GOD'S WILL IN THE EVIL DAY

Ephesians 6:10-18
(10)  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
(11)  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
(12)  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
(13)  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 firm.
(14)  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
(15)  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
(16)  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
(17)  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
(18)  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

What is God's will for me in such an evil day, when evil men prevail; and no matter what good people do to expose them, they come up with scheme after scheme and lie after lie to tear down the foundations of all God has given for the good of mankind and blessing, and seek only to steal, kill, and destroy?  Should I just throw up my hands in despair and hunker down, waiting for the Lord to take us away?  Should I fight the political battles and seek to destroy their political power?  Should I answer back anger for anger, insult for insult, hatred for hatred?  I must be careful not to let myself be "overcome by evil" but instead overcome evil with good.  I must remember the battle is a spiritual one and that evil men and women are under the influence of the powers of darkness which they do not even understand.  They think they are free, but they are enslaved to powers beyond themselves that are very antagonistic to God, His Word, His church, and all that God has done in the world or will do.

What's my response?  This is what I've been seeking God to show me.  Are we going to change the world?  Make America great?  Are we going to bring back the love for God's Word and respect for His church in this world again?  Are we to fight for a "kingdom" now?  But as I read all Paul's letters to the church, and especially Ephesians, I see that we are called to a heavenly calling and that our citizenship is in Heaven and we are, in this earth, Christ's ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20).

Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us instructions for what are to do to "withstand in the evil day," which we are surely in.  If we are not in His Word, we are in a most dangerous position and will not be able to withstand all the schemes and attacks of the enemy. It is more crucial than ever that we understand our place in Christ, that He has put us (Ephes. 1-2:10).  The armor of God is another way of explaining that position in Christ.  All that we do is to be done "in Christ" and in His name.  It is "in the strength of His might" alone we stand.  If we don't start there, we already are on sinking sand. We have to remember the battle is with spiritual powers, not physical even though we see the physical powers being used by them at work.

We have to "stand firm" or we won't stand at all (Isa. 7:9b).  The only way to do this is by spiritually "putting on the WHOLE armor of God."  This is ALL THE TIME.  This isn't one day walking in faith, another day walking in righteousness, and another day in truth, etc.  This is daily understanding what we are in Christ, having our position in Him, facing the world, the flesh and the enemy in Christ with what HE has provided for our defense against all, and facing and withstanding and not being moved from our position falling into spiritual defeat, fear, or sin.

We have His truth, not the worlds to stand firm in.  We have His righteousness, not our own by any of our own works and His Spirit "making all things new" within us enabling us to yield to and walk in that righteousness and to call on Him as our advocate. We have perfect peace through the Gospel of His salvation that keeps our hearts enabling us to walk, and do the work He calls us to, facing the enemy and the world. We have a shield of faith - faith in His infallible Word that He always upholds and will not fail one dot or tittle.  We can hold on to that Word and hold it forth and hold it up against fiery darts of disillusionment and doubt or threat or fear the enemy throws at us. Our minds are protected by the salvation that cannot ever be taken from us. We can never be snatched out of His hands (John 10:28), and His Spirit is our guarantee that that salvation is sure and secure (Eph. 1:14). We have the "Sword of the Spirit" - His Word, to defeat every attack against us, so we must learn it, study it, meditate on it, know it, and know Him! If we are not being filled with the Word of God we have only our own fleshly mind to fight with.  We do not have the mind of Christ which is revealed in His Word.  Our minds are not being renewed by His Word, but are being influened by the flesh and the world - not much different than an unbeliever under the influences of the powers of darkness.  What is my influence?  I must be on my guard and aware of that at all times. There is a darkness in this world and a "mind" controlling the minds of so many.  Satan knows how to brainwash masses of people using many avenues, such as the media, games, music, schools, and any way he can to get into the human psyche and manipulate.

Romans 1:21-22
(21)  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
(22)  Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

If we give up God's reasoning, we lose all ability to reason sanely, lose all common sense, and become fools... Webster's 1828 dictionary:  In scripture, fool is often used for a wicked or depraved person; one who acts contrary to sound wisdom in his moral deportment; one who follows his own inclinations, who prefers trifling and temporary pleasures to the service of God and eternal happiness.

Our minds are to be influenced by the truth of God's Word, walking in His light, learning to know Him and His will and to discern right from wrong according to His Word.  This is how we are to look at this evil day.  If we are to do anything else, any work of God, it has to be from this foundation. If not, then it is futile...only the work of flesh which is no better than what unbelievers are doing in the world, and will not contribute to God's will at all.

As we stand in His armor, His provision, in Christ, we are to pray with all prayer and supplication, continually.  If we are praying we are not fainting. If we are praying we are laying all out to God Who hears and answers.  If we are praying for each other we are bringing God's grace and help to one another, so that all may stand against the powers of darkness.  We cannot forget prayer. It is an important privilege and tool God has given to us.  By prayer the powers of Heaven are sent forth into action against the powers of darkness to defeat them and bring God's grace and work, turning what the enemy means for evil into good.

We are not to "fear what they fear" or give in to the pressure of the world.  We are to stand in His armor.  We are to hold forth the Word of life to whosoever will receive it.  We are to continue until He comes being His ambassadors in this world.  We are to suffer patiently, as we wait for His redemption. We are not to think we will eradicate evil or set up His kingdom in this earth.  He will do that when He comes. We are to remember He has given us "every spiritual blessing in the HEAVENLIES" (Eph. 1), at our disposal to enjoy and stand in here on earth until we are redeemed from these bodies of death and taken to "be with Him where He is forever (John 14:3)."

Revelation 3:10-13
(10) Because you kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you out of the hour of trial, the one being about to come on the whole inhabited earth in order to try the ones dwelling on the earth.
(11) Behold, I am coming quickly. Hold what you have that no one take your crown.
(12) The one overcoming, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out any more, not ever! And I will write the name of My God on him, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name.
(13) The one having an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

Maranatha!

GOD'S PURPOSES WILL NOT FAIL

And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them. (Exodus 2:23-25)

God had a purpose. From the beginning of Abraham's call, to Joseph's being sold into slavery, to the children of Israel becoming slaves in Egypt – God had a purpose. Even the means the enemy uses to oppress, to conquer, or to destroy God has already worked out according to His plans for His people. We, as New Testament believers have the advantage of looking back and seeing how God worked to deliver the children of Israel and all His workings, how He used the hardness of Pharaoh's heart, how He used everything that happened to Moses, all for His plan to be carried out and His covenant to be kept with Israel.

“The farther we proceed in the sacred writings, the more the history both of the grace and providence of God opens to our view. He ever cares for his creatures, and is mindful of his promise. The very means made use of to destroy his work are, in his hands, the instruments of its accomplishment.” (Adam Clarke on Exodus 2:25)

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. (Exodus 7:3-5)

The enemy has always had his servants that he raises up to oppress God's children. Today we see much oppression against both Israel and the church. Satan seeks to steal, kill, and destroy wherever he gets a foothold and is able to do so. Yet God has His promises for both Israel and His church. The very oppression and persecution he uses, God is also in control of and we can be sure He will use only to carry out His purpose in both. We don't need to fear or fret, as it says in Psalm 37, when we see the enemy seemingly prevail. God is not sleeping, nor does He need to be awakened. He hears our groaning and our cries. Just as He had a plan for Moses, and used even the king's edict, to kill all Hebrew babies, to actually save Moses and all that happened after, He has a plan today. Just as He used the hardness of Pharaoh's heart for His own purposes, He will use the hardness and plans of the pharaoh's of today that come against Him for His own deliverance of God's people. When we are trusting in God, we should not want any other way or plan than the one He has chosen, even though it may mean hardship before it is finally carried out. God's plan is perfect. Let us not settle for anything less.

When we are in God's plan, trusting in Him, there is nothing He will not deliver us from or through. We fret and fear over political powers that threaten to take away our freedom, but nobody can take away God's freedom to do as He wills. He will even use their evil for good in what He seeks to accomplish in His church and ultimately to fulfill His promises to the nation of Israel. We need to walk by faith in His purposes, which will never fail, not in fear of the enemy. When we find ourselves at the Red Sea, with no way of escape, and the enemy pressing in, we need to trust His hand, and not look for our own way of escape. He is able to open up the Red Sea and make a way through. He created that sea for His own purposes, and to glorify Himself among His people and among the enemy. When we find ourselves in the wilderness, we know we can trust God is with us making all provision for us and has already planned what He will reveal of Himself to us through it and when He will bring us to the promised land awaiting us. His purposes will not fail. We can fail to trust and make our wilderness journey all the harder and longer, however, if we do not put our trust in Him. But we need to remember - “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6)

and...

...the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)

We must go through our oppressions, our persecutions, our sufferings, our red seas, and our wildernesses in this world. But we can do so in faith, understanding God's will and purpose, trusting His hand, knowing He still is in control, and that salvation and deliverance is His will always for His children. He will reveal His glory through it if we trust Him.

Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
(Romans 8:21-23)

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

(Romans 8:31)

FACING THE DARKNESS

FACING THE DARKNESS

Mat 26:34-35

(34)  Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

(35)  Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Mat 26:37-39

(37)  And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

(38)  Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”

(39)  And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Jesus knew sorrow and grief that I don't think we can fully grasp. He knew pain and suffering (Isa. 53:3-11), and knows how to share in ours. He knew, as man, what it was like to face the worst kind of evil. He knew the powers of darkness that were about to come against Him, and the unspeakable agony He was about to face as He took on our sins, even "becoming a curse" for us (Gal. 3:13) - He Who knew no sin, so that we might become "the righteousness of God" in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).

Even Jesus, being both God and man, knew the weakness of human flesh and that there was no power in the flesh alone, no matter the strength of the human will to do right. No matter the determination to stand, He knew only dependence on the power of God would enable us in the frailty of our flesh to stand against the evil and darkness of this world. A concept very difficult for us to understand is that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. I don't think I completely understand all that that means, but what struck me about this portion of Scripture is the sorrow of His soul, knowing that He, being God, would take on something so repulsive to Him, so unbearable, something that was repulsive to the Father and would cause the Father to turn His face from Him as man (Matt. 27:46).

Thomas Constable (Expository notes of Dr. Constable), writes: "Jesus cried out the words of Psa_22:1 because His Father was abandoning Him. It was out of a similar sense of abandonment that David originally wrote the words of this psalm."

"Separation from the Father must have been the worst part of the Cross for Jesus who had never before experienced anything but intimate fellowship with His Father. Jesus became the center of God's judgment on mankind's sin (cf. Rom_3:21-26; 2Co_5:21)."

This something was so grievous and caused so much sorrow "even to the point of death" for our Savior. He cried out "if it be possible, let this cup pass from me." If there were any other way at all to obtain our salvation, surely the Father would not have sent His only begotten Son to the cross. If there were some way we could earn it ourselves, if there were some other sacrifice that would do it, or if there were any other remedy at all for our sin, Jesus would not have died for us. And so He prayed, "not my will but Yours be done."

Peter was fully determined to go as far as to die for His Lord. His spirit was willing - even boldly determined! Jesus knew the flesh. He knew, even He the Son of God, though in the form of human flesh, must fully depend on the Father, on the power of the Spirit to overcome the flesh. "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

(Mat 26:41)

Having a willing spirit is not enough to face the darkness and evil in this world. No matter how determined we are to stand against evil, it is not enough. We must learn to know our own flesh and see it for what it is. Once we do we will never again trust it.

Thomas Constable (Expository notes of Dr. Constable), states: "The contrast between the flesh and the spirit is not between the sinful human nature and the Holy Spirit (as in Gal_5:17) but between man's volitional strength and his physical weakness (cf. Mat_26:35). We often want to do the right thing but find that we need supernatural assistance to accomplish it (cf. Rom_7:15-25)."

In a day when we are facing the darkness of human depravity, as we see it seeming to abound more and more, and seek to overcome all that is of God and all that is good in our world, how much we need to think on this portion of Scripture. What a blessing it is to meditate on what our Lord endured, and how much He loved us, the sorrow and grief He bore for us. And what a sober reminder that if the Son of God Himself walked in such utter dependence on the Father, how much more do we? How little we should trust ourselves or put any hope in our own strength, our own determination or will power. It is never our will power or faith in our faith that will keep us in the hour of trial. It is only our being "strengthened in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10-11), and dependence and trust in His provision, His promise, and His power indwelling us. Our will, our faith, our hope may all fail us in the darkest hour, but He will never fail us. Christ alone is the strength of our salvation and the strength of our hearts. We must look to Him, and never trust in ourselves, neither for obtaining salvation nor to keep ourselves as we face the darkness (1 Peter 1:5).  

BIBLE NUGGETS: LET THERE BE LIGHT

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. (Genesis 1:3)

God said, and there was - and this is how it is today and forever.  Man thinks he can create the world the way he wants but it is only as God says it will be in the end.  It is only God Who brings light into the world.  Man does not like His light.  It exposes his lies, and his evil intentions.  So he seeks to counterfeit or snuff out the light.  But that's impossible.  Not only is God the creator of light but He, Himself is the light.  All who want His true light may have it if they ask in humility and faith.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.

He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. (John 1:1-10)

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.  By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, (Revelation 21:23 - 24)

And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)

From the beginning satan has tried to snuff out that light, or counterfeit it.  But God separates the light from the darkness and makes all things clear. 

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

(John 3:19)

In the beginning God said... and there was.  In the end, also, it is God Who says.  It is God Who has the final say.  It is God Who destroys the darkness.  God, our Creator, our Redeemer, our Savior, will Himself, being the light, dwell with us forever. 

BIBLE NUGGETS: HE CARES FOR YOU

Do you ever doubt God's care for you?  Do you ever wonder, when everything seems to be going downhill in your life, if God is paying attention at all?  If He is doing anything about it?  If He really truly sees and cares about the pain in your life?  I think we've all been there.  Even if we won't voice it, we probably, as believers, have felt it in our hearts.  At times we can feel all alone in our sorrow, or our pain or our trial.  It looks like all is hopeless and all that is left is to expect the worst, with no help, it seems, from God.

1 Peter 5:6-7
(6)  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
(7)  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

(Amplified Bible, Classic Edition) 6 Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,

7 Casting the [c]whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, [d]once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you [e]watchfully.

Ironside: 

“He careth for you.” It is of all-importance to realize that God’s heart is ever toward His own. He is no indifferent spectator of our suffering. He feels for us in all our afflictions and bids us cast every care upon Him, assured that He is concerned about all we have to endure. Weymouth has rendered the last part of this verse, “It matters to God about you.” How precious to realize this!

If we trust His love (demonstrated at the cross) for us, then we can easily cast or "throw upon Him" all that causes us anxiety or care, knowing His care for us is perfect, greater than any other, and unfailing. 

Romans 8:31-32

(31)  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

(32)  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Jamieson, Fausset, & Brown:

Casting — once for all: so the Greek aorist.care — “anxiety? The advantage flowing from humbling ourselves under God’s hand (1Pe_5:6) is confident reliance on His goodness. Exemption from care goes along with humble submission to God.careth for you — literally “respecting you.” Care is a burden which faith casts off the man on his God. Compare Psa_22:10; Psa_37:5; Psa_55:22, to which Peter alludes; Luk_12:22, Luk_12:37; Phi_4:6.

Adam Clarke: 

"in all their afflictions he is afflicted." "He will bear both thee and thy burden."

BIBLE NUGGETS: THE STEADFAST LOVE OF A BABE IN A MANGER

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. 
(Psalms 32:10)

Trust His love, trust His goodness, trust His purpose, trust His holiness, trust His righteousness, trust His faithfulness, no matter the sorrows  you must endure. These are sure things of God's attributes that we can count on that are "immovable."

Even though there are also many sorrows for the Lord's children, He is our reason to rejoice, because His steadfast love surrounds us, no matter the fiery furnace we must walk through in this life. The many sorrows of the wicked lead only to hopelessness and despair.  But in Christ there is no sorrow that does not have a good ending.

Definition of steadfast (Webster's dictionary)

1a : firmly fixed in place : IMMOVABLE

b : not subject to change

2 : firm in belief, determination, or adherence : LOYAL

Your love for me is immovable, dear Lord!  You are loyal to Your promises. How secure! How wonderful!  What peace and assurance I have in Your love!  It's not subject to change.  You will not suddenly change Your mind or heart toward me, and nothing can separate me from Your love.

Romans 8:28-39

(28)  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

(29)  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

(30)  And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

(31)  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

(32)  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

(33)  Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

(34)  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

(35)  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

(36)  As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

(37)  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

(38)  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,

(39)  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May God's steadfast love fill your hearts today, surround you, and lift you up with His wings to enable you to soar above whatever in this life you face today. Long ago, He came to us as a babe in a manger. God became man. He came out of steadfast love and a promise of redemption for mankind.  All who put their faith in Him now receive eternal life and a joy that will never end.  It's a steadfast promise, that came out of a steadfast heart of love to mankind.  It will not be broken for all who put their trust in Him. 

John 1:12-14

(12)  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

(13)  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

(14)  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

BIBLE NUGGETS - A LIVING HOPE

A LIVING HOPE

1 Peter 1:3-5
(3)  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
(4)  to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
(5)  who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Begotten us again — of the Spirit by the word (1 Peter 1:23); whereas we were children of wrath naturally, and dead in sins. (Jamieson, Faucett, and Brown)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 
(Ephesians 2:4-6)


Lively — Greek, “living.” It has life in itself, gives life, and looks for life as its object [De Wette]. Living is a favorite expression of Peter (1 Peter 1:23; 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:5). He delights in contemplating life overcoming death in the believer. Faith and love follow hope (1 Peter 1:8, 1 Peter 1:21, 1 Peter 1:22). “(Unto) a lively hope” is further explained by “(To) an inheritance incorruptible ... fadeth not away,” and “(unto) salvation ... ready to be revealed in the last time.”...“Unto a hope living (possessing life and vitality) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
J, F, & B

We have a living hope, a living now, now alive, very much alive hope, that won't perish or change until all is fulfilled and we are finally redeemed and with our Savior forever!  This hope never dies because it is all in Christ Who was raised from death, and we are in Him raised from the dead and alive and seated with Him in the Heavenly places, where the powers of darkness cannot ever destroy.  God's power makes it so.  There is no power that can change it or destroy it or snatch us out of His hands!

Psalms 73:25-26
(25)  Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
(26)  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

He alone is the power and strength of my salvation. I need not fear the powers on earth, of evil, or the weaknesses and failures in myself. Nothing can overcome Christ and His power of life in me.  Paul and Peter preached the same Gospel (Ephesians 1) contrary to what some believe. 

Our hope is one always living and never dying. It is an ever living confidence in His work and power, in His righteousness, in His grace, in His resurrection, and His life indwelling us that will never leave us or forsake us. May the Lord direct His Word to your hearts and give you confidence and peace today through whatever trials you face in this world, "For, "Yet a little while, and the coming One will come and will not delay" (Hebrews 10:37)

GOD'S WONDERFUL PURPOSE

 So often I've asked God, "What is Your purpose?"  Especially when we go through trials we wonder what His purpose is.  Our perspective usually will determine how we view "God's purpose" through our trials.  If we are coming from a carnal perspective, we are thinking of how God's going to work our experiences together for our happiness and ease in this life and give us all our dreams eventually and make us successful.  No wonder so many worldly minded believers are disillusioned with Christianity when things begin to fall apart, when trials come, and when hardship seems to take over their lives and they don't find their dreams come true.  Do we really want His purpose, or to convince Him to agree with ours? 

One thing we can be sure - God loves us and He is for us (Romans 8).  And we don't always know or understand the lessons He is teaching us, or how He is developing His own character in us, or how He will bring us through a particular trial.  When we try to determine His purpose for a particular trial, we find we cannot, or if we think we have, we find we were wrong.  Just as a parent disciplines a child and trains that child toward the maturity and character he will need in life, God disciplines us.  That child most likely will not understand until he is much older, why his Father disciplined him, and may even doubt his father's love or intentions.

Many times I find God has chosen a particular discipline for me that He has not chosen for others.  Why is it they are able to go about enjoying certain things in life that I cannot?  Why have I had this particular thing to deal with all my life, yet others never have to?  Yet when I look back I see how God has used it to teach me self-discipline, contentment, trust in Him, reliance on His power, and I see there is a purpose that is beyond just my comfort or happiness. He has done something inside of me that only He could do.  He has produced a character inside me that would not have come if I had always had everything the way I wanted it to be.  He has turned my heart from pleasing myself to wanting to please Him in all.  I've had to look to His Word to find His mind and heart, and I've had to submit myself to His will in the matter and realize I don't belong to me, I belong to Him - bought with His blood.  I've had to replace my delight in some thing to delighting in Him and His will, trusting His love and purpose in all. 

(Romans 5:10)  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

It's His life that now lives in me, saving me from the corruptions of the flesh and of this world. His very life is in me and is continually making known to me His own mind and heart through the obstacles I face here.  I am always tempted to take the way of the flesh rather than the way of the Spirit when my happiness, my comfort, my desires are threatened.  But His life is always at work in me to produce that life in me, conforming me to it, as He is fitting us for Heaven.  He is fitting us for His very own presence, to dwell there with Him forever.  We have already, through faith in Him, been "put into Christ" when we trusted His salvation alone for ourselves.  Now He is working that salvation out day by day in our lives to conform us to the new creation He has made us in Christ. 

Do we ever think our Abba, Who loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to be a sacrifice for us, ever for a moment neglects our highest good?  Do we ever think He has somehow forgotten us now and has left us to somehow figure our way out of the seemingly impossible trial we face?  Do we for a moment think that it is not important to Him?  Do we trust His love no matter what seems to be happening to us? 

I remember at one point in my life, when I came to one of the darkest moments of my life, I felt I was at a sort of cross-road. Will I believe in God or not?  Will I trust His love or not?  Is God good or is He not?  I chose to believe, solely because of what His Word said, that He is God, that He is faithful, that He is good, and no matter what things looked like, I would praise Him through it.  That was a long trial that had years go by before things got better or before I saw God's answers to prayer and fulfillment of promises I felt He had given me.  But I grew more than ever during that time, in my trust in God and in His Word and He often manifested His love and goodness to me though circumstances were very bleak.  I learned more than at any other time in my life that He was faithful and that though I was weaker than ever, He was strong enough to hold onto me when I could not even hold onto Him.  I learned that it was He all along that had always held onto me and kept me, and I learned to rest in His care and in the outcome of all. 

This was not a one time lesson that I learned and then suddenly everything went my way, and now I have this wonderful fulfilled life of all my dreams.  I've had to relearn it or should I say, reapply it again and again in more trials and situations in my life.  In fact I've learned that as long as I'm in this body of flesh in this world I will continually have to apply that faith in new ways, as I walk through this journey facing the world, the flesh, and the devil.  I can never let down my guard, become weary in well doing, or give up and faint.  I've wanted to many times!  I've wanted to say, "Lord haven't I had enough grief?  Enough sorrow?  Enough hardship?  Isn't there ever a time to just enjoy life and be done with the trials?"  It's not that the Lord has not given me so many blessings and enjoyments in life.  In fact, because of the trials and what God has worked in my heart through them, I am able to enjoy those little things in life all the more and give Him glory for them, delighting in Him all the more and the blessings He has given.  Simple pleasures mean more to me now than ever. He has given me much joy and even taught me to rejoice in my trials, not waiting for them to be gone.  He has taught me more about enjoying life than I was able to do before the trials.  In fact sometimes when I see a godly trait in my heart, I am amazed and wonder, "Wow... that is not me... that's You Lord!  How did You do that in my heart?" 

Romans 5:2-5

(2)  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

(3)  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

(4)  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

(5)  and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

James 1:2-5

(2)  Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

(3)  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

(4)  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

(5)  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

It's when we endure the trial walking by faith, simply trusting His hand through it all... those nail scarred hands... that we find it produces endurance, character, hope, steadfastness and even joy in our lives.  All of us have seen undisciplined children who are not at all happy.  They cry and throw tantrums when they don't get their way, and the more they are given in to, the more unhappy they become, and the more tantrums they throw.  Yet a disciplined child has learned to be secure in their parent's love and care and is content.  It is the same with God's children.  Those who accept His discipline and do not throw tantrums, trying to get their own way, but trust His way, even if they don't understand it, find a contentment in life and security in His love and care and even in His discipline. Each time they are tempted to balk under His hand of discipline, they are reminded it is from His love and they must instead exercise faith in Him and walk the path He has chosen for them. 

2 Peter 1:3-4

(3)  His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

(4)  by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

It is through trusting His great and precious promises and applying them to our lives, that we escape the corruption that is in the world.  Many Christians do not escape that corruption because they live the Christian life their way instead of God's way.  They make their own decisions based on what they want in life instead of seeking God's will for their lives.  When they mess up their lives and the corruption of the world, they find, has taken over their lives or families, then they cry out to God and wonder why.  He is always teaching us to trust Him and to walk according to His Spirit.  This is His purpose.  He's conforming us to the image of His Son, for His own glory, and our ultimate glorification in Him (Romans 8:28-31).  When we do walk in faith, trusting His promises His divine nature is formed in us more and more.

2 Peter 1:5-8

(5)  For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,

(6)  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,

(7)  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

(8)  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The more we learn to know Him, the more we tend to walk like Him.  He alone knows the path He has chosen for each one of us.  We need to trust Him all along that path, and apply His Word, appropriate by faith His promises for us, and walk in faith, believing He has provided "every spiritual blessing in Heavenly places" for us and "all that we need that pertains to life and godliness."  When we're faced with what feels like the impossible, we can know that if God brought us to it, He also has a plan through it as we trust in Him.  When our hearts sink for fear of what may be coming in an evil world that is more and more hostile toward believers, we can look to Him and know He has already seen what's ahead and is there waiting for us.  He already has made the way for us.  We can only get through it in a way that will bring Him glory and benefit our own lives if we trust Him through it, knowing He does have, indeed, a wonderful purpose.

One thing that has happened in my own life that is only a result of God's discipline, through my trials, is a true love for God's will in my life.  I used to "accept" God's will because I knew in my head it was right and best.  But I didn't "love" God's will.  I've learned now to love His will because I've seen and understood His will is not only best, it is the only will that is good and that is life.  I've learned to delight in His will because I delight in Him - in all He is. I don't always like the pain it brings me through, but I trust and love His will, will get me through the pain, and life will be at the other end.  I don't want God to be anything other than He is.  I don't want to make Him into my image. I don't want to bring Him down to my level or to force Him (as though I could), to bend to my will.  I want to know Him truly, to know His will, to have His will alone be carried out in my life.  I want His purpose to be fulfilled in me.  I'm so thankful for His purposes and that He is faithful each day to all His children, to never give up working out those purposes in our lives.  He is longsuffering, patient, and kind to us.  He is for us, so who in the world can be against us?

PERSUADING OR MANIPULATING OTHERS FOR CHRIST

And since he could not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "Let the will
of the Lord be done"
Acts. 21:14

Acts 18:4  And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

2 Corinthians 5:11  Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

Galatians 5:8  This persuasion is not from him who calls you.

PERSUA'DE, v.t. [L. persuadeo; per and suadeo, to urge or incite.] (Webster's 1828 dictionary)

1. To influence by argument, advice, intreaty or expostulation; to draw or incline the will to a determination by presenting motives to the mind.

2. To convince by argument, or reasons offered; or to convince by reasons suggested by reflection or deliberation, or by evidence presented in any manner to the mind.

Persuasion is neither good nor bad in itself, except for what a person is using to persuade another and to what they are being persuaded to.  Some use truth or facts well presented to persuade. Christ in many ways, spoke to Israel and to the crowds to persuade them to see the very truth they were told by the prophets of the Old Testament.  He spoke clear truth to persuade them of their own salvation through Him.  Many who preach the Gospel use good teaching methods to teach the truth of the Word to try to clearly make it understood and persuade others to come to that salvation that is by grace alone in Christ alone.  Yet the enemy is hard at work to pervert that same Gospel and persuade others to turn away from it.  He uses manipulation, to twist that truth to persuade against it, or to pervert it somehow so its power is nullified. 

We must be careful when we seek to persuade others of God's truth.  Many well-meaning believers who love God with all their hearts have tried to manipulate, in their flesh, thinking they were doing God's will, and doing it because of their love for God, but misunderstanding His Word, His will, and His purpose. 

Peter is a good example.

Matthew 16:21-23

(21)  From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

(22)  And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you."

(23)  But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

John 18:10-11

(10)  Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)

(11)  So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?"

I read several definitions and arguments between the difference of persuasion and manipulation online.  Many said the difference is in the motive.  Persuasion is for the good of the other, but manipulation is for the benefit of oneself.  I don't agree with that completely.  I see many in Christian circles who have a motive of loving God and wanting to defend God's Word, but who can also be manipulative and controlling in the way they do it, thinking truly, like Peter, that they are doing God's will.  At one time I very fervently tried to persuade people that they could lose their salvation, thinking I was defending God's Word of truth.  I loved God and loved His Word and loved the truth.  I was sure I was right because I studied it thoroughly. But I was wrong.  Gradually God showed me through His Word, and deeper understanding of what it means to be "in Christ" and have "eternal" life in Him, that I had been wrong.  Like Peter, I was going against His Word and purpose without realizing it. 

I see manipulation as someone who is either convinced of something themselves or perhaps has selfish motives, and uses whatever tactics he/she can to control others thinking to persuade them, whether good intentions or evil.  Christians operate in their own flesh to try to do the work of the Holy Spirit at times.  They don't stop at a persuasive argument according to Scripture for the truth, but they must manipulate that person emotionally into accepting it.  There are many ways to emotionally or spiritually control others.  There are guilt methods, condemning them if they do not accept your argument, or making them feel like a lesser Christian if they disagree.  There is emotional manipulation in social media... "unfriending" someone who does not go along with your manipulation, and going beyond that, putting them down in the eyes of others, slandering them , telling others if you listen to that person you aren't really walking with the Lord, or you are deceived, or in some way making them feel they just are not very spiritual unless they follow your persuasion. We must be careful in "contending for the faith" and "exposing false teaching" that we are not slandering a person's ministry and turning people away from true Biblical teaching that ministers to others for Christ.  I've seen this happen, unfortunately because of one area of disagreement.  

If we are to persuade others to follow the truth by the Spirit, we must give up our own manipulative tactics and controlling ways to persuade them.  Most controlling people don't even know they are controlling. We must learn what our job is and what the job of the Holy Spirit is.  Our job is to give the Word, in humility and love, realizing we can be wrong too in some area.  Even if we are right, we must trust the Lord to lead us to give His truth in the right spirit, at the right time, and to leave it with Him to persuade the heart and mind as He works in the hearts of others. If we act out of our own fleshly passion instead of being led by the Spirit we turn more people away from the Word, instead of drawing them to it.

I've been under manipulating pastors who use many tactics to control their audience. I've been manipulated spiritually and emotionally.  I've also been under teachers who persuade by opening up God's Word of truth, and by His Spirit, enlighten so that it is plain to see.  Those who have been taught by God, know that it was only the Holy Spirit Who brought the truth to their hearts and opened it up to them to see. If we are not willing to give room for the Holy Spirit to work in hearts as we speak truth to them, but try to manipulate them instead into listening, then we are guilty of acting in our flesh like Peter.  It's bad enough to destroy God's work in the heart of another by our manipulation when we are right, thereby perhaps hardening another's heart against the truth when we seek to persuade them of it, but it's even worse when we are actually wrong in our understanding of God's Word or His will or purpose and then manipulate others into following us. 

I have two things I do now, if I sense I am being manipulated by another.  If I feel I am sure and know I'm right in a particular teaching and have been taught by God, but another is just as sure and trying to manipulate my thinking on it, I take it before God and say, "Lord I believe You taught me this, but if I have more to learn, please show me. If I'm right please confirm Your Word to me, and if not, please open my blinded eyes to see more clearly." Pray it with sincerity. And then go to the Word itself, not just to your own arguments. Look at the Scriptures and arguments of the other in light of God's whole Word.  Many arguments come out of Scripture taken out of context mixed with human reasoning.

If you cannot do that no matter how right or studied you think you are, you are trusting your own flesh.  Sometimes it takes time for growth in a person's life, including your own, before you are even able to accept certain concepts.

Proverbs 3:5-7

(5)  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

(6)  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

(7)  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

Pride keeps us from seeing our own blindness.  Pride in our own intellect, or our own understanding of the Word, or in a favorite teacher.  Being part of a group that makes us feel a family or belonging also keeps us blind.  If you are made to feel loved and accepted in a certain group of persuasion or denomination or cult, it's almost impossible to even allow yourself to look at anything differently, as it would possibly mean you being cut off from this family of like-mindedness and the close bonds that are associated with it.  This is how cults keep their members.  The threat of being cut off or disfellowshipped is very strong. 

This can happen on social media as well.  Certain groups of like-mindedness group together, back each other up in their arguments and usually follow a leader. Many times they don't have their own local church to attend, but the Internet becomes a replacement of this.  They really haven't learned "the body" of the Lord. They gang up with each other against others and use emotional attacks rather than sticking with Scriptural discussion. It's an unwritten rule that if you disagree with usually one or two who rule the persuasion in this group, you'll be bashed, and disfellowshipped from being a part of them.  So you just go along with whatever they post without challenging whether or not you see differently in the Word.  This is allowing yourself to be manipulated by flesh, rather than persuaded by the Word.  If you go to the Word and the Lord shows you otherwise, you need to listen to that, not this person, yet not with a haughty spirit but in humility and grace and allow God to work.  We can rise up with our own manipulation in the flesh right back also as we see differently and use attack tactics to try to win the argument.  Sometimes we have to agree to disagree until the Lord brings more light to one or the other, love and bear with one another, pray for one another, and have a humble heart that is teachable, but not manipulatable.  There's a difference.

There's a time to back out of an argument, when it becomes one sided and is no longer a discussion. If the other person is "convinced" and insists you agree, then you have to leave it and pray God will show you and them more clarification.  If you can't do that you aren't relying on the Holy Spirit but your are trying to control.  Manipulation is just having to control by human tactics. 

I'm still learning, but I've gone through a long, long journey with learning to not allow myself to be manipulated and not to manipulate others myself.  I've learned to see the same tactics over and over. It's one of the hardest areas I believe, for especially more mature Christians, and especially if you are passionate about certain teachings.  Because they have walked with the Lord a long time, and learned much and studied much, they feel they have a full grasp on certain subjects, and they are blind to this area of their flesh and become prideful.  Others see it and back away from them and they don't understand why.  They see themselves as contending for the faith and just write those off who won't accept it as not seeing or accepting truth.  But they don't see that others feel the manipulation and feel the flesh at work and are unable to receive anything from them. 

I believe in our day especially, it is more and more important to learn the schemes of the enemy, the manipulation tactics in the world, and in the church, in the news, and in social media.  The Bible tells us to be "sober-minded" and "watchful."  We are to be alert to the tactics of the enemy.  Yes, alert to the tactics of manipulation he even uses in us.  Nobody loved his Lord more than Peter, yet satan tried to work through Peter against His Lord.  If we're not careful he can do the same with any of us.

(1 Peter 5:5)  Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

(1 Peter 5:8)  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

(2 Corinthians 2:11)  so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

Satan is master of manipulation. He knows very well our weaknesses and our fleshly flaws and strongholds.  He uses them.  This is why we are to never give the enemy a foothold.  Our own flesh, unsubmitted to the Lord, is the enemy's foothold.

Grant us true humility and grace and most of all, reliance truly on Your Spirit, dear Lord.  May we grow in this grace more and more for Your glory, in Jesus name.