“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.” (Acts 2: 44-45)

One of the reasons I find hope in this time of challenges and trouble is the reaction of believers from all over this land. As I mentioned last week, there have been a number of arrests of believers in the last few weeks. Many media outlets have speculated that the style of the arrests (s.w.a.t. style raids in front of spouses and children) have been an attempt by federal law enforcement at intimidation. The reaction by believers coming to the aid of the families impacted by these arrests tells me that the intimidation has failed. The response has included funds for the families and legal defense; supplies for the kids and family needs; peaceful protests, prayer vigils, and increased activism around abortion “clinics” where the supposed offenses took place.

As we continue to interact with a society that has chosen to turn its back on the values that our great country was founded on; I pray that believers everywhere would remember that even at His arrest, Jesus cautioned His disciples against the use of violence to solve problems. Our weapons of warfare in this struggle are not violence and destruction; but prayer, support, love, kindness, voter participation, and a certain knowledge that God wins in the end. The way to restore our country to Godly values is to get strong conservative, Bible believing Christians elected at every level of government and put an end to the policies that are creating the damage and destruction. It will also require that churches across denominational lines work together for the good of their communities and regions. Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one (see John 17) so that the world would know that we are in Him and that He has sent us. The more local churches are able to work together for the good of their communities the more people in that area will see the glory of God and be drawn to our way of life.

Remember in the beginning of the church, it was the sense of community sharing and caring for each other that drew the locals into conversation with the early church, and allowed God to add to their numbers on a daily basis.(Acts 2:47)