Category: Be Aware of Spiritual Warfare

Posted on

Love 100%

31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. ~ Ephesians 5:31-32

Statistics tell us that 50% (that is, one in two) of new marriages end in divorce today. I’ve figured out the reason why?

We’ve all been counseled or at least heard at one time or the other that a marriage is 50/50. Right? Haven’t we? Well, I’m here to tell you that is wrong. If you put in 50%, then your relationship will have a 50% chance of surviving. The statistics back me up on that.

A covenant marriage requires 100% contribution/effort/participation/involvement (however you want to say it), but it needs 100% in order for it to work.

So many of us, when we get saved, have this same perspective when it comes to our relationship with Christ. We, the Church, are the bride of Christ. And as the bride of Christ, we have to put more effort into our relationship with our God. We can’t expect to put in 50% effort and succeed. God isn’t bringing 50%. He isn’t even bringing 100%. He brings 100+%. He said I came to give you life and life MORE ABUNDANTLY. He didn’t say I’d take you halfway to the cross, then you gotta do the rest yourself. No. He said, I’ll take you all the way to the cross, and when you’re feeling too weak to walk after, I’ll pick you up and carry you myself because I love you.

That’s what love is. It’s reckless. It’s willingly putting yourself at risk over and over again for the sake of the one you love. It’s putting in 100% and then some, even if your partner won’t, in the hope that they will follow in pursuit of your beautiful, reckless love. That’s how we have to live our relationship with Christ. We have to put our own life, wants, desires at risk for the sake of our relationship with God because our relationship with Him is all that matters.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Love 100%.

Back to Spiritual Warfare?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Rein In The Wild Elephant

“1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘2Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘3that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’ 4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” ~ Ephesians 6:1-4NIV

I saw a video from 60 minutes where juvenile delinquent elephants brutally murdered about 30 rhinos. What had happened was elephant families were broken up, and only the young elephants were transported to a different park, and they grew up without adult supervision. These young elephants then formed an elephant gang and were going around harassing and killing rhinos. The rangers were bewildered at first, then they began to look into this and figured out that the young elephants were killing the rhinos and not poachers. This was baffling for them at first; then, they realized that these hooligans had no role models.

Social rules and protocols are not something innate, it is learned, it is taught, it is modeled by adults. Males learn from males, and females learn from females, and, if it is the plan of God in the animal kingdom, how much more in the human kingdom.

So, what the rangers did was to select some big strong male elephant bulls, and after tranquilizing them, they transported them to where the young teenage gangsters were. With the arrival of the adult male figure and role model, the young elephant gang was soon reined in, and peace between the elephants and rhinos ensued. The rhino murder rate fell to zero.

The whole thing, peace thing, according to the rangers, was all thanks to the introduction of the positive role model of the adult elephant bulls. Not only is it important in the elephant community, but it is just as important in human lives as well. Today we have so many young men killing each other. So many mothers now have to mourn their sons’ deaths because they were taken too soon.

We have the power to change the lives of so many people, but we have to desire to change their lives first. We can say that change is necessary. We can hashtag this and repost that, but unless we actually take a stand and do something, we might as well be asleep unaware of what’s going on. The only thing that can prolong evil is for good people not to do anything. If we would wake up from our spiritual laziness and make the conscious effort to change just one person’s life, then we could change the entire world. It starts with you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Rein In The Wild Elephant.

Back to Spiritual Warfare?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Take a Stand

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. ~ Philippians 1:21–26

I understand that they are trying their hardest to make this world no longer be enjoyable. I get it. I recognize that we are all striving for the day when we get to be with the LORD forever. But I also understand my duty to my God and to my brothers and sisters in Christ.

See, Paul recognized his responsibility to his church family. He understood the importance of his role as teacher, intercessor, and example setter. He understood that if we all, once committed to Christ, returned to Christ, there would be none to witness to others. There would be no shepherds. There would be no teachers. There would be no sowers. There would be no harvesters.

Yes, I understand that the weight of this world is heavy. I understand the struggles and tribulations that come with each day. I understand the pain and suffering that can occur, but I also understand the need for Christians on this earth. So, for as long as Christ will prolong my life, I will live gladly spreading His gospel. I will preach and teach of the mercy, love, and second coming of Christ. We don’t have forever to reach the entire world. We only have a short time to win as many souls as we can, and with sin becoming more and more prevalent and acceptable in our society, the more Christians are necessary. Christians that will stand for justice, truth, righteousness, and love. Christians that will stand for Christ Jesus.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Take a Stand.

Back to Spiritual Warfare?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Work While You Can

11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself. ~ 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Grandparents, remind your grandchildren of the love of God. Remind them of His goodness, but also remind them of His judgment. We cannot separate the two. I know there is a school of thought out there that teaches that it doesn’t matter what you do; God will always love you.

That is a false teaching. It gives a faults sense of security. Let’s people become lax in their Christian faith, in the fight for their souls and the souls of their loved ones.

It matters a whole lot what you do. Yes, God will remain faithful, even if we are not faithful because He cannot deny who He is. But there is coming a time when sheep will be separated from the goats—the goats to the left and the sheep to the right.

Don’t let yourself lose the battle for your grandchildren’s souls. Fight while you can still fight for them. Influence their lives while you are still influential. Pray for them while you are still alive and can pray on their behalf. There is no such thing as a day off or retirement in this life. We only have this one life to influence and teach our children and our children’s children.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Work While You Can.

Back to Spiritual Warfare?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Build Your Endurance

16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. ~ 1 John 4:16

We have to work in order to abide with and in God. We can’t live our lives however we want simply because we believe God loves us. Why? Because love is a two-way street. If God shows His love for us by His actions, then He expects the same from us. Our Salvation was paid for in full, but that doesn’t mean it ends there.

Now, we have to run. We have to run like our lives depend on it because it does. Our lives depend on whether our actions match our words. God isn’t going to hold us captive; we have to want to be with Him. In order to remain with Him, we have to follow His commands. We have to make a change.

Running the race set before us isn’t easy. It can be tiring, discouraging, stressful, and hard at times, but endurance is built with persistence and the grace of God. We have to fight for our lives. Don’t relax now that you are saved; this is the time to grow. We only have one life to do as much as we can for Christ. To do as much as we can to grow in our relationship with God.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Build Your Endurance.

Back to Spiritual Warfare?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Ask Your Heavenly Father

16 The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth He has given to the children of man. ~ Psalms 115:16

He gave us, mankind, the earth; therefore, He expects us to run it and take authority over it. Genesis 1:26 confirms this. Look at what God decrees over Adam and Eve.

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 1:26

Therefore, God uses/needs man to accomplish things on the earth, and examples are splashed throughout the Scriptures.

    • Egypt’s punishment – Thru Moses and Aaron
    • Israel’s rescue – Thru the judges
    • The punishment of Israel – Thru the Assyrians
    • Judah’s punishment – Thru the Babylonians
    • The Babylonian punishment – Thru the Mede’s and Persians
    • And on and on

This is the importance of not only fulfilling the call on our lives but praying and crying out to God. God doesn’t do anything on the earth without first hearing the cries of His people. He knows what we need before we ask, but He never interferes in our lives unless He is asked. And when His children ask, He answers.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Ask Your Heavenly Father.

Back to Spiritual Warfare?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Take Your Turn

12 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. ~ John 14:12

There is no other plan, which when translated means, “There is no other plan!” We are it…It’s our job to finish the job. Not finishing the job of salvation but spreading its good news. Continuing the good work that Jesus started. What the problem is, is that folks read in the Bible that when Jesus was on the Cross, He uttered His famous last words, “It is finished.”

And therein lies the problem…They take that to mean that all the work is done; we have nothing left to do. But it doesn’t mean that at all. It means the work of Salvation has been done; we can do nothing more to enhance that work; that was for our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ to do; IT’S OUR TURN NOW!

The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave lives in us. The same Spirit that caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the sick to be healed lives in us. In the last days, God said He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. We are in the last days. We’re in the days that anyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. We’re in the last days that the Spirit of God dwells in His people. We have been given a Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Take Your Turn.

Back to Spiritual Warfare?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Cry Out With a Loud Voice

6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before Him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For He was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged Him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So He gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. ~ Mark 5:6-13

Jesus came to a country and was walking around minding His own business when a demon-possessed man sees Him from afar, runs towards Him, and falls at His feet begging for mercy. Now what I find absolutely mind-blowing is the fact that Jesus actually stops casting out the demon to not only listen but to agree to his petition. Keep in mind these are demons whom James said just shutter because they know God is real. They’re unredeemable, evil beings that shutter just at the existence of God. They have no relationship with Him, yet they humbled themselves at His feet and begged for mercy. And you know what Jesus did, He granted their request.

Just let that sink in for a second. Demons who are damned to Hell, who have no relationship or right to even be in His presence, bowed at His feet and begged for mercy. If these demons could receive their petition, how much more could we, sons and daughters of the Most High, receive what we ask God for. Too often, we allow ourselves to become discouraged when we don’t get the answer we want right away. We no longer have the patience to run to Jesus, humble ourselves at His feet, and petition until He hears us. Sometimes we have to press in. Sometimes we have to fight through the noise because when we do, our prayers get answered. Miracles happen. Loved ones are saved.

We aren’t demons. We aren’t damned with no hope. We are sons and daughters of the Most High. We are seated with Him in Heavenly places. We are the redeemed. We overcome because He overcame. He lives in us, with us, and through us. We are the body of the Living God. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t let your heart be troubled. Run to Jesus, crying out with a loud voice. Petition your God. Believe that you will be heard, and you will be.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Cry Out With a Loud Voice.

Back to Spiritual Warfare?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Hold To Freedom

In 1775 our founding fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence, their plan for our physical freedom from the tyranny of the British crown. The following year, they made that plan a reality, and today we still benefit from that declaration that all men and women were created equal with the right to liberty and justice.

Before the foundation of the world, before man or woman was created, God drafted the plan of Salvation. 2000 years ago, He fulfilled His plan through His Son, Jesus Christ, so that anyone who wanted freedom could receive freedom. Today we still benefit from the freedom that Jesus bought for us that day on that old rugged Cross. We still have the same freedom the early Church had through the redeeming and cleansing blood of Jesus.

Freedom has been given to us physically, mentally, and spiritually, yet we still oftentimes choose the spiritual slavery of sin and the physical and mental slavery of ignorance. Why? Why do we return to slavery when we were created to be free? This is the lies of the enemy; he promises us cookies and cake if we give up just a little of our freedom and liberty. But as soon as we give up a little, he takes it all, and we are left with nothing. The dark side has no cookies, no cake, no security: only darkness, hunger, and slavery.

Don’t be fooled by the deceitful tongue of the enemy; his intentions are not for your good but for your destruction. He’ll show you how unfair and difficult it is to keep your freedom, but don’t let him beguile you. Don’t let him trick you with ‘the grass is greener on the other side.’ The grass is greener in freedom. Freedom of religion, speech, and assembly. Freedom from sin and ignorance. Freedom in the Truth. Hold to your freedoms, and don’t give them up. Don’t allow the enemy to deceive you; hold tightly to the Truth that is Christ Jesus. Hold tightly to your freedom, lest it be taken from you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Hold To Freedom.

Back to Spiritual Warfare?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

The Spirit of Que Será, Será

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

God has a plan for each and every one of us. He has good things in store for us. His desire is for our good, but if we don’t take it. If we allow our words and our actions to go unchecked, then we will miss out on all that God has planned for us. We have to tune in to God. We can’t ignore or expect someone else to speak good things into our lives. We have to do it ourselves through prayer and declaration. What we hear in the spiritual, we must proclaim in the natural.

Think about this:

God planned the world, and every one of us, before the foundations of the Earth were laid, from the eons before time began, He planned the sun, the moon, the stars, but until He proclaimed, “Let there be light,” there was no light.

When Ezekiel was taken to the valley of dry bones, nothing happened until Ezekiel began to prophesy.

This “Que Será, Será (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” attitude we Christians have, is not a Biblical concept. This “Whatever God has for me, nobody can take it away from me” attitude is a spirit of apathy that is taking over the Church. We no longer care to fight for what God has in store for us. We just want everything handed to us, and if we miss something, we don’t care because we think, ‘well, it just wasn’t for me then.’ But is that how it is?

I want to remind you that the Israelites were led out of Egypt heading for the Promise Land. That was their promise from God. He had that in store for them, but did they receive it? No! they most certainly did not. So, who took it from them? You’re right, nobody took it from them, but disobedience and unbelief DID and WILL.

If you want to enjoy all God has in store for you, you have to slay a few giants. You have to break down a few walls. You have to fight a few wicked nations. Nothing in life comes easy. You have to fight your flesh, your spiritual attacks, and in some cases, physical and mental attacks from others. As a Church, we have to start proclaiming our blessings again. We have to proclaim our promises again. We have to get rid of Que Será, Será.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Overcome the Spirit of Que Será, Será.

Back to Spiritual Warfare?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Proudly powered by WordPress