“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2Corinthians 2:11 KJV). Paul warns the Corinthians from failing to restore a penitent backslider, lest they be “swallowed up with overmuch sorrow” (2:7). Satan’s devices are many: (1) our failure to acknowledge him as a continual, arch “adversary” (1Peter 5:8), (2) our lack of understanding him as a master “tempter” (Matthew 4:3; 1Thessalonians 3:5), (3) our not properly crediting him as the ruler of the “darkness of this world” (Ephesians 6:12), (4) our not acknowledging that earthly kingdoms belong to the “prince of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), and (5) above all, our failure to properly acknowledge the devil’s necessity of gaining permission from the Almighty to do anything — “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). LORD, may You be magnified by the enemy fleeing from us. Amen.
Spiritual Warfare
How to Protect the Minority
“Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 22:21 KJV). Foreigners in Ancient Israel were given the liberty and safety to reside among the Israelites, for the Israelites were once foreigners in Egypt. Though not a totally clear picture of the status of possible immigrants in Israel, it is telling that Jehovah gave them special protection. Where the LORD gave “liberty throughout all the land” (Leviticus 25:10), it extended to its immigrants. Liberty or freedom of choice is a trademark of a nation who knows the LORD. “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2Corinthians 3:17). Israel could not continue as a nation singularly for Jehovah, if the culture and religion of the immigrants overpowers the worship of the True God rather than becoming assimilated to Yahweh. If we promote True Christian Liberty, the minorities will be protected; or, we will succumb to foreign gods, if the Spirit of God is not given free reign to effectively propagate the Truth.
What Is A Christian?
Willingness to obey Christ is to be a Christian. “If any man [Greek, tis, anyone] will do His will, he shall know” (John 7:17 KJV). Anyone who is willing to do God’s will, that is the key to being a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether we like it or not, we possess the status of being in the image of God by virtue of His creating us that way, but we can only possess Christlikeness through our willingness to do His will. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). His desire for us has always been we would desire Him as much as He desires us. The Holy Spirit was given by Christ to cause us to be willing. For us, believing (Acts 16:31), repenting (Acts 3:19), confessing Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9), giving up everything (Luke 14:33), being baptized as a loyalty oath (Acts 2:38) are certainly necessary, but a willing heart is our greatest gift to Him and His chief enjoyment of us. LORD, make it so. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waking or Sleeping
Do you remember your dreams? Whether your imagination is visual, auditory, or only thoughts, what you go to bed thinking then awake thinking, is a good indication of what you were dreaming. Clinical proof? No, but consider Jacob’s Ladder. “And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it” (Genesis 28:12 KJV). When Jacob awoke, he said, “Surely the LORD is in this place” (28:16). Cultivate your conversations with God by your thoughts and prayers before you drop off to sleep. Claim from Him the promise of sleep. “He giveth His beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2). And, He will give you the sleep you need. A suggestion: Pray that God would show you His glory. Journal your conversations with the LORD, and see how He develops your thinking. It will only get better, more and more “unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).
Do What You’re Good At
“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another” (Psalm 75:6-7 KJV). Our difficulty is understanding and being satisfied with God Our Promoter. Others around us may go right pass us, with less qualification, ability, experience, or work ethic; but, rare is the disciple, who understands, when a promotion is not in their best interests. Instead of striving to get ahead of the next person, do what you’re good at. God makes us good at our jobs, since He “worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Accept a promotion or demotion, as needed; but, strive to be good at being useful to God and your neighbor. Now, make yourself useful! LORD, may we be pleased, if You are. And, make us good at doing our jobs well, as You do. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy our jobs. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
When We Sense We Have the Least Control
When we sense we have the least control, then He has the most control. So, we should set out to behave irresponsibly? Take no precautions? Not give due diligence? Absolutely not! We are to give our utmost to Him whenever we can, wherever we can. He accepts no less! But, He cannot receive the glory due Him, if we really felt the credit was due us. Not to worry! If we don’t already have it in our mind that the credit is only His, He will allow something to trip up our timing, so we are no longer in control. Sound familiar? “O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee” (2Chronicles 20:12 KJV). LORD, do for us what You have done for Your people time after time. Show us Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.
Confronting Your Past
It is all about Jesus. Growth in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2Peter 3:18) requires you to confront your past. You obviously have already done something right to even be presently considering what God wants you to be doing. Now, here’s the hard part, you’re going to have to give up or reframe your thinking about what you thought you understood, in order to grow. This is where your roots hit a rock and have to redirect your growth, but more importantly, this is where our Heavenly Vinedresser does some painful and aggressive pruning. “He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:2 NIV). By God’s grace, see you at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb! LORD, do to me what is necessary to bear the fruit that will glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Judge Righteous Judgment (Part 4)
Since Christians will “judge angels” (1Corinthians 6:3 KJV cp. Matthew 8:29), they must first stand before the Bema Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10) after they had been caught up or raptured (1Thessalonians 4:17) into the presence of Christ at His Second Coming (Titus 2:13). Bible prophecy chronology teaches us: (1) Christ’s Second Coming will occur (Revelation 1:7), (2) the Judgment of the Nations will occur (Joel 3:1-2; Matthew 25:32, 34), (3) the Millennium will follow (Revelation 20:1-6), (4) the final rebellion of Satan and his angels will occur, it will fail, and they will be judged (Revelation 20:7-10), (5) the White Throne Judgment will occur (Revelation 20:11–5), (6) the New Heavens and New Earth will occur (Revelation 21), and (7) Eternity will follow (Revelation 22). Judging angels is truly a function of God’s Divine Council, of which we shall be a part (1Corinthians 6:3). LORD, help us that our conduct will be in keeping with the dignity of Your court. Amen and amen.
The World Has Gone Mad
And, God doesn’t seem to know how to control it. “This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead” (Ecclesiastes 9:3 KJV). Anything else new under the sun? But, do we seriously believe that God is still not the Judge of All the Earth (Genesis 18:25)? He is, whether we confess it or not. God shares His Gospel to convert the ungodly, but He shares His prophecies, so we’ll know that everything is going as planned.
Rapture: The Blessed Hope
“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 NKJV). Sure, I’d like to go, if there’s a Rapture, but how do you know it’s so? Harpazō is the NT Greek for catching up or rapture. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [Greek, harpazō] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:17). Here, harpazō is understandably connected with the “coming of the Lord” (4:15). We will be “caught up” (4:17) to the Lord in the air to reunite with our predeceased brothers and sisters before we all return with Christ. Harpazō also occurs in Revelation 12:5, where the “woman” (12:1), representing Israel, brings forth the Messiah, who is “caught up” (12:5) to the throne of God. Likewise, the Church as the Body of Christ will be raptured to Heaven, after which Israel will be forced to flee “into the wilderness” (12:6). May the Spirit of Christ “comfort” you (1Thessalonians 4:18) with these words, but let us not be impatient or contentious with one another, least of all, about the Rapture. “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29).
We Need A Miracle 
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