The ENEMY should be AFRAID!

 

I was reading Galatians 3 this morning thinking about Paul's message about a MEDIATOR. My entire life I have been of a mind that if I have an issue with someone, I go STRAIGHT TO THE SOURCE. I think many people would call me BLUNT and YES, sometimes that gets me in trouble. I pray the older I get I have also learned the value of picking my battles and holding my tongue. This is certainly true with social media. I have learned that I do not have to respond after every political post and I do not always need to take a bold public stand. It is ok to be quiet. 

The one aspect of my life where there is "NO HOLDS BARRED" is my prayer life. When I approach the throne of God I can approach it with boldness, not afraid of what I can and cannot say. JESUS CHRIST has given you and me to opportunity to approach God directly. We do not need an intercessor of any kind. We don't need a priest. We do not need a confessional. We do not need to the saints to intervene for us. All we need is to speak to the LORD from our heart. I love this short verse from Psalm 28:

"I pray to you, O Lord, my rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you are silent, I might as well give up and die. Listen to my prayer for mercy as i cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. Do not drag me away with the wicked -- with those who do evil -- those who speak friendly words to their neighbors while planning evil in their hearts." (Psalm 28:1-3, NLT)

This passage starts with a POWERFUL STATEMENT, "I -- PRAY -- TO -- YOU -- O -- LORD." I can approach God with no fear, no remorse, no apprehension. I can approach the LORD of ALL and he will listen to me. AND I know if he is not willing to listen, "I might as well give up and die." But the good news is, HE DOES LISTEN. He hears our cries and he responds in amazing ways. 

I have shared, with many people, the feeling that both me and my church are under-attack. But, be clear, that is not a concession that I have given up hope, that I cower, or fear those attacks. This simple thought that we, as a congregation, are under attack emboldens me more than ever to SEEK THE LORD. When you are under attack it is a sign that the ENEMY is AFRAID. The ENEMY senses REVIVAL and is quaking at the thought. 

There is a lot of evil in this world. When we sit back and do nothing, the enemy has nothing to fear. But, when we get on our knees and seek the LORD of HEAVEN AND EARTH, when we get on our knees in sincere, humble, prayer, THE ENEMY TREMBLES. We all need to wake up and approach, directly the LORD, praying for REVIVAL of the CHURCH and REVIVAL in our COMMUNITIES and REVIVAL in our LAND. 

"Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord's message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it cam to you. Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3, NLT)

THE ENEMY SHOULD BE AFRAID!

Heavenly Father, I join Kind David today in saying if you do not listen to our prayers, we might as well give up and die. We have no hope without you. But, we also know there is GREAT HOPE with you. So, today Lord I pray that our church will see revival. That we would be a catalyst for the lost to seek you and to find you. USE US for your purposes and your glory. Guide our steps, our words, and our thoughts that they would be focused on your mission, not our own. Protect us from the enemy. Keep us safe in this harsh and evil world so we can accomplish all you have planned. Amen!

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"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

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