This was on my heart so early this morning when I awoke. I posted this to my Facebook page, but I want it here. I don’t want this lost in years of Facebook posts, but I want it here where I can find it, reread it and remember. I want always to remember.
May I offer my heart this morning?
From the beginning of time, evil has existed.
From the beginning of time, Satan has sought to isolate and pull you into aloneness to start his subtle works. (Where WAS Adam when Satan first started talking to Eve? Where are YOU in your greatest temptations?)
From the beginning of time, Satan knows that God’s plan is good…and right…and best…and beautiful…and so Satan just works to devour and destroy and kill that very plan.
From the beginning of time, mankind has made conscious choices to obey and trust God, or follow their own devices and ideas that Satan gladly plants in their minds. This is why Scripture says Satan has blinded us. But that isn’t because Satan is all powerful. That description only belongs to God. Instead, Satan is the ultimate bully and manipulator…asking you over and over and over in many different forms and ways to cover your eyes or take your eyes off of Jesus…the Author AND Finisher of our faith!! That is how the blindness happens…one choice after another of accepting Satan’s bondage and suddenly…your are now deceived and blind and given over to a completely different mind than the mind of Christ.
Today…right now…
Do not be shocked that these things are happening in the world. They always have. You may have been sheltered in your neck of the woods (America) but they have always happened. Ever stop to ask why people came to America in the first place? Horrific, religious persecution is a big reason. This is not new in the world.
Do not be shocked that disease and pestilence and famine and abuse and destruction are happening in the world. It always has…since the beginning.
Ever since Lucifer was cast out of Heaven, he has been on an eternal temper tantrum seeking to hate anything God loves. And that includes you.
There is only one hope….and it is huge.
Since the beginning of time, there has always been a remnant. A remnant that chooses to be faithful. A remnant that chooses to obey and trust the Lord. A remnant that has fled from unrighteousness and turned to God. A remnant that knew this world was just a path to home. A remnant that knew they were habitants in this world to be the light to shine the way to our eternal destiny, but they are not of this world. A remnant that boldly proclaimed the truth of God…not the opinions of society. A remnant that has faced unbelievable horrors throughout history and whom God Almighty Himself said that this world was not even worthy of them. Oh what an epitaph!!
This world needs to pledge allegiance to King Jesus…not nationalism.
This world needs the Kingdom of Heaven…not the followship of a man.
This world needs an eternal vision…not the American dream.
This world needs the followers of Jesus to be the lighthouse when it feels dark.
This world needs followers of Jesus to be peace in chaos.
This world needs followers of Jesus to be joy in misery.
This world needs followers of Jesus to remember that they have one ruler, one Lord, one God that they worship, one truth they proclaim, one way they follow and one life to live.
At the beginning of this year, I saw SO many churches use a version of this theme…”2020…the Year of Vision”.
It is.
If 2020 is rattling our cages, then I say hallelujah!!! God has answered your theme.
It is about time we believers get off our couches of complacency and have this “form” of godliness while totally denying the power thereof! Power for what?!! The power to be all of those above things I mentioned to this scared, confused, depressed, lonely, self-gratifying, personally destructive path straight to hell that Satan is joyfully dancing in your life with his desire to destroy you.
Church, he has done a good job of it. Inside our church buildings. Inside of our Christian homes. Inside your own heart. One little choice at a time.
I am thankful for the many benefits and freedoms in my country, and I am thankful for leaders who put God and His righteousness as the guide for their administration, but…
Maybe instead of praying for God to come zap me out of here to keep me from suffering anything…I need to thank Him for choosing to include me in the fellowship of His sufferings that I may know Him and His power.
We need to strengthen ourselves in the Lord, tuck up close to the Captain of Angel Armies and prepare to do battle….as thousands of good soldiers throughout the ages have already done.
As a good soldier of Jesus Christ, my prayer should not be escape. My battle cry should be “Lead me and I WILL follow!!!”
Thank you, Lord, for the vision you are giving us in 2020.
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