Time to Get Serious
The Apple of His Eye Mission Society focuses on personal evangelism and teaching others how to do the same. Steve and I have been at this for over a combined 92 years. I have had the personal joy of winning others the savior and witnessing them doing the same...
Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. So, take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. (Eph. 6:10-13, CJB)
...Logically, with the number of years we have been at this, one would think the churches would be bursting from the number of people reached for Yeshua by the body of Christ! But it is just not so. We hear, “It is just not fun. It is just too hard to memorize God’s Word or at least familiarize oneself with passages of hope.”
Yeshua said in Matthew 4:19 “Follow me and I will make you”… schoolroom painters, water distributors, food bank volunteers, campers for social interaction, daycare workers, Bible study leaders, etc. Oh…oops! Nope! Yeshua said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
It is time to get serious!
While the world is consumed with the Olympics, vacations, school, summer break, Taylor Swift, football, soccer, etc., the enemy is taking it to hell. Our country is a battleground. It is as if Christians are not even making a dent. Growing churches are being criticized for being large! It is a backward society. Antisemitism is escalating, hate groups are growing, and our country is dividing more and more. And now we are shooting our leaders and each other.
It is time to stop and realize who controls our society and our world. Believers, we are in a warfare with Satan. There is still hope for our country and our churches.
I recently heard the following and wept at the timeliness!! Pray for open hearts as you read.
In warfare, you should study the opposing general carefully, because victory is often about outthinking the enemy.
“Satan can’t tamper with anything in your life and mine other than what Almighty God allows.”
Our enemy is …
- Not just the Devil but also his kingdom (Ephesians 6:12).
- Powerful (Ephesians 6:11).
- Limited—not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent (Ephesians 6:13).
With regard to unbelievers, he might try to …
- Disturb their mind and emotions.
- Hinder decisions that would bring God glory.
- Blind them to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
- Steal God’s Word from them (Mark 4:13-15).
- Oppose the gospel and the teaching of Scripture.
- Prevent them from believing.
“Satan will do everything in his power to keep us busy doing good things and therefore out of the Word and off our knees.”
With regard to believers, Satan cannot cause demon possession. However, he might try to...
- Cause us to forget what God speaks to our heart.
- Tempt us to sin.
- Stunt our spiritual growth.
- Prevent us from reading the Bible and praying.
- Stop us from acknowledging God’s greatness.
- Distract us and divide our mind.
- Lull churches to sleep and cause them to lose their passion for evangelism.
- Attack the Bible.
"We are God’s created beings indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He that is within you is greater than he that’s in the world.”
How should we respond to our enemy?
- Be alert to his presence (1 Peter 5:8).
- Don’t give him an opportunity (Ephesians 4:27).
- Put on the armor of God every morning (Ephesians 6:11).
- Resist the enemy, drawing nearer to God (James 4:7-8).
- Accept the salvation of Christ (Romans 10:13).
- Gather with fellow believers to be strengthened for battle (Hebrews 10:25).
- Stay in the Word (Joshua 1:8).
- Pray humbly (James 4:10).
- Trust and obey God (Romans 16:26).
Consider these thoughts and questions:
- Which strategy has the enemy used against you recently?
- Was it successful?
- Why or why not?
As an agent of the Word of God, I implore you to get active in sharing the Word and reaching the lost.
Love from my heart,
nanC
Nancy Cohen is the Director of Women's Ministries at Apple of His Eye
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