How now shall we live

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV)

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The glorification of "Evil" in our media and celebrations today are blessings in disguise. It’s a megaphone to our deaf ears concerning the present invisible and visible reality of forces of evil that are working all around us. Rather than seeing the world as something to be afraid of, condemn, or even worse, mindlessly participate in as if it’s not significant in any way, let’s perceive the opportunity to engage the world with the beauty of Jesus.

As we read our verses today we are to be encouraged toward engaging evil with the gospel; not necessarily through loud displays of spiritual warfare, but through fervent submissive prayer and trust in Jesus’ intercession on our behalf; through Holy living, imitating Christ, service, repentance of sin, and obedience to Jesus. Though the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking to devour all that Christ loves, we must remember that the Lion of Judah—Jesus—has given us the power through his Spirit to resist evil’s advance. In Jesus we come out victorious.

Spend time thanking God for his power over evil, but at the same time recognize its effects around you, in your temptations, and through your sinful flesh.

Pray with me each and every day when it comes to evil—our battle with our flesh and temptation—and our ability to deal with the world, would be the same as that of Paul in Romans 8:5, 15:13: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit … may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Dear Lord, help us to set our minds on the things of You.  We pray that You will fill us with Your joy and peace as we face the things of the world. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Invisible Reality

John 10:10 (ESV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

We live in a world today that's fascinated with holidays that celebrate gluttony and everything dead, and news headlines that exploit human evil actions for ratings. From movies to comics we are inundated with goblins, villains, zombies, skeletons, and ghosts. Let’s not get defensive or “religious” when thinking of all of this evil, but let’s take a moment to reflect on the invisible reality that our world is fascinated in “making visible.”

Ephesians 6:12 tells us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against … darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” The Bible confirms that the power of witchcraft is real. The Bible also speaks of the realities of “everything dead” (we can assume that demons can manifest in many forms—i.e. goblins, zombies, skeletons, and trolls, etc.). The very fact that our world today longs to “make these things visible” testifies to their invisible reality. God is clear that evil exists.

The Bible is also clear that Satan, the originator of evil, is a thief that longs to kill and destroy anything and everything that God calls good (John 10:10). We know that Jesus is obsessed with all that is helpful, good, and life giving, but Satan is obsessed with everything dead and everything that brings death.

Our world's fascination with evil in every realm of culture should awaken us to our own numbness toward the evil around us, and to the evil within. Satan, demons, our sin, and evil, exist everywhere. They exist invisibly, and as we’ll see in our next Day’s study, they exist visibly. Let the circumstances around us encourage us to renew our resolve to “put on the whole armor of God” (Eph 6:11).

Dear Lord, we pray that each and every day we would face the evils of the world with Your “Whole Armor” on. Help us to stand firm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The great falling away

Matthew 24:12-13 (NIV)

12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

The Bible speaks of a great falling away in the last days (2 Thessalonians 2) before the end of the age arrives, and it seems that we're seeing it on a grand scale all around us. Virtually everywhere we look we're watching the decline of morality and ethics -- in government, entertainment, and social culture. It seems hard to deny that we're living in the final days of abounding iniquity which Jesus foretold.

This is not an easy time for true believers. The evil around us can be so discouraging and the darkness so oppressive that it really threatens our ability to walk in love. Yet the reality of the gospel is brighter and more relevant than ever in this world. And the inner light of Messiah burning in us will be all the more intense and warm in this gloomy landscape, if -- and only if, we fill our lamps with His holy oil and burn with His last days love. Anti-Christ culture is permeating our society. But we respond with the enduring culture of Messiah, a culture of supernatural love that will not die.

Take heart and don't be deceived or discouraged, or allow your love to grow cold. These signs of the end are simply proof that God is on His throne and His sovereign Word is being fulfilled exactly as He spoke it. Continue in His love. Radiate His light. Wherever you are, wherever you go, bring His love. Love will endure, even forever.

Dear Lord, as we look around us and see all the evil we pray that we would be faithful during this time in serving You and bringing others to the saving knowledge of You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Repay Good for Evil.

Romans 12:17-21 (New International Version)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The story is told of a man in Massachusetts many years ago who found his neighbor’s horse in the middle of his field. He was so angry about it that he took the horse to the public pound.

Meeting the owner soon after this, he told him what he had done and added, "If I catch him there again, I will do the same thing."

The neighbor replied, "Well, the other night I looked out of my window and saw your cattle in my field. I took your cattle and drove them over to your house, and put them in the barn, and fixed the gate. If I catch them there again, I will do the same thing."

The man was reportedly so struck with his neighbor’s soft reply that he at once took the horse out of the pound and paid the charges himself.

Perhaps the most difficult commands given to us by Jesus and his apostles involve our attitude toward those who are our enemies. It is hard to restrain ourselves when we have been mistreated or when a hateful attitude has been shown toward us. The natural response is to repay evil for evil.

But we will only be able to make an impact on the world around us if, by following the example of Jesus Christ, we are willing to repay good for evil.

Dear Lord we pray today that we would not get wrapped up in the evil of the world. We pray that we would be able to show the good in our actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

We Must Hate Evil

Hate -- what a bold and powerful word. We must not hate people. We must hate evil. Tough combination to pull off, but absolutely vital. Evil is here because of the Evil One -- the champion of hate, lies and death. So when evil rears its ugly head, let's be courageous and oppose Satan and his work. In the process, let's pray for those trapped in its tentacles, even if they consider us enemies.

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

— Psalm 97:10

Dear Lord, make our hearts pained by the evil in our world. Give us a holy hate to things opposed to your will and character. Yet Father, just as you redeemed us by grace, and rescued us while a captive to sin, give us courage to care about those who are in the Evil One's embrace. In Jesus Name, Amen