Are you experiencing a broken relationship with family members?  Are you arguing with neighbors?  Are you struggling to get along with your employer?  Do you feel like non-Christians are out to get you?  Is a particular political party the cause of all the problems our nation is facing?  Are Muslims the bad guys?  Are Communists the enemy?  How do you feel about ISIL (ISIS) or the Taliban?

Family members, neighbors, employers, non-Christians, a particular political party, Muslims, Communists, ISIL, or the Taliban may be perceived as the enemy.  In reality, these are not the enemy.  Scripture tells us that the real enemy is Satan and his demons.

The real enemy.

^…  we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NLT)

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  (1 Peter 5:8 NLT)

… the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.  (Ephesians 2:2 NLT)

Satan, who is the god of this world…  (2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT)

^… the world around us is under the control of the evil one.  (1 John 5:19 NLT)

This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world— (Revelation 12:9 NLT)

Equip yourself for the real battle. Put on the full armor of God.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  (Ephesians 6:13-17 NLT)

Know the enemy.   Act accordingly.

(More details about the armor of God in a future post).

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Most of us recognize that we don’t have answers for all of the challenges and questions that come our way.  Too many of us, however, are hesitant to ask for help and we try to “go it” on our own.

• Scripture makes it clear that we can talk to God about anything and everything.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need… (Philippians 4:6 NLT)

• Scripture also tells us to get counsel from other people.

Get all the advice and instruction you can,
so you will be wise the rest of your life.  (Proverbs 19:20 NLT)

Scripture tells us that we are being foolish if we don’t listen to counsel from other people.

Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others. (Proverbs 12:15 NLT)

Being too proud to ask for help can result in conflict.

Pride leads to conflict;
those who take advice are wise.  (Proverbs 13:10 NLT)

If you want to be successful, surround yourself with many advisers.

Plans go wrong for lack of advice;
many advisers bring success.  (Proverbs 15:22 NLT)

Need help?  Start with prayer.  Know that God may answer your prayers by putting people in your life to help you address your concerns.  Ask good questions and listen carefully to the counsel of the people that God sends your way.

The heartfelt counsel of a friend
is as sweet as perfume and incense.
(Proverbs 27:9 NLT)

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Are you feeling discouraged and need some words of encouragement?

Take a moment to reflect on who we are in Christ.

In the Bible Christians (those saved by the blood of Jesus) are described as:

Chosen

Ephesians 1:4

Holy

Colossians 1:22

Blameless

Colossians 1:22

Forgiven

Ephesians 1:7

United with Christ

Ephesians 1:11

Redeemed

1 Corinthians 7:23

A Temple of the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 6:19

A slave to Righteous Living

Romans 6:18

Heirs of God

Romans 8:17

Co-heirs with Christ

Romans 8:17

 Blessed

Ephesians 1:3

Will live with God for eternity in Heaven

John 3:16

If you are a Christian (redeemed by Jesus), the words and phrases listed above describe you regardless of how you may be feeling today.  Christianity is about Biblical truths, not feelings.

If you do not have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ I would encourage you to check out the post Whoever Believes ….

 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.  (Colossians 1:13-14 NLT)

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In Bible times Roman soldiers had various pieces of armor that they used in battle.  To protect himself, a soldier wore a breastplate and a helmet and he carried a shield.  For most solders, the offensive weapon was his sword. Soldiers depended on their swords to defeat the enemy.  If a soldier lost his sword and was unable to replace it, he was no longer a threat to the enemy.  Soldiers depended on their swords to win the battle.

Christians are surrounded with evil and need to learn to go on the offensive. The Holy Spirit has given us a weapon to use against the enemy.  We are told to “^… take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  (Ephesians 6:17 NLT)

If you want to overcome the enemy you need to learn how to use your sword (the Word of God) effectively.

 
To be a good “soldier” you need to:

S      Study the scriptures daily.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.  (Joshua 1:8 NLT)

W      Write scripture on the doorposts of your houses or in terms that make better sense to us,             surround yourselves with visual reminders of God’s Word.

 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates … (Deuteronomy 11:20 (NLT)

O       Obey the teachings of scripture.

 “Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. (Matthew 7:24 ERV)

 R       Remain faithful to God and His Word.

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  (John 8:31-32 NLT)

D       Delight in scripture.

^… delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.  (Psalm 1:2 NLT)

Are you equipping yourself to be a good soldier?

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.                                (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT)

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God’s mercies are fresh each morning.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.  (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT)

Each day God’s love, grace, mercy, goodness, forgiveness, truth, compassion, and faithfulness are always present and available to His people.

How should we respond?

Today is a new day.  Sing a new song to the LORD.

Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.  (Psalm 96:1-3 NLT)

Don’t fret about messing up in the past.  Think about how you will serve the Lord today.

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT)

Challenge:

 … tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders. (Psalm 78:4 NLT)

 Share with others how God has, and is, changing your life.

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song.
    Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
               (Psalm 149:1 NLT)

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Labor Day was created as a way to acknowledge and pay tribute to the workforce for all they have done to make our country prosperous and strong.

Remember:

• We were created to work.

 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work,  ….. (Exodus 20:9-10 ESV)

… aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, (1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV)

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.  For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-8 ESV)

• Hard work is profitable

 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. (Proverbs 12:11 ESV)

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23 ESV)

The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. (Proverbs 12:24 ESV)

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV)

• We should be working for the Lord.

 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! (Psalm 90:17 ESV)

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!  You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. (Psalm 128:1-2 ESV)

• Our work should benefit others.

 You yourselves know that these (Paul’s) hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.  In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:34-35 ESV)

• Our labor should be enjoyable.

 ….  also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. (Ecclesiastes 3:13 ESV)

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 ESV)

Summary:

• We were created to work.
• Hard work is profitable
• We should be working for the Lord.
• Our work should benefit others.
• Our labor should be enjoyable.

Happy Labor Day

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O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!
    In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your creatures. (Psalm 104:24 NLT)

May the glory of the Lord continue forever!
The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made!  (Psalm 104:31 NLT)

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.

I will praise my God to my last breath! (Psalm 104:33 NLT)

May all my thoughts be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the Lord. (Psalm 104:34 NLT)

Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
(Psalm 150:6 NLT)

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Recently I heard the comment, “The sun is always shining”.

If it is a cloudy day or if it is the middle of the night we are not thinking about the sun giving off light.  However, just because the clouds are blocking the sun or the part of the earth where we live has rotated away from the sun, it doesn’t mean that the sun has stopped shining.

Light and energy are constantly coming to the Earth from the sun.  Every living thing on the Earth depends on sunlight for survival.  Without the radiant energy emitted by the sun there would be no life on Earth.

The Son is always shining.

Just because we are going through hard times doesn’t mean that the Son has stopped shining.

As Christians we don’t have to stumble around in darkness.  We can live in the light 24/7.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”  (John 8:12 NLT)

God’s light shines 24/7.

… our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. … This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.  (1 John 1:3 & 5 NLT)

Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.  We have access to God’s love and light 24/7.

… overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:37-39 NLT)

The Son offers abundant life.

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  (John 10:10 ESV)

Since the light is shining 24/7 we need to live as people of light 24/7!

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!  For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.   Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.  Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; ….  (Ephesians 5:8-11 NLT)

The Son is always shining.

Live as people of light!

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?  (Psalm 27:1 ESV)

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The stock market is unstable and unpredictable.  Many 401K plans are losing money. Job security is a thing of the past.  Many churches no longer adhere to Biblical truths. Health care costs are going through the roof.  Numerous government officials seem to think that it is o.k. to tell lies.  Marriage vows are frequently broken.  This list could go on and on.

Something we need to know is that we can’t put our trust in people.

This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength …  (Jeremiah 17:5 NLT)

Who can we trust?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.  (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

Our help comes from the Lord.

From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2 ESV)

God loves us and cares about us.

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. … So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 NLT)

The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. (Psalm 34:19 NLT)

Ask God for help.

Come with great power, O God, and rescue me!
Defend me with your might.
Listen to my prayer, O God.
Pay attention to my plea.  (Psalm 54:1-2 NLT)

Now may the Lord value my life…  May he rescue me from all my troubles.”  (1 Samuel 26:24 NLT)

Summary:

• We can’t put our trust in people.
• Our help comes from the Lord.
• God loves us and cares about us.
• We can ask God for help.

Where does our (real) help come from?  Our help comes from the Lord.

^… the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.  (2 Timothy 4:18 NLT)

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“It is written” is a phrase that occurs nearly 100 times in scripture (depending on the translation used). Many times it is a phrase used by Jesus Christ.

And Jesus answered him, “It is written …” (Luke 4:8 ESV)

Jesus’ frequent use of the written scripture is a clear affirmation that the written scripture is, in fact, the infallible Word of God. Jesus would not refer to something that is not absolute truth.

Jesus affirms the written Word as a guide for our lives.

 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone,  but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4 ESV)

All Scripture is breathed out by God … 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

When Jesus quotes scripture there is no doubt that He expects us to do as it says.

And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” (Luke 4:8 ESV)

Christ’s life here on earth clearly demonstrated that scripture accurately foretold these events.

… and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, … (Luke 24:46 ESV)

Christ affirms the fact that scripture is historically accurate.

 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” (John 6:31 ESV)

The written word foretells events that are still to come.

^… for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:11 ESV)

Conclusion:

We need to spend quality time reading and studying the “written Word” and accept it as God’s infallible word being communicated to us.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. (Revelation 1:3 ESV)

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