|
|
|
| Life is Too Short to Forget You Have an Enemy! |
|
|
|
Greetings!
Today we continue the series "Life is Too Short ..."
Sixty-nine years ago at 7:55am Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan. Today, we must be patriots and proud citizens and remember the loss and sacrifice of many to purchase our freedom with their lives. Life is too short for us to forget the lives that were lost, the bravery that was displayed, and the enemy that surprised our Nation. Thank you to all that have served, to those that serve today, and to those that have been left behind ... you are appreciated.
On December 8th, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt shared these words with a joint session of Congress, "Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." As a result, our Nation declared war on Japan and would enter World War II.
As I reflect on the loss, the cost, the sheer brutality, shame, sin and depravity exhibited in war, I am reminded we are still at war. Our war continues to be with individuals, groups, and countries that aim to destroy our freedom and liberty. On another and eternal front, our war is with the king of darkness and sin. We are at war! Life is too short to forget you have an enemy.
On the fateful morning of December 7th, the US fleet received no less than three warnings of trouble. The first was a submarine sighting. The second was the actual firing upon and sinking of a submarine. The third, a sighting of fifty planes on radar over 70 miles from Pearl Harbor. And, the fourth, a telegraph from Washington DC warning of attacks. We were sufficiently warned but our "peace-time" fleet and command did not heed the warnings and suffered as a result.
Friend, our spiritual walk is a much greater threat to the enemy than a plane, a boat or an army. You are under attack. It may not seem like it in your "peace-time" state but I guarantee you this - you have an enemy and he seeks to destroy your soul! (John 10:10, 1 Peter 5:8) Life is too short to forget you have an enemy. Heed the warning God has provided and fight for your life, your King and His Kingdom!
|
|
|
We are at War ... Get your Armor on!
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
~ Ephesians 6:10-18 ~ |
|
|
Be Alert
The Devil, your enemy and mine, is a schemer. He is out to destroy us. He is sneaky. He is manipulative. He is cruel. And, He is defeated through the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ and the Power of His Spirit! Be encouraged! We are at war and we have an enemy but as long as we are in Christ ... we win!
I enjoy Paul's teaching on the armor of God. It details our actions and duties in spiritual warfare. We are to be strong but not in natural strength. We are to be strong in God and His mighty power! We are to be strong as we put on the spiritual armor of God. It is only then that we are protected and can make our stand against the sneak attack and open assault of the enemy.
As you read through the text in Ephesians again, take note of the action points we are to follow. The text is rich with a list of "to-do's" we should follow daily:
- Understand the truth of sin and of the gospel that makes us righteous in Jesus - seek forgiveness and repent!
- Serve your King and His Kingdom by loving others and spreading God's peace
- Live in faith that God is working in and through you for your benefit, His Kingdom and others - live in humble abandonment
- Live from your salvation and God's Word while seeking wisdom from God's Spirit - live through the Word and the Spirit and not the flesh
- Pray as led by God's Spirit
Paul ends his teaching with a simple reminder, "With this in mind, be alert and keep praying ..." Wow! If that isn't a reminder that life is too short to forget we have an enemy then I don't know what is. Here is the truth ... we are under attack but we serve a King that has the battle in hand! Victory is ours in Jesus!
As we enter the Christmas season, be mindful of the enemy that seeks to destroy. He will attempt to rob you of joy, destroy your hope and kill God's love! Don't let him in. Don't give a foothold to the enemy. Rather, remember life is too short to forget we have an enemy. Don't be lulled by the world's peace. Stay alert. Pray. Love Jesus and love others. Let the Christ in you defeat the enemy of your soul that Jesus has already conquered. Enjoy Jesus! |
|
For King and Kingdom,
Randy Martin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
