Thursday, December 17, 2015

Behind enemy lines


Michael writes this week that true transformation only happens in proximity of Jesus Christ. There are things in us where God is calling us to pray: "God come and help yourself to our lives." God knows our hearts and intends to speak to His men and women individually and collectively to will and to do of His good pleasure. He calls us to listen with the Pentecostal gift of hearing ... to listen to His still small voice. He says “come to me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”  Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and they know me and I Give unto them eternal life."  God said, "Be still and know that I am God."

If Christ is not the Lord of your life, how will you know who the enemy is?  If you don't know your Commander-in-Chief, how can you know who stands against Him. You've got to share the values, virtues, and righteousness of our Lord and Savior in order to know who stands against truth, for Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life”, not a way, a truth and the life.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 “Guard yourself when you go into the house of God.  Fools are ignorant and do wrong. God is in heaven and you upon earth, so let your words be few.  Be careful how you surrender your life to Him.”  

In 1 Samuel 16, God commanded Samuel to go to Jesse's house and to bring an animal to sacrifice to the Lord. His purpose was to anoint the next king of Israel to replace Saul. Jesse didn't even call his youngest son David to be considered for the anointing. People look on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. David, though Jesse's most insignificant son, was a man after God's own heart. In chapter 18:5 David was successful in everything God commanded him to do. Saul became jealous of David's victories. From that point on, David was pursued by Saul and lived behind enemy lines. To live behind enemy lines, seek out God's four provisions. God is provident: Jehovah Jireh will provide.


The first provision is that God is “your map” to guide you to safe ground. Only those who are His understand what it means to live behind enemy lines. Before David did anything, he went to the Lord. God was David's map. When God is your map, He will be your protection.  

The second of God's provisions is that you must put on “the armor of God.“ Ephesians 6:10 says: “Finally be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put ye on therefore the full armor of God so that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against powers and dominions and against spiritual wickedness from on high.”  

The third provision is “shelter”. We need a place of shelter when fighting the enemy. In Psalm 143:9, David said, "Deliver me from mine enemies, in you I take shelter." In Psalm 46:1 he said: “The Lord is my refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.”  

Hebrews 4:12   “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The fourth provision is that God has provided you with a weapon – “Scripture”. 2 Timothy 3:15 says: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof and for correction which is instruction in righteousness.” You need to exercise your weapon to be able to hit the target every time. Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” When behind enemy lines, you must have the power of God and the weapon of His Word to discern truth from error. To transform people's lives, God afflicts the comfortable and comforts the afflicted.


Your brother in Christ, Michael

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