Empowered by Love

How we define who we are, our identity, is built on many factors; upbringing, social class, nationality, job, lifestyle and many more. For many like our Ely and District CAP clients, the struggle with poverty and debt can undermine confidence in who we are with supports being knocked away; relationship breakdown, job loss, ill health. For some it can become so bad that they feel unable to leave the house, unable to face life, unable to keep going.

Knowing Jesus in our lives helps provide a constant, a firm foundation in the face of uncertainty and turmoil. Before starting His ministry, Jesus was tempted by the devil who attacked through who He is.

Matthew 4: 1 - 11 (NIV)

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,

and they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

The devil attacks through hunger, but Jesus knows that spiritual food is more important than physical satisfaction. The devil taunts Him to save Himself, but Jesus knows that he must suffer and die to put an end to suffering and death. The devil shows Him all the kingdoms of the world, but Jesus is a servant king, not ruling over people with political might but guiding and empowering with love. And who He is is not just at His own word, but supported by scripture.

When those things that make us who we are are under attack, it can be hard to find the strength to keep going, but in the Bible, we can show people Jesus and help them to meet Him in their own lives. This is why each Ely and District CAP client gets a gospel in their pack of CAP paperwork at the first visit, so that with the support of the team they can meet Jesus for themselves.

Prayer

Please pray for all our Ely and District CAP clients who are finding it harder and harder to keep going as their situations spiral out of control. Give thanks that they have reached out to CAP for help and that the team can help them provide both the practical support and loving care that they need to get back on track.

Please pray for the team, that they would be inspired to share the Good News of Jesus with every client and help them discover Jesus through the gospel in their pack.

Pray especially for the head office team as new systems are rolled out. This can be a frustrating time but once it is in place it should help client journeys progress more smoothly. Pray for all those working to get this in place and training others to use the new systems.