by Pastor Mark Cowart
In preparation for the days ahead, when darkness will continue to increase, believers will become stronger in their faith. While the world and evil forces threaten loudly, true followers of Christ will be secure in God’s promises. How is this possible, when we are already seeing powerful, intense spiritual warfare on every side? Here’s how.
First of all, you absolutely cannot walk in fear. For example, we hear of increasing persecution in many parts of the world against Christians, as “doctrines of demons” take over whole countries and come against believers. One of their greatest tools is false brethren who infiltrate groups and betray them.
We should not be surprised or discouraged when we discover phony believers in our midst. Jesus warned us there would be “tares” among the “wheat”. In the natural, the two look very similar, but the Spirit knows the difference, and in these last days, they will be increasingly revealed. Seeking to fully understand the warnings of the Holy Spirit is part of your equipping.
As the battle heats up, you must remember that we are fighting from a position of victory. Christ already won that victory when he conquered hell, death, and the grave, and then rose from the dead. He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings, seated in heavenly places NOW. You are “seated” with Him there, positioned in His power and authority to carry out your part of God’s plan on Earth.
But, how will you do that if you don’t believe that you stand in His authority and know what His plan is? Statistics tell us that only a minority of those claiming to be Christians (including some pastors!) regularly read, study, and meditate the Word of God provided to train us for this role. Only those who stay focused on this Word will maintain alertness to the times and confidence in God’s provisions to carry out their assignments.
Five things you must know for the days ahead:
1) You are in a spiritual battle. When you see destruction in your sphere of influence, you can be sure this is part of the war against God’s purposes, based in spiritual conflict before physical manifestation. You must be alert and armed to stand against the schemes of the enemy. One of those schemes is to keep you distracted and unaware.
2) You must be a true disciple of the Lord. He made it clear that knowing the truth He brings and walking in it are two different things. Action must follow agreement. We must ABIDE (live) in His Word to stay connected to the vine and actually bear fruit.
3) You must put on the WHOLE “armor of God” to be able to stand against the craftiness of the devil. Seek out the meaning of every “piece” of that armor as represented in God’s Word, and how to implement all (not parts) of it in your life as essential to you in battle.
4) You must be willing to deny yourself and take up your cross to truly follow Him. Whatever that costs you, let go of it, release it, turn it loose.
5) You must have a victorious eschatology. That means you truly believe that, in the end, we win. Jesus told us this, so that we could have peace as it all unfolds, no matter how it looks.
REFLECT
1) Which of these five things resonates with you the most?
2) Have you encountered a false believer among you whose deception was eventually revealed? How did this impact your faith?
3) Do you feel prepared to face the upcoming challenges?
4) What steps can you take to enhance your readiness? Write down some actionable steps.
PRAY
– Thank God for providing everything you need to walk in His will for your life.
– Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be awake and alert, not distracted and unaware.
– Ask God for revelation knowledge, by His Holy Spirit, of all that is presented here.
– Praise Him for the victory that is already won and your part in it in the days ahead!!
DIVE DEEPER
• Hebrews 2:1
• II Timothy 3:12-13
• I Timothy 4:1
• Matthew 13:24-30
• John 10:10
• I Peter 5:8
• Ephesians 6:11
• Hebrews 10:32
• John 8:31
• John 15:4
• Matthew 10:38-39
• John 16:33
• Matthew 5:6
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