After his resurrection, Jesus sends us all out to do what he did: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21 NRSV). And he gives us his authority to do it: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go” (Matt. 28:18–19). Why else would he have given us his authority if we weren’t supposed to use it?
The attitude of so many Christians today is anything but fierce. We’re passive, acquiescent. We’re acting as if the battle is over, as if the wolf and the lamb are now fast friends. Good grief—we’re beating swords into plowshares as the armies of the Evil One descend upon us. We’ve bought the lie of the Religious Spirit, which says, “You don’t need to fight the Enemy. Let Jesus do that.” It’s nonsense. It’s unbiblical. It’s like a private in Vietnam saying, “My commander will do all the fighting for me; I don’t even need to fire my weapon.” We are commanded to “resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). We are told, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him” (1 Peter 5:8–9); “Fight the good fight” (1 Tim. 1:18); “Rescue those being led away to death” (Prov. 24:11).
Seriously, just this morning a man said to me, “We don’t need to fight the Enemy. Jesus has won.” Yes, Jesus has won the victory over Satan and his kingdom. However, the battle is not over. Look at 1 Corinthians 15:24–25: “Then the end will come, when he [Jesus] hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” After he has destroyed the rest of the Enemy’s works. Until then, he must reign by bringing his enemies under his feet. Jesus is still at war, and he calls us to join him.
(Waking the Dead , 167–68)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Solomon
Read 1 Kings 1-God grants Solomon wisdom.
INSIGHT
Solomon's heart is manifested by the purity of his prayer. He could have asked for a long life; he could have asked for riches and honor. But instead Solomon asks simply for wisdom. What an honest and unselfish prayer. Being honest with God is not as easy as we might think. We all tend to live life with masks on-behind which the real "us" hides-to make a better impression on people. How foolish! God sees behind the mask—as do most people. We can learn from Solomon. God is pleased with honest, transparent prayers.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord for His wisdom to all generations of those who love Him:
Thus says the Lord:
"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:12-14).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the all-wise Lord:
In you, O Christ, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (based on Colossians 2:3).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise,
be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17).
INSIGHT
Solomon's heart is manifested by the purity of his prayer. He could have asked for a long life; he could have asked for riches and honor. But instead Solomon asks simply for wisdom. What an honest and unselfish prayer. Being honest with God is not as easy as we might think. We all tend to live life with masks on-behind which the real "us" hides-to make a better impression on people. How foolish! God sees behind the mask—as do most people. We can learn from Solomon. God is pleased with honest, transparent prayers.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord for His wisdom to all generations of those who love Him:
Thus says the Lord:
"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:12-14).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the all-wise Lord:
In you, O Christ, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (based on Colossians 2:3).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
- Greater wisdom in your daily life
- Wisdom for political leaders
- Your activities for the day
To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise,
be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17).
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Break Out
Lets break out today and love our neighbors as ourselves! Do something small for a neighbor today like bake cookies, give a note, or mow a lawn to show them the love of Christ! Get out there and serve.
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