What times we live in. Inflation, wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6), weather related disasters all over the world, internal turmoil within our country and on
the brink of a worldwide food shortage. If you were to look at this from carnal eyes you could start to panic. Honestly, I believe some of the addictions people have to drugs, whether over the counter, prescription or from a dealer on the street have to do with our perspectives. Where do we find comfort, where do we find our answers and where are we feeding our inner spirit? Sherry just mentioned the other day how if you listened to the news all day, whether it is FOX, CNN or just a regular cable channel, you could become filled and even overwhelmed with fear and doubt. Anymore, anything associated with television or social media builds itself up based on emotions and fear tactics. For some reason, our carnal interests are drawn to lures of emotional turmoil. This lure is capitalized on by the media industry, which in turn relates to an increase in ratings, in turn driving the industry to continually highlight, manufacture and fabricate drama and negativity. You can see evidence of this in the number of reality shows, daytime or evening soap operas or just day to day gossip you can find on almost any one of the television or social media outlets you choose. The more we can gleam from gossip, turmoil or hype, the more we tend to be drawn to it.
Praise God we have been given a much better solution than the turmoil we find in social or regular media and His name is Jesus Christ! Jesus is the answer and I write this to encourage you through these times that God is still on the throne and He still rules this universe. No matter what you see, hear or the hardships you endure, through your faith in Jesus Christ you are protected, lifted up, blessed and highly favored. We were born for such a time as this and in this time God has instilled within each one of us the strength, wisdom, talents and discernment to be the light and difference the lost souls of this world are craving for! Within Matthew 9, Jesus talks about a similar situation as we see today. Matthew 9:35-38 states, “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” The people Jesus saw were like sheep without a shepherd and the harvest was great. How similar is that to today’s times? We, as born again believers, walking out our faith in Jesus Christ have been given a responsibility to those around us to be the light, be the difference and show His love and truth in all we do.
This leads me to our message for today, “Do Not Give An Inch”. Just as God has a plan for mankind, so does satan and the evil and destruction that sin brings upon this world. As we study God’s Word we learn that the devil only has one desire; to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). The total intent of satan is to continually and destructively disrupt and if possible wreak continual havoc in every area of our lives. As we look around we can see the devil’s evil deeds all around. The blatant disregard for God’s Word and the lifting up of self, self gratification and immoral justification are prevalent in the media, school systems, communities and local, state and federal governments. Through sin, satan slowly begins to take hold and eventually can plant a root of rebellion against God’s Word. We might tend to think rebellion is not something to be concerned with, however 1 Samuel 15:23 tells us, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” If rebellion is considered as sinful as witchcraft and we know witchcraft leads to a life of darkness, then our mission, our drive should be to make a conscious effort to align with and take hold of God’s Word and His Truth for a fulfilled life. The point of this message to encourage you to stand strong in God’s Word and live by His Truth. The devil does not blow into town like a tornado and announce his arrival hoping people will turn to his evil ways, he does it slowly, craftily and through the questioning of God’s Word. It starts with an inch. If you do not stay focused on and live in obedience to God’s Word, there is the potential for you to be drawn away, slowly, inch by inch, moving away from the God instilled life of victory and moving toward a life of defeat and oppression.
God’s plan is for you live in victory, as an overcomer, healed, prosperous and made whole. Let’s look at Romans 6:7-8, “For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.” In Christ we are set free and able to live in His Grace, forgiveness, love and peace. In Christ we are able to discern between right and wrong. Even though we are able to discern, the world is looking for self confirmation as outlined in 2 Timothy 4:3 which tells us, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” In the end times, people will gradually, through the leading of self; seek friends, pastors, leaders, government officials, anyone that will support or agree with unrighteous living or lifestyles so they may live in harmonious rebellion to God and His Truth. We can see that through out this world. The justification of certain lifestyles or acceptance of or promotion of choices that go directly against the living Word of God.
The last point I would like to bring forth is the choice of compromise. Many tough situations or things we may be resolved to endure began with a compromise. A choice that was made that has grown into a situation or circumstance we can now not get out of. Whether that is with our children, family or in a job. I am not encouraging you to stand up today and go out and begin judging everyone around you and isolate yourself through harsh criticism and bitterness toward everyone. What I am encouraging you to do is be mindful, as you pray and study God’s Word daily, ask Him for guidance, strength and the wisdom and knowledge of His desire for your way forward. Through Holy Spirit, God will lead you and guide and His way will be fruitful and prosperous for His Kingdom. God desires for us to speak His Truth in Love (Ephesians 4:15), not judgement or condemnation. If you get a moment, I encourage you to read the entire chapter of Ephesians 4, it is very clear as to God’s loving intentions.
In closing I wrap up this message with the inspiration to stay focused on God and His Truth, not allowing the disillusion of this world and the turmoil and misguided directives to pull you away from a God inspired life. Instead, as you walk out your path as designed by God, be mindful of compromise and stay in God’s Word, it is the path forward to righteous living and keeps you in God’s Will that His Glory may shine through you and His plan carried out in your life! Be blessed, be surrounded by His favor and may your heart be filled with Peace, your words lined with life and your mind renewed in His Truth!
Shalom!!
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