Discussion: Apathy

Apathy is a problem. It keeps me from being effective in God's eyes, and more often, my own eyes.

What is Apathy?

What has caused you to feel like giving up?

How have you been encouraged?

God encourages his children through His obedient followers, who listen to what He has to say to them, and share His words with others as He instructs.

Has God impressed upon you encouragement for another? Even a stranger?

Sometimes people who seem to have it all together need the most encouragement, because they are least likely to seem broken, because they don't think often of themselves, rather the challenges ahead. Often these challenges can be overwhelming, or scary. We need to help each other to complete God's will. God has given us a mission to complete wherever we are:

Matthew 28:19-20 says,"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.""

Listen to God and read what he has written, and be prepared to be filled with purpose as you follow His way. A prophet called Azariah received instructions like this for a man named Asa:

" The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.""-2 Chronicles 15:1-7

Remember what was said to Asa, "The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you."

Walk with God right now, tonight, and continue beyond tomorrow. God will be with you, and together with Him there is nothing to fear. Listen to his encouragement, and regain your strength and passion for what He is excited about- a restored relationship with his lost children. Introduce the lost you meet to their Holy Father, who eagerly seeks their hearts.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, teach us to love as You love, and encourage others to continue in your will, persistent and loyal to the cause. May no one be lost who had contact with us and did not hear of your love for them, or see your love shown to them by us. Empower us to be a light of hope to those trapped in darkness and despair. Bring hope and forgiveness to the guilty, and righteousness to the distant. In Jesus' name, Amen.

08/14/07

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