WAR
Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 9-10
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
An ancient war helmet on display at the museum in Corinth.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…
A companion reading for consideration today would be Ephesians 6:10-17. Notice particularly Ephesians 6:12. On the human level, we are to make no defence and no offence. We are not to defend ourselves when people attack us with false accusations, nor are we to attack others with accusations which may even be true. The devil is the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10). We recognize the source of slander and lies. Therefore, in the realm of spiritual warfare, we fight. Jesus is the best Example of this in His response to Satan. He quoted the Scriptures (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus did not have to go and get His Bible; it would’ve taken a wagon to carry all the scrolls. He knew the Word of God as a result of reading the scrolls at the synagogue and listening to the rabbi’s teachings. We have a distinct advantage in the Bible before us now, and in sitting faithfully under the preaching/teaching ministry of our pastors. Spiritual warfare is one very important reason for this discipline of reading God’s Word and meditating on what God says to us. This blog, if read daily, should provide us with God’s protection and with the weapon with which we attack, “the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
Chapter nine is more about giving to God’s cause. I’m impressed at the amount of time spent on the matter of our support for God’s work. No doubt, that is because, “where your heart is, there will your treasure be also” (Matthew 6:21). The way we handle money may be the greatest indication as to what is really in our hearts.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I ask that by Your Spirit You will help me to be equipped with weapons which will destroy all attacks by the enemy of my soul. I’m attacking his so called “strongholds” with Your Word right now as I read it and speak it. You are making me “more than a conqueror” (Romans 8:37). I pray this in and through the Person of Jesus, the One who is the ultimate Conqueror. Amen & Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I struggled for a long time with the concept of our supporters making pledges for future support of God’s work. I was well aware of the softer approach, which was called a “faith promise.” Both terms, pledge and faith promise, mean the same. Finally, after the first 15 years of TV ministry (’62 – ’77), where I did not even use the word “support” on TV, I learned that even the most godly people need to know about the need in order to respond. I also learned that Crossroads needed to know what I might expect in the giving of God’s people, so that I could give leadership in planning for the future. Jesus said that we are to count the cost first (Luke 14:28-30). I finally got the message that in order to “count the cost” I must know what to expect, not only on the expense side but also on the income side of the budget (from donations). I realized that Paul had no problem writing to the people of God these words, “Your bountiful gift which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity, and not as a grudging obligation” (2 Corinthians 9:5b). For me, the Board of Directors would approve or not approve the policies and budgets that the Chief Financial Officer and I proposed, and as the Chief Executive Officer, I was then responsible to carry out those policies within the budgets approved. I look back over the decades and realize that God did marvelous works as a result of the beautiful co-operation between supporters of the ministry and the board and management of Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.
Yours for the work of God done in God’s way,
David
P.S. In the light of today’s reading, please pray for Crossroads and give as God prospers you. Amen and thank you, thank you and thank you!!! (This month, everyone who gives a donation to Crossroads can ask for a unique teaching called, Story in the Stars. Click HERE for info on how to order the DVD/BluRay combo pack).
Part of an ancient bronze statue on display at the Archaeological Museum in Pella, Greece.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
First I want to thank all who might be praying for me through a difficult time that I mentioned about a week ago. Things got worse, which they normally do, when prayer is starting to work and the enemy revs up his attacks to try to stop God’s healing Grace from helping us.
But there has been a breakthrough, God has shown me that have not guarded my thoughts well and it is thoughts that are the root of my troubles. Now that I am aware of it, I can now pay more attention to my own thoughts, spend more time in God’s Word, as David has stated is our first defense against all lies. I had stopped listening to worship music but I think that too might be helpful to change the course my thoughts have taken.
Again, thank you, my precious brothers and sisters in Christ, for your prayers and for those who are struggling, hold on, God is working on it.
Praying for you, Donna. Believe in the higher power of the Holy Spirit to counter Satan and he will have less power over you, dear sister-in-Christ! David’s message today holds so true for all of us. Amen! God bless you and keep you and wrap His loving arms around you!
God bless you Donna! I cannot emphasize how much I appreciate the Crossroads Prayer Line, 1-866-273-4444, 24 hours a day 7 days a week I get a thought of jealousy or something else and PRESTO I am phoning and asking for prayer. If a prayer partner is not available because of another call, I press 1 and leave a prayer request. I refuse to let any negative -junk- stir around in my head! I am always thankful I phoned and I have received some great words of wisdom for me to think about and I truly appreciate these words and I also find the prayer partners understand exactly what the issue is and how the devil likes to through it around AGAIN and get a reaction. I also am thankful for this blog, it is truly a GOD thing! grace, peace and mercy to all.
26 Old Timeless Gospel Hymns Classic to lift our hearts up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGj39oddhNE
God bless ye, merry saints, as we worship our Lord, with hands held high!
Thank you for your great message and reminder today, David Mainse! Amen! Our weapon against Satan is the Bible, our church, and fight with the Holy Spirit that lives and breathes in us! Thank you for the great scriptural references! Amen!
The Lord is our Refuge and our Strength a very present help in time of trouble!! Thank you Lord, you provide all our needs!! Thank you for your armor that I have on!!
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty for the pulling down of strongholds”!!!
Great key verse Pastor David!!
Watching David Jeremiah on Vision TV right now–the sword of the Bible is the sword ot the Spirit, Jesus Christ; the Word is alive. Amen!
I wanted to comment about the blog yesterday…returning the money to the individual and then how the Holy Spirit worked in the life of the person and this person accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour! This is AWESOME AND ALL PRAISE AND THANKS TO GOD! pray for baby Hendrik just born and rushed to Childrens Hospital for repair to heart, pray for a dad to be strengthened and walk away from alcohol (God needs to provide him with different friends) and already has quit smoking, both he and wife, PRAISE THE LORD! and prayers of thanks for a wonderful safe pool party for the children in our town (200-250) and pray of blessing for all the lifeguards and the vounteers! IT WAS FUN!
The ay I used to handle money was horrible! I have confessed my sins to God daily,I confessed that I did not know how to handle money years ago, I am not blaming my parents, I just never learned and eventually I did learn and sometimes (like now) I feel that God is judging me again and saying; you could not handle money back then, so now you have only a small pension to get by, BUT God does not work that way. please pray that a financial breakthrough will occur very soon! Thank you in Jesus Name I Pray AMen
Lord God your word says that you are our provide and that you provide our every need…Lord I bring Sah before you and pray Oh Lord that her financial need be fulfilled for Your Glory in the Mighty Name of Jesus. AMEN!!!