Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
My neighbour and I were meeting to pray for the persecuted church and watch some DVDs of those dear saints who suffer so much at the hands of family and fanatics, who think they are doing God a favour by oppressing Christian believers. As I watched some of the scenes of cruelty and destruction it suddenly struck me afresh, the hatred that Satan has for Jesus and for all those who follow him.
These other religions seem to have one thing in common…………they themselves are not persecuted. And why would that be? Because they are false faiths instigated by man at the behest of Satan for his own purposes. He is a user of people, and look how he uses them. It is only he who could deceive people into such hatred that they would throw away their own lives in order to destroy others. Satan doesn’t care who he destroys along the way, so long as they do his work.
Satan’s destruction is not confined to persecuting believers. Remember that Jesus referred to him as ‘the prince of this world’ (John 12:31, 14:30). Satan surely is the ruler of this world, Adam and Eve ceded power to him when they sinned. All who are not believers in Jesus Christ, are living under Satan’s rule, and are controlled by him; his servants to do his bidding. Romans 6:16 says this, ” Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” We need to remember this truth as we look at our world. So much happens that breaks out hearts and many say, “How could God let this happen?” God has to let things happen because the world is Satan’s playground – but only for a time. Jesus referred to him as “the thief who comes only to rob, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). To combat that he taught us to pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Have you let the full impact of those words touch you. Do you realise that we can pray that heaven will invade earth and it happens through us as we yield to God’s purposes and pray his will.
The kingdom of God is a kingdom of love, Satan’s kingdom is a kingdom of hatred and destruction ……… it’s manifested in all it’s ugliness in the persecution of the kingdom of love. It’s manifested in the breakup of families, the violence on our streets and the self-centredness of the majority of the population. Our prayers can change things, one person at a time.
The verse that follows our key verse today says “Let all that you do be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14.
Prayer: God of love and light, may your will be done on this earth, in my community, my suburb and my city, as it is in heaven. Amen
These other religions seem to have one thing in common…………they themselves are not persecuted. And why would that be? Because they are false faiths instigated by man at the behest of Satan for his own purposes. He is a user of people, and look how he uses them. It is only he who could deceive people into such hatred that they would throw away their own lives in order to destroy others. Satan doesn’t care who he destroys along the way, so long as they do his work.
Satan’s destruction is not confined to persecuting believers. Remember that Jesus referred to him as ‘the prince of this world’ (John 12:31, 14:30). Satan surely is the ruler of this world, Adam and Eve ceded power to him when they sinned. All who are not believers in Jesus Christ, are living under Satan’s rule, and are controlled by him; his servants to do his bidding. Romans 6:16 says this, ” Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” We need to remember this truth as we look at our world. So much happens that breaks out hearts and many say, “How could God let this happen?” God has to let things happen because the world is Satan’s playground – but only for a time. Jesus referred to him as “the thief who comes only to rob, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). To combat that he taught us to pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Have you let the full impact of those words touch you. Do you realise that we can pray that heaven will invade earth and it happens through us as we yield to God’s purposes and pray his will.
The kingdom of God is a kingdom of love, Satan’s kingdom is a kingdom of hatred and destruction ……… it’s manifested in all it’s ugliness in the persecution of the kingdom of love. It’s manifested in the breakup of families, the violence on our streets and the self-centredness of the majority of the population. Our prayers can change things, one person at a time.
The verse that follows our key verse today says “Let all that you do be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14.
Prayer: God of love and light, may your will be done on this earth, in my community, my suburb and my city, as it is in heaven. Amen
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