At the Crossroads of Standing By or Standing Up.

Published January 22, 2025

Home In Case You Missed It Posts At the Crossroads of Standing By or Standing Up.

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At the Crossroads of Standing By or Standing Up.

We’ve all been there.

Witnessing a moment where help is needed but standing by hesitating, hoping someone else will stand up and step in.

The bystander effect—it’s a sobering reminder of how easy it is to keep moving while others are hurting.

At the end of last year, I found myself in such a moment. I was heading to one of my child’s Christmas parties at the end of last year when I came across a student in distress—vomiting profusely in the hallway.

Parents walked past, some glancing but most focused ahead, determined to reach their destination.

I paused, torn between rushing to my child’s classroom and the reality that this child needed help.

It would’ve been easy to assume someone else would take care of it. But I knew what was right. So, I stayed.

This moment became a vivid picture for me of humanity’s struggle with sin.

Like that child, we are often in distress, desperately needing someone to stop and help us. And yet, without someone standing up and stepping in, the suffering continues.

But when our paths intersect with Jesus at the cross, everything changes.

Sunday’s message reminded us of this truth: at the cross, we see the depths of our sin but also the incredible grace and love of God.

Today, we have the chance to reflect on this and respond in prayer:

🙏 Pray for a heart of compassion, asking God to help us see and respond to those in need, just as Jesus did for us.

🙏 Pray for courage, to act and help others, even when it feels inconvenient or hard.

🙏 Pray for forgiveness and restoration for times we’ve been indifferent or walked by, and ask for opportunities to make things right.

🙏 Pray for a spirit of sacrifice, to put others’ needs first, following Jesus’ example of love.

🙏 Pray for deliverance, that those burdened by sin would find Jesus’ forgiveness and healing.

🙏 Pray for awareness, to recognize the silent struggles of those around us and wisdom to offer meaningful help.

🙏 Pray for our campus, community, and city that they would reflect Jesus’ love and ensure that no one suffers alone.

When faced with humanity’s suffering, Jesus didn’t stand by. He stood up, bearing the ultimate cost to rescue us from our terminal illness of sin.

Because of His sacrifice, we are called out from the crowd of bystanders to take up our crosses, respond with compassion, and step boldly into moments where we can reflect His love where we live, work, and play.

Let’s stand up to pray, reflect, and seek God’s heart together.

See you at noon on Zoom!

God Bless,

Pastor Alvin and Mallary Brown
alvin@makingamosaic.com :: mallary@makingamosaic.com


Helpful links: ENC Fridays | Missions Interest Trip Meeting | Community Lunch | Baby & Child Dedications

General Prayer Requests & Updates

For evangelism to flourish so communities and campuses in the greater Fort Worth area will be reached, and the lost will see and experience the love of Christ and be drawn to his kingdom.

For signs and wonders to follow the preaching of His Word.

For team unity and laborers to help carry the load.

For finances and provisions.

For fully funded campus missionaries (2 per campus) to help reach the next generation — Texas Christian University (TCU), Tarrant County College (TCC), Texas Wesleyan University (TWU) and Tarleton State University – Fort Worth (TSU), University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), and Dallas Baptist University (DBU).

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