The Real Deal

"Trust in the LORD
with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones."
(Proverbs 3:5-8)

I wavered before publishing today's post. I prayed. And prayed some more. For my purpose at "Fan into Flame" is to focus on the Lord and to reflect Him through the living waters of His Word.

My worldview is eternal: Bible-based, Jesus-focused, and Holy Spirit-driven. I believe that the common denominator behind all of our societal ills is a failure to live, work, serve, and govern for Him and through Him. (Reference Ephesians 6:7-8). "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD ..." (Psalm 33:12) and/but "... the nation or kingdom that will not serve (Him) will perish; it will be utterly ruined." (Isaiah 60:12).

Therefore, although I am aware of all (well, most!) of the issues with the potential to affect and effect our country and our world, I tend not to latch on to individual causes or trends. As I watch the unfolding of the ever-increasing evil in our world, however, I find myself increasingly alarmed at the true state of our nation. I discern our presidential administration to be dangerous, reckless, and, frankly, indifferent to (and ignorant of) the true long-term best interests of Americans.

While I am not an alarmist, I consider the currently proposed health care bill, for example, to be dangerous, in more ways than one, and I believe this address from former president Ronald Reagan, posted by the American Family Association (AFA), to be unfortunately prophetic.

On another level, I am watching the rapid weakening of Christ's Body, the Church. Dismay follows dismay as I witness individual Christians making seemingly benign but truly dangerous choices, such investing in the current secular book and movie sensation, Twilight. Some say it's "just" a love story ... except, of course, for the vampires. Others attempt to justify it by saying that it contains redeemable material and life lessons. Whatever.

I say it is evil and birthed by the father of lies (reference John 8:44), the same liar who craftily preyed upon Eve in the Garden of Eden--not blatantly denying the Lord's instructions to the first of His creation but subtly defying them. "Did God really say 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden.' ?" (reference Genesis 3:1; my highlighted emphasis) satan murmured, thereby omitting facts, creating doubt, and inciting rebellion against the Holy God and Creator.

"Did God really say (fill in the blank)?"

"Did He really?"

"Really?"

The enemy asks: "Did God really say ... that a government shouldn't decide what is best for the people?"

I respond: "God says, " 'I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you what is best for you, Who directs you in the way you should go.' " " (Isaiah 48:17; reference also Isaiah 58:11; Psalm 32:8).

The enemy asks: "Did God really say ... that you couldn't enjoy a little fictional love story?"

I respond: "God says, "... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." " (Philippians 4:8).

There's not enough time and space here to refute all the lies the enemy plants. But, the ammunition is all contained in God's Word, the Holy Bible. When tempted by the enemy during His 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus' winning weapon was the Word of God (reference Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). Our must be the same.

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17). "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:12-13).

God doesn't compromise His righteousness. God doesn't weaken His justice. God doesn't play favorites.

To truly honor, glorify, and please Him, we must choose to speak out and stand up. He demands that all things (and all people) devoted to destruction within His Body be identified and removed (reference, among others, Joshua 7:12-13; 1 Corinthians 5).

The enemy's plays may change, but his game remains the same: to undermine the one and only Most High God. Our individual, national, and international defense (and offense!) is also unchanging: to stand firm and straight upon the Word of the Lord.

"... Jesus said, 'If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.' " (John 8:31)

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the One Who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1:6-7)

"For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 3:8)

"Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. ..." (1 John 2:18-19)

"... the reality, however, is found in Christ." (Colossians 2:17)

He's the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth (reference John 1:17, 5:19, 14:6, 18:37; Ephesians 4:21; 1 Timothy 4:6; Titus 1:1; 1 John 5:6; 2 John 1:3). He's the real deal. Really.

Precious Father, You are holy, righteous, and blameless. Forgive us for failing to honor You in our every thought, word, and deed. Purify our hearts and our minds, O Lord, and align them with Yours. "Create in [us] a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within [us]." (Psalm 51:10). Let us meditate on Your Word as our unfailing plumbline and our unending delight (reference Psalm 119). Let us view one another in love, seeing all people as You created them to be, but never let us compromise Your standards in the process. I pray, Precious Father, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, "the Author and Perfecter of our faith" (reference Hebrews 12:2). Amen.

"... let the one who has My Word
speak it faithfully."
(Jeremiah 23:28)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "Calculating Correct Change"
• "Wishing Well: Be Careful What You Wish For"
• "Unmasking & Illuminating Halloween: Trick or Treat?"
• "Rising Waters"
• "Believer or Deceiver?"
• "Fools for Christ"
• "A Battle Rages; Stand Firm!"
• 
  

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Rising Waters

"I tell you,
now is the time of God's favor,
now is the day of salvation."
(2 Corinthians 6:2b)
Beloved, I've missed you! Those precious few of you who regularly stoke "Fan into Flame" know that the posts here are often irregular. I don't write daily or weekly but only when prompted by the Holy Spirit ... only when the Lord gives me something to say. Sometimes, it flows like a flood! Sometimes ... {insert sound of chirping crickets here} ... it doesn't.

The times of stillness are a glorious gift from the Lord. Be assured that He is graciously and wondrously speaking. I'm just listening to Him. And learning from Him. And leaning on Him. And loving Him. I pray that you are, too, during this Harvest journey.

In the three weeks since Good Friday, I've been watching. Observing. Listening. Grieving. Rejoicing.

I am an alien and stranger here on earth (reference Psalms 39:12; Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11), but, as time passes, I acutely feel even more alienated ... and stranger than ever before! I discern in my spirit--and witness in my flesh--waves of deception washing over the earth. They once were fewer and farther apart, but, like the labor pains immediately preceding childbirth, they are greater, faster, and unrelenting. The shock is drowning some, who haven't accepted the Lord's safe harbor. The turbulence is neutralizing some, who haven't learned to navigate enemy waters. The impact is knocking some to their spiritual senses, all glory to God! And the tumult is bringing some to the surface, who stand amidst the storm, rising confidently and firmly in the power of the Lord.

Beloved, the side effects of polluted waters abound. I don't need to list them here. There's neither time nor space to exhaust the list of ills weakening our country and our world. They make me sick. I know they make you sick, too. And, you know I'm not talking about swine flu.

Let's just call a spade a spade here. Let's address the cause beyond the symptoms. The common denominator behind every perversion of the Lord's goodness, holiness, and righteousness is the enemy of the one and only Most High God. He is a counterfeiter and a liar, and those who don't recognize that truth are, sadly, floating in the filthy waters of his deception.

"... Jesus ... said, 'I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life.' The Pharisees challenged Him, 'Here You are, appearing as Your own witness; Your testimony is not valid.' Jesus answered, 'Even if I testify on My own behalf, My testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, Who sent Me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am One Who testifies for Myself; My other witness is the Father, Who sent Me.' Then they asked Him, 'Where is Your Father?' 'You do not know Me or My Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew Me, you would know My Father also.' ... 'You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the One I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.' 'Who are you?' they asked. 'Just what I have been claiming all along,' Jesus replied. 'I have much to say in judgment of you. But He who sent Me is reliable, and what I have heard from Him I tell the world.' They did not understand that He was telling them about His Father. So Jesus said, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the One I claim to be and that I do nothing on My Own but speak just what the Father has taught Me. The One who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.' Even as He spoke, many put their faith in Him. To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.' They answered Him, 'We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can You say that we shall be set free?' Jesus replied, 'I tell you the Truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill Me, because you have no room for My Word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father.' 'Abraham is our father,' they answered. 'If you were Abraham's children,' said Jesus, 'then you would do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill Me, a man Who has told you the Truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the things your own father does.' 'We are not illegitimate children,' they protested. 'The only Father we have is God Himself.' Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on My own; but He sent Me. Why is My language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the Truth, you do not believe Me! Can any of you prove Me guilty of sin? If I am telling the Truth, why don't you believe Me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.' "
(John 8:12-47)
Beloved, this post is not what I intended it to be today. It never is. All thanks and glory to God! I planned an exhortation about the freedom, power, and authority you have in Christ. Perhaps that's another post (or series of posts!) for another day.

In the meantime, know that the waters of deception will continue heighten. They just will. Godlessness will continue to increase. It just will.

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
(2 Timothy 3:1-5)
But, most of all, precious ones, know this: The enemy's days are numbered--they are! Jesus Christ reigns--He does! He's returning--He is! And, when He does, He will replace the seas of sickness with the River of Life (reference Revelation 22). He will. He just will. And we who know Him will dwell with Him in the house of the Lord ... forever.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations He has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, He burns the shields with fire. 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."
(Psalm 46)
Precious Father, how wondrous it is to live in the embrace of Your grace! You sit enthroned over the flood (reference Psalm 29:10). All glory to You! Thank You for strengthening Your children during the storm; thank You for the protection of Your peace in the midst of the turbulence. Your Living Water refreshes us, sustains us, and keeps us afloat. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ--Your perfect Son and my precious Savior. Amen.

"Therefore let everyone who is godly
pray to You
while You may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him."
(Psalm 32:6)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "Believer or Deceiver"
• "There's a Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On"
  
• "Resolute in Absolute Truth"
• "The Great Depression"
• "In God We Trust"
• "No Flood is Greater Than His Blood"
• "A Storm is Coming ..."
• "The Battle Rages"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Copyright 2009. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

Ready or Not ...

" 'So you also must be ready,
because the Son of Man
will come at an hour
when you do not expect Him.' "
(Matthew 24:44)
Oh, precious friends! I am so delighted to be back at the keyboard! The past week and a half has been busy, and while my flesh cried out for time to write, my spirit patiently waited upon the Lord's timing.

Many reflections are swirling about in my head and in my heart. I want to write about faith in the fire, as righteously exemplified by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. I want to write about greed, deceit, and the love of money, as unrighteously demonstrated by Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. But the word that the Lord has given me for today is "ready".

Among the definitions for "ready", this particular one struck me: "completely prepared and in fit condition for immediate action or use".

Completely prepared for immediate use. Completely fit for immediate action. Oh, beloved, does that description fit you? Does it fit me? Does it fit the Church, the bride of Christ?

Much is being said, written, speculated, predicted, and prophesied right now about end times. I suppose there are such signs in each generation, and there are certainly many indicators of end times present in today's world. But, dear friends, it really shouldn't matter whether Christ returns tomorrow, next month, next year, or a hundred years from now. We should be ready, regardless.

We do not know when Christ will call for His bride. " 'No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.' " (Matthew 24:26, see also 24:50, 25:13; Mark 13:32; Luke 12:46). We do have signs of the end of the age as recorded in God's Word (reference Mark 13 and Luke 21). But, dear ones, I believe that our purpose is not to live in conscious analysis of current events and select passages of Scripture. Rather, I believe we are to live in the unconscious synthesis of the Holy Spirit (reference Galatians 5:16-26) and the entire Word of God. That seamless manifestation of His Truth, His Light, and His Love can radiate from us only when we are completely surrendered to the Lord.

The Bible states "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings." (Proverbs 25:2) and "Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7). The Lord reveals Himself everyday ... in every way. But, precious ones, I don't believe that we are to seek to exist in the ecstasy of His signs and wonders. In order to be of service to the Living Lord, we must descend from the joy of our mountaintop experiences and live in His Truth and in His Light, down on the ground in the midst of the battle.

Living every day as a soldier in the Lord's ground troops is not for the weary, the uncommitted, or the faint of heart, and the Lord winnows His warriors (reference Judges 7:1-8). It is hard work, often requiring us to slog through some most undesirable circumstances. But, precious ones, faithfulness and obedience in those seemingly unglorious assignments are precisely what readies us for His return.

What glory does He get from a watching world, which perceives Christians as incubated and intubated in a Holy bubble? If I may be so bold, I submit that the Lord's greatest glory comes not from periods of untested joy and prosperity, but from periods of proven faithfulness and obedience, purposefully independent of earthly circumstances. From faith in the fire, a la Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3). From faith in the absence of fact, demonstrated by Noah (Genesis 5:28-9:29; Hebrews 11:7). From faith in fearful circumstances, characterized by the obedience of Abraham (Genesis 22:1-18; Hebrews 11:8-10). From faith in circumstances beyond human control, reasoning, and understanding, characterized by Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38, 46-55, 2:19). From faith in the face of death, represented by Stephen (Acts 7:54-60), and ultimately, embodied by Jesus Christ Himself.

The faith of these, and the faith of countless others--known and unknown, named and unnamed, past and present--was and is a ready faith, cultivated by a carefully chosen lifestyle, which consistently honored and glorified the Lord. None were perfect, but all were faithful. Long before (more than 500 years before!) the Lord directed Noah to build the ark, "he walked with God" (Genesis 6:9). Long before Abraham became our Divinely appointed patriarch, his life was characterized by prompt obedience to and faith in the Lord (Genesis 12:4, 15:6, 17:23, 22:3, 22:8). By continually walking with God, by constantly seeking His face, by consistently searching His heart, they were--and we are--made ready for the day of our greatest test of faith.

Beloved, let us cast off every shred of complacency and mediocrity, clothing ourselves instead with the full armor of God (reference Ephesians 6:10-18), including "the readiness that comes from the gospel" (reference Ephesians 6:15). Let us be ready. Let us be completely fit for His service. Let us be completely prepared for His immediate use.

He's coming ... ready or not.

Precious Father, oh glorious Lord, I thank You for incomparable and inconceivable eternal kingdom plan! I thank You, Lord, for the treasured glimpses of Your delight in our faithfulness, which encourage us as we trudge forward on the ground below. Please help us remember that our plodding is not without purpose and that our sole responsibility is to remain rooted and ready in You. I pray that our witness would go before You, "... in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17). May we " 'be dressed ready for service ...' " (Luke 12:35), and may we sound a clear call so that others will ready themselves for battle (reference 1 Corinthians 14:8). On the day of the Lamb's wedding supper, may we be found worthy to hear those precious words, " '... For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.' " (Revelation 19:7) I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Leader and Commander (reference Isaiah 55:4). Amen.

"Praise be to the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In His great mercy
He has given us new birth
into a living hope
through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead,
and into an inheritance
that can never perish, spoil or fade--
kept in Heaven for you,
who through faith
are shielded by God's power
until the coming of the salvation
that is ready to be revealed
in the last time.' "
(1 Peter 1:3-5)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "A Battle Rages; Stand Firm!"
• "Because He Says So"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

A Battle Rages; Stand Firm!

"For our struggle
is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers,
against the authorities,
against the powers
of this dark world
and against
the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms."
(Ephesians 6:12)
Good Morning, my friends! How are you on this fourth day of our 40-day journey?

I have to laugh, as I had a sweet post in mind for this morning, but the Lord has something a little more sobering to share. So, in obedience and "Because He Says So", let's explore what He wants to say this morning.

As this morning's reflection Scripture (Ephesians 6:12) reminds us, every battle that embroils us on earth is not what it appears. We're not struggling with money, with relationships, with addictions, or with fasting :-). Whether we're conscious of it or not, we're in a battle for our very lives with an enemy who desires to strip us of everything good thing God has planned for us. We must look beyond the surface to recognize the root; we must treat the cause and not the symptoms.

In 2 Samuel 24:1-17, who provoked King David to take an unnecessary and prideful census? The answer is clear in 1 Chronicles 21:1: "Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel."

In Matthew 16:21-22, who caused Peter to refute the Lord's prediction of His death? Jesus Himself reveals the answer in verse 23: "...'Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.' " (See also Mark 8:31-33).

When people hear the Word of God but fail to let it root deeply (reference Mark 4:1-20), who robs them of that seed? "... Jesus said ... 'Satan comes and takes away the Word that was sown in them.' " (verses 13-15).

Who kept a woman crippled and infirm for 18 years (reference Luke 13:10-17)? "The Lord answered ... '... should not this woman ... whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free ... ?' " (verses 15-16).

Why did Judas betray Jesus (reference Luke 22:1-6 and John 13:21-30)? "Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve." (Luke 22:3). "As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him." (John 13:27).

Why did Ananias lie and steal what was not his to keep (reference Acts 5:1-11)? Peter answers that question in verse 3: " 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?' "

"... a messenger of Satan ..." tormented Paul (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10) and tried to hinder his ministry (reference 1 Thessalonians 2:18).

Who tormented Job and Simon Peter? (Reference Job 1-2 and Luke 22:31-34, 54-62). You guessed it. " 'Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.' " (Luke 22:31) (Reference also Job 1:6-12, 2:1-7). Please note, though, that Satan first had to ask God's permission, which is another post for another day!

Who left an open bag of candy corn in my car, which greeted me with an enticing aroma on the second day of the fast? Oh, wait, did I really type that?! (Just had to lighten this up a little, folks.)

And, of course, who tempted Jesus Himself while He fasted in desert for 40 days in preparation for His earthly ministry (reference Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13? "... the devil ..." (Matthew 4:1); "... the devil ..." (Matthew 4:5); "... the devil ..." (Matthew 4:8); " ... the devil ..." (Matthew 4:11); "... the devil ..." (Luke 4:1); "... the devil ..." (Luke 4:3); "... the devil ..." (Luke 4:5); "... the devil ..." (Luke 4:9); "... the devil ..." (Luke 4:13). Whew. Get the point?

How did our Lord overcome the devil? With the Word of God. "Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.' Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended Him." (Matthew 4:10-11). (The Scripture in Luke 4:13, though, really gives me the shivers: "When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left Him until an opportune time." (Emphasis mine.) Satan tested Jesus throughout His earthly ministry, including the ultimate test at Gethsemane. We can never let down our guard; the enemy is just waiting for a crack in our armor!

"So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).

Please know, precious friends, that you are undergoing nothing that Jesus Himself did not face. You are not fighting the battles alone, and, in fact, the war has already been won! Have you read the back of the Book?! We win! Jesus assured that victory at the cross and outside the empty tomb.

The enemy is making proverbial hay while the sun shines now, but Praise the Lord that "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." (Romans 16:20). Remember to "... test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (1 John 4:1), and rejoice in the fact that you "... are from God and have overcome them, because the One Who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4). Do not be unaware of the enemy's schemes (reference 2 Corinthians 2:11), but know that "... Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light ... [and] his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Most of all, beloved, be aware that the battle belongs to the Lord (reference 1 Samuel 17:47; 2 Chronicles 20:15-17, 32:7-8; Psalm 24:8, 140:7, 144:1; Proverbs 21:31; Isaiah 31:4, 42:13; Zechariah 10:5, 14:3). We need only to stand.

Stand firm ... "and see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today" (Exodus 14:13).

Stand firm ... "without fear" (Job 11:15).

Stand firm ... knowing that "when the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone" (Proverbs 10:25).

Stand firm ... knowing that in the end you "will be saved" (Matthew 10:22, 24:13; Mark 13:13).

Stand firm ... to "gain life" (Luke 21:19).

Stand firm ... knowing that "your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Stand firm ... "in the faith" (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Stand firm ... "in Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:21).

Stand firm ... "and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).

Stand firm ... in "the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:13-20).

Stand firm ... "in one Spirit" (Philippians 1:27).

Stand firm ... "in the Lord, dear friends!" (Philippians 4:1).

Stand firm ... "in all the will of God" (Colossians 4:12).

Stand firm ... "because the Lord's coming is near" (James 5:8).

Precious Father, thank You for the courage to stand. Give us wisdom, dear Lord, to discern the enemy in our midst. Give us strength to stand against his schemes. Envelope us with Your love, mercy, grace, and peace. Surround us with chariots of fire (reference 2 Kings 6:16-18)! Our hope rests in You (reference Psalm 33:22, 62:5; Titus 1:2). I pray in the name of Jesus, Your perfect Son and my precious Savior. Amen.

"... Your enemy
the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion
looking for someone
to devour.
Resist him,
standing firm
in the faith,
because you know
that your brothers
throughout the world
are undergoing the same
kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace,
Who called you
to His eternal glory
in Christ,
after you have suffered
a little while,
will Himself restore you
and make you strong,
firm and steadfast.
To Him be the power
for ever and ever.
Amen. "
(1 Peter 5:8-11)
(How can we encourage and pray for you today? Please let us know by posting a comment below; click on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer.)

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.