How can we always be prepared for action to influence our community (nation or world)?
Discussion question for May 15, 2009
We talked last time about the need for Christians to be prepared to influence their environment. What are the practical things we must do to be in a state of readiness? How should we stay informed? What circumstances should we be encouraging? Where should our focus be? How do we recognize a divine appointment?
Here’s my summary of our discussion.
Being prepared for action begins with our focus being on God. When we see God, and His character, then we can become more and more like Him. He stands for truth, love, mercy, justice, and a whole lot more. When we act like that it will definitely influence our community.
The Spirit leads us into divine appointments, prepares us in advance and equips us for the moment. We need to just relax and trust in Him. We must be intentional, but intentional about meeting God’s standard for us, not someone else’s standard for us.
It is important that we pay attention to the opportunities. It is easy for the cares and worries of this world to absorb all our focus and awareness. Unless we are careful, our best intentions can be drowned out or droned out.
Being prayed-up is vital. Always in communication with God and making sure there is nothing coming between us. Putting on the full armor (Eph 6:13 ff) to stand against the enemy and always being ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us (1 Pet. 3:15). Quiet time, prayer and reading the Word, and practicing the presence of God are intentional actions we can take to prepare us.
We will be engaged with our culture, especially as it relates to taking care of widows, orphans and the poor. This can be through our work, our neighborhoods, and the world. Each of us should be self-challenged to make a list of things to eliminate that get in the way (like worry), and a list of things to add to our day that prepare us (like prayer).