Bittersweet

Hey everybody, (from a note sent to the other members of the project to the Middle East)

Lately, like many of you, I have been keeping up with news pertaining to Lighthouse (this is the name of our project to the Middle East) while pursuing more support options. Also like many of you, I am working most of the week and do not have much spare time. With a lot going on there is often a couple of reactions to news updates. One, stories of violence can be very frightening. The fact is, what is going on in ***** is serious and we need to take it serious. However, that is the human nature reaction; it is not bad, but not the feeling we should settle with. I have been praying for strength in these times for our team, particularly the strength spiritually to see beyond the tension, uncertainty, and hate, in order to allow headlines, like the ones below, to fan a flame of compassion, justice- according to the word of God instead of worldly political ideologies- and spiritual power.

Compassion is a term and concept I personally feel Campus Crusade does well in communicating, probably due to its healthy obsession with spiritual multiplication.May we be thankful for this teaching, continuing to meditate on God's word regarding this concept, and work under grace to develop compassion in our character.

• "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes."" Luke 19:41-42
• "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8
• "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Justice is not a concept I feel Crusade, at least in my region and subregion, conveys hardly at all. It is a term I am not so sure I understand to the degree we should as Christians, and may we again seek to be people of faith sanctified by the Holy Spirit step by step, from glory to glory. May we be people who speek and implement justice in an unjust world.

Isaiah 30:18

“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (NIV)

Psalm 33:5

“The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” (NIV)

Isaiah 51:4-5

“Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: The law will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations. My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.” (NIV)

Isaiah 61:8

“For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.”

Ezekiel 34:15-16

“I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.”

Zechariah 7:9

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.”

Matthew 12:18

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.”

Deuteronomy 16:20

“Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.”

Proverbs 28:5

“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.”

Spiritual power is most certainly a topic, with my experience, is shunned away from quite a bit in Crusade. It is truly considered taboo. Yet the Bible is full of teaching on the gospel not being one of words but of power. God enabled Moses's staff to turn into a snake in order to give authority and proof to what Moses said. God spoke through a donkey to communicate to Balaam. And on, and on and on. May we seek the Lord in prayer and worship, ask for forgiveness from the Holy Spirit for neglecting the power He wants to show through us, and seek true humility, for out of humility will come compassion, justice, and the obedience needed to yield power.

• 1 Corinthians 1:17 "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."
• "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy." 1 Corinthians 14:1
• "26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order." 1 Corinthians 14:26-40
• “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12

There are people praying for us, who do not know where we are going or what exactly we are doing, and more than we probably think (or at least I hope :) ). I urge you to pray and meditate on these verses that we may be a people of great compassion in a region that needs others who take upon their burdens and needs. May we be a people of justice, that we would be more like our Father and lay claim to what He has ordained for us. May we speak justice with authority; true justice uncorrupted by politics, ideology, and false doctrines or religions. May we love justice and hate sin. May we care for the Christians and Muslims in Lighthouse alike, with love and compassion. Let us be humble servants who yield great power for the same power who rose Christ from the dead lives in us (Romans 8:11). In light of all this, check out the news headlines below ( they are not posted here since they give away the specific location of the project). They carry a bitter message, but what a sweet opportunity we have to be the light in the darkness, hope to the hopeless, and rest for the restless and weiry.

~Alex