When working through difficult situations, leaders sometimes hyper-focus on overcoming the problem. It is not wrong to focus because we must navigate the crisis successfully. However, as the situation begins to resolve, the leader needs to take the opportunity to encourage his/her team and point out the positives as they begin to develop. This step to the positive side while in the midst of the crisis helps refocus the team and encourage their efforts. Some positive changes are small, and some are large, but all must be identified and celebrated appropriately.
For example, I have been writing a lot about the empirical Western church and the lack of commitment to God’s Word by many in the pulpit. I have also written about the attempt by many in our culture to re-write/reverse our history, take our God-given freedoms, and introduce a culture that celebrates the lies of LGBTQ and the death cult of abortion. We are in the middle of just such a fight as we advance to the election this fall, but be encouraged.
Recently, my wife and I attended the Yom Kippur/Million Woman gathering at the mall in Washington, D.C. There were over 400,000 people at the mall and over a million in attendance via livestream worldwide! From 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., we fasted, repented for this country and ourselves, and partook in the day of atonement with our brothers and sisters worldwide. We then moved into a full-on spiritual battle against the evil in D.C., state and local governments, and our culture. The altar of Ishtar was destroyed, and the strongholds of witchcraft, LGBTQ slavery, and child sex trafficking were assaulted with fervent prayer. The testimonies emerging from that day have been amazing. People are leaving their witchcraft, criminal, and gay/trans lifestyles behind and are seeking Jesus, some for the first time, others returning. We are told to humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and repent, and He will hear and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). By seeking first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), we are embracing His word and obeying His guidance. He will fulfill His promises to us. Be encouraged.
Next, we have the national response to the disasters in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The celebration here is that Milton was not nearly as bad as projected. There is still damage and loss of life, but Florida has learned to step in and help their fellow man and not depend on FEMA and other agencies. We have also experienced churches, ministries, and fellow citizens flocking to Western NC, and Eastern TN, which has been a blessing. We should never depend on governmental aid, so our fellow citizens have followed God’s Word and stepped in to help (Luke 14:12-14; Acts 20:35; Deuteronomy 15:11). The stories of the rescues and helping hands are plentiful. These citizens will need our help for a while yet, but God’s church is doing it!
Moving to the governmental setting, recently, Benjamin Netanyahu avoided an assassination attempt; praise the Lord. However, the heads of the Hamas and Hezbollah serpents are being removed. And now, mass Hamas surrenders are being accepted by IDF soldiers in Gaza! The national polls show that more and more Americans are tired of the Harris-Biden regime’s cultural, economic, and governmental disaster. Many states are clearing up their voter registration logs—a personal favorite of mine—and state courts have started to rule on the illegality of some last-minute voting procedure changes. There is more work to do here, but we celebrate that God is moving. We know He hates unjust measures (Proverbs 11:1).
Then we turn to the media, or as I call them, the propaganda ministry. Lame-stream outlets like CNN, Fox, MSNBC, ABC, etc., are enjoying some of the lowest ratings and financial outcomes they have ever seen. Alternate media sources, citizen journalists, and those just looking for truth are capturing the hearts and minds of many. So much so that the likes of Hilary, John Kerry, AOC, and RINOs like Liz Chaney and Mitch McConnell are calling to change, suspend, or eliminate the 1st Amendment. The corrupted government agencies want to define mis, mal, and disinformation with impunity. We are over the target, and the flack is heavy! We are also seeing the media starting to tell some truth. Harris’s disastrous interview with Brett Bair revealed her incompetence and unfitness for the president’s position yet again. Walz’s debate performance put his incompetence on display as well. Layered upon that is the continuing disaster at the southern border, lack of economic plans and prowess, and her total commitment to socialistic precepts against the Constitution and God. God continues to shine His bright light of truth in very dark corners. Be encouraged.
Now for the real work. Remember, God created the government, and it is on the shoulders of Christ (Isaiah 9:6). That means we, as the church, must seek God first, ensure we do not embrace unjust measures, hold everyone accountable equally, seek the truth, etc. (Proverbs 6:16-19). There are no Republicans, Democrats, or Independents in God’s Kingdom. Measure them all by God’s Word. Our Founding Fathers codified the freedoms that originate from God. The government does not grant those freedoms. Therefore, don’t take these freedoms lightly; be ready to fight through some shaking and challenging times. Evil will not give up its control without a fight, and the church needs to stand with God as He answers our prayers. Step into the authority Christ gave you (Matthew 16:16; 28:18-20; John 14:12-14). Do not cower in the face of opposition or be coerced into not speaking out or standing for God’s Word. Be encouraged!