It's Not Over

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVHrkYBEgFM

God’s Not Done With You ~ Tauren Wells

 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. ~ Ephesians 6:12 AMP

 

Have you ever been so focused on all the chaos right in front of you that you forgot about the bigger picture? That was what was going on with me this morning. I was so caught up in the craziness of things going on with some friends, that I was crying—truly grieving for them. But God, in His graciousness, spoke to me. Amid tears, Holy Spirit reminded me that God’s not done writing their story. Holy Spirit took it a step further and reminded me that this is a battle for souls and lives, and the devil is out for blood!

 

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy… ~ John 10:10 NKJV

 

The devil is out to destroy my friends’ lives and their walk with God. And he’ll gladly steal my joy and peace if I’ll let him. If I’ll let him. If I let the devil… If I choose to hand over my peace and joy, trading for his despair and hopelessness, then I will certainly be too weak for battle. That’s the devil’s goal: to make God’s warriors too weak for battle. His plan is to distract us from our true purpose. He’ll use whatever he can: money, fame, pleasure, pain, grief, anger, whatever it takes to turn your head. Like a scary movie, he’s hoping you’ll turn your eyes away from the scene, so he can take control, leaving you powerless to stop him.

 

But God’s got a battle plan, and He’s including you!

 

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. ~ Ephesians 6:10 AMPC

 

Your part is to (1) Put on your spiritual armor. (2) Remember who you’re fighting against. (3) Stand firm. It sounds simple until the fierce winds blow, the enemy roars, and his weapons are drawn. That’s about the time most people turn tail and run. In general, people don’t like messy. We don’t like things that take great effort for long periods of time. We like short and sweet, preferably with a bow.

 

But you are not a coward. You are God’s warrior who has been given strength from God to stand firm. God’s charge to us is to stand firm in His strength and power. It might be a long battle. It might get uglier before it gets better. It will likely cost you time and effort. But you’re not alone, and you’re not expected to fight in your own strength. Today, don’t give up hope! Lean in to God, draw your strength from Him, and stand firm against the devil!

©Heather Potts 2022

Why Were They Afraid?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D1A0Kf-cRU

Above All ~ Michael W. Smith

 

Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. ~ John 18:3 NKJV

 

Have you ever been so quick to read, that you missed things, which you later realized made a HUGE difference? After hearing a teacher read to her class the events that led up to Jesus’ crucifixion, Holy Spirit perked my ears at the fact that Judas brought men with weapons to arrest Jesus. If you’ve read any of the stories, Jesus was not a violent man. That begs the question, why did they need weapons. After doing some digging, the bigger question became: why did they need so many men, and weapons?

 

According to the different Bible commentaries, Judas brought with him between 600 and 1,000 men to arrest Jesus. They all agreed that the “detachment” included at least 240 cavalry men and at least 200 infantry. Judas didn’t gather all the drunks in a bar one night to go capture Jesus. No, these were trained, armed military men. Why so many men? Why were Judas and the Pharisees so afraid?

 

David Guzik said, “A sinless Man in an appointed garden was about to do battle with Satan’s representative. The first time this happened, the sinless man failed. The Second Adam would not fail,” (Blueletterbible.com, Study Guide for John 18). Satan knew what was at stake. He also knew the power and authority of Jesus, as did Judas and the Pharisees, and that made them afraid. But they didn’t expect Jesus. Because Satan knew of Jesus’ power and authority, he expected a battle, which was why there were so many men and weapons. What Satan failed to realize was that God’s battle plan included Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.

 

As you go about your activities today and this weekend, whether your life is filled with family and fun, or loneliness and struggles, take some time to focus on Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s battle plan, remembering they did it for you, because they love you!

©Heather Potts 2022