needy as an annoyance or writing them off as a blight on society or arguing that they deserve their fate. Instead, He asks us to do something extraordinarily difficult. He asks us to see Him when we look at them. Embracing that concept requires us to rethink not only our prejudices but also the lens through which we look at other people. The homeless man with the scraggly beard and overpowering stench whose story is written in faded marker on the cardboard sign he holds every day? That’s Jesus. The office cleaning lady who speaks no English and seems terribly sad lately? She’s Jesus. The coworker whose social awkwardness is almost painful to watch? Jesus too. The question is, what will we do for Him? We may be tempted to think of Jesus’ challenge as a burden. In reality, it’s a rare opportunity. Every day we have the chance to do something meaningful for Jesus Himself, the Savior of the world. We can help Him by caring for the people He most closely identifies with.

MATTHEW 25:34-36 MATTHEW 25:40 MATTHEW 23:11 MATTHEW 20:16

[dhaneshramchandani]

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[ronbarlow]

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[drugwarvet]

O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger

or discipline me in Your wrath.

2For Your arrows have pierced me deeply,

and Your hand has pressed down on me.

3There is no soundness in my body

because of Your anger;

there is no rest in my bones

because of my sin.

4For my iniquities have overwhelmed me;

they are a burden too heavy to bear.

5My wounds are foul and festering

because of my sinful folly.

6I am bent and brought low;

all day long I go about mourning.

7For my loins are full of burning pain,

and no soundness remains in my body.

8I am numb and badly crushed;

I groan in anguish of heart.

9O Lord, my every desire is before You;

my groaning is not hidden from You.

10My heart pounds, my strength fails,

and even the light of my eyes has faded.

11My beloved and friends shun my disease,

and my kinsmen stand at a distance.

12Those who seek my life lay snares;

those who wish me harm speak destruction,

plotting deceit all day long.

13But like a deaf man, I do not hear;

and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth.

14I am like a man who cannot hear,

whose mouth offers no reply.

15I wait for You, O LORD;

You will answer, O Lord my God.

16For I said, “Let them not gloat over me—

those who taunt me when my foot slips.”

17For I am ready to fall,

and my pain is ever with me.

18Yes, I confess my iniquity;

I am troubled by my sin.

19Many are my enemies without cause,a

and many hate me without reason.b

20Those who repay my good with evil

attack me for pursuing the good.

21Do not forsake me, O LORD;

be not far from me, O my God.

22Come quickly to help me,

O Lord my Savior.

[viraluxe-collection]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: 7 For All Mankind Light Washed Blue Jeans SZ 25.

[desecrated-host]

5 and 7for all of them😁 ?

i like odd numbers

do you ship your OC with a Canon character? If so who?: i mean . theres not canon spirit phone characters even if i wanted to i couldnt,

if your OC is in the modern day, what fantasy class would they be? Would they be a different race?: if im being serious i do NOTTT know enough about that kinda stuff to answer this one . sorry both the answers here are literally nothing i will do better next time

[fotozap]

The Spirit, the Water and the Blood

1 John 5:6-8 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7For there are three that testify: 8the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. The Spirit, the Water and the Blood                This scripture has always been a little…

[reallifewithrosinaakinola]

1 Thessalonians 4:7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

1 Thessalonians 4:7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. @save_our_families_inc ♬ original sound – 𝓡𝓸𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓪 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓼 𝓖𝓸𝓭 @save_our_families_inc Be kind. ♬ original sound – 𝓡𝓸𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓪 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓼 𝓖𝓸𝓭 @save_our_families_inc #creatorsearchinsights #jesus #saveourfamiliesincorporated #nature…

[gracefortheday]

ENTRY# 52525

MAY 25, 2025, SUNDAY Entry: 4:30pm, Don Antonio QC

VERSE OF THE DAY: MATTHEW 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

SERVING JESUS IN EVERYDAY ACTS

What does it mean to serve Jesus? Mathew 25:40 reveals an extraordinary truth: when we care for others, we are serving Him. Jesus says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This verse is part of a parable where Jesus explains how acts of kindness—no matter how small—reflect God’s love.

Think about it: offering a cup of water to someone thirsty, sharing a meal with someone hungry, or encouraging someone who feels invisible. These actions may seem ordinary, but they hold eternal significance. Through them, we participate in Jesus’ work of bridging despair to hope, poverty to provision, and brokenness to restoration.

Jesus invites us to see the people around us through His eyes. Who in your life might need compassion today? It could be someone discouraged, lonely, or struggling. Your small act of kindness can remind them that they are seen, loved, and valued—not just by you, but by God.

Serving others isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about letting God’s love flow through you in everyday moments. When we live this way, we bring His presence into tangible situation and reflect His heart to the world.

SHARE YOUR FAITH Acts of true compassion are more than just good deeds, they are expressions of love to God. When we serve others, we become a part of God's work bringing His presence to real, tangible needs. Who in your life might need some compassion today? God stands ready to shine His love through you.

God, open my heart to see those in need as You see them. Help me serve with compassion and humility, reflecting Your love through my actions. Let my small acts of kindness point others to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING: 1 CHRONICLES 25-27 JOHN 9:1-23 DAVID ORGANIZES THE MUSICIANS DIVISIONS OF THE GATEKEEPERS TREASURERS AND THE OTHER OFFICIALS MILITARY DIVISION LEADERS OF TRIBES JESUS HEALS A MAN BORN BLIND

1 THESSALONIANS 5:4-15 THE DAY OF THE LORD But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. Final Instructions and Benediction 12We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. INSIGHT Paul urges his readers to “[put] on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (1 Thessalonians 5:8). His use of this imagery might sound familiar. He expands on this idea in Ephesians 6 when he urges believers in Jesus to “put on the full armor of God” (v. 13), including “the belt of truth” (v. 14), “feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (v. 15), the “shield of faith” (v. 16), and “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17). As we put on God’s armor, we’re better prepared to serve God and to come alongside those who need encouragement. By: Tim Gustafson

HOPE RENEWED Thia was puzzled. Why was his eighteen-year-old son spending so much time in the library these days? His son, who was autistic and rarely spoke to anyone, would usually return straight home after class. What changed? When pressed, his son finally replied: “Studying with Navin.”

Navin, it turned out, was a classmate who'd noticed that Thia’s son was struggling in class and had invited him to study together. This budding friendship—the first in eighteen years—greatly encouraged the disheartened father, who’d given up hope of his son ever having a friend.

Hope was renewed because one person cared enough to come alongside another who needed help. In Paul’s ministry to the early church, he knew this also applied to our hope of salvation. For believers in Jesus to “be awake and sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6), living in the hope of His return, they had to help one another (v. 11), especially those who were struggling.

That’s why, even though these believers led lives of love that pleased God (4:1, 10), Paul reminded them to “encourage the disheartened, help the weak” (5:14). When we notice believers in Christ who are fearful, anxious, or despondent, and we come alongside them—whether to listen, offer a kind word, or sit quietly together—God can use us to give them the strength and courage to hold on to their hope in Jesus.

By: Jasmine Goh

REFLECT AND PRAY Who in your community can you come alongside this week? What can you do to show them care and attention?

Dear God, please help me to care for the disheartened and the weak so that their hope in Jesus may be renewed. In Jesus name, Amen.

THE STATE OF THE WORLD So, how are we doing when it comes to fulfilling the purpose of our lives – to enjoy God’s glory and exalt him among all nations? Picture the world divided into ‘green zones’ already reached by the gospel, and unreached ‘red zones’. A staggering 3.2 billion people (belonging to around 7,000 unreached ethnic groups) live in the red zones and have little or no access to the saving news of Jesus. Paul explains in Romans 10:13–17 that faith comes from hearing the word of Christ, so there’s a real urgency for us to proclaim the gospel to those who haven’t heard it and who may live and die without ever encountering God’s message of hope and love.

Amidst this reality, we’re called to pray for the spread of the gospel to all people groups globally. Not one of us is helpless. Every believer can contribute to reaching red zones through prayer, which is such good news! The considerable challenge, however, lies in our current approach. The vast majority of the global church’s resources are poured into green zones. The minimal leftovers trickle into red zones. This “Great Imbalance” suggests we’re not really aligning our actions with our ultimate purpose.

The (possibly uncomfortable) truth is that God calls us not only to pray and give but also to go and make disciples of all nations. I want to challenge you to take this personally. Start by recognizing the opportunities within your reach – making disciples among diverse people in your neighborhood or city, including those from red zones. And then, don’t dismiss the thought that fulfilling the command of reaching all nations may mean that more Christians (maybe you) will be called to go to red zones, for short or long periods. The reality of this cultural moment is that we have unprecedented opportunities to reach people, yet a larger unreached population than ever before. Through travel and technology, we can potentially reach people worldwide in ways previously unimagined. What a time to be alive! What a time and place for people with a purpose to enjoy and exalt God among all the nations on the earth.

We all have a lot going on in our personal lives, right? But friend, at least we have the gospel. No matter what you’re facing, you have the hope, peace, joy, and comfort of Jesus’ love for you, and you know this is not the end of your story. Over 3 billion people in the world are walking through similar trials and suffering (and in many parts of the world, far worse), but they’ve never even heard of the love of God through Jesus. And if nothing changes, eternal suffering will be the end of their story. I don’t want to guilt you into becoming a missionary. I would just urge you to open your eyes to the historic opportunities you and I have to spread the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth— literally—in the time and place God has us.

Spend some time this week asking yourself these questions: how can I pray daily and specifically for the exaltation of God among all the nations? How can I spend my resources (time, money, and skills) intentionally, generously, and sacrificially for the exaltation of God among all the nations? What avenues are available to me to go and make disciples in a red zone, even for a short time? If I’m living in a green zone, how can I live and work there for the spread of the gospel in red zones?

ROMANS 10:13-17 MATTHEW 6:9-10