Embracing Urgency, Inclusivity, and Newness: A Commitment to God's Calling
January 2, 2023 at 3:3 AM
Good morning, my loving Heavenly Father.
I offer my praises and gratitude to You for the message You have shared with me today. Through this message, You have reminded me of three vital commitments that I should make this year.
First and foremost is the call to embrace URGENCY. Ever since the day I surrendered my life to You, You have called me to be a disciple-maker. I am well aware that this is a journey that unfolds by Your grace and in Your presence. Although I have stumbled and failed in the past, You now speak to my heart with a renewed sense of purpose and urgency. You urge me to share Your truth, which offers freedom and a fresh start, with the people I encounter in my life's journey. Help me, Father, to never hold back in speaking, praying, and establishing meaningful relationships with those I meet. Let my words and actions reflect Your love and truth.
I am truly grateful, my Abba, for Your continuous use of me, even when I may doubt or question my usefulness. The truth is that You are always at work, bringing forth new things in Your perfect timing. You make Your plans known to me through the people You place in my life. Lord Jesus, You have taught me not only to forgive but also to recognize Your presence in every person I encounter. This enables me to genuinely see them as Your cherished creations, deserving of the same unconditional love and care that You have bestowed upon me. Grant me the strength to treat others with the same love and empathy You have shown me.
Secondly, I embrace the concept of INCLUSIVITY. I acknowledge, O Lord, that there have been numerous occasions in the past when I have felt excluded. Even among Your people, I have been offended. However, You, in Your infinite wisdom, guide me to choose peace, forgiveness, and love. You remind me to focus not on how others have made me feel, even in times of hurt, but on how I should treat them. Your Word instructs me to overcome evil by doing good consistently. This principle is something I carry with me wherever I go and in every encounter I have. Instead of harboring resentment or hatred, I choose to pray for those who may wish me harm. I desire no ill will towards them. I am aware that I am surrounded by individuals who may attempt to poison my thoughts, encouraging me to adopt a worldly mindset. Yet, I stand firm in the knowledge that I am Your child, called to live according to Your ways, not the world's ways.
Lastly, I embrace the inherent NEWNESS present in every person I meet. I see hope and the promise of a divine future in each individual. I offer them an opportunity to experience the incredible grace and unwavering love of Jesus. I no longer emphasize external appearances or past mistakes, but instead, I view them through the lens of knowing that they too can have a fresh start with You, dear Father. I am convicted and corrected in my belief that anyone is a lost cause, for You have Your own unique plans and timing to save Your children. I humbly recognize that I am merely an instrument, called to obediently honor and patiently wait for each person's own unique, unfathomable, and certain encounter with You, Lord. I trust in Your perfect timing, fully believing that You are never late, and You never fail to fulfill Your promises.
Abba Father, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, I come before You with a heart full of worship and gratitude on this blessed morning. I am in awe of how You reveal Yourself to me amidst the chaos and challenges of life. You shine a new light upon me, unveiling Your truth and purpose. My heart brims with excitement as I offer myself as a willing vessel, consistently used by You as Your beloved child and devoted disciple. I earnestly pray that You would guide me to more people, more places, and more open doors through which I can share the life-transforming message of the Gospel. I humbly ask for Your forgiveness, dear Lord, for the times when both I and my fellow believers have faced condemnation from unbelievers who chose to turn away from You based on their perceptions of how we live out our faith. Strengthen and renew my faith, O Lord. Holy Spirit, gently correct and guide me. Lord, I eagerly await Your divine commissioning and I willingly submit to being used for Your glorious purposes. (e.a.g)
I offer this prayer in the mighty and sovereign name of Jesus, Amen.
About the Creator
Erli Love
For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen. Romans 11:36
No Power or Water and -19°C: Kyiv Seeks Relief from Russian Strikes and Cold
Kyiv is facing a winter of unprecedented hardship, as Russian missile strikes continue to ravage the city’s infrastructure while plummeting temperatures push residents to the brink. With temperatures dropping as low as -19°C, the capital of Ukraine is struggling to provide basic necessities like heat, electricity, and water to millions of its citizens, highlighting both the human cost of war and the resilience of a population under siege. The ongoing Russian attacks have targeted critical infrastructure, leaving swathes of Kyiv without electricity and water for days at a time. Energy facilities, power grids, and water treatment plants have been repeatedly hit, exacerbating the already severe winter conditions. For residents, the combination of cold weather and a lack of utilities has created a life-threatening situation. Families are relying on makeshift heating methods, from wood stoves to improvised electric heaters, while authorities scramble to provide temporary shelters and emergency relief. Local authorities in Kyiv are under immense pressure to respond. City officials have activated emergency protocols, opening warming centers and providing water trucks for areas cut off from the municipal supply. Volunteers are delivering fuel and blankets, while international organizations have pledged aid, though logistics remain challenging in a city facing ongoing military threats. The Ukrainian government has emphasized the need for international support, calling on allies to provide both humanitarian assistance and diplomatic pressure to prevent further attacks on civilian infrastructure. The humanitarian impact of this crisis is profound. Hospitals are operating under strained conditions, with some forced to rely on generators to maintain critical care, including for patients undergoing dialysis, neonatal care, or surgery. Schools have had to adjust schedules or temporarily close, further disrupting the lives of children. Residents report that basic tasks, such as fetching water, preparing meals, or keeping children warm, have become daily struggles. The psychological toll is also evident, as families cope with fear, uncertainty, and the constant threat of further attacks. The cold itself is a formidable adversary. Temperatures of -19°C are well below freezing, putting vulnerable populations—particularly the elderly, children, and those with preexisting health conditions—at significant risk. Frostbite, hypothermia, and respiratory illnesses are rising concerns. Medical experts warn that the combination of physical hardship, stress, and lack of access to health services could have long-term health consequences for the population if the crisis persists. Despite the dire situation, the spirit of Kyiv’s residents has shown remarkable resilience. Community initiatives have sprung up, with neighbors helping each other stay warm, share supplies, and look after those most vulnerable. Local businesses and NGOs have coordinated relief efforts, setting up temporary shelters and food distribution points. International media have highlighted these stories of solidarity, illustrating how ordinary citizens continue to support one another even amid the dual threats of war and winter. The broader geopolitical context cannot be ignored. Analysts note that targeting civilian infrastructure in winter is a calculated strategy, designed to demoralize populations and strain government resources. Kyiv’s ability to maintain essential services, mobilize emergency response, and keep residents alive under these conditions has become a critical factor in the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, global attention to the humanitarian crisis has pressured both governments and organizations to respond more effectively, emphasizing the intersection of warfare, human rights, and climate challenges. The situation in Kyiv also underscores the importance of energy security and infrastructure resilience. Experts argue that rebuilding efforts in Ukraine will need to focus not just on restoring utilities, but on creating systems that can withstand both military and environmental threats. Investments in decentralized energy, emergency water supply systems, and community preparedness could mitigate the impact of future crises. As Kyiv faces this harsh winter, the city’s residents and leaders are navigating a precarious balance between survival and resistance. Relief efforts continue, but the combination of freezing temperatures and ongoing attacks means that every day presents a new challenge. The story of Kyiv is one of both vulnerability and courage, reflecting the human cost of conflict and the extraordinary lengths communities go to preserve life and dignity in the face of adversity. For the world watching, Kyiv’s crisis is a stark reminder that war does not pause for winter. It also underscores the urgent need for global solidarity, humanitarian aid, and robust infrastructure planning, to ensure that populations under siege are not left to endure freezing nights in darkness and silence.
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