Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 5:6-11 ESV
Warrior;
The Bible is about remembering. God wants to show us how He did things in the past, how he got people through tough times, treacherous times, tempestuous times – as in, SUCH A TIME LIKE THIS! The world is getting crazier, people are eating each other, destroying each other, and hating each other- with self-perceived righteousness. The devil, the PRINCE OF THIS WORLD, under the guise of ‘social justice’ is destroying any fabric of unity we ever had. It is in these times that we need to turn to the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, the author of our salvation, the GOD OF OUR FATHERS- to make it through these final days. These words were spoken by Mordechai to his niece, Esther. “For such a time as this.” It’s a phrase tossed around frequently, often without much thought to the original meaning or context in which it was said. It can mean special, chosen or royal. Many people even quote Mordecai’s rebuke to Esther as a life-verse representing power and favor. This is why God gave us HIS WORD, HIS SON, HIS BIBLE- For such a time as this!
Leader, In the Book of Esther, where this quote comes from- things were bad for the Jews, and about to get even worse. Just like the riots, the PURGE of those who think differently than the media and the masses, that are happening today… our belief in God, our rights, and our very existence as Christians is being questioned in today’s America- so too were the events of Esther’s day- if something were not done, the JEWS would be totally wiped out and the government would be the one driving the extinction. “Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, ‘Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews.For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?’”(Esther 4:13-14) It is time to REMEMBER that this world is NOT ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE, it is not about happiness- it is about God, it is about GLORY TO GOD, and it is about realizing our GREATER PURPOSE for being here at this time and place. This life is nothing more than a preparation and a separation. We are being prepared for eternity and we are to be different than the dwellers of the earth, as children of God. It is critical at this point that we humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways and seek God in prayer and supplication. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Conduit, when we pray there are 2 key parts of prayer; one acknowledges God’s power and might, and gives Him glory and the other is calling God to bless those on this planet; ourselves and\or others. If we want effectual prayer and a powerful connection to God then we should know about Doxologies and Benedictions- so as to use them to the GLORY OF GOD and the GOOD of our brothers and sisters. A doxology is a declaration that ascribes glory or praise to God while a benediction is usually a blessing that one prays that God will give to another person. Put another way, a doxology goes up to God while a benediction comes down from God. Let me pray a doxology and a benediction for you today so you may be properly equipped for the warzone, that today is called America, The World. Let me start with God’s original benediction and end with my favorite doxology from the ending of this world, the book of Revelation. “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace”. “Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Numbers 6:24-26, Revelation 15:3-4) Remember why we have the WORD OF GOD- so we can effectively use it. In the book of JOY, the book of Philippians, Paul reminds us: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. I pray today you will stop seeking help from the government and TURN TO GOD!
Way of The Warrior- A Daily Devotional 