​LAS VEGAS TRAGEDY & MORE | 3 THINGS CHRIST FOLLOWERS CAN DO
October 2, 2017
​By: Brandon K. Rachal
THE ISSUE
Last night on Sunday, October 1st more than 50 people were killed and "well over" 400 were injured when a gunman opened fire on concertgoers from a perch above the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Police have said this was the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history. In a time where our country appears more divided across racial and political lines than can be remembered in many decades; it can feel overwhelming to process the magnitude of so many issues plaguing our nation. When you add natural disasters around the world into the equation and you see unquantifiable needs all around this country, it is normal to feel helpless...or even confused as to how you should respond as a Bible-Believing Christian. But I want you to know today that you are not helpless. 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? (1 John 3:17)
Scripture reveals that anyone who has resources and sees his brother in need, yet refuses to act upon that need, does not have the love of God in him. And contrary to popular opinion, these “resources” are not limited to financial goods. Instead, it also includes our ability to provide spiritual resources, emotional resources, in addition to the immediate physical and financial resources required. This is GREAT news for you and I; for this expands our opportunity to step into many other voids we may be neglecting to see. Moreover, even when we are great distances away from a particular location where national tragedy has struck, how might we ensure that these great tragedies aren’t wasted? Both in our hearts and our own context?

WHAT YOU CAN DO IMMEDIATELY
Here are 3 things every Bible-Believing Christian MUST do to ensure the spirit of helplessness does not lord over our lives in the midst of tragedy:

1. You must PRAY exhaustively (Ephesians 6:18) The keyword is exhaustive. Our prayers must move beyond religious repetition to authentic petitioning for the Holy Spirit to truly make known to us what we are to do in and through tragedy...exhaustively. Prayer is the cornerstone that tangible clarity can grow out from. It’s through prayer that we are able to produce something that moves beyond a “good deed” towards something that has eternal impact and optimally glorifies God. Seeking God first is what will ensure that we are helping people in a way that is most fitting to God’s redemptive plan for all of creation. Therefore, first pray for healing, protection, and provision for all those directly affected by the Las Vegas shooting...or any other global tragedy occurring in the times we are living in. BUT THEN you must turn quickly to an open-handed posture where God can then assign your Christ-Centered contribution within these tragedies...or others you may not be paying attention to. Lay Isaiah chapter 58:10-11 heavily upon your heart with all sincerity and complete spiritual curiosity. This will prepare the groundwork for you to transition to “ACT” to be discussed next.

2. You must ACT courageously (1 John 3:17 & Matthew 28:19) Here is where I have prayed I can be of real assistance and provide actual value to this audience of 700+ followers, as we make our indent on the world. I want to provide tangible acts of service and sacrifice you can begin immediately.
  • If you’re able, send financial relief immediately or Go. There is nothing worse than the Christian who is stingy with that which never belonged to him. God is the author of all our resources, not just 10 percent. Even if it’s $10, give and do so quickly in obedience to Scripture. If you can go, GO! It’s that simple, don’t complicate scripture or life. If you’re looking for a safe place to donate specifically to the Las Vegas shooting efforts for the victims, please do so through our website.
  • Preach the gospel effectively. As public discourse and un-effective gossip permeates your workplace and friendship circles concerning Las Vegas or other national tragedies, you must be quick to speak life and truth on every occasion. More angry and divisive words won’t help. Too often, the Bible-Believing Christian is too slow and measured when communicating in the midst of unthinkable tragedy that strikes our lands. We become so consumed in ensuring we have the perfect message, that we fail to launch Christ’s loving message pre-downloaded on the spiritual chip of our proverbial hard drives. Our nation is not in need of more programmed responses, but a living, effective, and transformative response that comes from a vibrant and active Christ follower who trusts God to use them...despite their fears or insecurities. Don’t underestimate the power of the gospel to transform lives; especially in tragedy. Our nation is starving for a Christ-Centered answer to everything going on. Even when you feel your efforts do not produce immediate help to the victims in Las Vegas or those in Houston, or anywhere else...every Christ-Centered act is working all things together for the good of those who will call upon the Lord. You never know, God may be using you to disciple someone’s heart to prepare them to be that next Courageous first-responder in a future tragedy to come. And we are warned in Scripture, that indeed more tragedies will come. Perhaps your loving guidance in your context may prepare the person sitting across from you to stand with someone dying in a future natural disaster. Instead of resorting to anger, bitterness, and meaningless quotes, they will be armed with the gospel within that person’s time of great need. Perhaps they will be in better financial position to get in the fight then you are. Now they are armed with the spiritual faculties to act upon a need more exhaustively than you ever could. PRAISE CHRIST! More than anything, be obedient to the call of all disciples to spread the renowned of God’s name. Have discussions with your children about what’s going on in the world and help them to have a biblical lens to conceptualize everything. They are next up in the line of the disciples called to pour themselves out. Leverage these horrible tragedies to come together with your spouse. Sometimes the best remedy for marital conflict is stop consuming each other with trivial issues, and to join arms towards a larger goal. Put pressure on your church to get in the game. Create opportunities of healthy and appropriate discourse in your workplace. Then trust God to weave the story together as He sees fit. Whatever you do, don’t waste these tragedies. 
3. You must BELIEVE faithfully. (Luke 1:37 Hebrews 11:1) The sorrows and sufferings of this world are weighing heavily upon creation. Scripture tells us that the whole universe is moaning and groaning for the return of Christ. While this is good news, Satan is actively leveraging our sorrows and sufferings to make us pessimistic, depressed, and overwhelmingly discouraged. This is one of Satan’s great acts of trickery, and has dangerous implications. Why? Because when a nation loses hope and dissension increasingly permeates it’s lands, a nation is effectively positioned for two options for its future. It will either succumb to a pessimistic view of its future and self-destruct into deeper and more insidious depravity...or it will turn by faith to the only source (namely~ Jesus The Christ) that can heal it’s core wounds. That is where you and I come in. We must believe faithfully that God is at work in our lands till the very last breath is squeezed out of our bodies. Before we can share our hope from a place of true rock-solid faith, we must do the hard work of pressing into the Lord to make sure we believe that first for ourselves. Don’t be afraid to place your insecurities or doubts on the God of the Bible. He’s ready to heal, reveal, and appeal to every incomplete area of faith you have...if you trust Him with it. Then, you will be able to be a true beacon of hope and light...carrying the anthem that “OUR GOD SAVES” no matter what how dire things become. 

It is my hope and my prayer that this newsletter was helpful. I pray that though it was unschedule, God through His providence had it scheduled long ago for such a time as this. But most importantly, I pray that the Holy Spirit would woke you alert today to PRAY, ACT and BELIEVE.
 
You’ve been armed, now the decision is yours.