After Illumination, Endured Great Fight of Afflictions

After ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions.

Heb 10:32 (KJV)

   Our boldness for God before the world must always be the result of individual dealing with God in secret. Our victories over self, and sin, and the world, are always first fought were no eye sees but God’s. . . . If we have not these secret conflicts, well may we not have any open ones. The outward absence of conflict betrays the inward sleep of the soul. –F. Whitefield

Declaring the Sins of a People: the Prophet’s Plight

Declaring the Sins of a People: the Prophet’s Plight

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”

Isaiah 58:1 (KJV)

     God used to raise up prophets to speak to His people, has spoken through Christ (Heb. 1:1-2), and speaks to those who truly know and follow Him by His Spirit. However, the gift of prophecy is still used today, but I have found that it often comes through preachers (not “ministers” necessarily, but men who are in tune with God and declare and stand for the truth in the midst of a day and age that lives contrary to the Bible and hostile toward Truth).

       Many pastors are called for at least a season to this prophet role. As they seek God, He brings some hard (stern) messages and lays them on their spirit to preach/declare.  Personally, I’ve been there. I’ve sat down with hopes for a year of encouraging people and hopefully having them be encouraged and happy with me, to like and respect me as I share the Word, but then I get into the presence of God and He gives me the “tough” messages that get me labeled as the spoilsport or downer. The guy that people just want to shut up. Ever been there? A part of you wants to shut up, but you know that God has called you to speak. People don’t like you, but God is not only using you but teaching you that you have to fear and respect Him, not man?

Let’s pray:

Lord, help us to speak and shout when you tell us too, but to be silent when you want us to be. And above all, may we Fear You and not people: may we serve You and not our fear of fitting in. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Daily Devotion: Proverbs 12:24

“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.”

Proverbs 12:24 KJV

 

       If you are diligent, God will give you some measure of rule. But if you are lazy, you will be a slave to those that are diligent. In our culture today, many wicked men and women are diligently devoting time and attention—many even their entire lives!—to furthering the doctrines of demons, the teachings of Satan through colleges (and other “education” facets), politics, and businesses. Many of these men and women care nothing about honesty in their dealings because they do not know God. They will propagate the erroneous worldview and life themes of chance, through evolution; fate, through “romantic” love; self-indulgence, through psychology; and “intellect” and “wisdom” through philosophy, research, and logic. In short, these wicked people propagate meaninglessness, hate, and other such sins and dangerous mindsets that the Bible warns us about.

       Remember that the diligent are the ones that rule! But the principle applies to the wicked men and women who diligently propagate the devil’s doctrines as well. We must stand against them and diligently do our duty to share the truth of God’s Word. Where are you men of Courage? Where are you men of Valor? Where are you men of Righteousness? Where are you men that Fear God? Stand! Stand up and fulfill your duty to share God’s Word in the public sector, the private sector, the corporations, the campuses, etc... GO!

    Stand strong and be diligent, dear Believers! Draw close to the Lord and let Him be your strength and shield against their bombardment of false teachings and idealogies! Speak out when God gives you a window, make the most of every opportunity with the outsiders of the Faith. Go to the Lord and have your fears and burdens lifted; however, as you leave His rejuvenating presence in the quiet of your morning devotions, prepare to pick up your cross and struggle forward amid blows, insults and hateful looks for the cause of Christ!

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”  John 15:18-20 KJV

 

Thought 321: Only You from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 321

Only You

  Only you can fulfill your calling, because only you have the right equipment and experience given to you by God to overcome and accomplish all that He has for you.

  Do you know what your Spiritual gifting(s) as a Believer is? What talents do you have?—you have at least one  Most importantly, what is Holy Spirit prompting you to do right now, even if you feel totally unprepared: what is your passion? Pray about it, the Lord will direct you. God does want to use you as a light to others. Ask Him “how Lord?” Then see where He gives peace (even if you experience attacks of peace from the enemy, but now in your spirit that He has given you peace to do something).  When He answers, do what He says.

·        Act in Faith: that is, believe what God tells you.

·        Walk in Peace: that is, only go and do where God gives you peace in your Spirit. If you don’t have peace, don’t move.

·        Wait patiently and endure suffering as a good soldier of the Lord.

Lastly, GO and STAND (Matthew 28:19-20 and Ephesians 6:10-19)



 

Thought 262: Spiritual Chainmail & Persecution from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 262

Spiritual Chainmail & Persecution

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20 KJV

 

         Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour 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 armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

            Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

               But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.   —Ephesians 6:10-24 KJV