The eyes of the Lord are on us to protect and provide for us.

Psalms 33:18-21 - "But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name."

Even in the midst of dangerous and difficult times, God is our help and shield as we obey and trust Him. You may even feel like you are in a spiritual famine. He is still with you and will bring you out.

Psalms 34:4 - "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."

Psalms 34:7 - "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,and he delivers them."

Do not lose hope, but trust in Him who is powerful and faithful.

Jeremiah 29:11 - " For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

TRUTH MATTERS

In a world where relativism is the rule of the day. I Timothy 3:15 says that the church of the living God is the pillar and foundation of the truth. There is absolute truth, and we as the church must get hold of this absolute truth which is found in the Word of God (the Bible). We must relentless seek to understand God's truths, and guard them. We as the church must be the pillar of truth in today's world. We are to not compromise what we know is true. We must speak and show truth.The pressure to conform to the lies of those who are not grounded in God's Word and to those whose minds have not be renewed is great. We must resist, and stand firm with the help of the Holy Spirit.

When the church has lost the way of truth, the very foundations of society will be eroded away. The world will become a dark and evil place. Church, we are the hope of the world because the living hope lives in us, the Christ.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - " The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Ephesians 6:12 - " For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

As we look at all the terrible things that are happening in the world today, and all the injustices taking place, we must keep in mind that the battle is not with people, administrations or government authorities.  These are only exterior actions being played out by people who don't have the mind of the Spirit of God. The evil we see is the result of an inner sickness, which is sin. Man is innately sinful, and the powers of darkness (Satan and the fallen angels) use this to their advantage to rack havoc in the world. John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" 

As believers we are to speak out against the evil of these days, and take practical actions to fight injustices and work to help improve our world. Yet, we must keep in mind this is not where the true battle lies. The true battle is a spiritual battle. We must come against the thoughts (lies) that are spewed forth by the enemy, Satan. We must fight against the unclean (demonic) spirits that are influencing our society to disobey God and not walk in love.

What are the spiritual weapons needed for this struggle?

Ephesians 6 speaks of several weapons at our disposal as believers.

We are to stand firm in truth. This means living in the truth and speaking the truth. We are to live righteous lives, and speak out against unrighteousness. We must be rooted in the Gospel of peace, and proclaim it to others. We must walk and speak faith. We must be grounded in the Word of God, and speak the Word of God, which is wielded by the Holy Spirit. You may notice that the battle is greatly dependent on our stance or position in Christ. It is more about being whom we should be then doing. As we stand well in Christ, and be obedient to Him, Christ will do the heavy lifting. He is the strong man in the battle. 

2 Chronicles 20:15 - " He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s."

If you delve into this story you will find that the battle was won through prayer, praise, faith and obedience of the people of Israel. Yet, it was God who won the victory.

Finally, we are to pray continually for ourselves and others. This is where the  battle is fought in the spiritual realm. There are many references in the Bible that show us that God seeks and depends on out participation in the battle through prayer. 

Acts 12:5-6 - "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. ⁷ Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists."

We must be continually in prayer for ourselves and others.

Devotional Thoughts #5

1. 1 Corinthians  1:22 - "set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
2. 2 Corinthians 2:7 - We discipline with the idea of restoration.
3. 2 Corinthians 2:11 - Unforgiveness between believers can give Satan a foot hold in our lives.
4. 2 Corinthians 6:14 - " Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"
5. 2 Corinthians 7:1 - " ........  let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."
6. 2 Corinthians 7:10 - " Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."
3. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - " The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
4. I Thessalonians 1:3 - "We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
5. I Thessalonians 2:4,6 - "  On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. ⁶ We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority."
6. I Thessalonians 4:13 - " Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope."
7. I Thessalonians 5:8-9 - Be self controlled, putting on faith and love as breastplate, and the hope of salvation.
8. I Thessalonians 5:14 - "......  warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone."
9. II Thessalonians 3:13 - " ......   never tire of doing what is good."
10. I Timothy 1:5 - " The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
11. I Timothy 1:17 - " Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
12. I Timothy 3:15 - " ....  the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." (See I Timothy 4:16)
13. I Timothy 4:4 - " For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,"
14. I Timothy 4:7 - Train yourself to be godly.
15. I timothy 4:12 - ".....  set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
16.I Timothy 5:2 - "But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning."
17. I Timothy 6:9 - " Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction."
18. 2 Timothy 1:7 - " For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
19. 2 Timothy 2:9 - God's Word is not chained. There is nothing that can hinder it from accomplishing its purpose.
20. 2 timothy 2:22 - "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
21. Revelations 1:5 - God loves us and freed us from our sins by His blood.
22. Rev. 1:6 - Made us a kingdom of priests.
23. Rev. 1:8 - He is the Alpha and the Omega.
24. Rev. 1:18 - Christ holds the keys of death and hades.
25. Rev. 2:7 - " ......  To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."
26. Rev. 2:9 -  I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!
27. Rev. 2:10 -  Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
28. Rev. 2:17 - " ......  To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it."
29. Rev. 2:26-27 - " To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—  that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father."
30. Rev. 3:4 - "Those who keep himself pure will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy."
31. Rev. 3:5 - " The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels."
32. Rev. 3:16 - " So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
33. Rev. 3:17 - Without Christ on the throne of our life, we are wretched , poor, blind, and naked.
34. Rev. 3:19 - " Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent."
35. Rev. 3:21 - " To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne."
36. Rev. 5:9-10 -  Christ has purchased men for God by His blood, and have made them a kingdom of priests to serve God.
37. Rev. 7:9-12 - What a glorious day it will be when the believers from every nation and tongue worship before the throne of God.
38. Rev. 14:6 - During the great tribulation an angel will proclaim the Gospel.
39. Rev. 19:11-16 - Christ the faithful and true, the Word of God, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord. 
40. Rev. 20:12 - Each person will be judged according to what they have done.
41. Revelation chapter 21 - The New Jerusalem will come onto to the new earth where God will dwell with us. There will be no more crying or pain, and no more death. There will be no temple, nor sun or moon. It is a place only for the godly.
42. Zechariah 10:3,8,17 - God will punish leaders who do not speak His Word and care for his flock.
43. Zechariah 12:1 - God forms the human spirit.
44. Zechariah 13:1 - Christ is the cleansing fountain.
45. John 17:3 - " Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
46. Philippians 3:10 - " I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,"

Making you Requests in Jesus name

John 14:13 - " And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

John 15:7-8 - " If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

These are two well known verses have been used extensively in our Christian walk. These are two verses that are the bed rock of name it claim it preachers. At a glance, it seems that Jesus is saying ask it and I will snap to it and give you what you ask.

Yet with greater reflection, we see some truths that are necessary to understand in order to grasp the full implications of these verses.

In the first text, there are two keys to receiving your answer (request). It is to be done in Jesus name, more specifically according to His will. Jesus name is not a magic wand to get what you want. If I ask for something in president Trump's name, it is because he told me to ask for it. If he didn't tell me to ask for it, and the person checks with president on the matter to find out president Trump never said such a thing. I will not get what I asked for, but maybe get jail time or a fine. It is the same with God the Father, when we ask for something in His name. The Father checks with the Son on the matter. When we ask something in Jesus name without His authorization, we are using His name in vain. Another aspect of this is that the Father responds to the request that the Son may receive glory.

In the second text, there three reasons to receiving the answer to our prayers (requests). The first is remaining connected with Christ in a healthy relationship that involves us obeying His Word. The second reason is the purpose of bringing glory to the Father. The third reason is that you might bear much fruit that people might see you are Christ's disciple. This fruit is not only referring to the fruit of the Spirit, but the work of the Spirit as well.

Lord help us to be more thoughtful in our prayer life and be lead by your Spirit in prayer. Help us to remain connected with you, and may your purposes be accomplished.

The Night is coming where no man will be able to do the work of Jesus

John 9:4 - "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work."

Darkness is coming over the earth. Now is the time to shine our brightest because there will be a time when we will no longer be able do the work of the Lord. He could be referring to the coming of Christ and His judgment on the earth. Yet, I believe he is speaking of the persecution of the church. When we the church will not be able to work in the open.

The light of Christ will never be diminished, but the freedom to do the work of Christ will be diminished. A look over history shows us how time and time again governments and people have tried to snuff out the Gospel. Even though man has failed to do this, it doesn't negate the fact believers have gone under ground in many countries.

I am glad that Haiti has freedom of religion even more then the United States, but let us not become lazy in our witness and work for the night is coming. It is now as we see night approaching that we must give our all to the work of the Lord.

Hebrews 10:25 - "not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

As night approaches, and Christ coming is approaching, we need each other more then ever. Even though for a time believers being hindered from coming together, it must only be for a time. We must as the church not except this to be the new normal.

Preparing others for Greatness

John 3:30 - "He must become greater; I must become less.”

John the baptist was the forerunner of Christ. He ushered Jesus into His ministry. He prepared the peoples hearts to receive the Christ.

John 4:1-2 - "Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples."

Jesus ministry grew, and surpassed John's ministry. Sometimes God uses us to usher in another ministry or minister that becomes greater than our own. This is a great thing when God uses us to enable others in ministry. Jesus did it from the very start of His ministry. It was the power of the Holy Spirit that propelled Jesus into a powerful ministry, but it was John the baptist who was catalyst by the Holy Spirit to lay the ground work for Jesus ministry.

There is no greater thing than being used by God as catalyst for another person ministry and greatness. I rejoice that their are those whom I have prepared for service. Who are doing greater things than me.

Matthew 11:11 - "Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.."

John was great because he faithfully fulfilled his calling and ushered in the ministry of one who was greater than him.

Greatness is is being a servant, and allowing people to stand on your shoulders to reach greater heights then you in Christ.