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Naked at war

Naked at war

Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Those verses in Luke are both terrifying and reassuring all wrapped up into one. Christ was at His last supper and telling the disciples of many things to come involving Him, and them. Simon Peter was the most outspoken of the crowd, and Satan wanted get his chance at Simon, and weaken the leader of the disciples. But did you catch that he had to ask permission? Satan has no authority on his own, but must approach God before approaching us. “Oh God can I pleeeeassee go after that one who seems to be doing all these good things for you?” Have you read the story of Job and how God was so proud of him that He let Satan test him harshly only to prove how wrong Satan was and ultimately rewarded Job for his trial?

God will never tempt you in any way to do wrong. James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. God will only draw you near to Himself and give you the strength to face those temptations when they come. The more time you spend with God in prayer and His word, the more strength you have to face the temptations when they come, and they will surely come. When you are spending less time with Him, you are like a soldier thrown into battle naked without his weapons and shields. You are not prepared for the fight and succumb much more easily to the temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Prepare every day by placing yourself with God in prayer and meditation, and these will strengthen you for the temptations that Satan will bring your way. You cannot go into battle naked and unarmed and expect victory, and victory comes only through Christ.

I just don’t go……

14 Mar

I believe, I just don’t go to church

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

“I believe, I just don’t go to church.” In your homes every day as a Christian disguised as a repairman, it amazes me how much I hear this. It always goes back to some experience, an event where Satan has caused division in the church and in your heart for the assembling of believers and the power that comes with it. “Consider one another” above is speaking of how we are not to think only of ourselves, but those who are struggling also. We are all beat down by the world all week and need that encouragement that our brothers and sisters who are dealing with the same, can deliver through how God has worked in our lives. God can deliver a direct word of encouragement to you through a brother or sister when you surround yourself with them on a regular basis.

You cannot do Christianity alone. You will become full of pride and you will fall at some time. Ecclesiastes 4:10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. God is working in all of us, and He is using that work, to encourage each other believer. How many times have you shared, and the receiver has told you that was exactly what they needed to hear? That happens when believers gather to exhort each other, and praise His holy name. Psalm 42:4 “I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise.” The uplifting of your spirit in a time of gathered praise together, with your arms in the air and your joyful heart poured out to God, is the power to face another week He charges you with. You learn the Gospel Truth, the applications to what you are facing, and the ability to share how God can use you where you find yourself six other days a week.

Special time in my secret place

08 Mar

It would be hard for me to express, what my labor of love is like here in these writings every morning now for going on three months. Some days are difficult, some easy, but they all have come through His provision, and my diligent pursuit. This morning was easy for I awoke with “secret place” just streaming through my thoughts. It was crystal clear that was where God wanted me today, sharing my glue that holds me together. These devo’s have come as a result of probably six years ago saying “I have got to read my bible every day.” That building of a habit, that started at maybe a verse or two, has turned into these and my calling from God. One of my closest friends told me, “If you keep doing what you have been doing, you will keep getting what you have been getting.” Those few words speak volumes. If you are unhappy with your God, ask yourself how much time have you been spending with Him. Are you getting out, what you have been putting in? To experience a change, make one first. Your life will never be the same…….I promise.

Special time in my secret place

Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

What do you do, where do you go, what do you lean on to get you through this thing called life? We all have a “go to” for escape, to recharge our batteries to face the day. It could be a sport, a book, entertainment, and hopefully not alcohol or drugs as I did for years. Now for me it is my time alone with God early every morning where I recharge. There is something special about the silence of the early day and hearing the voice of God. Matthew Henry put it well, “he acquaints himself with inward religion, and makes heart-work of the service of God, worships within the veil, and loves to be alone with God, to converse with him in solitude.” I simply cannot face the day, without facing God in prayer and His Word every morning.

Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. I do believe it is biblical for early morning time with God, for all throughout the bible it is spoken of. If there was only one thing I could say to a believer, it would be to spend daily time with God, for everything else will fall into place as a result of it. You will never truly abide in Him, hear His voice, discern His will for your life until you humbly seek Him every day. Once He sees that reverence that you place on your daily time with Him, your relationship will grow as never before. You will have no trouble arising from bed early, for your heart will have that expectation of a conversation with God.

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Tag Archives: church

Naked at war

I just don’t go……

Special time in my secret place

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