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Weekly Prayer Posts from Thailand

Bowing to King Jesus Only

January 14, 2021

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

It is uncanny how our present situation so closely mirrors the circumstances experienced by the first century churches! The pressures and uncertainties we are facing today seem very similar to what the early Christians went through. They too lived in unpredictable times when no one knew what the next day would bring. Then, as well as now, circumstances can be unsettling for believers who choose to live their lives in response to a higher call.

Of all the people who ever lived on this planet, we are probably the only ones who have experienced this level of “information overload.” We are being literally inundated with news — and most of it is so contradictory — that we hardly know what to make of it anymore! No matter where all this information is coming from — left, right, or center — it all seems to come with its own special spin. Frankly, it is quite overwhelming!

Jesus had something to say about this. Even if this prediction made by Jesus applied specifically to the first century — it nevertheless “mirrors” our time, and our predicament as well. We are entering unusually confusing times buffeted by contrary winds blowing in from every direction. It behooves us to be alert, and on guard.

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:4-14

It is becoming increasingly clear that in the days ahead, we are going to be bombarded by a barrage of voices that will be vying for our allegiance. The ones that succeed in gaining our interest will hone in on us with every persuasive tool in the book. We will need to proceed on our journey with our eyes wide open. The enemy of our souls is an expert at sowing fear and doubt in our hearts. Let us therefore fix our faith on Jesus. He alone is our King and ruler.

Jesus is the only One who can protect us — both from our adversary, and from ourselves! He alone is our refuge. Jesus gained favor with Father God by humbling Himself and embracing the cross. Because Jesus was willing to die for our sins, God raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:9-11

Let us be encouraged — Jesus reigns!

Joni & Nangsar

🙏 Prayer Requests 🙏

  • Thank you for all your prayers for Nangsar.
    • Nangsar’s foot is on the mend. We are so grateful for God’s protection!
  • Let’s continue to pray for the United States.
    • Let us pray that there will be a peaceful presidential inauguration.
  • Let us continue to pray for a speedy end to this worldwide pandemic.
    • May God’s mercy be upon us all during this most difficult time.