31 Days: Do Not Turn Back

 Psalm 78:9 "The sons of Ephraim were archers equipped with bows, yet they turned back in the day of battle." 

Notice that it states what they were (archers), how they were equipped for who they were (with bows: the needed equipment), and what they did with who they were and their equipping: they turned back in the day of battle. 

THIS is no time to turn back!

      It could certainly be said of us, as sons and daughters of God, that we are well equipped and divinely enabled,"[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight." (Phil.2:13 AMP)  May we NOT turn back in this day of battle!  May we, instead, be diligent to present ourselves approved unto God as workmen, who do not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth (2 Tim.2:15), and may we follow The Lord our God fully (Joshua 14:8,9). 

Oh Lord, settle that in the depths of our being, that we truly are equipped and enabled, despite any doubt or fear that we experience. May that truth, mixed with real faith (Heb. 4:2), be our strength in You. As we call out to You, make us bold with strength in our soul. (Psalm 138:3)

Knowing WHO we are (who YOU have called us and made us to be) and knowing how we ARE equipped (the gifts, enabling, calling, the armor-Eph. 6:10-20- and weapons of warfare- 2 Cor. 10:4), may we take up Your bold confidence and let us resolve (make up our mind ahead of time- Daniel 1:8) that with Your help, we will NOT turn back and abandon who we are and our equipping in the day of battle!  

We are hidden in Christ, and knowing all that He has made available to us, let us recognize it, acknowledge it, and use it. It is there, in this vessel of clay. Christ in us, the hope of glory (Col.1:27). Hope, hope, and hope again. 

 Know in the depths of your being WHO you are through knowing Who He is, that you will not turn back in the day of battle. 

31 Days: Be Appalled at the Enemy's Taunting and Take Action

1 Samuel 17 contains the familiar story of David and Goliath.  David comes in the Name of The Lord of Hosts against a sword, a spear, and a javelin and says, 'I will strike you down and remove your head ....that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that The Lord does not deliver by sword or spear; for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands." V. 45,46 

Saul and all of Israel were dismayed and greatly afraid of Goliath's taunts, V. 11 but this action of David comes out of his utter dismay of "...who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the LIVING GOD?" V.26.  

We should be asking that same question today in the midst of warfare.  May we, like David, realize Whose we are (on the side of the Living God) and take our stand. 

It is truth that "... The Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few." 1 Samuel 14:6  David was the 'ONE' who rose up and took his place to overcome. 

And as a result, "David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword on David's hand." v. 49,50

It was a 'suddenly' after 40 days of taunting. 

Is God waiting for someone, someone like you, to stand up today against the taunting evil and show that there IS a God and that He is in us and works thru us? (Eph 3:20).

I feel like that question comes with music, like the 'to be continued' cliffhanger,  closing movie credits- a 'wait and see', with music that inspires and invites us to stand up and be the ones. 

Let us be appalled at the taunting against the people of a Living God and at the fear and compromise that surrounds us, and let us take action. And Lord, help us to recognize and resist his taunting against us personally and take every thought captive (2 cor. 10:5) and make it obedient to you, that our thoughts would always and only line up with Your truth.

 It is time for some Godly 'suddenlies' to take place, time to be strong, allow the Word of God to abide in us, and overcome the evil one.  (From 1 John 2:14)

Let us rise up and be the ones.

"....all the people rejoiced over what God had prepared for the people, because the thing came about suddenly." 2 Chron. 29:36

31 Days: Creator of the Real Tides, Turn This Tide

Some want (Satan wants) to totally wipe God out of everything, to make Him 'illegal'. It's not only 'God is dead'; it's 'God is illegal' these days. The strategy has changed.

We are seeing negative 'tides of change' in this world today that seem impossible to stop and change, YET He created THE REAL TIDES and the heavens and the earth by His speech! Think about that. Nothing is impossible for Him. 

“....we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” 2 Chron. 20:12

Speak Lord. 

And use us. Give us Your speech that changes the 'tides' in a new, Godly, God-centered, God honoring direction, that many who need the hope that only You can give may hear and trust in Your Great Name. 

Lord, we pray for Saul-like conversions. Nothing and no one is impossible for You!

"..I will demonstrate My greatness and My holiness, and I will be recognized, understood, and known in the eyes of many nations; yes, they shall know that I am The Lord [the Sovereign Ruler, Who calls forth loyalty and obedient service]." Ezekiel 38:23 ('that they may know that I am the Lord' is a key repeated phrase in the word and especially in Ezekiel, occurring in one form or another over 55 times in that book alone.)

We are so thankful, in his present age, that 'that they may know You are The Lord', Who calls forth loyalty and obedient service, is still a great concern of yours.  

Now, O God, our eyes are on You; strengthen our hands and turn the tide.  

31 Days: Do Not Be Discouraged

"For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, 'They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.' But now, O God, strengthen my hands." Nehemiah 6:9*

There are enemies, even those who 'do not know what they are doing' (Luke 23:34), that are at work trying to frighten us and discourage us from doing the work that God has called us to.  Let us not be ignorant of the enemy's schemes (2 Cor. 2:11). It is tempting to be dismayed at and discouraged by the lack of even common sense in some of the decisions being made in our society. We live in such interesting times where it is easy to become discouraged. May it never be! 

Instead, let us follow the instructions given to Joshua: that as God is with us, be strong and very courageous, being careful to obey His Word and not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that we may have success wherever we go. The word 'success' there literally means: act wisely. Obeying His Word, we will act wisely and that is 'success'.  May His Word not depart from our mouths, but meditate on it day and night, so that we may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; "for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success (act wisely). Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:5-9)

Lord, strengthen our hands, that we may boldly fulfill Your will and please You in all respects.

"...according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." Philippians 1:20

(continued tomorrow)

*see also this discouragement tactic in Num 32:7-12, Ezra 4:4

31 Days: That He May Be Glorified

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." Gal. 6:7

"Sow with a view to righteousness,

Reap in accordance with kindness;
Break up your fallow ground,
For it is time to seek the Lord

Until He comes to rain righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12

He is truly able to take care of and do the impossible and give you joy for your sorrows.  (Jeremiah 31:13) Only He can. 

But He will not allow you to live comfortably with 'weeds' in your 'garden'. Some weeds have a 'pretty' part to them (pretty LITTLE flowers), but all weeds (even ones that aren't so ugly) steal sustenance from what He is trying to grow,  and they hinder your full enjoyment and freedom. 

Fight for righteousness.  Don't obey your flesh or follow your 'hurt emotions'. Your woundedness will always lead you astray if you 'act' according to 'it'. 

Put away any bitterness. It will destroy you, your ministry, your purity of heart, and your purity of love for His people. Any root of bitterness affects a person's relationship with all others. Determine to uproot any sign of it. 

Don't settle. Don't settle for less. Fight for righteousness.  Fight to do the right thing. He is calling you to what is best. Don't settle for what is just comfortable, easy, or your own will and desires.  Trust fully that obedience to Him and His word will steady you (Matt.7:24,25). He knows how things 'work' because He created it all and holds it all together (Col 1:16,17).  So obey. Trust Him to lead you in peaceful paths of righteousness for His name's sake (Psalm 23:3), and walk the way of His word- not just knowing His Word, but living accordingly. "..prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." (James 1:22).  HEAR and DO. As you make the choice to act upon His truth, He will always enable you.

The Lord brings good news to the afflicted, binds up the brokenhearted, proclaims liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners, comforts all who mourn, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.  (From Isaiah 61:2-3)

31 Days: Rise Up for Change

To give Him His way, you will always be growing, always be changing, always be challenged to 'more': more of Him, more growth, more holiness, more strength, more faith, MORE.  

He loves you too much to leave you as you are. 

Do not ever be content to stay the same, and do not be afraid of 'change'. Never feel like you are destined to stay the same or can never change the things that you know need to be changed. Even though change may be difficult, He always longs for more for you. And He longs for it even more than you do and is able to accomplish it.  

"... for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Phil 2:13. Allow Him. He is able to do in you even what currently feels and even 'looks' impossible. 

"The Lord said to Moses, 'Is the Lord's power limited?': Numbers 11:23 the question that answers all questions and doubts. You do not have to manufacture more confidence in your own abilities to produce the courage you need. May your courage not be synthetic but purely of God and in His ability. "On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul." Psalm 138:3

He is able, and He cares. He cares to do the impossible. He will not allow you to be comfortable with 'staying the same'. And as uncomfortable as that is, it is 'good'. 

 Rise up for change.  

31 Days: Rise Up and Follow Him

"My sheep will hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." John 10:27,28

John's call was to prepare the way of The Lord. He said,"I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of The Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said."  He knew his calling, and his example in scripture was not with 'feathery', gentle words.

We are all called to "...put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other..." Col 3:12,13. And while to minister primarily in gentle words is the call for some (we must have those), there must also be 'fiery' John the Baptists and Pauls and Peters, Jeremiahs and Isaiahs.  We need both the gentle and the 'fiery' to rise up in this present age. And both need to speak the truth of God, unapologetically.

We must not all expect to look alike, to be called to the same calling, and to be gifted the same. We can't 'bite' (Gal. 5:15) other sheep because they have different assignments that are not just like ours, AND we can't abandon our assignment because it looks different from the other sheep. Jesus says, 'You follow Me.'

Peter looks and asks, "What about this man?" Jesus said to him, 'If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." John 21:21,22

Don't concern yourself so much with how He is dealing with His other sheep or directing them. Those are their directions, and He gives you YOURS. Other people's applause, or lack thereof, or even their criticism or disdain, does not set your course. Allow Him and His Word and Truth and righteousness to set your course.  Hear His voice, His direction, and follow Him. You are accountable to Him.

We would all say that we wish to 'come after Him'.  How does He instruct us?:

 "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must

deny himself, [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests]

and take up his cross [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party]

and follow Me. [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me]" 
Mark 8:34 (with Amplified Bible added)

Could we just pause and take a few more seconds and look over that list again?  Are we so 'familiar' with the words that we forget the meaning and the commitment and the calling and just go through our days, day by day preoccupied with our own interests?

Do we seriously want to come after Him? Then let us deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow. 

As you keep your eyes on Him, He will supply strength for the journey and courage. 

Keep your eyes on His call, His confidence, His direction, His victory, and what He says, NOT what you 'think' others MIGHT 'think'. 

Don't abandon your call. Fulfill your ministry.

John 10:4 "..the sheep follow him because they know his voice."

Rise up and follow Him.