There is a battle going on.
Not just a flesh and blood battle.
Not a battle won by fighting the way everyone else fights. It is cosmic.
It reaches to the heavens. It is
personal, global and universal.
Jesus was involved.
The devil tried Him, tempted Him, tore at Him, and He fought. “The Son of God came to destroy the works of
the devil.” 1 John 3:8 (NLT)
The enemy has not finished attempting to destroy what God is
doing. “Stay alert! Watch out
for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking
for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) The devil rests after he
devours. We are told to “stay alert”
because the enemy is there in the tall grass, behind the trees, in the shadows
watching for someone who is not watching.
Who is not watching?
The busy Christian. Up and going
with plans, programs, and projects.
Knowing about the idea of putting on the full armor of God, but with
work or other cares there is far too much to do to put it on. The unbelieving Christian. Having assurance heaven is for real and Jesus
has everything in hand is enough. The
threat of the devil or of the battle seems more like a myth to the
unbelieving. A fairy-tale for the
paranoid church goer, but not something for the sophisticated or so they may
think. But watch out the devil is on the
prowl for those who are not staying alert.
Jesus offers life abundant to His people. The abundant life flows from the life lived
His way. The devil has other plans. He wants to tear down and destroy. Jesus says it this way, “The thief comes only
to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it
abundantly.” John 10:10 (NASB)
Have you noticed a difference in the quality of life you
experience when putting real effort into following Jesus? Quality.
Deep down in the soul goodness, peace and love that rushes out like a
flowing river. We know the importance of
loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. When we pursue Him with that love we
experience Him. With that fundamental
change in us we can connect to others with His kind of love. That is quality of life.
When the devil has his way in our lives there may be a rise
in things accumulated, accolades given to us and other assorted delights, but
they are meant to destroy us. Have you
noticed?
How can we be living God’s way, and be aware of the devil’s
attempts to destroy us? Draw near to the
Lord. Daily put on the full armor of
God.
Imagine being bored living the life Jesus has laid out for
you. Imagine the words of Scripture
being irrelevant in the battle for your life.
Imagine the things of this world being more invigorating than the empowerment
by the Holy Spirit. Many do. Many times we have. Some walk away listening to the devil. But it doesn’t have to be that way. “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 4:4 (NASB) Greater is He who is
in you.
You are God’s. He has
more for you than you can think or imagine.
He is glad to call you His child.
I am glad to see what God has done in you as part of the
family at Grace Bible Church. You have
an important place on the wall. Like
those who defended and built the wall around Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day you
have a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other. The battle is real. All around us near and far there is news of
attacks and people turning against one another.
The devil is instigating what he can and bringing death and destruction,
fear and mayhem.
We at GBC in our small
corner of the world have the unbelievable opportunity to make a
difference. We have access to the
ultimate power of God. We have practiced
walking with Him. When we gear up and
put on the full armor of God we are ready to battle. We pray.
Not as weaklings with little timid voices huddled in corners, but as God’s
own army engaging the enemy. We can be like David in facing the giant as we
come in the name of the Lord.
Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with
a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of
hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. 1 Samuel 17:45 (NASB)
For those who have been gearing up. Thank you for fighting in the battle. For those who have not been gearing up. Consider what the Lord would have you do, and
do it.
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty
power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against
all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood
enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against
mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly
places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to
resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be
standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body
armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the
Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold
up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation
as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray
in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent
in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT)
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