enemy – Page 7 – Cross Culture Church

Meditation: January 30

”Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Youthful lusts do not automatically translate into wantonness. There are temptations that come in our youth to channel our energies in the direction of our unchecked passions. It takes forethought to consider the outcome of decisions that so many peers make. The admonition is to think ahead and consider what your life would be like in the future. Decisions now have far reaching consequences later. The wise and mature, as result of years of trial and error, have much to teach the young and immature. They have walked the path that the young are yet considering. Unfortunately, we only have one life to live. If it were possible, the warnings to the young would be their precautionary actions now. Since this is impossible, they can only speak wise words borne from experience and observation. Listen to wise and godly advice. It will spare you from many failures and heartache as result of snares set by the enemy.

04 Jan 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: January 4

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“If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” Exodus 33:15

As we move forward into this New Year, we need the Presence of the Lord. We stretch our hand into the darkness of uncertain experiences, but by faith believe that there is another Hand on the other side to take hold of it to guide us throughout the year. We trust God who has gone before us and has full knowledge of the end as well as every beginning. But our plight is for His Presence to be with us. As Jesus became man to dwell among us, we need His Presence daily to assure us that we are not alone. If God be with us, who can be against us? He will guide us through every pitfall and entrapment of the enemy as long as He is doing the guiding and we are not merely following the dictates of our own heart. It is our prayer to be changed this year in order for our hearts to be after His own thus having the will to fully follow Jesus wherever He may lead. “If He does not go with us, we do not want to be brought from here.”

01 Jan 0Comments 0Likes

2016, The Year of Kingdom Advancement

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Each year, we highlight a focus for our lives and this ministry. As we pursue our goals, we invite others to join us and challenge them to seek what we believe to be a God-inspired vision. With the advancement of evil in this world and the decline among those who have totally committed their lives to Christ, the wakeup call to true saints requires the advancement of the Kingdom. The battle weary take the last bit of strength left within them to stand, and with weapons in hand and an increasing number surmounting against them, the troops must rally against the enemy. Too much is at stake, for if we wave the white flag, then our surrender is a statement that our God is not able to deliver us. But when defeat appears to be inevitable, our God speaks His Word, and the very power of His Word is enough to overwhelm the strongest opposition!

We have not underestimated the strategies and strength of our enemy, nor are we ignorant of his devices. The influences of secular media have turned the tide of would-be worshipers of God into idols in the form of superstars and self. The technological advancements that could be used for good or bad, where knowledge parts from faith rather than knowledge rooted in faith, have caused many to question the very existence of God. The spread and popularity of false religions that appeal to those who are disappointed with diluted expressions of Christianity are now defecting to these more exotic expressions. Many of the proponents of false religion are honest, but misinformed. Often, their commitment is stronger than those who have a general knowledge of the truth. With a resolve to give their all to what they believe, if they could be convinced that there is something more, they would pour all of their energies and use their influence in defense of the Faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Although the influence and strength of the enemy is diverse, far reaching, and great, we know that our God is greater!

The opportunity is greater than ever before for Christ’s witnesses to take their rightful stand. What has been entrusted to us is most needed as always, but now in an age of spiritual decline, we are able to take the lead. Peaceful negotiations are cautiously entered into with the potential of broken agreements and alliances with allies possibly turning into enemies. Who can we trust? What can we rely upon? What God has always said He is still saying… “Trust in the Lord and do not lean to your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths.” The expanse of His government and peace shall have no end. His Kingdom is established within the heart of individuals and not a system imposed upon the masses. The result influences existing governments, families, and wherever and however people may be joined together. As we put special effort into preaching the message of the Kingdom of God, it is with the intent that the conditions where we find ourselves in will cause many to reconsider what God is saying. My prayer is that we hear the right message so that we might be rightly joined together and grow up in Him in every area of our lives. Let’s do our best to advance the Kingdom!

20 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: December 20

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“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

Light exposes hidden things. Things that ought not to be, will hide and conceal their intentions. People who wish to deceive do it under the covering of a disguise. But when the light is turned on, we see the details that otherwise would have gone undetected. There are many deceptions of the enemy of our souls to keep us in darkness thus contented with destructive things. The unlighted path leads to death without warning. Jesus is the light of the world in order for a contrast to be made between things that are by nature good and by nature evil. We are not left with the task of having to experience all things in order to know how they may affect us. All we need is the light that we may see the end results ahead of time. The traps that are laid before us are now laid open. All is well because we are guided by the Light of Jesus Christ who is the Word that is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our pathway.

10 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: December 10

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“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

The battle continues to rage for the soul of every human. It requires one to have knowledge that the fight is on unless there be a state of lethargy leading to self-defeat. There are battles chosen by many people that require the total commitment of life and duty. Even if there is victory in those battles, what would be their gain? Yes, this is the fight that many may engage, but it is not the best. The good fight is the best one in which we may be engaged. It is the fight of faith that matters for all of eternity. All other celebrations of victory are short-lived because to gain the whole world and lose ones soul is vanity. God has called us to stand on the battle lines He has drawn. Only in standing there can we receive His rescue and victory. We are strengthened to maintain our focus on Jesus who has gone before us and is now leading us to triumph over the enemy.

30 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: November 30

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“Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Revelations 4:1

The immediate appears to be more practical than the ultimate. What many assume to be a message from the Lord may be practical but not prophetic. It is only what is seen that is addressed, causing many to stand together but unable to progress beyond their current position. They may find comfort because they are not alone, but nothing of substance is feeding their malnourished souls. The invitation of Jesus is to be raised beyond the level of convention. “Come up here!” He awaits the arrival of those desperate souls who hunger and thirst after righteousness. They seek more than temporary relief, but a life-changing encounter. God offers the weary and heavy laden rest, but only in an elevated position in heavenly places in Christ. When we are seated there, we can see what He has to show us and not be distracted by the side-shows of the enemy. Even this too shall pass as we by faith trust in the Lord to guide us in the direction of what will take place after this.

18 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: November 18

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“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” John 12:32

Those who are drawn to Jesus by the Spirit are kept by the Spirit. The mysterious magnetic pull of the cross of Christ produces within the heart of the believer a willingness to fully follow after Him even when circumstances are difficult. They see the sacrifice that He has made in contrast to the challenges that lie before them and equate all in light of what Jesus Christ has already done. This is not the easy believe(ism) or our day where many are attracted to the trappings of success in this life and the glory that comes from others. It is a heart commitment to fully follow Christ in all that He may assign as a part of our journey. They lifted Him up as an enemy to their doctrines and lifestyles by crucifying Him. He transformed what would have been defeat into victory. Now the message of the cross of Jesus must be preached throughout world in order for any to be drawn by dimensions of love never known before. Love was the motive for Him to die for our sins which were many. It is the acknowledgement of sin and its effect upon our lives and our world that would bring one to understand the necessity of His sacrifice. Are you drawn to Christ today? He was lifted up and His message is now being preached throughout the world providing an opportunity for you to be delivered out of the bondage of sin and its affect to the glorious liberty that only He is able to provide.

14 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: November 14

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“For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.” Ecclesiastes 9:12

Action taken without any knowledge of our time is the entrapment of the enemy. We would lose sight of all the benefits provided as a means of remaining on the path of freedom. What were the habits and where were the pitfalls of the past that once held us in their grip before we were enlightened. They are still there even though we may have been once delivered from them. But when we get out of step with God and begin to take matters into our own hands, in no time they catch up to recapture us. We must be a step ahead of ploys that could so easily cause setbacks. God reveals the strategies and schemes intended to dismantle the work of God in us and through us. Therefore it is required of us to walk in the Spirit in sync with the Lord is timing that we do not succumb weakness of the flesh and the wiles of the devil.

12 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: November 12

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“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

The knowledge of God is complete in itself. The expanse of His knowledge reaches from eternity past through time into the farthest regions of eternity future. It cuts through the plethora of knowledge of man leaving him exhausted of both mental and physical strength and remains unfazed by his futile attempts to disprove what He knows is true. It is with this knowledge that He knew the Prophet. It is the same knowledge in which each of us is known. He is aware of His intentions for our lives. There is a place personally reserved for each of us to fill. That spot may be vacant now, but in time the Lord expects us to occupy that place and fulfill our calling. His was to speak prophetically to the nations. Ours may be to touch one life. But each person is ordained by God to step into that place where God is able to take us where we need to go. None can excuse their apparent deficiencies as a reason to descend. He knows each ones weaknesses but calls him just the same. Our healing and future wholeness is predicated upon our willingness and obedience. We must take our places as to give no place to left vacant for the enemy to invade. This is what God knows about us and willing to allow us to see within ourselves.

31 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: October 31

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“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

Careful preparation is required if one is to continue standing under the pressures of the world, the flesh, and the devil. The armed attack of the enemy which may work through all three, are aimed at the weakest part of our character. It is impossible for any to fully know all of his weaknesses. Surely in the areas of perceived strength temptations will come to test the strength of our commitment to God and the truths that we profess to uphold. This is why an accurate and spirit-guided articulation of the message from God is so important. Equally so, this is why the enemy of our souls would much rather see us doing any other thing that taking heed to the words that are given for the salvation of our souls. The whole armor of God, not just those portions that are comfortable and in fashion must be continually worn. The attacks do not come at a scheduled time, but when we least expect them to come. They may come successively if there is any sign of fatigue taking place. We must allow God to strengthen those parts that are weakened. But above all, take a stand for what God has ordained. If there is not solid position taken against wrong and for what is right, the best artillery and armor is of no use. It would merely service as the dressing of a fully decorated corpse.