Nehemiah 2:9-10 Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. 10When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
When Nehemiah arrived in Judah to restore Jerusalem, the enemies of Israel became upset. Nehemiah had not yet even done anything, he just showed up. The enemies were grieved "that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel."
Whenever we begin a ministry or begin to look out for the welfare of others the enemy is going to get upset. We may not have even done anything yet, but may have just expressed our intent and the enemy will begin to raise up opposition against us. We always need to be aware of this a ready for it. Like Nehemiah we need to press on in spite of anything the enemy may try to raise up against us. We can be assured that God will fight for us.
In a similar way when a person gives their life to Christ and the Holy Spirit comes to abide within, there is one that has come to seek the welfare of the believer. As a result the enemy will raise up in opposition to the new believer to deter him/her from taking the next step in following the Lord God.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Nehemiah-Prayer and Spiritual Warfare
I know I have written quite a bit about the spiritual war we are in. I have done it because it is a constant battle. As long as we are on this earth that battle will continue. Satan is called "the enemy of our souls" by many because that is exactly what he is. His greatest desire is to see each one of us fail to continue in our walk with the Lord God Jehovah. He comes to "steal, kill, and destroy."
Recently I led the Tuesday evening Bible study while our pastor was in Ghana, West Africa. During those three weeks we looked at a few chapters in the book of Nehemiah. Primarily we looked at the constant war with the enemies of Israel and of Nehemiah as God's servant. For at least the next couple of posts I would like to take a look at some of that here as well.
One of the key things about Nehemiah is the fact that he was a man of prayer. We see in the first chapter of the book of Nehemiah, that when he received the news about the deplorable condition of Jerusalem and the Jewish people in his homeland, the first thing he did was pray.
Prayer is so important to spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6 is where Paul tells us to take on the armor of God. Right after he tells us to take up "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (verse 17) He says: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (verse. 18)
That is the part that is often left out when looking at the armor of God.
Recently I led the Tuesday evening Bible study while our pastor was in Ghana, West Africa. During those three weeks we looked at a few chapters in the book of Nehemiah. Primarily we looked at the constant war with the enemies of Israel and of Nehemiah as God's servant. For at least the next couple of posts I would like to take a look at some of that here as well.
One of the key things about Nehemiah is the fact that he was a man of prayer. We see in the first chapter of the book of Nehemiah, that when he received the news about the deplorable condition of Jerusalem and the Jewish people in his homeland, the first thing he did was pray.
Prayer is so important to spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6 is where Paul tells us to take on the armor of God. Right after he tells us to take up "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (verse 17) He says: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (verse. 18)
That is the part that is often left out when looking at the armor of God.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Offensive Cross
For many non-Christians the cross is offensive. Currently there is a case before the Supreme Court that wants a cross removed from a veterans memorial. That cross has been there since 1934, now someone finds it offensive and thinks it is unconstitutional. (http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=89785)
Last week some people at Penn State were offended by a "school spirit" t-shirt. They were offended because the design was in the shape of a cross, even though nothing on it had anything to do with Christianity. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569665,00.html)
I find it amazing that these people are so offended by the cross. My guess is that the spirits of the kingdom of darkness are the catalyst behind the offense. It was at the cross that Satan thought he had his greatest victory, but it turned out to be his greatest defeat.
Colossians 2:14-15 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Last week some people at Penn State were offended by a "school spirit" t-shirt. They were offended because the design was in the shape of a cross, even though nothing on it had anything to do with Christianity. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569665,00.html)
I find it amazing that these people are so offended by the cross. My guess is that the spirits of the kingdom of darkness are the catalyst behind the offense. It was at the cross that Satan thought he had his greatest victory, but it turned out to be his greatest defeat.
Colossians 2:14-15 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)