Spiritual War, 17of20

~ Spiritual War:  Don’t Be a Traitor and Don’t Go AWOL or MIA ~ 

 

TRAITOR  ~  Think of Judas Iscariot.  One of our Lord’s inner circle who became a traitor.  “And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.  Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.’  Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him.  But Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, why have you come?’  Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him” (Matthew 26:47-50).

 

AWOL  ~  “Absent With Out Leave” is a serious charge—it is typically a matter of deliberate desertion!  A classic Biblical example is Jonah who fled in the opposite direction as he was directed by God.  “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.’  But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.  He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:1-3). 

 

MIA  ~  “Missing In Action” is usually associated with a wounded or lost soldier during the battle—often later found dead.  But it can also refer to not acting boldly in time of battle.  Sometimes being MIA is simply hiding from the front lines.  “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).  Have you remained on the front lines of the Christian battle? 

 

MIA Example #1  ~  The disciples that did not stay on watch while our Lord prayed! “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go and pray over there.’  …   Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.  Stay here and watch with Me.’  …  Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping,  … ‘What!  Could you not watch with Me one hour?  Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.’  …  a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.’  And He came and found them asleep again   …   He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.  Then He came to His disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting?  Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners” (Matthew 26:36-45).

 

MIA Example #2  ~  Peter was so confident that he would not deny his Lord—but he did!  “Having arrested Him [Jesus Christ], they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house.  But Peter followed at a distance.  …  And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, ‘This man was also with Him.’  But he denied Him, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know Him.’  And after a little while another saw him and said, ‘You also are of them.’  But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not!’  Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, ‘Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.’  But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are saying!’  …  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’  So Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:54-62).  Are you like Peter “following at a distance”?

 

Restoration  ~  While you can’t change your past you can choose your future.  Both Jonah and Peter are perfect examples.  While they had failed miserably in the past they were later used mightily by God.  It’s never too late to follow God’s direction whole heartedly. 

         

Closing Comment  ~  If you were on trial for being a Christian… would there be enough evidence to convict you?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Temptation, 12of13

~ Christ Is Our Example for Dealing With Temptation ~

Introduction ~  “Then [note Key Learning #1 below] Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). …

The First Temptation (lust of the flesh / self-centered) ~  … “And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.  Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’  But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” [Deuteronomy 8:3]’” (Matthew 4:2-4). …

The Second Temptation (lust of the eyes / covetousness) ~  … “Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down.  For it is written: “He shall give His angels charge over you,” and, “In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” [Psalm 91:11-12 misapplied]’ Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God” [Deuteronomy 6:16]’” (Matthew 4:5-7). …

The Third Temptation (lust for power / pride of life) ~  … “Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’  Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan!  For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve”’ [see Deuteronomy 6:13, 15]” (Matthew 4:8-10). …

Result  ~  … “Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11).

Key Learnings  ~  (1) The temptation came after a spiritual high!  It was just following Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16-17).  We should be on guard for temptation immediately following spiritual highs.  (2) Satan knows Scripture as evidenced how he tried to use Psalm 91 in the second temptation.  (3) Following the temptation Jesus’ ministry flourished as he ministered to those in Galilee! (Matthew 4:12 onward).  God typically tests and purifies His servants in order to use them to greater extent. 

Application  ~  In each of the three temptations which Jesus faced in the wilderness He answered by quoting the Word of God.  That is also our way of victory.  When Satan whispers in your ear that you are worthless quote the Word such as: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).  When the evil one tells you how good you are quote the Word such as: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).  “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor” (Proverbs 29:23).  When Satan causes you to focus on external and/or artificial beauty quote the Word such as: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well (Psalm 139:14).  

Closing Verse  ~  “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Came To…, 2

~ Jesus Christ Came To Show The Way To God ~

Passage  ~  “Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’  Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:5-6).

Significance  ~  There is only one way to heaven. 

Comment  ~  All religions include the aspect of the religious person earning their way—all based on some form of DO.  On the other hand, Christianity, rather than a religion is a relationship with Jesus Christ Himself—by confessing our unworthiness and accepting His finished work on the Cross on our behalf.  In other words Christianity is based on what was DONE when Christ paid the penalty of our sins.  The new relationship that a believer gains with the Son of God also includes an intimate relationship with the other two members of the Trinity: God the Father, and the Spirit of God. 

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .