“The great dragon was hurled down that ancient serpent called the devil, Satan – who leads the world astray – He was hurled to the earth – and his angels with him
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.’
They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” [1]
The snake deceives people. He accuses day and night. But, by God’s grace, he is overcome! We are forgiven, accepted, and valued by God. Our testimony is that
Christ has won!
By the grace of God, we don’t believe the serpent. We renounce and rebuke his lies and accusations in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Greater is Christ within us than the evil without. More are those with us than those that are against us. With the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God! With the helmet of salvation! With the breastplate of righteousness! With the belt of truth! With the shield of faith! The Good News of peace for our footwear! God has conquered our foe.
Salvation and power, kingdom authority are the Lord’s. Messiah has the won the battle! He has made His victory ours. Praise the Lord!
[1] Revelation 12:9-11
God’s gracious call on Abraham’s life, and his subsequent obedience to follow God brought forth innumerable blessings to him and to those he influenced. When God invites you to follow Him, He is extending to you a wonderful privilege.
Once, Jesus turned to His disciples and said to them, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.” [1]
You’ve got the revelation that Jesus of Nazareth is Messiah… that He is the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world… that everything good from God flows from faith in Him… then, follow Him!
“I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” [2] Just do it! You may not be able to envision how God will meet your needs and the needs of your ministry but do it. God’s grace fills the gaps that you cannot supply. “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” [3]
Jesus Christ disciples His followers. He teaches you as you serve Him. He never stops revealing new insights to you as you submit yourself to serve His Word.
“God is at work in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.” [4] Sometimes your flesh cries out, “Do I have to? Can’t I? What about? I Can’t! I don’t feel like it. How about tomorrow? Your flesh likes ease and predictability. But the Good Shepherd seeks to save the lost. So, trust God to work in you both to will and do His good pleasure. In regards to message preparation, “Sit down! Stay seated! Pray! Wait! Listen! Now, write down what He gives you.”
The Lord Jesus had a plan for your life even before you were born. This plan is an outcome of His grace. It has never been about you being superhuman or braver than others. It has always been about Messiah working in and through you. So, let God be God!
“God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ.” “For the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls.” “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling, and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” [5]
The world has a way of filling our eyes and mind with visions and thoughts that detour us away from our calling. Peter says to be diligent about it. He reminds us that our calling culminates in an entrance into the everlasting kingdom of Christ.
“Rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.” [6] The Lord reveals Himself to us to include us in His service. He calls us to bear witness to what He has already revealed to us, and to be prepared for He is about to reveal more to us. I like how the Apostle John said it, “I… was on the island that is called Patmos for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day…” [7] We are where we are for the sake of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus. And when we are in the Spirit, that is being led by the Holy Spirit, God reveals Himself to us so that we can reveal more of Him to others.
“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” [8] We can’t lose when we love God and live according to His purpose. Why? Because He makes all things work for our good! Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” [9]
[1] Luke 10:23-24
[2] Philippians 1:6
[3] Philippians 4:19
[4] Philippians 2:13
[5] 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Romans 9:11; 2 Peter 1:10-11
[6] Acts 26:16
[7] Revelation 1:9-10
[8] Romans 8:28
[9] John 16:33
