We talked a lot about refugees this week, and my heart was flooded with compassion for them in a new way. Most refugees lived a life similar to mine, they had homes, schools, jobs, friends and family. All of that changed with the wars. There is so much division and animosity among the nations it can be confusing to understand, and overwhelming to imagine that anything I do could make a difference. But that's exactly what the enemy wants us all to believe.
The reality is that for the first time in history, all of the nations that we have been struggling to reach with the gospel for years, are coming to our front steps. People groups that would once take long, expensive journeys and extremely difficult visas to get to are now flooding our cities here in America. The rate of immigration today is about 4,000 people everyday entering into America for permanent residency, there can be up to 150 different people groups represented in a 5-mile radius in any of our large cities like Chicago or San Fransisco. The nations, the unreached, are coming to us. This is such a huge privilege!
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good." Genesis 50:20
Although the enemy intended for all the trauma, pain, and division to destroy not only the refugees, but also the church through causing disputes and fear among us, God had a plan. His heart is for all the nations, and how incredible would it be if we could befriend and show the love of Jesus to people who have been through such loss, give them hope and peace through Jesus Christ, so much so that they fight to go back to their home nation and share the love and saving reality of Jesus to people groups that we could never get to, and in a way that we never could because of language barriers.
You guys, this is happening! Refugees are other immigrants are coming into America, finding relationship with Jesus, being transformed, and are going back out to tell their friends and family back home. Can you see God's good good plan??
I know this concept is challenging to us. The enemy wants us to fear our muslim neighbors, and shy away from saying good morning to the asian women in the market. We were not meant to fear. We were meant to be welcomers!!
"God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect...Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love." 1 John 4:16-18
"For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. So you, too, must show love to the foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners..." Deuteronomy 10:17-19
There is no fear in perfect love. We are called to love ALL people, without fear, because we are called to be like Jesus, and this is how He loved. The enemy intended fear, but from the beginning God always intended freedom. Freedom for us to share how Jesus has changed our lives resulting in freedom for the nations! His plan is SO so good.
This is a video by Samaritan's Purse that sheds light on what it really looks like to be a refugee coming into Europe or America. A lot of them have left jobs, homes, everything they own, and even family behind not knowing if they would survive the journey or even be welcomed once they got there. God is on the move in the lives of these people, let's join Him and LOVE.
God I pray that you would give us Your heart for these people, for those who are across the seas and those who are in our neighborhoods. Give us your eyes and hears to be aware of those who have come from other nations who long to be welcomed and loved. Let us share with boldness and no fear, the truth and life changing reality of who Jesus is so they can experience the freedom and overwhelming joy and peace that comes from knowing You. Thank you that you have had a plan all along, and that even though the enemy intends things for evil, You are bigger than war and violence, and You are good. Let us rest in that fact and act on Your love for us, and for others. Thank you Jesus for all you have done and have yet to do. Amen!!
I am beyond thrilled to be on this journey of trusting the Lord, He has called me to be here at this time, and I know He will continue to provide, it's in His character and and I want to invite you all into what God is doing here through partnering with me financially!
I still need about $2,750 to fund the remaining 4 weeks of training as well as our two-month outreach! Every donation counts and is a HUGE blessing to me, I would love to have you on my team!
If you would like to donate you can click here. Payment for a student/Sherah Acree/SOMD/2016
If you would like to be apart of my prayer team and receiver weekly prayer requests and updates you can email me at sacree01@gmail.com and I will add you to my team!
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