Worth Repeating - February 10, 2017

Genesis 17: 18 And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”

[read Genesis chapters 15-17 for the background story]

Prayer puts one in touch with a planet.*

Abraham, in his attempt to give God a hand in accomplishing his will, unleashed a conflict upon the ancient world that has raged throughout history. Abraham could not know the generational repercussions of his actions, but he did come to regret what happened to his firstborn son, Ishmael. He prayed for Ishmael to live under God’s blessing, the same as any parent would wish for his child. Muslims believe that Ishmael is an ancestor of Muhammad, and that God promised Muhammad that he would establish a great nation.*

Today, the news is full of accounts of horrifying acts done in the name of Allah, the version of God that Muslims worship. I don’t claim to know enough about the religion to say with certainty that it is or is not a religion of peace, but clearly many who claim to follow the teachings of the Koran (or whatever the acceptable spelling is!) are not peaceful people. (History reveals those who have committed atrocities in the name of Christ, as well – but that’s another story!)

What can we do? We can start where Abraham did – we can pray that “Ishmael” might live under God’s blessing. Just like every other sinner, Muslims need the Savior. We can pray for workers who are willing to go into a field that is ripe and ready for harvesting – in every part of the world! If you find it difficult to pray for a bloody terrorist, picture Saul before he became the Apostle Paul. Even now, a Muslim who is actively persecuting Christians may be on the brink of a conversion experience, igniting an evangelistic fire among the Islamic world . . . if only someone is willing to confront him with the gospel.

We live in a scary world. But Christians have the ultimate WMT – Weapon of Mass Transformation: the Holy Spirit. Open your instruction manual and learn how to operate the Spirit’s power to overcome the world.

The Gospel army must move upon the nations. The Lord seeks universal empire, and sends forth his armies to conquer the world. Every church and every disciple must understand that they have marching orders.*