Way of The Warrior- A Daily Devotional

Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. – 1 Timothy 6:2b-5 ESV

Warrior;

What an interesting time we live in.  Not a surprising time, for it has been talked about for thousands of years, by Biblical scholars.  The time we are in has been read about in the scriptures and studied by those who seek the LORD and study HIS WORD.  But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.  They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”  It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. (Jude 1:18-19) This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,  that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,  knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. (2 Peter 3:1-3) Remember, it is impossible to please God without Faith!  “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned/ credited/ accounted to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3). The same verb is used by Paul when he asks that any debt owed by Onesimus-the escaped slave who stole from his Master Philemon-be put to the Apostle ‘s own account (Philemon 1:18)

Leader, Faith requires a gap. If you can see how all the pieces connect, if you can do it without God, if there is NO uncertainty, if there is no ‘alternate’ data that creates a fleshly doubt…then, THERE IS NO FAITH! Faith is believing what God says, that God is in control even when your fleshly eyes, ears and feelings tell you something different. Is God in control or are you in a series of random acts that are driven by happenstance? God has perfect knowledge, He is OMNISCIENT. There has never been an emergency meeting of the TRINITY! God knows all — past, present, and future — and providentially controls all that happens, there is no meaningless suffering. The reasons for our pain may often remain mysterious, but there is no doubt that the Lord works for our good and His glory in all our difficulties and pain (Rom. 8:18, 28). He is never surprised by our suffering, and He is NOT disappointed by our response! He understands our frame, for He said, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart”. Psalm 139:16 tells us, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be”. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. (Psalm 103:14)

Conduit, God permits the trials to come. God is in control of the trials. God enables us to bear them and whether we live or die, God will deliver us from them. Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. (1 Peter 4:12-13) In Romans. the 12^th chapter. Paul elucidates our litmus test in these END TIMES, let us meditate on these CLEAR instructions for these CONFUSING times. Under the heading of ‘Marks of the TRUE CHRISTIAN’: Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21) These are our marching orders from our Commander! GENERAL JESUS, reporting for duty! Use me LORD, change me LORD, let your words be my words, let YOUR WAY be my way, let YOUR WILL be MY WILL! I ask this in the name of the Son of Man, the ONE who was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not- the name of Jesus. Amen!