OC

Separate money and state.

"New reports indicate that over 450 Nigerian believers have been slain in Christian villages since May 2023 alone: the latest casualties include two faithful pastors." https://gcrelief.page.link/YK6bQSdGyWw4sVXG8

Life changes in an instant. Tomorrow may be just like today, or you may find yourself in a world you barely recognize.

A good encouragement to always pray for your leaders: https://gcrelief.page.link/8AvuGPp29gL1cyw77

Just saw "The Sound of Freedom" in a packed house. You should go see it. While the topic is dark and heavy, the storytelling is top notch, and there's light in the darkness. I highly recommend it.

May you be rooted in Christ, taking refuge in Him and in the Scriptures. May you be unmovable.

"Kenneth Elliot and his wife, Jocelyn, ran a hospital in Djibo, Burkina Faso that held 120 patients. He was known as the "Doctor of the Poor" and "Savior of the Sahel" because he didn't charge for his services a surgeon. But the greatest challenge of his life was just on the horizon. "In January 2016, the hospital closed down when the couple were kidnapped by Al-Qaeda. Thankfully, Jocelyn was let go the next month, but for Elliot it was a much different story. He was held against his will for seven years." https://gcrelief.page.link/mWwoVTb4SxRMGs9t9

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." Romans 8:18‭-‬21 The Creation is under a curse which will not be lifted until Jesus' brothers and sisters are sinless, imperishable, and powerful (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). At Christ's return, the Spirit will make Jesus' followers wonderful enough to live with Him (1 John 3:2) and will make the cosmos a wonderful enough home for them all.

Being adopted into God's family involves suffering in this world and glory in the resurrection. Like a child who has been stung by a bee, you can tell who our Father is by watching whom we instinctively run to, crying, "Father!" The "Abba! Father!" cry is not about trying to sense God's Spirit inside us. It is a reassurance that our faith is real when we find ourselves turning to Christ in hard times instead of fleeing from Him.