Victory After the Battle

The other day I heard these words, "Quit praying for peace, instead pray for victory!" I believe it was the Lord trying to make a very important point. It shows that there is a battle to be fought. Instead of praying for conflict to be avoided and for peace to come without a fight, we need to pray that we win the battle we are faced with. We are faced with unavoidable conflict. We can be victorious in the battle, but not if we ignore that the battle is there. If we stick our head in the sand, that won't make it go away. Peace comes after a victory, but victory comes after a battle! 

"While they are saying, "Peace and safety!

then destruction will come upon them suddenly..."

1 Thessalonians 5:3

Paul is talking about those who walk in darkness and are not aware of the signs of the times regarding the day of the Lord. The Lord doesn't want His people to be ignorant regarding what's going on in the world and how it relates to His Kingdom. He wants us to see what is going on through His eyes and from His perspective. When we do, we have time to prepare for tough times. 

"The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord."

Proverbs 21:31

We must not think that our own preparations and strength will win the battle for us, however we are still to prepare. The horse is prepared, so go ahead and prepare for the battle, but  it is the Lord who gives the victory. The best way to prepare is to be on His side and as close to Him as possible so you can hear His instructions. Remember that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, our weapons are not of the flesh. We bring our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.

"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet."
Romans 16:20

God is in control. We don't need to be afraid. Our victory comes from Him, yet we need to recognize that we are in His army. We're told to fight the good fight of faith. We're told to put on the full armor of God so we can stand against the schemes of the devil. We're told to resist the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. These are fighting words, but we're also told that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. Put on your armor, pray, and prepare for the battle, but remember that victory is from the Lord and will follow the battle!

1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Timothy 2:3-7; 1 Timothy 6:12; Ephesians 6:10-17; 1 John 4:4; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

America's Grief Cycle

Whether we realize it or not, America is suffering loss. We have been losing the American lifestyle slowly and subtly for several years. Our freedom is under attack. When an individual suffers loss there is a grieving process he or she goes through. The same thing is happening in America. We may not be aware of it, but a grieving process has begun.

First there's been denial. Many have been unable or unwilling to admit that anything has been lost. They might see the country today as making many advances--more freedom--when in reality this is not the case. Our economy and our defense has taken a very large hit. We have gotten so distracted in trying to bring fairness to every single situation, that we have not noticed the looming threat building up against everyone. 

It's been very subtle, just as an aging parent or loved one slowly declines into ill health. When you see them every day you don't notice the decline as much as when you compare their quality of life to 30, 40 or 50 years ago. As Americans begin to wake up to the losses she's been suffering--through restrictive laws, violence or threats and fears of violence--some may choose to stay in denial because if they admit the reality of what is going on, it's just too uncertain and fearful for them. Denial feels better, but of course is a dangerous place to be.

Then there's anger. Many are awakening, coming out of denial and getting angry. They see how far our defense has fallen as we begin to experience, not only threats, but actual attacks of violence and greater frequency of less noticeable attacks like fraud and identity theft. This is where many people are right now--some in denial, some in anger. What comes next?

Once a person wakes up out of denial, the anger needs to be dealt with. Some anger is felt towards lawmakers and some towards the violent, the lawless and the intimidating. Some may be directed inwardly, for example if we have not voted or voted without being informed, resulting in lawmakers who do not have the country's best interests at heart. However, when we allow the anger to change into energy for prayer and, if necessary, repentance, then we will gain the humility and wisdom that is necessary to put us on the right path to recovery. Proverbs 11:2 says that with the humble is wisdom. Humility will open our hearts for the wisdom of God to be revealed to us. 

We need wisdom so we don't act impulsively and let our anger take us in the wrong direction. Yes, it may be that the government has gotten the country into a mess, but who is the government?--We the people. We don't want our anger to lead us to do impulsive and foolish things, yet, we are not to cower in fear either. A fearful heart is in panic, is impatient, impulsive and irrational. None of these are from the Spirit of God which He promises to those who believe in the Lord Jesus. We must make our decisions while influenced by the Spirit of God--from a heart of faith, peace, patience and love. This is a trustworthy, stable path. When we truly understand the love that God has for His people, we will be able to trust Him and follow wherever He leads us. We will understand that He is the only one who can truly lead to green pastures and still waters.

Take a look at what is going on in America and in the world today, but don't get overwhelmed and stick your head back in the sand as you begin to see it. Humble yourself before the Lord and pray, seek His wisdom and get going on the path He has for you. Do it confidently knowing that the safest and most productive path to be on is the path of His will for you.

Ecclesiastes 9:14-18: There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siegeworks against it. But there was found in it a poor wise man and he delivered the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded. The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

Lift Up Your Heads!

"But when these things being to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads,

because your redemption is drawing near." 

Luke 21:28

Jesus said when things begin to take place that indicate He is coming soon, to lift up your head because your redemption is drawing near. Jesus is physically returning to the earth and we are to prepare for that. We will physically lift up our heads to see Him. This indicates our spiritual condition and frame of mind as well. We will be lifting up our heads spiritually because we see Him and know Him, before we lift up our heads to see Him physically. 

The church is not to be in a position, when Jesus returns, where we are hanging our heads low, walking with a slouch in defeat or shame. No! We are to lift up our heads having the confidence that He is our redemption. We are not defeated in shame or cowering in fear, because the blood of Jesus Christ has purchased our salvation and redemption. Our trust is in Him, not in our own abilities to justify or defend ourselves.

Jesus said we are to be the light of the world. However we don't shine our lights in such a way that we are glorified, but so He is glorified. What we do is not for our own glory or for people to think highly of us. Our purpose is to glorify the Lord in everything. As long as we have learned to walk humbly with our God and our desire is to honor and glorify Him in all we do, then we can walk as Jesus did in the earth revealing the Scripture and the power of God. We walk in His love, which brings confidence in the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world.

What is your spiritual posture? Are you feeling defeated by guilt and shame? There is a posturing of repentance and humility that we all must do. But remember that your redemption comes from Jesus. Remember that He suffered so you could be free from all that. You can never be good enough to free yourself from guilt and shame, you must trust the Lord. We must take the postures of both humility and confidence. We can be confident because our trust is in the Lord, not in ourselves. If we remain only in a posture of repentance, that indicates we don't recognize the power of the blood of Jesus to cleanse our sin. His blood is more powerful than your sin!

Lift up your head! Lift up your hands! Do it now! Imagine the washing and cleansing of the Lord Jesus. Imagine Him washing off all that which would defile and dim your light. Rejoice in that and let your light shine in such a way that He is glorified! Worship Him! He is your hope, your strength, your confidence and your deliverance!

Psalm 24:7-9; Daniel 11:32; Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:14-16; 1 John 4:17; 1 John 3:2-3; Hebrews 2:1-4; Hebrews 9:14

Remembering The Rainbow, The Trumpet and The Tassel

"He has made His wonders to be remembered..."
Psalm 111:4

What does a rainbow, a trumpet and a tassel all have in common? All of them are spoken of in the Bible to remind someone of something. Specifically in three different ways--God remembered certain things, people prayed for God to remember certain things and we are told to remember certain things. 

The Rainbow--God's Reminder

God remembered Noah in the ark and sent a wind to dry the land. Afterwards, He made the rainbow to remind Himself of His covenant with the living things on the earth. Yes, God actually made the rainbow for Him to look at it and remember something. This is not the only place in the Bible that talks about God remembering. He remembered Abraham when He was destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, and sent Lot out of the city to save him. He remembered things like His covenant, His word and His lovingkindness. He remembers the sins of some but chooses not to remember the sins of His people.

The Trumpet--Our Cry for God to Remember

We also read in the Bible that people prayed for God to remember them in times of need. In fact, God told the Israelites when they went to war against enemies who attacked them, that they were to blow the trumpets so He would remember them and save them from their enemies. When He heard the sound, He would remember. At other times, people prayed for Him to remember them--Samson, Hannah, Hezekiah, David, Nehemiah, Job and Jeremiah for example.

The Tassel--Our Reminder

Not only does God remember, but we are to remember things as well. The Israelites were constantly told to remember God's commands. They were told to remember the Sabbath, to remember Him, His Name, His deeds and wonders, all He had done for them and so on. When they remembered the fish and the cucumbers and all the food they had in Egypt instead of appreciating the manna He provided along with their freedom, the Lord became angry at them. He told them later on to remember how they provoked Him to wrath, so they wouldn't do it again. He gave them something to help them remember. He told them to put tassels on the corners of their garments to remind them of His commandments and be holy to Him.

There are other "reminders" in the Bible--Rahab's scarlet thread, and the memorial stones on the side of the Jordan River for example. The best one of all, of course, is remembering the body and blood of Jesus Christ which was broken and shed for us, so we may receive salvation. We remember Jesus every time we take communion.

Why is there so much talk about remembering? Why does God use objects and signs to remind us? Why does He remind Himself? It's not that He is in danger of forgetting, but that He stays true to who He is. The rainbow is a sign of God's faithfulness to remain true to His Word. The trumpet is a reminder of God's promise of deliverance. The reminders for us are for the same purpose. Jesus said that after a woman has a child she forgets the pain because of the joy of the birth. This is good, or no one would ever have more than one child! However there are moments when we need to remember the tough times. He told them to remember when they were slaves and to remember when they provoked Him. In Revelation He said to remember and repent. In the same way, we need to remember the battles we go through, along with the victories the Lord gives us, so we too will remain faithful to Him. We sometimes forget just how bad it is when we wander away from the Lord. All of these reminders are for a consistent declaration of His goodness, His faithfulness and our faithfulness to Him in return. 

Another thing happens when you remember the Lord. By remembering Him you are keeping the memory of Him current in your life today. But its more than just the memory of Him. Keeping Him current, keeps His current--like an electrical current--flowing through you. God is eternal, He's not bound by time like we are. Our spirits are eternal as well, and when we keep Him current in our thoughts His life is active within us. We all know that our words are powerful, however our thoughts are powerful too. We're told to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This is considered a weapon against that which wars against us. Keeping our thoughts on the Lord is a powerful thing. So when the Lord gives a token to remind you of Him or something He's done, it's not that there is a special power in that token, it's not to become an idol, but it's to remind you of Him, empowering you to keep Him alive in your thoughts and as a result, keep His life flowing through you. There is power in remembering! Don't forget to remember!

Genesis 8:1, Genesis 9:16, Genesis 19:29, Exodus 6:5, Psalm 105:8, Psalm 98:3, Jeremiah 14:10, Isaiah 43:25, Numbers 10:9, Judges 16:28, 1 Samuel 1:11, 2 Kings 20:3, Psalm 132:1, Nehemiah 13:14, Job 10:9, Jeremiah 15:15, Deuteronomy 8, Numbers 11:5, Deuteronomy 9:7, Numbers 15:38-40, Joshua 2:18, Joshua 4, 1 Corinthians 11:23-24, John 16:21, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Revelation 2:5, Revelation 3:3

Greater is He Who is in You!

When praying about what is going on in the world today, and the evil that seems to be running rampant, the Lord reminded me that the Spirit of God in His people is greater than the evil that is in the world. The Spirit of God within you, is more powerful than the evil in the world!

every spirit that does not confess Jesus

is not from God;

this is the spirit of the antichrist,

of which you have heard that it is coming,

and now it is already in the world.

You are from God, little children,

and have overcome them;

because greater is He who is in you

than he who is in the world.

1 John 4:3-4

I was reminded to put more faith in the Spirit of God living through me, than evil spirits living through others. Our faith is not in what we can do for God, but what He can do through us. The blood of Jesus is powerful enough to wipe out every sin from our life. This is the basis of our faith. Do we think our sin, faults and shortcomings are too much for the blood of Jesus? Do we think that what He did on the cross wasn't enough to change our hearts into one that can receive the Spirit of God? Absolutely not! No more false humility! It's time to rise up with courage and confidence in what our God can do through us. If you believe in Jesus Christ, you have the Greater One living in you!

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; 

Who is the one who overcomes the world,

but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:4-5

Not long ago Psalm 93:7 seemed to jump off the page at me:

when the wicked sprouted up like grass 

And all who did iniquity flourished, 

It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.

When evil seems to prevail, it's only so that it can be dealt with. God will take care of wickedness in the earth. His heart is open towards those who love Him and call upon Him as David said...

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,

To all who call upon Him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;

He will also hear their cry

and will save them.

The Lord keeps all who love Him,

But all the wicked He will destroy.

My mouth will speak the 

praise of the Lord,

And all flesh will bless His holy name forever

and ever.

Psalm 145:18-21

You Be The One

"You give them something to eat!"

Mark 6:37

In Mark 6 we read an interesting story which I think carries a significant message for the body of Christ. Mark tells of a time when Jesus was trying to give His disciples an opportunity to get away to a quiet place and rest. They had been so busy with people coming and going that they hadn't even had a chance to eat. So they got in a boat and were heading off to a secluded place by themselves. However, the crowd saw them going and got there ahead of them. When Jesus saw the crowd, He had compassion on them and began to teach them many things. Now here is where Jesus tries to get His disciples to learn an important message about how they see themselves.

It was getting late and the disciples wanted Jesus to send the crowd away so the people could go buy themselves something to eat. However, Jesus said, "You give them something to eat!" Of course we know the rest of the story, He multiplied the loaves and fishes from a little boy's lunch and fed the crowd of five thousand. The point is, Jesus knew His disciples needed to begin to see themselves as ones who could access heaven for others, and not just watch Jesus meet everyone's needs all the time. He told them 'you meet the need!'

There are times we need the comfort and ministering from others in the body of Christ, but there are also times that we need to get past what we are going through and see ourselves as the ones with the answers for others. If you know how to pray for yourself, then you know how to pray for others. If you know what it's like to feel hungry, as the disciples were at that moment, then you can have compassion on others going through the same thing. This compassion leads the way to the miraculous. Sometimes we just need to stop focusing on our own stuff, and ask the Lord what He would have us do to help other people.

The Lord doesn't want you to fall into the trap of seeing yourself as a powerless Christian who has too many faults, shortcomings, or problems to be able to help anyone else. You have the Greater One living in you and He has the answers to everything! Don't think that you have to be perfect before God can use you to minister to others. Nothing would ever get done if that were the case! You can do, as David did, and strengthen yourself in the Lord. (1 Samuel 30:6). Let's not be like those who leech off our pastors, friends and others we esteem in the Lord, by looking for them to counsel us, pray with us, or encourage us all the time. Instead let's be like Jesus and minister life wherever we go. Let's free up our pastor's time so he can minister to those who are in a more desperate situation than we are at the moment. In fact, maybe we can pray for our pastor, send him an encouraging note, say something that brings a breath of fresh air to him, rather than another complaint or problem. You know when you do, the Lord will take care of your needs very well. If you need help, by all means ask for it, but just get ready for the times when the Lord smiles at you and says, "you be the one."

Border Patrol

Like a city that is broken into and without walls

is a man who has no control over his spirit.

Proverbs 25:28

We're living in a moment where borders are becoming blurred. Currently, there is an invasion going in in Iraq causing the disintegration of some of their geographic border. Of course this is what wars are usually fought over--land, and as in this case, religion. This war brings out a point of what happens in a spiritual war. All Christians are involved in a war against the enemy of our souls. He would try and infiltrate 'lands' that are not geographic. The most basic of these being the human spirit. He will attempt to gain control by trying to penetrate the borders of our thoughts and minds.

If a person does not guard the border of his mind and thoughts, every deceptive thought that comes along will affect his spirit. He is not protected and eventually loses ground. The Scripture above says if you have no control over your own spirit then you are like a city that is broken into and without walls. Losing control of your own spirit can be prevented by guarding your thoughts. By not guarding your thoughts and protecting what you allow into your mind, you end up suffering invasion and all that invasion brings, such as loss and violence. We suffer loss when our hopes, dreams and provision are lost. We suffer violence when we're invaded with sickness and other calamities. And on and on it goes because the enemy will take as much ground as he is allowed to. So how do we stop this invasion?

Borders are defined lines--points which are not to be moved. These borders are established already for us. They were set by the Creator. They are natural standards of truth set by God. The Word of God defines these borders for us. We're not to move them. Proverbs 22:28 says not to move the ancient boundary which your fathers have set. These are truths that are meant to be passed down from generation to generation. We're to live our lives according to these truths. We're to guard our borders, our thoughts, by keeping them in line with this truth, and as a result we retain control of our spirit, our lives. Once we regain control over our own spirit, we can willingly yield to God and His commands. 

There are many thoughts that come to you that sound so good. However the Bible tells us to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This is a weapon of ours! Thoughts contrary to the knowledge of God and Christ are invasive weeds that want to gain ground in your life. How much clutter is in your time, your home, and your finances? What has invaded your life and robbed you of your land, keeping you from fulfilling your dreams and your call? What has stolen your provision, your time, your space and your peace? Identity the invaders! Weed out those things that are trying to steal from you. This is an ongoing thing we always need to be aware of. It's not a one-time weeding. Make room for the seed of God's Word instead of invasive, cluttering thoughts so your destiny can spring up in the fullness of God!

2 Corinthians 10:3-5