Watch!

Due to my pastor’s sermon this weekend and how he ended it, I decided to do my own study on how the Bible tells us to watch. I find it interesting how often we are admonished to do so. The next three versus all tell us the same thing proving that this point is important enough it had to go into three of the Gospels about what Jesus said to them.

Matthew 26:41 NLT

Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!" 

Luke 21:36 NLT

Keep a constant watch. And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man." 

Mark 14:38 NLT

Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak." 

Keep alert is translated to watch in many translations. If you are not alert, the enemy can catch you unaware in a snare. He knows how to badger us to find a weakness and find where our guard is down. Do not let him do this. Be ever vigilant and focused on what God tells you. If something does not align with His Word, then don’t do it. He gave us a spirit of discernment that is helped by the Holy Spirit. This relationship of studying the Word and letting the Spirit help us is key to defeating the enemy. It will give us the power to overcome whatever snares the enemy lays before us.

Revelation 16:15 NLT

"Take note: I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their robes ready so they will not need to walk naked and ashamed." 

Mark 13:33 NLT

And since you don't know when they will happen, stay alert and keep watch.

Mark 13:37 NLT

What I say to you I say to everyone: Watch for his return!" 

All of us must be watching and ready. We must be prepared for His return that will come at a time none of us know or expect. Don’t believe anyone claiming they know the day. We will all know at the same time when it actually happens. Nothing in the Bible says anything about anyone knowing the day ahead of time. We are ALL to watch until it happens.

1 Cor 16:13 NLT

Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong.

We can do this! I stated last week that God will empower us to overcome anything that comes at us in this life that wants to destroy us and keep us from Him. We are not alone so we can stand firm with courage and strength even when we feel utterly weak on our own. We have the Holy Spirit and His Word. Stay connected to Jesus, and keep solidifying that relationship. Never stop meditating on the Word.

Spiritual Empowerment

Paul suffered a lot to tell the world about Christ and how we are to operate as a family under God the Father. Even when imprisoned he wrote letters of encouragement, and sometimes discipline, to help everyone stay on the right path with God. God empowered him for his mission and no matter what, he kept doing it. He understood God’s love and made sure to show it to everyone he met, even in letters he sent.

Eph 3:12-19 NLT

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome. 13 So please don't despair because of what they are doing to me here. It is for you that I am suffering, so you should feel honored and encouraged.

14 When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. 17 And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

In this part of Ephesians he tells us we can go boldly to God because God gladly welcomes us. No matter what is going on, He wants us to talk to Him about it and gain His guidance. Paul did this regularly and knew what man did to him did not matter compared to his relationship with Christ. This is why he told people not to despair about his persecution because God’s work would be accomplished. We all should be able to have this same fortitude with God no matter what people think of us for following God.

Paul prays for them to have the empowerment of God. It takes God’s strength to do the work, and He gives us this power to do as He directs us. We don’t have to try to do this on our own. As soon as we do, things fall apart. This empowerment not only lets us do what we should, but we can do it under severe persecution like Paul. He never gave up despite beatings, attempted stoning, and imprisonment. His letters still got to the various churches as his way to reach out when he could not be there. The churches could send people to visit him. Many of his captors learned about God because he let God’s power handle what needed to be done. We are the vessels that His might and love can flow through into the world no matter where we are.

We get all of this because of God’s love that runs far deeper, farther and higher than we can imagine. God never leaves us alone or without His help to live life to the fullest the way He intended. He will never give us a mission that we can’t finish. We can go boldly to Him for all the help that we need, even to confess we got lost in our purpose. He will set us straight and send us back out with His power. Don’t be afraid to go to Him about anything. He will keep you on track in His mighty love and power. All we have to do is listen and go where He says, like Paul did.

Oneness and Peace in Christ

We each are unique due to God creating us for a specific reason and time. We alone are masterpieces, but we also fit into a much greater work, the family of Christ. Here we can learn and grow in our purpose and be fully one with the body of Christ.

Eph 2:10-18 NLT

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

11 Don't forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called "the uncircumcised ones" by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He has united Jews and you Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and to us Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

I belong to a vibrant church that does a great deal of community service, has many great talents, and pulled through some amazing troubles all because we strive to do what Christ has asked us to. Is it easy? No. Do we always get along? No. However, when we keep our eyes on Christ and the purpose He set before us, great things are accomplished.

I believe God loves great variety. We have all ages in our church, there is not a generation missing. All ages join in the various ministries making our church one of those odd places where 80% of the members have ministries they do in the church, from cleaning to administering to teaching. All of them are important to keep a vibrant service intact.

We come from many nationalities and backgrounds. Many different ideas come out of those experiences that could clash in other environments, but with Jesus as our focal point we learn how to gain a synergy together. People that may never have become friends outside of church have deep relationships. Knowing Jesus and His love for us allows us to love others and help them stay close to God no matter where we came from.

Just like Gentile and Jew were united in the beginning under Christ, all of us can come together as one. We can find our place in a new and great family with God as our Father. United we can face the trials and tribulations of life easier and complete the missions God put in our hearts.

I’m glad I accepted Jesus and He planted me in wonderful places as I followed Him. He can do the same for you if you let him.

Made Alive With Christ

This week I would like to start a study on Ephesians chapter 2. It continues what I shared from chapter 1 last week.

Ephesians 2:1-10 NLT

Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. 2 You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else.

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, 5 that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms — all because we are one with Christ Jesus. 7 And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

All of us started off as sinners. Many stand as moral and good in human eyes, but still get counted as sinners. Why is this? When looking for human approval only, it can turn selfish fast. We have to do the work ourselves for the reputation we want. God looks at the heart to determine why we chose to be moral and good.

God is not mad at anyone who chooses not to accept Him or Jesus, sent to die on the cross for us. He gave us a way back after man disobeyed in the garden because He loves us. We are dead to Him when not accepting Him and in sin. We gain the eternal life promised by God only by accepting that Jesus died on the Cross and shed His blood to cleanse us. Even Jesus appeared dead to God when He took on our sin before dying. Jesus cried out when He lost His connection to Father God. We have that same disconnect and only Jesus can reconnect it. Jesus resurrected has conquered all and is alive by His Father’s side, where we can be too.

God created us and He longs to bring us back into the family. Our spirit longs to connect with Him again. Don’t fill that longing with worldly things that keep fading away and disappointing. All you have to do is accept Jesus and you are saved. Nothing you do will ever meet the requirements, but praise God, Jesus paid the required price.

Again, what are you waiting for? If you feel empty inside without finding the answer, run to Jesus. If you already accepted Jesus and find yourself off track from His Word or simply feeling disconnected, run to Jesus. He will take you in His arms. You will be part of His family for eternity.

How We Become One With Christ

Ephesians is a great book to study to learn how God’s plan worked to save us to how we can stand and fight the battle with Him. Ephesians 1 talks of God’s plan and how we gain redemption and forgiveness due to His love and grace. He used His Son as the perfect sacrifice to pay the bond price to free us from the slavery of sin.

Eph 1:3-14 NLT

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ — everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

12 God's purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so that we would praise and glorify him.

We have the opportunity of knowing God when we are in Christ. He chose us for salvation, adoption, and forgiveness. Through Him we can gain insight, the gifts of the Spirit, power to do God’s will and the hope of living forever with Christ by trusting God and accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior. He chose us first and if we trust Him, we will show this by choosing His way rather than our own. We can never take credit for any of this because it is a gift only gained when we accept Jesus Christ. Our only part is to trust God and then we can learn who He is.

We do not have the means to save ourselves from sin. Jesus paid our bond by dying on the Cross. His blood was worthy of paying the price for everyone, the sacrifices the Jews performed proved temporary and foreshadowed the redemption price paid by Jesus. All slaves are freed with a redemption price and with sin it always required blood, so Jesus let His flow for all of us.

Blood sacrifice turns some people off, but God chose this method. When you think of it, blood is the life force of all living things. All animals have blood and all plants have some sap like flow that moves the required nutrients for life travel throughout the body. Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth and the life. Through Him we can become reconciled once again to God and freed from bondage to sin. He paid the only price that could defeat sin for everyone.

What are you waiting for? We still have time to repent and accept Jesus, but none of us know when the time runs out. Don’t wait to feel better or worthy. Go to Jesus as you are with your confession of true repentance and He will adopt you into His family, cleansed to live a new life because God loves us all and wishes to lose no one.

I’m a Conqueror Because Christ Strengthens Me

Romans 8:35-39 NLT

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? 36(Even the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep." Psalm 44:22) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. 39 Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Nothing will separate us from Christ unless we turn away ourselves. If we keep following Him we will see the overwhelming victory promised in verse 37 above. Don’t expect every victory to come immediately, but they all come at the right time. No matter how great or little the successes you have seen following Christ, remember them all during the dark battles that seem to have no end. He is never too late.

1 John 5:4 NLT

For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory.

If we do not trust Him, then we will see the defeat by trying to fix things our own way. We need His strength to overcome the world and the schemes against us in the spiritual realm. With the power of Jesus we can bind what is against us and loosen what is for us in agreement with the Word. Trust Him and invoke His Word against what is coming. He will do the rest because it is His power that not only saved us, but will keep us standing firm with Him.

Philippians 4:13 NLT

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.

We need to believe Christ will give us the power to do whatever He commands of us. He will give us the strength to overcome whatever obstacles try to stop us from doing His will. If you love Jesus, you will want to obey Him and He will give you the power to do so beyond anything you could imagine on your own. Don’t pray for easy things to do. Pray that He strengthens you to go beyond yourself with His power to show His glory to the world in all you do.

Ephesians 6:10 NLT

A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power.

Whenever you feel overwhelmed, run to Jesus. I do this a lot some days because life can be hard, but the battle is worth fighting with Christ. Let Him help you be the person He meant you to be. Walk in faith. He will never leave you to your own strength.

Not a Slave to Sin

Colossians 1:13-14 NLT

For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. 14 God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.

Galatians 3:13 NLT

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

When we accept Christ He pulls us from the darkness into the light by God’s grace and love. The full law before Christ could save no one, but caused condemnation for doing wrong. Jesus has abolished the curse on the Law by becoming the final and only worthy sacrifice to do so. Once clean we should not have to worry about the enemy or finding ourselves in sin again.

Romans 6:11 NLT

So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus.

1 John 5:18 NLT

We know that those who have become part of God's family do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them.

There is still a Law to follow: God’s civil and moral law. As a child of God we have the power to fulfill this law with no condemnation. We cannot become a slave to sin again because of accepting Christ and what He did for us. However, once a child of God we need to learn to act like one. With the curse removed we will want to follow God’s rules to please Him and gain the ability to show His love to the rest of the world.

However, we should not expect to keep on sinning just because God’s love and grace will clean us. No, this shows a rebellious side to God much like a child disobeying his father.

Romans 6:1-2 NLT

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more kindness and forgiveness? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

From the beginning it is a journey with God to learn the truth. He loves us and wants us to relate with Him to know the truth on how to live a free and abundant life. We should not want to return to wallowing in the sins we enjoyed before accepting Jesus.

John 8:31-32 NLT

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings.  32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Run to God as soon as you feel yourself slipping. Pay attention to His warning signs and you will stay on the path of truth away from sin. God wants us to stay His children and will teach us all we need to know if we let Him. What are you waiting for?

A New Creation

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

When we accept Christ we become clean and move on in life with a new outlook. Sure we will find things to clean up as we continue walking with Christ, but that’s part of the journey. It’s no different from a little kid that has a bath and then runs out to play in the dirt. We don’t always get it right. However, with Christ we have the direction to get us back on track, to keep us growing as our new selves, planted in His Word.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 NLT

We know that God loves you, dear brothers and sisters, and that he chose you to be his own people.

God already chose us to be His, but due to His love He never forces this on us. We have the opportunity to choose and show love back to Him. He will teach us how to love through the relationship we gain with Him upon accepting Him. Part of our new creation includes knowing what love really is and how to share it with the world.

1 Peter 1:23 NLT

For you have been born again. Your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

This new life goes beyond our physical side. It’s our soul, our innermost being, which reforms us to match what God intended. The love of God lets light flow into us to remove the hardness and darkness.

Col 2:10 NLT

and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe.

Once reunited with Christ we have a fullness we longed for. Nothing else fills in that void within other than Christ. It is where He will have the Holy Spirit dwell to help us live as our new selves. He will not leave us to our own devices. God wants a full relationship with us and will help us live as part of His family.

I found Jesus is the answer to many things. He’s the key I needed. Life hasn’t changed with its problems and issues, but my view of them has changed as God made me this new creation and keeps teaching me greater things. I haven’t stopped following Him because without Him I’d wind up where I was. I don’t want to go back there.

If you don’t feel your relationship with God is deep enough, take a timeout where you are alone with God. Talk to Him and be sure to be still and listen. Even Jesus took time to go alone and pray to be with His Father. This is part of the relationship. Do it daily.

God’s Word is Our Sword

Last week I talked about the Armor of God and the only weapon is the Sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word. God tells us to meditate on this.

Joshua 1:8 NLT

Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.

God promises success with Him if we follow the laws and rules He has made. We can defeat the enemy who knows the Word if we also know it well. Jesus did this three times when tempted by Satan. He showed us the way to use it.

Our success will not always mean we get better physical things in this world. Our success is tied to following Jesus no matter how we feel or what life is throwing at us. You might not see results, but how you handle any situation will be noticed by others. Either they will see God or see your selfish side. Don’t expect this to be easy. I fall on my face a lot due to my flesh not agreeing with the Spirit and taking the lead. Thankfully, we just need to step back and use God’s power to overcome, not our own. The Word is His and He will guide us on how to use it.

We should know and act on the Word like the following psalms. They did so even when the trials of life made them cry out for restoration of their lives.

Psalm 119:15-16 NLT

I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.

16 I will delight in your principles and not forget your word.

Ps 119:105-112

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

106 I've promised it once, and I'll promise again: I will obey your wonderful laws.

107 I have suffered much, O LORD; restore my life again, just as you promised.

108 LORD, accept my grateful thanks and teach me your laws.

109 My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your law.

110 The wicked have set their traps for me along your path, but I will not turn from your commandments.

111 Your decrees are my treasure; they are truly my heart's delight.

112 I am determined to keep your principles, even forever, to the very end.

Do not expect to know it all at once. Peel it layer by layer so you can learn each part with the Spirit’s guidance. He will lead you to the truth if He knows you truly want to follow Him.

The Word of God is our weapon against the enemy. When God allowed Satan to knock the wind out of Job to test his faith, Job stood on the Word and Spirit of God.

Job 33:4 NLT

For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Stand firm with God’s Word at the ready in your heart and mind.

The Armor of God

Last week I talked about how we could stand up to our enemy using God’s power, the Holy Spirit’s counsel, and the armor of God. I want to talk about the armor today.

Eph 6:10-18 NLT

A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

13 Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.   16 In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.   17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.

It requires all the pieces. God will supply the armor; we have to put it on. This is a spiritual battle. Each piece has its own use in this battle:

·         Belt of Truth – Use God’s truth, not your own.

·         Body Armor – this is listed as a breastplate in most versions because we are to face our enemy to show him the righteousness of Jesus which cloaks in as a follower.

·         Shoes – we are to share what we know of Jesus by using our testimonies. Don’t go barefoot because that only helps the enemy keep you from helping others in Jesus’ name.

·         Shield – this is our faith and it can quench the fiery arrows Satan throws at you to make you doubt or even turn and run from what God has given you to do.

·         Helmet – it is your salvation and will help protect your mind from Satan’s lies.

·         Sword of the Spirit – your only weapon and this is the Word of God. You can’t use this if you are not studying your Bible daily.

We are part of an army. We can get help from fellow Christians. We are to be praying for all Christians to stand firm against the enemy. All of us have the same mission, to grow as a disciple of Christ and to share what we know with the world. Each of us has our own ministry field, big or small, where we are given opportunities to show who Jesus is by our actions and our words.

If you feel weak, run to God in prayer for the help you need. He may lead you to a verse or a person who will help you overcome. Go to an elder of your church for prayer if you feel the need. Be patient with yourself and never give up. If you turn to flee, Satan has a free shot at your back. We are to stand on the power of God and the Holy Spirit and pray for other Christians so they can do so, too. Do not let the enemy get a free shot.

Do whatever it takes to stay in all the armor of God and let His power direct you in refuting the enemy.

Satan’s Power Is Limited

Eph 2:1-3 NLT

Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. 2 You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else.

Satan is allowed to roam for now as prince of the air, but the end of the story has God throwing him into the lake of fire. Due to his time limit, he is going to try every trick in the book to convince people God doesn’t exist or at least doesn’t care because He is off sitting far away in heaven on His throne. He’ll attack Christians to get them confused on what God said like he did to Eve in the garden. Once Satan knows you are on his side you might feel left alone to your own devices and even think life is good. However, as soon as you start thinking about God, he’ll do his best to mess with you.

John 10:10-11 NKJV

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly

Jesus holds the keys to hell and will bind up Satan on the last day. In the meantime He is knocking at our door so He can come in. If we side with Him, we have all the power and tools we need to fight off the enemy and live a fuller life because we are in the light rather than the darkness. His death on the cross ensured this and since then those who follow Jesus have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them as a helper and counselor against the tricks and tactics of the devil.

1 Peter 5:8-11 NKJV

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

God will use the sufferings caused by Satan to help us learn to persevere in our faith so we can stand firm with His power and the armor of God.

It’s a spiritual battle. If you do not let the Holy Spirit guide you and dwell with you as Jesus intended, you could be misguided by your own desires and what Satan will throw at you. You need to put on the armor of God and use the Word as your weapon. You need to be studying your Bible daily to know what it says about God, the devil and us. Satan knows the Bible and twisted it to tempt Jesus. If he will try that on Jesus three times, how much will he try it on us?

Stand firm with God. Know the attacks of Satan cannot steal an ounce of your faith. Only you can decide if you will stand as God says or let yourself fall due to doubt. If you fall, ask God for help so you learn from the experience and can return to the fight.

Accept Forgiveness

Both Peter and Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter did so by claiming he did not know Jesus, while Jesus stood condemned by the Jewish religious leaders. Judas betrayed Him by thinking of himself and what he could get out of helping the religious leaders. Both reacted with sorrow when Jesus was condemned.

Matt 26:69-75 NLT

Meanwhile, as Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, a servant girl came over and said to him, "You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean."

70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. "I don't know what you are talking about," he said.

71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."

72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. "I don't even know the man," he said.

73 A little later some other bystanders came over to him and said, "You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent."

74 Peter said, "I swear by God, I don't know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went away, crying bitterly.

Matt 27:3-5 NLT

When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and other leaders. 4 "I have sinned," he declared, "for I have betrayed an innocent man."

"What do we care?" they retorted. "That's your problem." 5 Then Judas threw the money onto the floor of the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

Judas left no chance for forgiveness. He could not live with himself.

Peter on the other hand went back to fishing thinking he could not live up to what Jesus expected. He loved Jesus, which made his denial sting worse. Jesus showed up in his life again to see if Peter would accept forgiveness and believe in what God said of him. Peter would be the rock of the church.

Note the interaction of Jesus with Peter once they know it is Jesus risen from the dead.

John 21:15-17 NLT

After breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you."

"Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him.

16 Jesus repeated the question: "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

"Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you."

"Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said.

17 Once more he asked him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was grieved that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know I love you."

Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep.

Peter denied three times. Jesus asked him three times if Peter loved Him. This hurt Peter, but he understood why. From that point on we see Peter as the rock Jesus confessed him to be.

It does not matter what you did. It only matters how you respond to God when He shows up in your life. What do you think your life could be like if you let God forgive you and accept what He says about you?

Trials Are Temporary

John 16:33 NLT

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." 

Jesus never promised an easy life here on earth, but He provided us a way to overcome because He already had. If we follow His instructions we will know how to overcome. We can’t do this on our own power so He sent the Holy Spirit to help and God’s grace to empower us. We have our part to do in conjunction with all the help and power God wants to shower on us. All we have to do is be willing to follow the instructions and He will help us overcome. If done His way, it will glorify Him and people will know it was God’s power and not yours that did it.

Eccl 3:1-8 NLT

There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.

2 A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.

3 A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.

4 A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.

5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

6 A time to search and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to throw away.

7 A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.

8 A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

Our trials and tribulations only last for a season, they are not forever. We also have an unchanging forever God to help us through the rough times and to keep us on track during the good. We slide off God’s grid faster when life is going along fine. That’s when we should hold on tighter so we are ready when the next trial comes along.

In this world you cannot control everything so you don’t know when you might wind up ill, laid off, in the middle of a natural disaster, etc. Walking with Jesus will be an adventure and a fulfilling one if you hang on tight through every season.

Rom 8:28 NLT

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

God showed His amazing and unwarranted love for us when He sent His only Son to provide us forgiveness, salvation and the empowerment we need to live according to His purpose. He will not leave us here as orphans. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us as our counselor and helper. There is no reason not to return the love He showed us and we do that by following His commandments and instructions. Then all things work out for our good despite the dark times of life.

My relationship with Him is the most important thing in life. Let God take the lead in your life. You will never regret it. I haven’t and I’ve seen more trials and tribulations after accepting Jesus than before. I’m not letting go and I hope you grab onto Him to never let go.

By the Power of the Holy Spirit

We can’t earn God’s grace and love. He is already offering them as a gift. We must accept the gifts offered. Once we have them then we can do whatever God entrusts us to do. So the first thing we have to do is open the door.

Rev 3:20 NLT

"Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends

Jesus is not only our Lord and Savior, He wants to be our friend. He wants to empower us to live the life God intended all along. Due to this, before He rose into heaven, He assured all His followers that the Holy Spirit would be sent to help them.

Acts 1:4-5 NLT

In one of these meetings as he was eating a meal with them, he told them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised. Remember, I have told you about this before.  5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

The Holy Spirit is our helper and counselor if we let Him. Through Him we will have the power to do what God wants instead of what our flesh wants. We will do the works of the Spirit and even mightier ones than Jesus if we simply believe. What we accomplish is only measured by our faith. It is God’s power we should be using. Even Jesus, born as a man, gained the power needed for His ministry by receiving the Holy Spirit.

Matt 3:16-17 NLT

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him."

Jesus had the Holy Spirit helping Him and was able to please His Father. This shows us a great deal about God’s love and how He handles relationships. He is a relational God and wants everyone in His family. Not only are you a child of God, you are also a friend and are given the ability to do great things in the family.

We should be doing our works here on earth to magnify God and not ourselves. There is nothing for us to earn from doing this. We already have the prize and we should be letting the world know they can have it, too. We should be listening to our Helper, the Holy Spirit. He is there to help us discern the world and to help us portray who God really is.

John 14:15-19 NLT

"If you love me, obey my commandments.  16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you.  17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.  18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans — I will come to you.

Let God guide you through the Holy Spirit and the Word to see great things happen in the world around you. It is not by your power so do not be afraid even if His requests seem impossible. Step out and receive everything He has for you. The journey will be amazing.

God's Grace Is Empowerment

2 Cor 12:9 NKJV

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The grace we receive upon accepting Jesus is not only for our salvation and forgiveness of sins. It is our power source. It will shine through our weaknesses to show the world who Jesus really is. It will allow us to do what the world thinks impossible. We can do greater things than Jesus did if we let this power flow through us.

2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our level of empowering grace is only as large as we believe it to be. If we keep working to know Jesus better, we will allow more of God’s ability to flow through us and into the world. It will allow us to do miracles, overcome obstacles, and live a truly free life that can only be attributed to God. We must let it grow in us and flow into the world for all to see. Without it the church looks weak or worse, it will compromise to make itself fit in the world.

Acts 4:33 NKJV

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

The first century church did so well because it understood that God’s grace empowered them to do the will of God in all things. They did great miracles, inspired great faith, and brought many into reconciliation with God. They discipled the followers so they could grow in the truth. This understanding flowed through the world like a wild fire changing many people and places. It is still happening where grace is allowed to have its power.

John 1:17 NKJV

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

We received this grace and truth through Jesus. Without the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross we would not have this great power to work with God and become part of His family again as we always were meant to be. Anyone that truly repents of how they lived and shows love to Jesus by obeying His commandments will receive this power through grace. It is a gift that we cannot earn. It is the gift that keeps us glued to Jesus and thus able to perform great things in His name. On our own we would fall far short of the mark and make the world wonder why anyone bothers with Christianity.

Let the world see the power of God if you are a Christian. Let Him teach you the truth so that you may walk freely in His grace. Don’t think you can’t do it until you are strong enough or perfect enough. Latch onto the gift of grace and let it empower you to do what God is asking. He is not expecting us to do this alone. Even if you only see small results now, keep working to learn more and let it build your faith. After all, we can grow into this if we let Him lead us.

Ask God for help in letting His grace empower you for whatever thing He has asked you to do, great or small. The world will know those that truly walk with Jesus even if we feel like we are stumbling in our attempts. If your heart is in the right place, you will see miracles and inspire others to want to know Jesus, too. You will have the power to stand firm as the world disagrees because you know God’s grace empowers you.

Repent!

Matthew 3:1-2 NKJV

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!

Matthew 4:17 NKJV

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 

Once John the Baptist was in prison and was no longer the one that came before talking of repentance, Jesus started telling people to repent. It must come first and foremost. If you don’t realize you have sinned against God and what that means, you have no way of truly turning from your ways to God’s ways.  

If a Christian is trying to say you only need to say a little prayer and you are good with God, be wary. You need to confess your sins and truly want to learn His ways in order for His grace to empower you to do so. It has to be a two way relationship between you and Jesus for this to happen.

Matthew 11:20 NLT

Then Jesus began to denounce the cities where he had done most of his miracles, because they hadn't turned from their sins and turned to God.

These unrepentant cities were in trouble. Bad things would come if they did not do a true turning from their ways to God’s way. There is no reconciliation with God without first repenting. You can tell the truly repentant because they will change their lifestyle with some things evident immediately. I know when I figured this out I changed a lot of things in the first few months as I learned with some good discipleship. I keep finding things to work on, but I equate this to peeling an onion one layer at a time. You get rid of the obvious and once that is gone new things are revealed to learn and work on. It’s a journey worth taking as you get closer to God with each step that strips your old self away. In the end we are to be like Jesus.

If we are accepting of Jesus, God already sees us as He sees Jesus. Do not let that turn into an excuse to keep some of your sins. Repent immediately to God when you realize you are not walking correctly with Him. This is how we show our love to Him, by obeying and admitting when we didn’t. This will show the world the truth. Staying unrepentant will show them a lie if you keep confessing to follow Christ. So be ready for someone to point out a flaw. We all have them. Take it as a loving warning from God no matter whom or what makes you realize it.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NLT

We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. 5 With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ.

We are to teach the world how to repent and be reconciled with God by using His tools, not our own. We use His Word, counsel and wisdom to fight against the ideas of the world. It is not a carnal fight, but a spiritual one.

If you are a Christian who hasn’t fully repented, do so now! If you are a Christian not teaching the need for repentance to others, start doing so now! Anyone not professing to be a Christian, I pray that God will send you the person that shows you how to properly repent and become a child of God. I encourage all to repent because God loves us all and is thankfully giving us more time on earth to realize it. Don’t let your time run out.

Are You In Right Standing With God?

Romans 6:16 NLT

Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval.

Our conscience will tell us right and wrong. We can ignore the warnings or heed them. Even those that have not known God or His Word have some idea of right and wrong. However, the more we decide to do the things we should not, the less likely any warning will stir us back to the correct path. We are warned that our hearts can be hardened and we can be left to our own devices.

Ephesians 5:5-7 NLT

You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world. 6 Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the terrible anger of God comes upon all those who disobey him. 7 Don't participate in the things these people do.

What we desire can become an idol for us. It blocks our view of knowing the right thing to do because all we want is the idol. In our culture this can be anything from a thing, person, and more likely some idea. Don’t get bent out of shape when life is not going your way in achieving what you think is best. We don’t always know what is best. This is why all Christians that accepted Christ are sent the Holy Spirit to be a helper and a counselor. Be sure you are paying attention to Him.

For some Christians, they think this means they should avoid the sinner. Jesus did not avoid the sinner because God’s love is there for anyone who will receive it. What we are not to do is turn from God and go into a lifestyle that is contrary to what God is telling us to live. We truly have more freedom and peace living God’s way. Christians should be doing their best to show the world God’s love and then we can show them how God’s way is better. If you don’t first do it with love, which is God’s way, they will not want to turn from the darkness blinding them to God.

Ephesians 5:15-20 NLT

So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. 17 Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. 19 Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I have trouble with this all the time. I’m not perfect, but I can’t use that as an excuse. I make mistakes, but do my best to learn from them. I also am learning a great deal about my weaknesses, so in those I can let God be my strength. He works best through our weaknesses, which I find miraculous. It’s so contrary to the way we are taught to think in Western culture, but I’ve learned a lot more from any mistake I made than having done something right the first time. God’s grace and power pick me up and help me to try again to get it right.

Thank God for His power that helps you get through the trials of life.

Be An Overcomer

Last week I talked about how fear is the opposite of love and faith. We were made to succeed with God on our side.

John 16:33 NLT

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." 

We will see many trials in our lives. Some of the trials are due to our own ignorance or bad choices and others we have absolutely no control over. All of them can be overcome with a feeling of peace if we follow Jesus. He is the ultimate overcomer of the world.

I have peace as I deal with multiple sclerosis on a daily basis. I know that God is working in me little by little due to this disability. Sure He can heal it any time and I wouldn’t mind. However, I’m also not going to complain about it still being here today. It does give me something to overcome and learn a great deal of patience and other things. Okay, some days I need to retreat so I don’t lash out incorrectly due to hurting too much. Despite this ailment, I know God is on my side and Jesus is right there helping me overcome.

Rom 5:3-5 NLT

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn to endure. 4 And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. 5 And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

That is what I rely on. I will keep doing what God is directing me to do even if I might take longer due to my disability. I’m still here so I know God has further purposes for me before He takes me home. Even on the bad days I’m trying to be the proper servant and not letting fear of not accomplishing things get in the way. Fear is a show stopper even for the perfectly healthy.

In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells us the parable of the talents. The lord goes away after giving each servant talents to invest while he is gone. Two of the servants manage to double their money. They don’t react in fear because they know the blessing they will get if they can do a good job or even try. Now the servant who only got one talent reacted in fear. The lord definitely thought he could do something or he never would have given him a talent in the first place. The two that did the job correctly got rewarded with more. What happened to the fearful servant who hid the money in a hole in the ground where it couldn’t even make interest?

Matt 25:24-30 NKJV

Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.  25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' 

26 But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.  27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.  28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 

Don’t be the servant that does nothing due to being afraid. No matter what life throws at you keep on walking with Jesus. You will finish the journey as an overcomer rather than an outcast that loses everything due to fear.

What Are You Afraid Of?

Proverbs 29:25 NLT

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.

Most of our fears can be alleviated with facts, even fears of dealing with certain people because of how they have treated us in the past. If we take the time to ask why they treat us that way, we will get more facts and understanding about their view of it. Of course, it may lead to more confrontation, but if you don’t let them know it bothers you, they have no reason to change what they are doing.

Psalms 27:1 NLT

The LORD is my light and my salvation — so why should I be afraid?

The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger — so why should I tremble?

I know I have fears to deal with. Some of them are only based on what I have perceived, not on the facts. But I feel like the psalmist because I have God on my side and I should feel able to deal with fear.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

As a believer of Jesus Christ you have the power through His grace to deal with life. You know you are loved by Him and if you love Him, you know how to love the world as He does despite all the wrong in it. So having this power and love, you can acquire self-discipline that dumbfounds the world as you deal with your fears and in turn learn how to help others with their fears. If we hide from certain people we can never show them God’s love. We are to go out into the world proclaiming Him and we can’t do that if we fear people.

1 John 4:18 NLT

Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

The kind of love God has and teaches us to have expels this fear. People will know where we stand with God based on how we react to the world. Are we showing it love or fear?

Isaiah 35:4 NLT

Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you."

If you are a Christian, the enemy is not the people around you. It is Satan who is doing his best to influence this world while he still has the chance before God comes to finish the war He will win. The enemy is the spirit of darkness keeping people in fear instead of going to the light of God to learn what true love and power is.

If you are scared of anything, hand it over to God and ask Him to help you overcome it. He loves you and wants you to have the power to live life His way without fear.

God's Grace is Sufficient

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Grace is not something we can earn from God. It is a free gift we must be willing to accept in faith.

Eph 1:7-10 NLT

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. 9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ — everything in heaven and on earth.

Through His grace we can acquire everything we need to live life according to His plan. He will not force us into His plan, but living by it will change your life greatly for the better. I have found I can deal with far greater trials in my life than I ever had thanks to accepting Christ into my life. His wisdom and understanding surpasses anything this world can offer, and I’ve only managed to understand a little as I work on my relationship with Christ. That relationship is what our work is to be, not proving ourselves.

Gal 5:4 NLT

For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace.

We are not to do it ourselves. The power to do what God wills for our lives comes from His grace. You must put down your efforts and take the gift of grace. His grace is where the power comes from to endure anything for Him.

2 Cor 12:8-10 NLT

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in any weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul had a “thorn in the side” that he asked to be removed. In the end God let him know that His grace was sufficient. Through our weaknesses we can find strength in God. He can work through our weaknesses to show the world who He is.

I understand this feeling of Paul’s because I have multiple sclerosis and know how pain can stop you in your tracks. Despite feeling worse, I know it is in God’s hands and I keep on writing as best I can so you all can learn who God is. It is even helping me deepen my own understanding so I stick to God through everything.

Eph 6:24 NLT

May God's grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you love Jesus, you can have God’s grace on you eternally. Do you love Jesus? Then follow His will for your life and keep working on your relationship with Him. His grace will empower you to do so.