While leaders continually draw up plans to make nations prosper, it is the Lord who gives “the ability to produce wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18). Unfortunately, many of the gains which the president touted were false, like claiming that investments into the U.S. totaled $18 trillion, but is actually closer to $9 trillion. It’s incredibly important that our leaders are truthful, honest, and honorable people, not doing anything to make their record seem different than it actually is (Proverbs 12:17 & Matthew 15:11).

We can rejoice in the fact that our nation has undoubtedly become safer under President Trump as homicides and drugs coming over the southern border have slowed. This is the rightful exercise of government to “bring punishment on the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:4). However, we need to continually lift up President Trump and other government leaders in prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-3) so that they would continue to lead our nation in an honorable manner.

We must pray that our leaders would continue to punish evil and promote good, while putting our nation in the position to prosper. We must pray that our nation would continue to put their trust in God, who guides the hearts of all rulers (Proverbs 21:1). We must pray that our leaders would come to salvation and would rule righteously (Proverbs 29:2).

In Romans 13:1-5, scripture instructs governments that they are to promote and commend what is good but to be an “an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” For far too long, the Mexican government has allowed the cartels to control its nation, exploit their people, and cause many people (domestic and foreign) to live in fear for their lives. Many have died at the hands of the cartels because the government has refused to do its job in punishing evil and has allowed lawlessness and folly to abound (Matthew 24:12).

This situation has literally caused schools to stop running, people to stop traveling, airports to come to a halt, businesses to shut down, and people to shelter in place, which is exactly what Proverbs 28:28 says will happen: “When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.” You can be assured that wherever you see chaos and confusion, the devil is present (1 Corinthians 14:33).

However, this should not shake us, for although we see and hear wars and rumors of wars all around us, God is in control (Matthew 24:6-8). Philippians 4:6-7 states that we aren’t “to be anxious about anything, but in everything prayer with petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Although the storms of life rage, we find our hope and assurance in Jesus alone (Nahum 1:7 & Psalm 46:1-2).

We must pray for the safety of all those who are in harm’s way because of this situation, but also for the people who are continually exploited by the cartel on a regular basis. We must pray that the Mexican government would continue to carry out their biblical mandate of punishing evil and promoting good, making sure that the righteous are leading their nation and not allowing their people to be exploited by cartels and wicked leaders. We must pray that the situation would continue to deescalate and that the wide scale corruption and terror would cease.

If it wasn’t clear before, it is now: companies are profiting immensely off of your attention, doing everything they can to captivate your mind. Like Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” This “renewing of your mind” is at war with the algorithm, which seeks to enact its own “renewal” process. Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, to get off of your phone and reconnect with God this week. So often we feel that God isn’t speaking to us, or that we can’t hear Him. But in reality, it’s because we are so full on “dainty morsels” (Proverbs 18:8) and the “cares of the world” which “choke the word” (Matthew 13:22), like social media, that we aren’t prepared to discern His voice.

Just because something isn’t a sin, doesn’t mean that it is for your benefit. 1 Corinthians 6:12 states that “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.” While we certainly have the ability to endlessly scroll on social media, endlessly scrolling can lead us down a dark parth and farther from God. We must have good boundaries with social media or it will fill us with all things of the world. We must practice self-control lest we become overtaken by the algorithm (Proverbs 25:28). It’s so important that we daily submit ourselves to God (James 4:7) in devotion, prayer, and in reading His word, this truly is the only place we will find life, fulfillment, and satisfaction (John 4:13-14).

Let me be clear: this is a call to action. For you. For me. And for all believers of this day. As 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith…” We must pray that the body of Christ would continue to devote herself to Christ as the distractions of this world get stronger. We must pray that the Church would not bow out of the arena because of distraction or numbness to life, but would stand bold for the Lord in this time. We must pray that those who seek to prey on us through deception would be held accountable.

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