Friday 25 January 2013

Step Up! Confronting Human Trafficking and Other Destructive Behaviors

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free." Luke 4:18


Next Step Devotion

 It is not easy to confront the painful reality that human atrocities such as human trafficking, abuse, teenage shootings, child pornography, and the murder of innocent life are occurring every single day right here in America. After all, America is the "land of the free and the home of the brave," right? However, there are millions who are not free, but enslaved through trafficking and abuse. Moreover, many of us are not brave enough to confront these destructive behaviors, choosing rather to sweep them under the rug and hope that our government will one day bring about resolution. 

 Let's consider some current statistics:

  • Currently there are 40 million prostitutes at work across the globe. That's more than the entire populations of either Australia or Canada. 
  • In America, 80,000 people are arrested each year for soliciting sex.
  • Human trafficking is a $58 billion dollar industry and is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. 
  • There are currently 27 million human slaves (sex, labor, sub-human) across 161 countries, 80% of which are women. 
Sources:


 What would Jesus Christ do in the face of such evil? In Luke 4:18 Christ proclaimed his mission to release the captives, give sight to the blind, and set the oppressed free. As followers of Christ, this must be part of our mission as well. This week on New Day Cafe we have sought to bring many of these destructive behaviors into the light, calling for awareness and action. Our hope is that each of us would begin to see our calling and ability to play a role in alleviating the tragedies occurring in the lives of men and women, boys and girls across the globe. Often such horrific issues can leave us feeling helpless when it comes to making a meaningful difference. 

 We've learned that our Moody Radio White Umbrella Campaign has sparked multiple events, prayer, and ministry outreaches across the nation, as hundreds of thousands of Moody listeners became aware of the 27 million people enslaved through human trafficking across the globe. Perhaps the most grievous tragedy of them all that we have discussed this week is that the innocent blood of 55 million children has been shed on our land through abortion since the Roe v. Wade decision 40 years ago. We've sought to inform and encourage you about how to support the sanctity of human life, including a call to prayer for today's March for Life in Washington D.C. 

 Every single day is a day in which you can set the captives free in the name and love of Jesus Christ. In our interview this week with Christa Brown and Julie Shematz of Beauty From Ashes Ministries, we were given eight practical and purposeful ways by which you can confront and alleviate destructive behaviors occurring across our globe and communities. Let's review these together: 

 1. Get Informed - You cannot confront something if you do not know it exists. The most important thing we can do to confront evil in our world is to acknowledge it and share it with others. Research the statistics, current laws, and currently operating ministries that are working in the trenches to rescue those trapped by abuse, addiction, or trauma. 

 2. Sign Up - Sign up for alerts, newsletters, and calls for prayer from ministries that remain up to date on current legislation and news media. Some great resources that we offered throughout our morning show this week include The Wellspring Living Center in Atlanta, GA, Birmingham's Wellspring Christian Clinic, World on Campus Magazine, WorldCrafts Set Free Campaign.

 3. Speak Up - Share information learned by talking about it in person to your friends and family and through social media.You can also contact your local press and news stations and ask them to do a feature on the topic of human trafficking/sexual exploitation or other destructive issue. Also, join pledges and petitions meant to invoke legislative action, such as Pastor Louie Giglio's End It Movement.

 4. Organize an Event - Organize a prayer gathering in your church or small group to pray for national repentance for the shedding of innocent life and other horrors inflicted upon our children. Have a government official or ministry leader help lead an awareness seminar in your area. 

 5. Volunteer - Nearly every community has a crisis center, shelter, or organization that comes in contact with those who are victims of abuse, struggling with addictions, or living with the pain of hidden trauma. These agencies are on the front lines making a difference, and they need our help. Whether donating food, clothing, joining a prayer team, or giving time to simply love and listen, these organizations need the body of Christ to join with them. 

 6. Give or Raise Funds - Ministries and media awareness organizations need funds to continue the fight for freedom. Pray and ask the Lord if He would have you give of your resources for the sake of those whose lives have been stolen from them. 

 7.Report - Often we are hesitant to make judgements when it comes to suspected abuse, trafficking, or other illegal activity. However, reporting suspected activity is the only way law enforcement officials can take preemptive steps to stop or prevent destructive acts from occurring  If you suspect a human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888. 

 8. Pray and Fast - Pray that the captives would be set free! 

 While the overarching picture of human trafficking and abuse may seem overwhelming, we pray that the above steps will help you in your quest to confront human trafficking and other destructive behaviors. More than anything, we must pray that God would open our eyes and ears to the realities around us, that we might recognize the darkness in order to shine our light brightly upon it. 

 Every day the enemy is out to steal, kill, and destroy the lives of innocent and unborn men, women, boys, and girls. However, Jesus came to give life and life abundant (John 10:10)! It is part of our mission to be agents of that life to those in our communities, our nation, and our world. We must pray that God's Kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10), and we must care for the physical and spiritual needs of those with which God crosses our path (James 2:14-17). 
Interview Recap


Key Scriptures

John 10:10 - The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Isaiah 61:1b - He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the Lord of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Proverbs 31:8 - Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

Psalm 10:12 - Rise Up, O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the oppressed.


Blessings,
Melissa Rogers
Moody Radio South



Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)