Warriors Arise: July 1, 2021
James 4:7 (NKJV) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
This verse was written after Jesus walked the earth and ascended to heaven. James, who wrote the verse was Jesus' brother. He was not one of Jesus' disciples. But something changed. Jesus would have been James' older brother. He would have the birthright and blessing of the family. He would be responsible for His mother. If something happened to His earthly father, He would have led the family business. But in the eyes of James, Jesus was neglecting His responsibility. It might have even seemed as if Jesus was the prodigal. Jesus, being 30 would have been the age to take over their father's carpentry business.
We have record of an event when Jesus was 12. In Jewish culture, at the age of 12, He would be called out of His mother's tent to join His father. It was a big event in a boy's life, especially the eldest. That day, He would have began His training to take over His father's business. But when they went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the temple.
Luke 2:46-50 (NKJV) Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
As much as Joseph had taken Jesus in as his own, He was not Jesus' father. God was Jesus' Father. Jesus didn't forget He was sent to fulfill the promise His Father had given to mankind. Jesus was 12 at the time, I wonder how old James would have been?
At the age of 30, when Jesus would have been expected to take over His father's carpentry business, Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit to begin His Heavenly Father's business. I imagine it was difficult for Jesus' siblings to comprehend who He was. They knew Him as their elder brother. He teased and taught them. He played and worked with them. He was the one who they looked up to and now, what are they to think? He is gone all the time. He is not taking care of their mother and He is abandoning His position in the family.
Matthew 12:46 (NKJV) While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him.
His mother and brothers were not with Him in ministry. They did not follow Him. They wanted Him to stop and come home. They didn't want to believe who He really was, just like Satan didn't want to believe who He was. But three days after dying on the cross, what their mind couldn't comprehend they knew to be true. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.
James actually becomes the leader of the church in Jerusalem. How many times did he here how Jesus was baptized, the Spirit came upon Him, the sky open and God spoke, "This is my Son, in Whom I am well pleased."? How many times did he scoff when someone came to share with him and he rolled his eyes. How many times had he heard of Jesus' wilderness experience? Satan really came and spoke to you? Why you? What is so important about you? You're my brother. What makes you so special?
Sometimes siblings and parents can be the most difficult to believe in the call of God upon your life. I don't know why that is. Why are we so hung up on the past? If we truly believe in the Word of God then wouldn't we expect there to be a change in them? Why do we allow it to steal from what they are sharing with us now? Why is it so difficult to bless what God has put in their heart to do? Why do we stand with the accuser, "I remember what you were like... I know who you really are. I know what is in your heart. You think you are better than us."
Why are we in such disbelief that God has a calling for each one of our siblings? Why do we tell our friends they need to stick with what they have and get their head out of the clouds? Why do we discourage people seeking God for their purpose? Why does it make us so nervous when they start sharing their dreams, what is really in their heart, the things God has put there? If they aren't sharing their dreams with you is it because you discouraged them when they did try to share?
It seems like family should be first to encourage us in the dreams God is calling forth but instead we see the hang ups and failures from the past. Our past is not to dictate our now or it will destroy our future.
There are times when we have to cut the ties of those who are holding us back from fulfilling our God-given destiny. Don't allow the devil to speak through you.
Matthew 16:22-23 (NKJV) Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Have you pulled a family member or a friend aside or given them a call to try to talk them out of the dream they have shared? What prompted that conversation? I'm guessing at the root of you initiating the conversation was fear. If you can't join them, pray for them, encourage them to fulfill their dreams then they are going to have to put some distance between you and them so you are not a weight that holds them back from accomplishing what God has put in them to do. They might even talk to you heatedly like Jesus addressed Peter. When you aren't mindful of the things of God then you can't continue with them as they press on for the upward calling to win the prize, as Paul talks about.
After Jesus died on the cross and rose again, then he understood what he penned in James 4:7. He had heard Jesus' encounter in the wilderness with Satan. Jesus had been gone for 40 days and 40 nights. I am betting James was sent to go find him. This was Jesus' first time to be away that long. John the Baptist, their cousin, would have personally told him what had happened. James summed up the entire wilderness encounter Jesus had with Satan when he penned James 4:7
Sumbit to God
Resiste the devil
The devil will flee from you
Matthew 4:3-11 (NKJV) Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and,
‘In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
This is your day to believe in the dreams your brother has, your sister has shared, your friend has confided in you with. This is your day to see the testimony of what they used to be to who God has transformed them to be today.
Father, I just don't know. Would I have supported Jesus if I was His sister? Would I have allowed my mind to believe in His calling? Could I have ignored the hard core facts of the healings, deliverances, lepers being cleansed, the dead raising and feeding 5,000 people? I hope not, however, I want to learn. I want to support my siblings in their calling. I want to encourage my friends to pursue the dreams You have placed inside of them. I want to come along side my family and help them achieve the god-opportunities You have placed before them. I do not want to align myself with Satan. I will not discourage my family, siblings or friends. I will pray for them and trust You to guide them each step of the way until they fulfill what You have placed inside of them. I will speak words of encouragement and hope. I will rebuke Satan who comes to steal their dreams and rattle their faith. I will bless their mind to stay focused on You, their heart to be faithful to follow through with what You have put in their hands to accomplishing Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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