In any conflict, innocent civilians become casualties. Terrorists hide behind the innocent to gain their goals and demonize their enemies, when civilians are harmed. Who are the innocents? If governments do not prioritize the protection of the innocent in their battle against terrorism, then they lose the support of those protecting the innocent. When either side focuses solely upon the utter destruction of the other, then the innocent inescapably become casualties. Again, who do either side — or, the world — deem to be the innocent? If both sides are unrelenting, then the question remains, What price is God willing to pay? “Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah [probably, er-Ram, three miles north of Jerusalem], lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel [Rachel] weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not” (Jeremiah 31:15, Matthew 2:18 KJV).
Author: Ken
Diagnosing the Promises
“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 KJV). A promise like this means, surely the problem is with you, when it doesn’t work. When we view our circumstances solely from our perspective and not supernaturally, then we rob God of the opportunity to change us into His solution. The answer has always been staring us in the face. We simply have not given God the opportunity to be God. God has long been patient. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10 KJV).
Prayer and Fasting
Diogenes looked for an honest man, but can one be found without the baggage of past sins? Jesus diagnosed His disciples’ failure to cast out a demon. “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29 KJV). Forgotten wrongs by family members, church members, community members, or members of a nation, must be acknowledged, confessed, repented of, forgiveness given (if being withheld), and restitution made (where possible), before God can bless. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6 KJV).
Sins of the Parents
Does God punish us for our parents’ sins? Yes, if we do as they did. “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:7 KJV). Why? Wickedness teaches wickedness to succeeding generations, and God judges each accordingly. Though we may not be legally responsible for the sins of our descendants, they will morally pay the price for our irresponsibility of not teaching them proper character.
When Faith Fails
The disciples failed to cast out a demon from an apparently epileptic boy. Jesus intervened. “All things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23 KJV). The distraught father cried out, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief” (9:24). The faith of both the father and the disciples failed them. After healing the boy, Jesus diagnosed the solution. “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (9:29). The sins of the parents are visited upon the “children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:7 KJV). Deliverance is possible only through Spirit directed searching, confession, repentance, and forgiveness of sins by means of prayer and fasting.
Goodness and Mercy Follow Me
If I adopted two puppies from a litter, and named them Goodness and Mercy, they would always follow me. Even better, because we have been adopted by the LORD, we should always follow our Lord. And, looking behind us, we notice Goodness and Mercy following us. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever” (Psalm 23:6 KJV). Thank you, LORD!
Rejoice Together
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1 NIV). We rejoice with those who gather in God’s House because God is especially there and so are His people. Our Father can more fully teach and encourage His people when they assemble together. Pray and expect His blessing upon all.
David Beats Goliath
David beating Goliath has become an expression for an underdog beating a much stronger opponent. How did David beat the Nephilim Goliath? He won because the LORD fought his battle. “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and He will give you [Goliath] into our hands” (1Samuel 17:47 KJV).
Devil Doesn’t Care
The devil doesn’t care if we start, so long as we don’t finish. Of course, he’d prefer we never started. Nonetheless, only “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13 KJV). Not only does God care that we start, but He has an intimate interest in our finishing. “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6 KJV). No one gets to Heaven or Hell against their will.
Thankful To Whom?
“1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:1-5 KJV).
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