To be or not to be. Is that truly the question? How does someone come “to be” something in the service of the Lord? It’s obvious the Holy Ghost is telling us that we have “to be” something when we are sent out on a mission from God. You have “to do” something before you can be something. In order to accomplish God’s will, let’s remember that we’re in covenant with the Lord. There’s a part that we have to play in the earth. There’s a part that God has to play from heaven. We can’t do his part and he won’t do our part. How does one become strong and courageous?
The Bible tells us that we have to draw nigh (near) to God, because everything is in him. What happens when we draw near to God? He draws near to us. We take on his divine nature when we believe, have faith, and trust in his promises and practice the principles in his word. That’s how we become acceptable to God. Notice that we must initiate (make the first step in doing) the act of drawing closer to God. Also, these four words are important if we are to become a vessel that God can use: “let,” ”choose,” ”reckon,” and “receive.” The Word of God tells us to “Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus.” Choose like Joshua who said, “Choose you this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” We must “...Reckon our members to be dead to sin but alive to God …” and not yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness to obey the voice of the enemy and become a slave to him. And “Receive with meekness the engrafted word…” humbly accept the word that God has placed in you.
Jesus came to his own people. Some did not believe him or receive him. But there were others that did receive him and as many as received him, he gave them power to become, sons that could also inherit God’s promises and become joint heirs with Christ.
During perilous times, The Holy Spirit is admonishing us “to be strong.” (1) be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might (Ephesians 6:10) (2) only be strong and very courageous ( Joshua 1:7) (3) be strong and do it (I Chronicles 28:10). When we have courage, it means that we will face pain, danger, grief, etc. in order to obey God—even though fear may be present.
We have to be strong in order to put on the armor. We first have to take off some things before you can put on the armor of the spirit. And we have to be strong in order to carry the armor. Because we’re putting on the armor so that we can fight, contend and wrestle with principalities and powers, spiritual wickedness in high places, and the rulers of darkness all over the world.
Both God and the devil have intentions toward us, but God is making known his intentions to the principalities and powers by Christ’s Church through the manifold wisdom of God. We cannot fight devils in the flesh. It doesn’t matter whether they show up in Congress, in the scientific research labs, in the field of education or in our family circle. We must fight and overcome their evil and wickedness in the spirit. The trumpet has sounded and the bugle has been blown…it’s time to fight! Only be strong and very courageous and focus on the assignment as instructed by the Holy Ghost.
The antichrist spirit is opposing God’s true order and resisting his will and purpose. The antichrist spirit comes as no surprise to us. However, let us not be ignorant of its progression in the world. ‘Anti-‘ has more than one meaning. On the one hand, it means ‘against,’ and on the other hand it means, ‘instead of.’ How is Christ viewed by his enemies? Once they operated as those who were ‘against’ him. Nonetheless, they acknowledged his existence. Now, they don’t acknowledge Christ because they have ‘replaced him with other’ things. This presents a more intense battle for the remnant. So, we must make sure that God’s Church, Christ’s believers, disciples, and ambassadors, be strong and accomplish God’s will , due order and divine pattern. We must be strong and do it. Encourage yourself, “What shall I say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” The world will hear and see what God has to say about it!
In conclusion…”Be strong, very courageous, and do it. Be not afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Scripture References: I Corinthians 5:20; I Peter 1:3; James 4:8; Philippians 2:5; Joshua 25:15; Romans 6:11-14;
James 1:21; Ephesians 6:10; Joshua 1:7; I Chronicles 28:10; Ephesians 3:10; Romans 8:31
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