To Walk With God!
Hebrews 11:5-6 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Culture defines our value by what we do. So when we are asked how we are doing? Many of us will respond that we are real busy, when in reality sometimes we are not. We want the appearance that we are important and our life accounts for much. When we really are busy it can be more for looking important to others than really caring about what we are really doing in of itself.
It was not Enoch's achievements that pleased God, Genesis 5:23 says simply He walked with God, that is it. What God sees as important is simply walking with Him. God is all powerful, He don't need us for what we can do, He needs us for who we are, His creation made in His image for the purpose of fellowship. If we don't have time to build first of all our relationship with God and secondarily relationships with others, then in all our doing, the question is why? What gain are we going to achieve? If it doesn't please God or others, is all our being busy worth it. If it is just to please ourselves how far can we be satisfied with no one of real significance to share our achievements with.
How do we know we are walking with God? We are not in a rush. As long as we are walking with God we are never behind. God is the author of time. Time is the one thing that we can not get back. So when we walk with God we are in perfect timing. I often feel overwhelmed with all the things I need to get done and anxiety begins to set in. I become impatient with those who are keeping me back from what I want to get done, especially my kids. This always happens when I have not prayed or prayed very little. My eyes are on myself instead of God. Even though it takes time to pray and keeps me from certain things I think I need to get done, when I choose to pray and let go of all my cares, peace comes, and everything seems to take care of itself. The more I pray the more God get's done. It is hard though for life seems to bring more responsibilities as I get older, and the harder it seems to just pray, so many distractions, so many people to have to deal with, and that is why I need to pray even more so God can use me in greater and greater ways. My prayer life as responsibilities increase should increase with it not decrease. Like Enoch my purpose is to not get caught up in all that I am doing, but to get caught up in being with Him in what He wants to do.
It is a difficult time to really have meaningful relationships with anyone because people are just not available. My whole hearts desire is to raise spiritual sons and daughters, those I can pass on the inheritance that Christ has given me. My Spiritual Father Walt Healy said it is one thing to make a commitment to be a Father it is another to make a commitment to be a son or daughter. I am finding that few people are willing to commit the time to build the type of relationship that I would consider them a son or daughter. Most of my relationships just go skin deep because the lack of true commitment willing to be given.
Challenge: Let's ask ourselves are we more about doing for God than being with God? Are we developing relationship with those God has given us or are we just using each other to get something done? Let's repent for our good works, and seek God to only have His works through our life as we walk with Him.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Faith Offering!
Hebrews 11:4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
A gift is much more honorable to be received when it comes from the heart than out of obligation. I hate during the holidays when hour upon hour is given to shopping trying to figure what to get for those you feel obligated to give to. I rather give spontaneously when I happen to discover something that would really be a blessing to someone I love and I give it from my heart. When it comes to church I have been in so many meetings where there is such a pressure made to give, that you give it out of obligation rather than from your heart. I love my current church because the offering is not taken openly but privately where people deposit their offering in a box in the back at their own discretion. Church leaders fear of not having enough rather than trusting God and therefore using gimmicks to manipulate people just like any business does in the world to earn sales has brought severe judgment to the house of God here in America. See God does not need our money He needs our heart, He does not need our religious observations He needs our faith.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”t 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
The exchange of goods in the kingdoms of this world operate through a money system, the exchange of goods in the Kingdom of God operates through a Faith system. So now that we are citizens of the kingdom of God money is now just a symbol of our faith. Our offering is no longer just an animal sacrifice, we have become the offering of God. That means everything we own is given to God for His purposes. The tithe is just a portion of what God has given us to be given to the storehouse, the primary place where we are feed spiritually, but all our resources are to be given for His purposes.
Many of us excuse our lack of involvement to the time we spend at work and our inability to give to others to the bills we have to pay. Our job is not our primary source of income, it is a mission field, it is the place God wants to use us to establish His Kingdom. God is our provider and promoter. If we are working with God in the advancement of His Kingdom He will reward us. Philippians 4:19 says that "all my needs are met according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
This does not excuse us of living carelessly. For the bible says we are to be good stewards (1 Cor. 4:2). Our lack of faithfulness with His resources bounds us to poverty. For if we are faithful over little He says He will give us much (Lk 16:10). For whatsoever a man sows he will reap (Gal. 6:7). The issue of money is dealt with more than anything else in the bible. It is the first hurdle we must jump over if we are going to please God. Are we going to continue to be bound to the limitations of this sinful world or are we going to enjoy the abundant life of walking by Faith and enjoying the unlimited resources of Heaven?
Restoring a home can be rather expensive, depending on how it has deteriorated. It is usually cheaper to buy a new house than fix up an old one. The earth seems beyond repair, that it would be easier to abandon (as the left behind series suggests). But, Acts 3:21 says "Jesus is seated in Heaven until the restoration of all things." God is not going to start over as He did with Noah, He is restoring the Earth to it's origin, (as it was in the beginning). It is going to be expensive way beyond what money can buy it is going to take extraordinary faith that will release supernatural miracles of provision and good works. Romans 3:23 says All of creation is groaning (natural disasters) for the manifestations of the sons and daughters of God, it is time we walk in God's authority and stop letting money hold us back from answering His call. For we cannot serve God and mammon (Matt. 6:24)?
Challenge: Let's repent for not being good stewards of God's resources and letting money serve as the deciding factor of what we do or don't do? Let's ask God to remove fear of not having enough and walk by Faith so that we can grab hold of all that God has promised us. Write down during prayer what God has called you to restore on this earth and begin seeking Him for strategy on how to bring this to pass.
A gift is much more honorable to be received when it comes from the heart than out of obligation. I hate during the holidays when hour upon hour is given to shopping trying to figure what to get for those you feel obligated to give to. I rather give spontaneously when I happen to discover something that would really be a blessing to someone I love and I give it from my heart. When it comes to church I have been in so many meetings where there is such a pressure made to give, that you give it out of obligation rather than from your heart. I love my current church because the offering is not taken openly but privately where people deposit their offering in a box in the back at their own discretion. Church leaders fear of not having enough rather than trusting God and therefore using gimmicks to manipulate people just like any business does in the world to earn sales has brought severe judgment to the house of God here in America. See God does not need our money He needs our heart, He does not need our religious observations He needs our faith.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”t 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
The exchange of goods in the kingdoms of this world operate through a money system, the exchange of goods in the Kingdom of God operates through a Faith system. So now that we are citizens of the kingdom of God money is now just a symbol of our faith. Our offering is no longer just an animal sacrifice, we have become the offering of God. That means everything we own is given to God for His purposes. The tithe is just a portion of what God has given us to be given to the storehouse, the primary place where we are feed spiritually, but all our resources are to be given for His purposes.
Many of us excuse our lack of involvement to the time we spend at work and our inability to give to others to the bills we have to pay. Our job is not our primary source of income, it is a mission field, it is the place God wants to use us to establish His Kingdom. God is our provider and promoter. If we are working with God in the advancement of His Kingdom He will reward us. Philippians 4:19 says that "all my needs are met according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
This does not excuse us of living carelessly. For the bible says we are to be good stewards (1 Cor. 4:2). Our lack of faithfulness with His resources bounds us to poverty. For if we are faithful over little He says He will give us much (Lk 16:10). For whatsoever a man sows he will reap (Gal. 6:7). The issue of money is dealt with more than anything else in the bible. It is the first hurdle we must jump over if we are going to please God. Are we going to continue to be bound to the limitations of this sinful world or are we going to enjoy the abundant life of walking by Faith and enjoying the unlimited resources of Heaven?
Restoring a home can be rather expensive, depending on how it has deteriorated. It is usually cheaper to buy a new house than fix up an old one. The earth seems beyond repair, that it would be easier to abandon (as the left behind series suggests). But, Acts 3:21 says "Jesus is seated in Heaven until the restoration of all things." God is not going to start over as He did with Noah, He is restoring the Earth to it's origin, (as it was in the beginning). It is going to be expensive way beyond what money can buy it is going to take extraordinary faith that will release supernatural miracles of provision and good works. Romans 3:23 says All of creation is groaning (natural disasters) for the manifestations of the sons and daughters of God, it is time we walk in God's authority and stop letting money hold us back from answering His call. For we cannot serve God and mammon (Matt. 6:24)?
Challenge: Let's repent for not being good stewards of God's resources and letting money serve as the deciding factor of what we do or don't do? Let's ask God to remove fear of not having enough and walk by Faith so that we can grab hold of all that God has promised us. Write down during prayer what God has called you to restore on this earth and begin seeking Him for strategy on how to bring this to pass.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Hall of Faith
I have always been a big sports fan. As a young boy I dreamed of making it to the NBA, becoming a big star. When I learned the dedication necessary to become great I followed. I would play basketball hour after hour even in the rain and snow. I dreamed of being the next Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson. I would watch the games on TV and go outside and try to model their game. I would spend hours studying the players statistics in the sports section of the newspaper. I was a dedicated sports fan and player. Now as I got older other interests like girls, making money, playing football got my attention and my dedication was not the same. My game began to slide, and after being promoted to the varsity team as a Senior I was shortly demoted back to Junior Varsity as I was not meeting the coaches expectations. The same passion I had for sports was redirected towards Christ after my conversion. I would spend hours studying the bible. Learning all I could of all the heroes of the bible, so I can model myself after them. Just like with basketball, I have found my dedication waver, my attention has gone to other interests, and God is calling me back to just seeking His face.
Football has a place set apart like a museum for all the great former players called the Hall of Fame where you go and learn and be inspired from their stories. God also has a place for His great ones and that is Hebrews chapter 11. This book explains how and gives us the examples of what made these ones great. It is called the Hall of Faith. Getting in the Hall of Fame comes from one's personal achievements, Getting into the Hall of Faith comes from one's ability to trust God to do the impossible. The fame I now want comes from giving God glory for the things I allow Him to do in and through me. Come on this journey to discover what walking by faith really looks like and be inspired for God to use us greatly to advance His kingdom today.
Hebrews 11:1-2 "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation."
A coaches responsibility is to help each player believe in themselves, by motivating them to work hard in practice, helping them see their potential, building the confidence necessary to bring victory. If one believes they will win even before the game begins a determination will set in even against great odds that will usually bring forth what they hope for. A team that does well over a long period of time begins to build a good reputation. A good team always has a good coach. Why then, since we have the best coach, Jesus Christ, we have such a bad reputation. It must be that we are not showing up for practice, not listening to his instructions, and therefore not ready for the game. The kingdoms of Satan are advancing not the kingdom of God. We are in retreat mode rather than advance mode. Christianity is being pushed out of society rather than influencing society even the more. It is time to regroup and let our coach build our faith again.
Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
I have heard and witnessed amazing sport stories where a team has been down and come back against all odds and won the game, usually it has been a player or coach who motivated their team with words that inspired them to believe that they can achieve the impossible. The bible says death and life is in the power of the tongue. There is the old saying sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me, wrong! Words are the most powerful force in the world. I have spoken words especially towards loved ones that I wish I could take back, but once spoken, there is no turning back, and conflict always follows.
Genesis 1 says that the world was void and without form, then God spoke and creation formed. For the world to be in right order God's word must be spoken. The state of the world is the condition of our heart. For the bible says out of the abundance of our heart the mouth speaks. For the world to change our heart must change. As we allow God to change our heart and renew our mind, our words change to His word, and our once chaotic life will begin to come into divine order. We look to leaders to bring change but they are limited, yes they do have influence, but when it comes to it, until the heart of the people change a nation will not change, no matter what policies or laws are passed.
Words cannot be seen yet they create life. That is how faith works! It is by the confession of our mouth that we are saved. It is by the words of our mouth that death or life come forth. The spirits of this world speak fear, the spirit of God speaks Faith, by what spirit are we being led by? Jesus Christ came to give us life and life more abundantly. Why then do so many Christians live no differently than the world? Because of the power of agreement! When everything is okay it is easy to speak positively, but when the squeeze is on what comes out of our mouth determines the state of our heart. Our Faith will be tested, now if we don't waver in our faith, but hold fast, meaning our confession does not change, that which we have spoken will manifest. Since Faith is a verb meaning action what we say we will also do if we really believe it. So walking by Faith is seen in both our words and actions only then what we confess be believable.
All whom God has used to advance His kingdom had great faith. They believed God at His word and acted upon it both in word and deed. Next week we will go on the journey of learning from the Great Patriarchs of our faith how to advance God's Kingdom.
Challenge this week: In each difficulty this week, let's examine our heart by what comes out of our mouth, repenting when we are agreeing with the world, and rejoicing when we are agreeing with the Word, continuing to ask God to increase our faith and help us in our unbelief.
Football has a place set apart like a museum for all the great former players called the Hall of Fame where you go and learn and be inspired from their stories. God also has a place for His great ones and that is Hebrews chapter 11. This book explains how and gives us the examples of what made these ones great. It is called the Hall of Faith. Getting in the Hall of Fame comes from one's personal achievements, Getting into the Hall of Faith comes from one's ability to trust God to do the impossible. The fame I now want comes from giving God glory for the things I allow Him to do in and through me. Come on this journey to discover what walking by faith really looks like and be inspired for God to use us greatly to advance His kingdom today.
Hebrews 11:1-2 "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation."
A coaches responsibility is to help each player believe in themselves, by motivating them to work hard in practice, helping them see their potential, building the confidence necessary to bring victory. If one believes they will win even before the game begins a determination will set in even against great odds that will usually bring forth what they hope for. A team that does well over a long period of time begins to build a good reputation. A good team always has a good coach. Why then, since we have the best coach, Jesus Christ, we have such a bad reputation. It must be that we are not showing up for practice, not listening to his instructions, and therefore not ready for the game. The kingdoms of Satan are advancing not the kingdom of God. We are in retreat mode rather than advance mode. Christianity is being pushed out of society rather than influencing society even the more. It is time to regroup and let our coach build our faith again.
Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
I have heard and witnessed amazing sport stories where a team has been down and come back against all odds and won the game, usually it has been a player or coach who motivated their team with words that inspired them to believe that they can achieve the impossible. The bible says death and life is in the power of the tongue. There is the old saying sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me, wrong! Words are the most powerful force in the world. I have spoken words especially towards loved ones that I wish I could take back, but once spoken, there is no turning back, and conflict always follows.
Genesis 1 says that the world was void and without form, then God spoke and creation formed. For the world to be in right order God's word must be spoken. The state of the world is the condition of our heart. For the bible says out of the abundance of our heart the mouth speaks. For the world to change our heart must change. As we allow God to change our heart and renew our mind, our words change to His word, and our once chaotic life will begin to come into divine order. We look to leaders to bring change but they are limited, yes they do have influence, but when it comes to it, until the heart of the people change a nation will not change, no matter what policies or laws are passed.
Words cannot be seen yet they create life. That is how faith works! It is by the confession of our mouth that we are saved. It is by the words of our mouth that death or life come forth. The spirits of this world speak fear, the spirit of God speaks Faith, by what spirit are we being led by? Jesus Christ came to give us life and life more abundantly. Why then do so many Christians live no differently than the world? Because of the power of agreement! When everything is okay it is easy to speak positively, but when the squeeze is on what comes out of our mouth determines the state of our heart. Our Faith will be tested, now if we don't waver in our faith, but hold fast, meaning our confession does not change, that which we have spoken will manifest. Since Faith is a verb meaning action what we say we will also do if we really believe it. So walking by Faith is seen in both our words and actions only then what we confess be believable.
All whom God has used to advance His kingdom had great faith. They believed God at His word and acted upon it both in word and deed. Next week we will go on the journey of learning from the Great Patriarchs of our faith how to advance God's Kingdom.
Challenge this week: In each difficulty this week, let's examine our heart by what comes out of our mouth, repenting when we are agreeing with the world, and rejoicing when we are agreeing with the Word, continuing to ask God to increase our faith and help us in our unbelief.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Subdue
Subdue
Since childhood I have been moved by injustice. When I see things in the world like child prostitution, racism, religious oppression, etc, I am moved and I want to do something about it. When time passes and my passion dies down I realize what really can I do? It is way beyond my control. But is it? Well, I have discovered that these desires are in me because my creator is a God of justice, and He has given the earth to man to stewart. It is my responsibility to do something about these things. Well, what is that something. Individuals throughout history such as Mother Theresa, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, have stood against injustice, and done much good and they inspire me greatly, but still what can I really do?
The bible says the battle is not mine but the Lord's. Does that mean then that I can just sit back and let the Lord take care of everything? No, for He has given man the responsibility of taking care of the earth. God moves as I choose to move in obedience to Him. God alone can bring the victory, but I am the instrument He uses through my obedience to His word. I need to follow through with the desires He has placed in my heart and by faith step out and He will meet me and work through me to accomplish only what He can do. For Daniel 11:32 says the people who know their God will do great exploits.
The enemy leaves us alone when we are not doing anything for the Kingdom but as soon as we make up our mind to be obedient to God all hell breaks loose. This is where we have to exercise our authority and as it says in Genesis 1:28 subdue which means to put the enemy in his place. Right from the beginning we see things were not perfect in the Garden, for there was an enemy. God made man for relationship and a relationship can only be sincere if one has the freedom to choose to have it or not. God allowed the enemy to be cast down to earth so man could be tempted and choose either to have a relationship with Him or to live separate from Him. That is the purpose of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, to give man a choice so they can operate in their own free will. The enemy uses our free will to entice us to be separate from God. The enemy as we see through the snake in the garden is cunning and bends the truth just slightly to lure us into being his victim of deceit. For it says in 2 Corinthians 11:4 that Satan himself comes as an angel of light.
God has given us the Holy Spirit to reveal all truth, expose all lies, and give us spiritual weapons for the pulling down of strongholds. These gifts are given to empower us supernaturally against every plan of the enemy so that we no longer have to be ignorant of Satan's devices (2 Cor. 2:11). These gifts include words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. We are no longer limited to our natural abilities we have the supernatural power of God. So if we are serious about being an instrument of God for Kingdom Advancement, then we know Satan will oppose us, so we got to be ready. We need to be ready for battle at all times, for 2 Timothy 2:3-4 says to endure suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ for soldiers do not get caught up in the affairs of civilian life for they cannot please the officer whom enlisted them.
We cannot waste our time like the world dealing with arguments, strife and conflict at a natural level. For as Ephesians 6:10-18 states the battle we face is not with flesh and blood it is with but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. God has given us His Spiritual armor to stand strong against and His Spiritual weapons to pull down every stronghold (2 Cor. 10:4) of the enemy so God's kingdom can advance throughout the earth until the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our God (Rev. 11:15).
Our spirit led obedience enables victory to God's holy angelic host against the hordes of Satan. We must see ourselves daily as God's soldiers, who wake up each day with the desire to be used by God to destroy darkness? Most of us are just caught up in our own little world concerned about all of our little problems, getting by, making it through, just surviving. God did not create us to survive, but to thrive. Not to just exist but to co-exist with Him. Which means to rule and reign with Him, not in the world to come, but in the world that is. Matthew 11:12 says the kingdom of God suffers violence but the violent take it by force. How often do we get to a place of warfare in prayer? We pray personal prayers, general prayers, but how often are we in a place where God is using us to pin point the enemy, like a sniper, where we lock target and really see results. I have only entered that place a few times in my Christian walk, where a boldness came over me and it was no longer myself praying but the spirit of God warring against the enemy, spiritual discernment followed, and real transforming prayers came forth. Now that we have been enlisted in God's army if Satan cannot destroy us, he will do everything he can to cause us to go awol, in which he has done a good job in that.
Naturally there is very little I can do in regards to the condition of this world, but spiritually through my prayers and faithful obedience I can be a world changer right now.
Challenge: Let's repent for our busyness in church activity and neglect of spiritual warfare. Trying to do so many good works but nothing really getting done. Fighting our battles in our own flesh instead of putting on our spiritual armor and not using the spiritual weapons that God has given for the pulling down of strongholds. Let's deepen our prayer life to the point where God moves us past our personal, general prayers, to spiritual warfare and pulling down strongholds. Let us re-enlist into God's army and put civilian life behind.
Since childhood I have been moved by injustice. When I see things in the world like child prostitution, racism, religious oppression, etc, I am moved and I want to do something about it. When time passes and my passion dies down I realize what really can I do? It is way beyond my control. But is it? Well, I have discovered that these desires are in me because my creator is a God of justice, and He has given the earth to man to stewart. It is my responsibility to do something about these things. Well, what is that something. Individuals throughout history such as Mother Theresa, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, have stood against injustice, and done much good and they inspire me greatly, but still what can I really do?
The bible says the battle is not mine but the Lord's. Does that mean then that I can just sit back and let the Lord take care of everything? No, for He has given man the responsibility of taking care of the earth. God moves as I choose to move in obedience to Him. God alone can bring the victory, but I am the instrument He uses through my obedience to His word. I need to follow through with the desires He has placed in my heart and by faith step out and He will meet me and work through me to accomplish only what He can do. For Daniel 11:32 says the people who know their God will do great exploits.
The enemy leaves us alone when we are not doing anything for the Kingdom but as soon as we make up our mind to be obedient to God all hell breaks loose. This is where we have to exercise our authority and as it says in Genesis 1:28 subdue which means to put the enemy in his place. Right from the beginning we see things were not perfect in the Garden, for there was an enemy. God made man for relationship and a relationship can only be sincere if one has the freedom to choose to have it or not. God allowed the enemy to be cast down to earth so man could be tempted and choose either to have a relationship with Him or to live separate from Him. That is the purpose of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, to give man a choice so they can operate in their own free will. The enemy uses our free will to entice us to be separate from God. The enemy as we see through the snake in the garden is cunning and bends the truth just slightly to lure us into being his victim of deceit. For it says in 2 Corinthians 11:4 that Satan himself comes as an angel of light.
God has given us the Holy Spirit to reveal all truth, expose all lies, and give us spiritual weapons for the pulling down of strongholds. These gifts are given to empower us supernaturally against every plan of the enemy so that we no longer have to be ignorant of Satan's devices (2 Cor. 2:11). These gifts include words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. We are no longer limited to our natural abilities we have the supernatural power of God. So if we are serious about being an instrument of God for Kingdom Advancement, then we know Satan will oppose us, so we got to be ready. We need to be ready for battle at all times, for 2 Timothy 2:3-4 says to endure suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ for soldiers do not get caught up in the affairs of civilian life for they cannot please the officer whom enlisted them.
We cannot waste our time like the world dealing with arguments, strife and conflict at a natural level. For as Ephesians 6:10-18 states the battle we face is not with flesh and blood it is with but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. God has given us His Spiritual armor to stand strong against and His Spiritual weapons to pull down every stronghold (2 Cor. 10:4) of the enemy so God's kingdom can advance throughout the earth until the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our God (Rev. 11:15).
Our spirit led obedience enables victory to God's holy angelic host against the hordes of Satan. We must see ourselves daily as God's soldiers, who wake up each day with the desire to be used by God to destroy darkness? Most of us are just caught up in our own little world concerned about all of our little problems, getting by, making it through, just surviving. God did not create us to survive, but to thrive. Not to just exist but to co-exist with Him. Which means to rule and reign with Him, not in the world to come, but in the world that is. Matthew 11:12 says the kingdom of God suffers violence but the violent take it by force. How often do we get to a place of warfare in prayer? We pray personal prayers, general prayers, but how often are we in a place where God is using us to pin point the enemy, like a sniper, where we lock target and really see results. I have only entered that place a few times in my Christian walk, where a boldness came over me and it was no longer myself praying but the spirit of God warring against the enemy, spiritual discernment followed, and real transforming prayers came forth. Now that we have been enlisted in God's army if Satan cannot destroy us, he will do everything he can to cause us to go awol, in which he has done a good job in that.
Naturally there is very little I can do in regards to the condition of this world, but spiritually through my prayers and faithful obedience I can be a world changer right now.
Challenge: Let's repent for our busyness in church activity and neglect of spiritual warfare. Trying to do so many good works but nothing really getting done. Fighting our battles in our own flesh instead of putting on our spiritual armor and not using the spiritual weapons that God has given for the pulling down of strongholds. Let's deepen our prayer life to the point where God moves us past our personal, general prayers, to spiritual warfare and pulling down strongholds. Let us re-enlist into God's army and put civilian life behind.
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