March 24, 2024
We live in a culture that thinks loving a person is equal to accepting their lifestyle. People say, “If you love me, you’ll accept what I do.” We can’t sacrifice truth on the altar of love. But we can share the truth in love!
God Placed Us in Our Valley to Display His Love to Our Valley
Philippians 3:20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. New Living Translation
1 Peter 2:9 But you area chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. New King James Version
We Display God’s Love by being Proactive and Praying God’s Blessings on Our Valley.
Jeremiah 29:5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! New Living Translation
Jeremiah 29:7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare. ”New Living Translation
1 Timothy 2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. New Living Translation
1 Timothy 2:2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. New Living Translation
We Display God’s Love by Expecting Revival in Our Valley
A few years after the American Revolutionary War in 1790, only 5-10% of Americans were church goers. Our nation was ungodly and looked lost! From 1790 through 1820, we added nine states to the original 13 states and our nation became even more ungodly with slavery prospering and people living sinful lives!
By 1850, half of our population lived west of the Appalachians mountains. In the East churches and universities were being overrun by liberal thinking and in the West, it was morally the Wild, Wild, West! Our country looked as bad as it does today! It looked hopeless.
At that time God raised up revival meetings! In the East, they held huge meetings in universities. An example is Yale University. One third of the Yale student body accepted Christ in one revival meeting! This happened in one university after another. Think of these young, educated minds being filled with Godly principles.
In the Westin states like Kentucky and Tennessee, God raised up Camp Meeting Revivals. People came from hundreds of miles away in covered wagons and camped out to listen to the preaching of the Gospel! People accepted Christ by the tens of thousands and repented of their sins and even denounced slavery.
America went from a non-Christian nation to a Christian nation who sent missionaries all over the world! If God could do that then, why can’t He do it again?
Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
Acts 2:17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. New King James Version
Acts 2:18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. New King James Version
Acts 2:19 I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. New King James Version
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ New King James Version
We Display God’s Love for Our Valley by Inviting Our Valley
Luke 14:16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ New Living Translation
Luke 14:21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ New Living Translation
Luke 14:22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. New Living Translation