James 3:16 “God is not the author of confusion, for where there is strife and contention there is confusion and every evil work.”
This week Michael writes that despite the divisions and factions of this world, Christian believers have been called to the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Small Christian fellowship groups are proliferating during this time of social distancing. Jesus himself rarely ministered to large assemblies. He chose twelve apostles. Our Lord also had an inner circle of three. We become like the ones with whom we choose to associate. The question is, “who are your twelve and who are your three?” Jesus is Lord of our lives. The Bible is our sole authority of faith and practice. We are men and women of prayer. We link together with likeminded believers. We give it away.
God is always faithful, always present, and always good. Our priority during times of crisis is to remain close to our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:12- 15, Even though I have not yet attained the out-resurrection from among the dead... “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended (attained): but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”
God is always faithful, always present, and always good. Our priority during times of crisis is to remain close to our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:12- 15, Even though I have not yet attained the out-resurrection from among the dead... “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended (attained): but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”
The devil’s weapon of choice is temptation. He’s ramping up his efforts to make us angry at the situations around us. Proverbs 29 says a fool gives full vent to his rage, but Romans 12 says, vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord. Proverbs 28 says, whoever has a hardened heart will fall into calamity. But thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice for sin on our behalf, we can choose not to be slaves to sin. According to 2 Corinthians 3:18., “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory (of the flesh) to glory (of the spirit,) even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
As individuals and as nations, God either allows us to voluntarily fall on our knees in prayer, or he will allow trials and tribulations to bring us to our knees. When we seek His face, when we obey the first and great command, to love God above all, we will through his power conquer the darkness of this world.
Ephesians 6:10-13 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
We are called to peace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
As individuals and as nations, God either allows us to voluntarily fall on our knees in prayer, or he will allow trials and tribulations to bring us to our knees. When we seek His face, when we obey the first and great command, to love God above all, we will through his power conquer the darkness of this world.
Ephesians 6:10-13 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
We are called to peace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Let's continue Michael's message on God's Pa=laybook in the next post,
In Christ, Brian
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