Warriors Arise: October 27, 2020
Luke 24:44-49 (NKJV) Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Why me? When was the last time you said these words? Think about it.
Recently, we watched a movie with our older kids and the guy asks, "Why me?" He was speaking to the dad of the daughter he wanted to start dating. The dad had given him permission to start dating his daughter. The dad's response, "Because you are that guy?" The young man and the dad had this conversation earlier in the movie. The young man had asked the dad why he did what he did. Why did he put his life on the line for others? The dad said, "Because I don't want to see the bad guy hurt the people I love." The young man responds, "I guess that is what make you 'that guy.' " Toward the end of the movie, the young man has to make a decision, am I "that guy." He does and the dad gives him permission to date his daughter. The message speaks volumes about the character it takes to be the guy or gal who will take a stand against those who seek to destroy life.
John 10:10 (NKJV) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
When we see destruction, killing, and stealing happening. The enemy has opened the gates of hell and loosed his plans upon those who are aware and unaware of his influence in their lives. We aren't fighting a battle against flesh and blood. We are fighting a spiritual battle that can only be won through prayer, fasting, resisting the devil (James 4:7), and taking a stand for righteousness (doing what is right according to God, not our own understanding, as well as believing God will empower us to come through this with the best possible outcome.) However, it is war. Even thought the enemy has already lost, he wants to do everything possible to take as many away from God as he can.
The disciples are listening to all Jesus is telling them about the Laws of Moses, the Prophets, Psalms, and everything pertaining to the life of Jesus: why He had to come from heaven, why He had to live without sin, why He lived victorious over the enemy, why He had to die as the sacrificial Lamb of God, why He had the power to be raised from the dead, and why He would be leaving them soon.
Jesus is "that man." He sacrificed His own life, because of His love for us; so that we could live, in heaven with Him and now as an overcomer, defeating the enemy in our lives, and taking dominion here on earth. Jesus already addressed Peter, "Follow Me." He has given them the truth of what they need to be "that guy." His men would tell the world the truth about the risen Savior has come.
Luke 24:48 And you are witnesses of these things.
There is a time when God comes to each one of us, "Follow Me." This happens more than once. It happened more than once for the disciples as well.
Follow Me and be my child. We confess our sin and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We are saved from death and hell.
Follow Me and be baptized. We allow the old nature to die as we rise out of the water a new creature in Christ.
Follow Me and we receive the Holy Spirit, having the power to overcome the temptations of the enemy, receive counsel, and serve in our gifting.
Follow Me and we be disciples learning of His ways through His Word.
Follow Me and be Your ambassador speaking the truth of His Word into those who do not know Him.
Follow Me and be an heir to the kingdom of God, administer the authority God gave for us to take dominion over the things of earth (Psalm 115:16).
You and I hear the Father call to us, "Follow Me" every time we walk away from God. He allows us to choose another path. He allows us to put ourselves in dangerous situations. He allows us to make wrong decisions but He will never stop loving us. It is His love we hear when He calls, "Follow Me." Depending how long we have lived our lives away from Him determines if we will return. We can be so set in our ways, our own way of thinking, we can't see the truth: that we have walked away from God in a particular area of our thinking. We can allow ourselves to be bewitched, as the Apostle Paul calls it, and never realize we are walking in deception. Have you heard God, "Follow Me" and your response, "I am following You"? When this happens God is trying to reveal to you an area of your thinking that does not line up with His way of thinking.
Isaiah 55:6-9 (NKJV) Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways,And My thoughts than your thoughts.
God calls to each one of us, as Jesus did to His disciples, "Follow Me, be My witnesses to all the world."
Father, I commit to You today. I will follow You. I ask for You to call me back any time I am not walking the path You have for me. I ask for You to call me back from wherever my thinking does not line up with Yours. I want to live in the truth of Your Word and Your ways. I pray for Christians who have been bewitched by the slick tongue of the deceiver. I pray for the truth to be revealed. I pray each one would recognize the lie and receive the truth. I pray for Christians who have decided to walk their own path, to hear You calling to them. I pray they will have the courage to return to You and walk the path You have for them. I pray for those who have never answered Your call to hear Your voice loud and clear today. I pray they will respond to You. I pray each one will acknowledge Your love, receive forgiveness for their sins and make Jesus their Lord and Savior. I pray they would walk the remainder of their days following You. I pray they would see the truth of Your love for them and apply that love to others. I pray they would embrace being Your child and living their life loving others as they give witness to Your faithfulness. I pray each one would have courage to share what You have done in their life and the boldness to testify of Your goodness in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy
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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