12/23/2024
Today we will touch on two specific topics that speak to me, the first is Satan's sly desire to take the joy of victory from us once he has lost the battle for our soul, and the second is the ineffectiveness of money, and things, to win the souls of the lost to Jesus.
As I read Pastor E. M. Bounds this morning, he made a statement that resonated with me. It was in regard to Satan robbing us of the joy and peace of God despite his having lost the battle for our souls, or some spiritual victory in our lives.
"If Satan cannot prevent a great movement for God, his craftiest trick is to try to ruin the movement." - E. M. Bounds
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8 ESV
Have you ever been there? Have you gone to church and received a special blessing from the sermon, some revelation that touched you and brought you a sense of peace and joy, only to have something said, or done... even before you reach home... that destroys your spiritual feeling? Or how about an act of kindness and charity that you have done for a needy person that moments later someone tries to convince you was undeserved? The victory is still there, but you were robbed of that heavenly peace and sense of love that accompanied it.
Once we have obeyed God's word and lived in a manner that brings heaven to our doorstep, don't let that moment be stolen from you by Satan's trickery. Focus on your accomplishment in, or for, the kingdom and turn the efforts of the dark one into yet another victory. If you have done an act of kindness and someone says "he was just taking advantage of you" turn to that person and say "we are all God's children." When the pastor has delivered a sermon that has blessed you and touched you deeply, but before you can reach the sanctuary door someone says a negative thing about a brother or sister that threatens to take your joy... turn from that person and refocus on your joy. By example, Jesus said this to Peter...
“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
Matthew 16:23 KJV
Don't let Satan destroy the joy in your spiritual victories.
The second thought that came to me this morningwas in regard to the power of prayer and its effectiveness in winning souls for the Kingdom. We often use the absence of funds or resources as an excuse for a lack of missionary fervor, or inactivity on the missionary front, but they should not be the heart of our efforts.
"The key of all missionary success is prayer. That key is in the hands of the churches. Financial resources are not the real muscles of war in this fight. Machinery carries no power to break down heathen walls and win heathen hearts to Christ. Prayer alone can accomplish this." - E. M. Bounds
When Jesus sent his apostles out to witness to the surrounding towns, he gave them this instruction...
“Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.”
Matthew 10:9-11 KJV
No gold, no silver, no script... the key for the apostles was prayer, and God's provision; and that remains true today. How many times have you heard the excuse... "Well, if I had another $100 dollars, I could have done __THIS___!" Or, "Our church budget just doesn't permit us to send a missionary"?
Of all the things we do as Christians, the one that emulates Jesus most is to reach out to the lost, the sinners. This was the mission of Christ and it should be ours as well, and in this God will provide.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:10 KJV
Let's pray individually and as churches for our missionaries and for the opportunity to witness in our daily lives. Pray, pray, and pray some more... this is our strength and muscle in evangelism.
Prayer:
Thank you, Father, for helping us to rebuff the efforts of Satan, and as you provide all we need as we go forth to witness and preach the gospel to the lost. Father, we thank you this morning. we thank you for prayer and the power it brings to our lives and our relationship with you. We ask that you stave off Satan as he attempts to steal the joy from our spiritual victories, and we ask that you give us the power to turn his attempts into added faith and peace by repelling his subtle attacks. God, you provide for us in all things, and we ask you to give us the faith and trust that you instilled within the apostles as Jesus sent them out penniless to spread the good news. Lord, you are our strength in the face of adversity and your Word is our shield and sword against our enemies. Keep us this day; help us as we hold to your joy and feed us with the manna of your Word as we seek out the lost souls in the world. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who cares for us, loves us, provides for us, and watches over us always. Holy are you whose mercy abounds, and whose grace knows no end. Father, find us worthy in Christ who is without sin and yet has taken on our sin, and defeated death for us. Abide in our hearts and souls Abba and call us to abide in you. Walk with us for all eternity, and call us your children, and your friends as we make quiet conversation in prayer. This is the day that you have made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it.
And all those who believe say Amen!
“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.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 ESV
“And the Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58:11 ESV
Rich Forbes