15 November, 2010

You Can't Bring Me Down

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty...There shall no evil befall thee, neither any plague come nigh thy dwelling" ~ Psalm 9:1, 10 (KJV).

I have noticed something as I read through the Scriptures: it is becoming very easy to tell who is serious about the things of God, and who is simply playing church. If this is a religion to you, you are going to get burned. How many Christians are really dwelling in God? Jesus told His disciples many times to "abide in Me." The New Testament epistles echo that same sentiment. Yet many of us do not dwell in Him, or even stop by to say "hi". It is very easy to tell. Jesus was concerned with our "fruit": the results of living and walking in Him. How often do we look around our churches and see broke, sick, unhappy, unloving, angry, faithless people? That is how we know who is dwelling in God, and who is playing a religious game.

Let us not get the crazy notion, however, that nothing bad will ever happen to supposed "good Christians." Far from it. Jesus said "in this world you will have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration" (John 16:33, Amplified). However, He admonishes us to "be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you]." The devil will fight you. However, Jesus already told us that he cannot take us down. When Satan's messenger was constantly harassing Paul, Jesus told Him "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" (2Corinthians 12:9, NASB). Earlier in 2Corinthians, Paul speaks of God's grace by saying, "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed" (9:8). In other words, when the devil comes against you, take him out! Jesus grace is more than sufficient for you to handle whatever that pesky little worm throws your way. Jesus has already deprived him of power to bring you down, and has given you the grace to handle any device he may bring against you. In fact, His grace is perfected in those times! So do not think that "good Christians" do not face obstacles. Perhaps some have simply learned how to combat them better... Because they spend more time in God and in His Word.

Romans 10:17 says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Our faith is one of the key weapons in fighting this spiritual battle we are in everyday. Faith is referred to as a "shield" that "will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16, NASB). That implies that the devil is still shooting at you. Placing your life in the hands of Jesus does not mean everything is puppy dogs and rainbows until His return. However, He has fully equipped us to withstand everything the devil throws our way. However, it is up to the individual whether or not to take that equipment. The Word of God produces the faith necessary to handle everything that life throws our way.Our salvation, health and healing, prosperity, hope for tomorrow... All done by faith. Our world is a disaster right now. If you do not trust God to take care of you and assist you, it will bring you down. You must spend as much quality time as you can with God, and in His Word. Abide in Him. Dwell in his secret place. The devil can't find you if you are hiding in the secret places of God. (Duh!) He will show you how to handle each and every trial that will come your way, and He will reassure you that in Him, "no evil shall befall thee, neither any plague come nigh thy dwelling."

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