Do you remember Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears A Who? There is a scene from the movie where Horton (the elephant) is about to be exiled because the tribe thinks he is telling a lie about hearing a group of people on a tiny speck he has been carrying around. What happens next was phenomenal! The mayor of Whoville got everyone involved to make enough noise so the angry crowd of animals could hear. It took the creation of the outcast “JoJo”, the mayors son, to make it possible for their voices to be heard. (Below is a scene from the movie)
Horton who was once ridiculed for his peculiar behavior was now accepted by all his peers. His persistence and curiosity saved Whoville and he was now a major friend to the mayor of Whoville.
You may be wondering why I am talking about a kids movie but just bare with me for a second.
The way Horton needed the support of every person is Whoville is similar to how we as humans need one another. We are in this together. So this morning I want to briefly discuss something that God placed on my heart as I was reading over my notes from Sundays message.
As I think about entering into the season of listening to God, I can’t help but wonder how long God has been speaking to me and I was grasping what He was trying to say. Was I ignored God? Was I too busy? Was life going by too fast? Were there distractions? I could ask these questions and still come up short on an answer. Regardless of what kept me from hearing God’s voice clearly is irrelevant. What matters now is being obedient and following His instructions.
God placed it on my heart to tell you this morning YOU ARE NOT ALONE! God’s body of believers is here and we are here to support one another. God is calling us to get out of our selfish ways and be there to help others in need. He is calling us to stand in the gap, be the bridge that connects families and friends back together. God is calling us to ACT NOW. God is calling us to spread His word, love our neighbors, show love to our enemies, and He is calling us to spend time in His word and to worship Him.
I’ve got a friend who has suffered some tremendous losses over the years. Her mother, father, a few brothers, a sister in law, grandmother, and more have all gone on to be with the Lord. At times she felt lost, alone, and afraid. Circumstances happened that called the village that stood behind her all along to really put the action into love. It called some folks to be in uncomfortable situations BUT it called God’s people to act. It caused God’s people to show love and support.
You see I don’t know about y’all but I know a thing or two about spiritual warfare and if you didn’t know (you better ask somebody) the enemy is out to destroy God’s people. He will use anyone, anytime, any place, and a way he sees fit. So what does the devil do? He seeks to destroy homes, marriages, jobs, relationships, churches, families, our faith, our dependence on God.
Do you feel like you are under attack?
The Bible tells us in the book of 1 Peter 5:6-8
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for she cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
We must not forget as the Body of Christ we are going to go through some things. The closer you get to Christ and try to walk that straight path, the devil is going to be shooting darts at you. I don’t know about you but I must have pissed the devil off because He has then throwing daggers at me for the last 2-3 years. Am I alone? Can I get a witness?
We are in a time of war, this isn’t knew, but covid has shed light on what we may have been too busy to see before. 1 Peter 4:8 calls us to imitate God’s love to others and to bear each with each other. Sometimes that includes bearing one another’s burdens. You see in this world we are going to suffer. We have been appointed by God and as we endure the things we will go through in this life; God will get the glory.
My brothers and sisters I want you to know that even when we feel like we have no way to turn, we can always turn to God. God puts people in our lives to help us. God sends His angels to comfort us. God gives us rest to restore our minds and our peace. He gives us whatever we stand in the need of.
We have to appreciate the praying grandmothers. We have to cherish the mother praying for her wayward son or daughter. We have to lift the Chaplain up whom is burdened by the weight of many. We have to encourage our Pastors and leaders. We have to pray for those in the political realm. We have to pray for our teachers, public servants, and others.
God is telling us today we have to encourage one another. We have to open up our hearts to love each other. We have to help one another. We have to pray for one another. We have to support one another. We’ve got to hold each other accountability to seek God and follow His word.
1 Peter 5:10 says: But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
We see you hurting sister and/or brother. We know you’ve suffered a great deal (loss, hurt, financial difficulties, death, sickness, backstabbing)….but God is going to use it to create within you greatness. What the enemy meant for evil God is working out for His good and for your good. Trust God.
To the one who needs to know you aren’t alone, we are here. When you hurt, we hurt. When you cry, we cry. When you suffer, we suffer. Allow us to be here for you and care for you as God cares for us. Thank God for the people in your life, the people He may have removed from the life and the folks who are coming and on the way.
We’ve got your back; WE ARE HERE! I am here and I love you. God bless!
Amen.
Powerful
Thanks darling