HAPPY TUESDAY!
I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying this "terrific Tuesday". It's beginning to look a lot like fall, and I'm grateful for the cycle of life, and change of season. Each change helps me understand the magnificence of God, and His faithfulness. The fact that the seasons continue to change without fails helps us confirm the promises of the Lord. Life will continue as we know it, until the return of Jesus Christ. We can depend on God to be there for us, whenever we call on Him, because He's faithful and true. He's faithful enough to keep the seasons changing, so He's also faithful to keep His promises to me and you. I was a little under the weather yesterday, not sure if it's the cold or flu, but please keep me in your prayers. My body aches, and I'm a little weak, but other than that I'm fine. Thanks for your prayers, enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family!
Today's scriptures are about the fear of our enemies. It's amazing that in this world we all have enemies, even if we've never done a bad thing to anyone, in our lifetime. The evil that lurks on this earth fuels the hatred in people, which causes a person to want to hurt another, without ever knowing them. When I think of terrorist or unnecessary wars, and how many innocent people fall victim to these senseless acts, it makes me sad. Then I think of the child in school, who may dress differently, or act differently than the other children, who quickly develops enemies, and is often tortured throughout school. This child developed enemies just because he was different. How do you think Jesus felt? Even He had enemies, and He was the Savior of all mankind. He only wanted to help, heal, and uplift others, yet He was tortured and killed by His enemies. How do we explain these horrible acts? There are lots of things that I can't explain, but the wisdom will be given by God, when the time is right. The only thing we can do is trust Him with our life.
A lot of times our enemies are brought on by the the works of the flesh, similar to Paul’s explanation of how to walk by the Spirit. Before he went into this, he said: You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Gal 5:13-15 NIV) The history of enemies starts with the story of the brothers Cain and Able, where one brother struck the other down, because of jealously. Years later, Jesus came, and He was ultimately killed because of jealously, and because some people didn't want to accept the fact that He was the Son of God. All He did was preach peace, love, prosperity, and hope; He never hated anyone, but he had lots of enemies. Jesus never allowed the naysayers to stop His ministry. He never allowed them to force Him into hiding, or to stop preaching the gospel. He knew that He had a job to do, and would complete it. There was nothing anyone could do about that, especially His enemies.
In life, we must also have the attitude of moving forward no matter what we're faced with. No matter if we're ridiculed, threatened, talked about, etc, because God has the final say. From the beginning of time, you've been predestined for a certain task, so when you stay focused on Him no one can take you off of your path. The blood of Christ offers us redemption, protection, as well as salvation. We cannot get this from any man on this earth. Just as it's written: Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. (Heb.10:11-14 NIV) Did you know that this includes every believer?
Everyone has the potential to be an enemy as well, but when we follow God's commandment to love each other as we love ourselves, God will always change things around for our good. To face an enemy with the love of God is the only way to defeat them, with little effort on our part. Remember, the Word of God is our sword, and it's what we use to strike back. Love conquers all, and when we learn to use it against our enemies, it'll make our fight a lot easier. Remember light overcomes darkness, as love overcomes hate. To have fear of an enemy is to show less faith in God. When we allow Him to fight out battles, we have nothing to worry about. Think about David and Goliath; David had no fear, he just knew he had to avenge the Name of the Lord. He faced that Giant with faith, two stones, and a sling shot, and Goliath was defeated. When we have the confidence of David, we too can overcome any enemy in our life, big or small. Even the enemy we have on the inside of us.
Self-hatred is prevalent in this society, and is a big enemy. The hardest enemy to defeat is the one within us. I believe this enemy rears his head, when we fail to see ourselves the way God sees us. Remember that God sees you as His child, and there's nothing anyone can do our say that can change that, you’re free! Jesus is the key to that freedom that Paul wrote about in his letter to the Galatians. If you don't know Jesus as Lord, then you're a slave to the flesh, and have reason to fear all enemies, especially the one inside of you. To live with the covenant of the blood of Christ, is the only way to defeat the enemies and rise above them. Try not to worry about what people say or do to your flesh, just know that God is the key to life without fear. Enemies will come and go in this lifetime, but stay true to God, and He'll walk with you through the valley of the shadow of death, so that you can fear no evil. My favorite verse today is: When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)
ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455489&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional
I love you!
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