God looks down into the lives of His children and sees potential greatness. He has a plan for each of us, and He instructs us into the fulfillment of that plan through the study of His word, prayer and the normal experiences of life.
I’ve felt overwhelmed by trials or the effects of bad decisions made in life. We learn through the disciplines of our own mistakes, but above it all God has a plan that involves me becoming more like His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
God has a mission for each child He receives, and our individual tasks are to advance His kingdom into the world. You may say, ‘My, I’m just a grandmother, a stay-at-home mom, a dad to my children.’ You may think that you have no great purpose in life, much less in the kingdom of God, but if you look around the wide fields of your life you will see your godly influence upon your family, co-workers and even those who are your enemies.
Your Christian faith has been an influence. You may not see yourself as holding a significant position in life, but God sees the big picture, the panoramic view, and when He peers into our lives He sees potential beyond your dreams.
The people of Israel had turned away from God by embracing idol worship. God allowed the Midianites to move in upon them as locusts upon a field. Having been chased up into the mountains and caves, they felt the pain of their backslidings. They began calling upon God to deliver them, so He unveiled Himself to a man named Gideon; it is significant to note where He found Gideon: Hiding in a wine press to thresh what little wheat he had been able to harvest.
When the angel of the Lord (the Pre-incarnate Son of God) approached him, He said, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Now, why would the Lord use such words to describe Gideon? He saw potential in Gideon, and He would use him to affect change in Israel. By the power of God, Gideon would accomplish a great mission and defeat the Midianites as one man (Judges 6:16). But, before this could happen, God would have to deal with Gideon’s heart.
Gideon was afraid and unsure of the success of his mission, but he eventually learned that the battle belongs to God alone.
The culture of the United States is deteriorating before our eyes, and unless we turn back to Him in love and devotion, our society will continue to crumble. The traditional family, the belief in the sacredness of marriage between one man and one woman, respect for the law, and a love for decency and purity will no longer exist.
Things must change, and in order for change to come God must raise up revolutionaries, people who love Him, His word, His Spirit and their neighbors as themselves. We live in a great time in history, the days just preceding the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The closer we get to seeing His return, the lost world will continue to sink into a destructive abyss, but those who remain faithful will shine as lights. The darker our world grows, the brighter the smallest candle shines.
Therefore, O Christian, renew your heart and mind daily in the Lord, love Him and trust Him to do great things with you. Parents, lead your children in godly ways. Our society didn’t get in the shape it is in overnight. It took decades of earlier generations forgetting about God. With each passing year, godlessness abounded, the love of many grew cold, the fire of Christian faith died out; but now is the time for greatness, courage, deep faith and spiritual renewal.
Manual laborers, live a life that proclaims that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father, and hold forth the word of life, the Word of God. Business owners, be a godly influence upon your employees. And, most of all, pastors, proclaim the word of God to the people of God.
May god richly bless the United States of America and raise up generations of godly men and women to take the gospel forward and return our nation to its Christian roots.
Tim Haney serves as pastor of Phil Campbell First Baptist Church.
