peace

Darkness Cannot Overcome

With so much going on in the World today with the war in the Middle East and our own wars we have in our own lives with this flesh we can begin to set our minds on those thoughts, feelings, cares, and busyness of life. Fear begins to take root. Anxiety and so forth. It feels at times like a darkness that can be felt.

Just because we are living in this world doesn’t mean that we are to live according to what the World says to do or to think. – Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

We are to live according to the promises of God. Let’s remind ourselves of the promise that Darkness Cannot Overcome

EXODUS 10:21-23

21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt. 22” So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days.

(the ninth plague that God demonstrated before the Pharaoh was the plague of darkness, a darkness to be felt. (This darkness was no ordinary darkness. It had a supernatural element in which it could be felt.)

23 They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived.”

For 3 days they (Egyptians) did not see another…But the Israelites had light in their dwelling.

Let’s remind the Devil that while the tomb might have been dark for a few days, on the 3rd day the stone was rolled away and there was light!

Let’s realize:

How the enemy tells us that it can’t get any better.

When you think it can’t get any darker,

When you think it cannot get any worse.

How he tells us that we are in his camp,

Revelation 1:18 “ I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death.”

John 1:5 Darkness can not overcome the light

Any kind of darkness cannot overcome the Light of the World! And therefore cannot overcome the believer!

There is a light that will never go out on your darkest day.

Psalm 139:12 “Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

let Him roll the stone away of depression, anxiety, fear or addiction in your life today.

Your Thoughts Matter

There is one mission, one priority that the enemy aims to do — destroy our fellowship with the Lord. He did this in the beginning when Eve believed the lie and at times we fall victim.

So we know the enemy doesn’t come to us with a pitchfork or as some other mythical creature. We know he is real and his mission is never going to change. So how do we not fall into sin? How do we not believe those lies that Eve fell for? How did they all start? Our thoughts.

THE WAR AGAINST THOUGHTS OF SIN AND STRONGHOLDS ARE FOUGHT IN OUR MIND.

The question to ask ourselves is what type of thoughts are we letting in?

Here is what we should think about:

PHILIPPIANS 4:8 “FINALLY, BROTHERS, WHATEVER IS TRUE, WHATEVER IS HONORABLE, WHATEVER IS JUST, WHATEVER IS PURE, WHATEVER IS LOVELY, WHATEVER IS COMMENDABLE, IF THERE IS ANY EXCELLENCE, IF THERE IS ANYTHING WORTHY OF PRAISE, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS.’

We may think, “But why is it so hard to focus on whatever is pure, or honorable, or etc?.”

If we are watching TV programs that you know you shouldn’t be watching.
If we are socializing more with unbelievers than believers.

2 CORINTHIANS 2:15 “TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.”

Are we truly taking every thought captive? Do we filter our thoughts?

We may think — it’s just one look
We may think — it’s just one more drink
We may think — It’s just one more hit
We may think — it’s just one more, one more.

What we may think is small in the beginning, can wreak havoc in our walk with God now or later on.

Galatians 6:8 “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

REFLECT// Ask Holy Spirit to search your heart, your mind, what am I thinking on? What do I need to do different? Remember that thoughts can change your life.

SURRENDER ALL

Surrendering is not on our weekly to do list. I know it isn’t on mine. with the hustle and bustle of life, it’s so easy to strive for success than to surrender. But for most we define success as a fulfilling and prosperous career, satisfying relationship, and a happy and productive life.

God though, defines success a lot differently then we do. He isn’t concerned with the amount of money you make, the shoes you wear, the position you hold in a company or a church. He doesn’t measure you on the accomplishments or charitable work that you’ve done.

God cares about who is in the driver’s seat of your life — and that is determined by your level of surrender.

The question I have to ask ourselves is this. We repent to be forgiven but are we choosing to surrender in order to be changed?

There is always a call to surrender

Everyday of our lives, we are called to surrender our will for His. We are called to lay down our lives for His name sake. Luke 14:27 “And whosoever cannot bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

The beauty of surrender is that in everyday life, we have the choice to lay down our burdens, our ways of doing things and exchanging them for His rest.

When Jesus called the disciples, it meant no going back to the way of life they once knew.

In the book of 1 Kings 19:19-21 after Elisha is called of God to follow Elijah, Elisha went back, not to stay, not to think about it or to throw a “going away party” but he did something very crucial. He destroyed his livelihood, the very means of secure necessities of life. Elisha seen more value in the pursuit of God than his own.

“To step forward in your destiny you have to step away from your security.”

Just like Elisha, we have the choice to follow God or our own agenda.

” Choose this day in whom you will serve.”

Are You Committed?

commit

History tells us of men who almost made it. “If I were to ask you what Charles Pinckney, Horatio Seymour, Alton Parker and James Cox have in common?” Most people would not know who these men were. These men ran for the United States presidency. Obviously these who did not win, but almost won.

History does not reward the man who almost succeeds, only the one who does succeed. Gods Word also tells about men who almost made it but failed.

For example, the rich young ruler, or King Agrippa, who admitted they were “almost persuaded.” These men apparently died near the door but not inside it. Our World is full of religious men who are so close yet so far.

In my high school days, how long ago those days were. I was not committed at all. My favorite day of school was the last day. I was late to school, and I never paid much attention. I just didn’t have the desire to put forth the effort.

If I was to live a Christian life like my high school days, I would never make it.

The key to living a committed lifestyle for Him is yielding/surrendering our lives to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”

This verse tells me that plans are not made on our own THEN committed to the Lord.

//Application//

Three words that sums this up Commitment involves work

//The Challenge//

What are some ways that you can be committed?

Prayer life
Get in the Word

Promise of His Presence

The promise of His presence is one of many promises of God, but why is it so important?
In the beginning God walked with man, communicated with His first creation who was Adam and Eve. But the moment they bought into the lie, and sinned,it changed. There was a wall now between God and man that separated them from having that one on one communion with our creator.

2000 years ago, Jesus was born on this Earth, sent from God for Him to restore that relationship that Adam and Eve lost in the Garden. Is God among us? Yes He is, but not in form only through the Holy Spirit that is with every Believer who is born again.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

Just like with someone that we love here on Earth, we can text, call but there is nothing that can compare to that person being in your presence. With God, He longed for that and now through Jesus we are heirs with Christ, but why is His presence so important? There is joy, peace, strength and so much more that God can bestow in us from His presence.

IT’S MORE THAN JUST A “FEELING”

There is none quite like the presence of God, it’s indescribable. It fulfills His promise of Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

His presence is a reminder that He is Emmanuel, “God with us”

Faith/Fear

faith or fear

Elijah flees from Jezebel 1 Kings 19:1-18

19 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.
The Lord Speaks to Elijah
9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.[a] 13 And when Elijah heard it,he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

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After Elijah killed hundreds of the Baal prophets after the account on Mount Carmel where Elijah shows the prophets of Baal that the only living god is Jehovah. With Ahab seeing the incident, he then told of the massacre to Jezebel. She then sends a messenger to Elijah, confronting and making death threats.

Jezebel claimed that she would kill Elijah. But why didn’t she send troops instead of only a messenger? Just like the enemy’s accusation. They are all false and without power. What makes us think that it is more powerful than us? Without knowing the Word, one could fall, but there is a remedy and that is the power of Jesus!

All of this happened at Elijah’s spiritual peak, whenever there is about to be victory, watch out because that’s when the enemy is going to hit you the hardest, why? Because it is of God, anything that God gives you the enemy wants to take it away, he wants your life to be miserable.

Where will faith lead you? It led Elijah into a cave. But before we start pointing fingers at Elijah. Let’s examine ourselves. When we don’t get what we want, do we pout or jump up and down? No one likes playing the waiting game, I know I don’t. What about the job offer that never came up or you are still there at that place of employment but yet the position never came open. What is it in your life that has made you been in the cave. Is it fear?

ENEMY’S THREATS ARE EMPTY

Once we start to learn his strategy of how he works against the believer, we have a better understanding how to come against him. Only with the Word, the Bible is our only line of defense; to quote and to know scripture. When Jesus was tempted, did He just walk away? Or just tell the Devil “leave me alone”? No, He used the Word. We are called to contend with the faith but yet without knowing the Word how do we stand firm in the Word of God? We won’t be able too. God has defeated the enemy, it is our duty to be firm in the resurrecting power of Jesus Christ and not fall.

This is why we must have a continued deposit of the Word of God and not lean on our own understanding. We may think we know it all but when the enemy comes are we going to ignore the temptation or the circumstance or call on God for the wisdom that we can only achieve from and that is the Word of God.

2. THE EFFECTS OF FEAR

Fear always leads one away from the Will of God
Faith always lead one toward the Will of God
Fear will hold you back
Faith will push you forward
Fear isolates
Faith motivates
Fear steals your joy
Fear condemns you
Elijah was lodged in a cave; fear isolates the believer thinking that it is impossible to get out of. It makes you think about the current situation that is at hand. Why did I do this? Or Why do I have to go through this.

When we let fear control our life instead of faith. The outcome isn’t going to be great. Trust in God.
1 John 4:18

8”There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

Peace for the Broken

It’s in those times of when everything is going haywire; out of control, you’re getting attacked from every corner it seems and it’s not letting up. You find your self living your life as a circus tiger being whipped and prodded by the enemy in an environment that seems like you cannot get out of. What does this sound like? War.

War is the opposite of peace, and without peace in our lives this is what the enemy does to those who don’t know God’s peace or those who won’t allow God’s peace to infiltrate their life because of their own willpower or having the attitude of “I can”. The “I can” cannot do what the “I Am” can do, some of us have this mindset of ourselves being able to have victory in the littlest parts of our lives when really we can’t, God cares more about those “little things” just as much as He does with the “big things”.

Luke 10:1-6

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.

Just as Jesus had sent out the seventy-two, He has also sent us out to declare His peace to others. God gives us the opportunity to release peace wherever we are at, to clear the path, remove offense and to shift the atmosphere. To remove the boundaries of fear and to bring Hope for the Hopeless. Whatever situation you are in today remember this, “Be still and know that I am God” accept the peace that He has for you today!

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Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two

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