God is still bigger, stronger, mightier, more powerful than Satan. And, knowing that, He becomes our God of peace and grace – graciously loving us towards better versions of ourselves and providing peace beyond understanding despite whatever circumstances may arise.

 

We just need to live in this knowledge. Despite what may surround you, “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” and He is with us ALWAYS.

“…So put on the full armor and don’t be afraid no more, no, no more. Cause you’ve been chosen by the Mighty One and now it’s time for war.”

 

Rei

PS I’d include a link for the song I referenced…but I’ve not been able to find one. Call me and I’ll sing it to you. 🙂 An awesome anthem to walk through the day repeating.

UPDATED: Check out the link here -> https://soundcloud.com/hanslerch/05-mighty-weapons

 

Scripture  Romans 15:13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Observation-What does it say?  Starting in chapter 12, Paul gives advice regarding our behavior as Christians.  Through these chapters, we are encouraged to live a life in contrast to what we are being told by the world: use our gifts to serve others, not ourselves; submit to the government, because their authority comes from God; use your freedom to build up those who are weaker, instead of an opportunity for your pleasure; lay down your “rights” for others, this way you can build unity.  But, none of this is possible without hope.

Our hope, though, cannot be conjured up by our own effort.  It comes only through the power of the Holy Spirit. But, our hope should not be in the things we can see, here and now, we hope for our home in a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13).

Understanding-What does it mean?  I was listening to a podcast a while ago, and the interview was with the author of a book talking about how fleeting motivation is.  At the beginning of the interview, they discussed the excitement that people feel at the beginning of the new year, especially in terms of goals and resolutions of things like weight loss and travel.  But, for many people, the excitement wanes quickly as the burden of life weighs down on you. Motivation, he said, “is a myth.” The remedy to this is discipline. When I was done listening to the podcast, I was really motivated to be disciplined… which lasted about three days.

The problem I find with most self-help authors and programs that I try to implement into my life, is they lack the “why.”  For me, the thought of losing weight, or getting smarter, or saving more money is great, but can quickly be overcome by real world stuff.  Saving money is great, until you need to replace your transmission. Losing weight is great, until you work the night shift and the only thing open to eat at two A.M. is Jack-in-the-Box.  The “why” in these cases have no substance and no support.

In our Christian life though, the why is greater than anything on earth.  Our life becomes not just a temporary thing, but one without end. Our actions have implications into the eternity which we cannot see right now.  Therefore, our life can be viewed in terms of service and worship to the creator of the universe (Colossians 3:23-24). Not only that, but we can use our actions as a billboard for Christ’s love for others (Philippians 2:3-4).  Additionally, we don’t have to rely on our own strength, but that of the Holy Spirit, who was sent by Jesus (John 14:6).

 

1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. (NIV, personal underlines added)

 

Observation

It appears that Paul is attempting to pacify some of the infighting and arguing that was going on in the early Roman church. According to verses 5 and 6 of the same chapter it sounds as if the members of that particular body were arguing over matters such as the sabbath day, “Christian diets”, and abstinence. All things that may pertain to the life of a believer..

 

Understanding

Have you ever asked God to highlight a portion of scripture for you and He highlights the one verse that you did not want to see? Deep down there is a part of me that knows that there are multiple areas I need to see growth in. Romans 14:3 is one of them. The sad part is, I am not even one of great faith “who eats everything”. Ha! This passage is intended to instruct Christians on how to deal with one another in areas of their faith based living. But I feel led to apply this principle to areas of my life which do not necessarily require faith.

 

For, I am still guilty of treating others with anger. Inside my heart.

To justify my annoyance.

To give depth to my anger.

Because my way is clearly the more mature way!

 

Paul urges us in verse 13, “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” (NIV)

Life Application 

I certainly don’t want to operate from a perspective of anger and contempt. I wonder how different the global church would be if we took some of the edge off of our tones and our hearts when we disagreed with one another. Whether the issue was theological or faith based.

Lord help me to deal with my brothers and sisters in Christ as one who does not want them to stumble. May my words and my actions towards members of the body have zero judgement, less anger, and embody love.

May I carry that way of thought into how I interact with non-believers.

May I operate that way even in the most mundane of ways as I live and walk daily to further your message of love on this earth and beyond. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

-kenneth lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repentance, when applied to God, signifies simply change of purpose relative to some declarations made subject to certain conditions. See this fully explained and illustrated by himself, Jeremiah 18:7-9. [https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/romans-11.html]

 

Scripture:  Romans 10:8-10  But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

 

Observation-What does it say?  Throughout chapters nine and ten, Paul expresses his anguish of the nation of Israel.  Though he once had great zeal for the traditions of his people, Paul now has knowledge of Jesus as the Messiah.  Having come to this knowledge, Paul longs for all of Israel to come to Jesus in the same way he did. He points to Christ, proclaiming that He is the end of the law, freeing all Jews from the burden of the law.  He then pleads to their senses, exhorting them to accept Jesus as the Messiah. While doing this, he points to the simplicity of action needed: confess and believe.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?  I remember the call, which came in the middle of a Friday, on a weekend I was scheduled to work through Sunday.  My grandma had moved from North Carolina to live with my mom about six months prior. They had both become tired from the almost two year process of my grandma’s cancer treatments and decided it was easier for both of them to be here in California.  This decision forced my grandma to leave her childhood home. The tone in my mom’s voice during the call was calm but hurting, “I think we only have a little bit left.”  

 

I left work almost instantly, to spend the next day listening to my grandma’s last breaths.  It was painful and beautiful all at once. Having to watch someone leave this life is horrible, because it feels so permanent.  It made it easier knowing that my grandma had spent a life loving Jesus, and would get to spend eternity with Him.

 

In Paul’s writing, there is almost the sense that he sees his friends and countrymen dying without the same confidence of their salvation.  Throughout his letters, he carries a sense of urgency, as he pours out his life so others will have the same knowledge of Jesus as savior that he did (Philippians 2:17).  Though, Paul still had the peace to know that when he went on to be with Jesus, he had done all he could (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

 

Life Application:  Jesus, give in me the same heart as Paul, and the same urgency of preaching to those who need to hear the good news of Your salvation.  Help me to have graceful speech. Allow me to produce fruit in season and out of season. In my shortcoming, allow your love to shine through.

-Tyler Galloway

 

Application 

Psalm 124:8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth.

Observation 

Psalm 124. A song of ascents. A special song that was sung by pilgrims as they ascended uphill or as the priests climbed up the steps of the temple. 

1 If the Lord had not been on our side—

    let Israel say—

2 if the Lord had not been on our side

    when people attacked us,

3 they would have swallowed us alive

    when their anger flared against us;

4 the flood would have engulfed us,

    the torrent would have swept over us,

5 the raging waters

    would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the Lord,

    who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

7 We have escaped like a bird

    from the fowler’s snare;

the snare has been broken,

    and we have escaped.

Understanding 

There were so many times in my life when I would have been swallowed alive by fear or swept away by a flood of anxiety. If it had not been for the LORD, I would not be here today, I would not be here today serving Him. 

When I was a little girl left alone at night, I called out to him for help and he sent people to me. 

When I was a young adolescent lying in my bed scared, hyperventilating, and filled with disappointment, as my drunk father finally came home, breaking another promise, I called out to Him for help and I was instantly filled with peace. 

When I was 23 and waking up yet again with my stomach in knots, wondering if I would ever be free from the anxiety that had plagued me all my life, I called out to Him for help, and I when I awoke the next day, it was gone. 

When I realized my life was a mess from my own doing, I asked Him to come into my heart and be my savior, to forgive me of my sins. I asked Him for help to transform my life and he led me to Desert Streams Church. I went to every service, every class, every prayer meeting. I served, built relationships with people, and was discipled. I asked him for help and he saved me. 

Romans 10:13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Application 

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 

Think of the times that you have needed help and he has saved you. He saved you. He will save you again and again. 

I think it is interesting that this psalm is called a song of ascent, meaning they sang this song as they went up to a higher elevation. 

Some of us are going through a hard time and cannot see how the LORD can help us. I think worship takes us to a higher elevation in the spirit. 

They started out singing the song as they climbed. At the end of the song they declare where their help comes from and who he is. 

Let worship take you to a higher elevation and when you get to the top declare where your help comes from!

Scripture

Romans 8:36-39

 

Observation

 

Understanding

Freedom is FREE!

Ever since we read this passage during the fast I have gone back to it several times. Each time I read it I find myself getting so excited over the words that Paul so beautifully writes. He paints a wonderful picture at the end of this chapter too. The idea that once I am adopted into the sonship nothing can separate me from it. There’s one dilemma I find in this passage though. Somewhere along the way we are in this cyclical relationship of bondage and freedom. A relationship that we have created and placed on ourselves. Like Paul says in this passage you are free! However, actually grasping that core belief and living in it is a lot different than just saying it.

Here’s the main point I want to sit on before practically giving ways to living in freedom: freedom is paid for and there’s no “return policy.” Once it is granted and atoned for there is no reason to feel like you have to give it back or it has to be re-earned after you mess up (because let’s be real, we all mess up along the way). But the Bible says that:

God raised us up with Christ and seated with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

Ephesians 2:6

 

Life Application

How exactly do we walk in this amazing freedom?

1. We have to know who are in Christ. This is only possible by reading His Word daily and being in constant communication with the one who made us.
2. We must recognize that God is the one who is able, and we are simply to act in obedience with our own willingness. Sure, freedom is free and the most liberating feeling, but it doesn’t make you the ultimate earthly person. Instead this freedom is meant to empower you to carry out God’s will.
3. Lastly, we must share this freedom with others. God doesn’t just want us to hoard all this freedom and love to ourselves. He longs for others to become “more than conquerors” as well.

When life seems difficult most of the time that means you are headed in God’s direction. Resistance means the enemy is scared, but you can rest assured that nothing can separate you from the love of Jesus. It’s free, paid for, and ready to be consumed by us.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Run to Jesus and confess it. Don’t continue to meditate on it and don’t run away from Jesus due to shame. He understands temptation because He was tempted the same way we are. Confess to the Lord that you need His help. The Holy Spirit always comes through.
2. Run to God’s Word. Encourage yourself away from the temptation through His truths. God’s Word is our offensive weapon against the evil one’s attacks. We must wash our minds clean daily with the Truth in His Word. Jesus always used God’s Word in the correct context when tempted by the devil and the devil left him.
3. Put up safeguards to guard your heart and mind. Don’t go closer to the temptation. Run away from it just like Joseph in Genesis 39:12. He RAN away naked leaving his cloak behind when his master’s wife kept tempting him to sleep with her and she started becoming aggressive with it. Joseph’s integrity and pleasing his master (both earthly and in Heaven) was more important than sleeping with that woman.
4. Remember the consequences of the sin, not the pleasure of it. We usually know the harsh consequences if it was a sin committed in the past or if it was a learned consequence from someone else’s sin.
5. Confess your struggle to another Spirit filled person to pray for you and even consider going to a Christian counselor if needed. The more we shine light on the darkness, the less likely darkness will overtake and overcome us.