What we see around us along with what we are being shown in the news, etc, is usually not where we need to focus. While many of us know that, our eyes and ears are still often times easily diverted. These are days in which our eyes need to be wide open and seeing clearly. We must be more discerning than ever before.
Who we listen to and align with will shape our focus. Think about it. It’s not only about where you listen to get your news. But who your friends are—your trusted leaders. The danger is we are in a shifting world. We must pray and ask God to show us if those we have trusted have changed or become deceived. Too often we blindly continue to trust leadership or friends, although trustworthy in the past, may have shifted their focus. If we ignore their changes, out of past relationship and/or knowledge, it can cause us to shift and change—and not for the better.
Without realizing it we may find ourselves listening to, supporting and trusting the wrong voices.
In the days of the apostles in the Book of Acts, the disciples boldy spoke up for Truth to crowds made up of a combination of people. People who had watched Jesus’ Crucifixion and agreed with it and some who simply didn’t know what to think other than what the government and others told them. Many weren’t there and could only go by what they heard. These crowds didn’t see that Jesus was the Messiah and Deliverer.
In Acts 2 signs and wonders began. They saw people speaking in tongues hearing their words in their own language. Then and every time the disciples spoke, two groups emerged.
Group one described in verse 12—made up of people who were perplexed and amazed—and kept listening (eyes open). Group two, described in verse 13, refused to believe what they saw & heard. They mocked and refused to listen/hear what the disciples were saying. And worked to turn others into unbelievers like themselves.
Those same two groups are here with us today. There will always be those who will listen and their eyes will begin to open, and those who resolutely mock determined to keep others from seeing as well. All this applies to us right now.
Another important aspect to remember who we trust, in part, determines what direction we go. We must be discerning and not allow ourselves to be deceived from relationship. How can that happen? Click here.
What is our responsibility? To be like the disciples. To speak up and speak out. How people respond is not our responsibility. The disciples were repeatedly told to shut up. They didn’t. They were applauded and sometimes in the very next instant they were threatened. The “woke” of that day worked to stir up the crowds against them. (Acts 2:13)
The disciples’ response was to pray for more courage to speak boldly. May that be our response as well.
As the disciples spoke out eyes were opened by the thousands. They refused to be afraid. They refused to remain silent. So is our call today—and to be discerning.
Prayer is our first action, but not our only action. We must take courage and not only speak the name of Jesus and His plan for our nation. But we must also speak out against corruption and the lies that are blinding multitudes. We must take courage. And remember Romans 10:14-15,
For how can they call on the one they have not believed? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?
Father,
We align our hearts with Yours and pray that all would be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth. We pray for laborers into the harvest and declare, “Here I am, send me!” We pray for revival in our land that eyes will be opened to see that You are a good God, longsuffering and the true Deliverer. We pray for revival because we know that when hearts are changed—-our nation and the world will change and many will return to You.
Next we pray for our leaders as You have instructed. That they will walk according to Your ways and return to the fear of the Lord. You see the ungodly legislation passed to legalize pornography, pedophilia, abortion and to punish those who serve You. Even if all legislation was good, it still cannot legislate hearts. The law is good if used properly, but what many are passing now are steeped in legislating sin. Your Word says that laws were not established for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of God. We pray that the ungodly legislation that is ruling our land will be overturned and the two-tier corrupt justice system shaken to its core and for true justice to be restore with fair scales.
We pray for the spirit of deception to be removed and cast it into the sea. Give us discernment so that we are not deceived. Help us to not blindly follow leaders and friends simply out of relationship, but be on the alert as to what is truth now. We pray for our leaders, especially those who have walked the road of “woke” and bought into the lies of this age. We pray for our leaders who have in the past stood for righteousness, but who are now saying things that are concerning and compromising. Help us to pay attention and not excuse actions that are indicators. Help us not give blind allegiance out of past relationship, but to be on the alert knowing that in the last days we are warned that many will be deceived. May we not be among them. Help us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Your Word instructs us to prepare plans by consultation and make war by wise guidance. We pray our leaders will not send our nation into war for which we are not prepared. We are seeking You for direction. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to us, Your servants, that we may continue to speak Your Word with all boldness. Stretch out Your hand to heal, and may signs and wonders be performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
We declare You that even in times of chaos we will see miracles, revival, and provision. We will not fear.
I Tim 2:4, Is 6:8, Matt 9:38, Ex 34:6, 1 Tim 2:1-3, I Tim 1:8-11, Ex 34:6, Matt 10:16,
Prov 20:18, Acts 4:29-30