Sword of the Spirit – Not Forgotten #1083

Posted on January 18, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                       1083

“Not Forgotten”

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. – Psalm 139:17; Luke 12:6

Have you ever felt forgotten by God? There are times in our lives where we feel like we are in exile. Sometimes we feel like we are being punished by God and He is turning a deaf ear to our cries for mercy and deliverance. This is such a time for me and perhaps for you also.

I imagine Noah may have experienced such feelings being shut in for months in the ark. We know David did as is evidenced in his Psalms. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? – Psalm 13:1-2

Joseph was also a man favored and loved by God, yet as we look at his life we see setbacks, trials and difficulties. How he must have despaired. Yet he never wavered in his faith and trust in God. Joseph’s hindsight statement to his brothers sums it all up. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. – Genesis 50:20

Whenever I am distressed by setbacks and trials in this life I am reminded to turn to God’s Word and to be strengthened and encouraged by the Truth therein as the Holy Spirit ministers to me through the Living Word of God. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. – 1 Samuel 30:6

You are not forgotten by God. Hear His Word and be encouraged and strengthened:

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands… “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”…For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope…And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Isaiah 49:16; Hebrews 13:5; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28

A story is told about an artist that is just beginning to apply the first broad strokes to the canvas. A passerby asks what the painting is about. The artist describes an idyllic mountain valley scene resplendent with life and vibrant colors. The passerby comments that they do not see it to which the artist replies, ‘give it time – in due time it will be completed’.

Like the artist, God is painting the canvas of our life and it will be marvelous. We cannot see the end result now but God does and He will bring it to fruition. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1

Lord I cry out to you in my time of distress. I repent of my lack of faith and failure to trust in You as these trials seem to drag on without an end in sight. Encourage my heart by Your Word and grant me the grace to persevere in trust and hope in You.

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Sword of the Spirit – Comfort Food #1082

Posted on January 8, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                         1082

“Comfort Food”

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction …- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Comfort foods are foods that provide pleasure and temporarily make us feel better. Eating food high in fat, sugar or salt activates the same reward and pleasure systems in the brain that are active in drug addiction. We all have a tendency to emotional eating where we are drawn to unhealthy comfort foods when dealing with stress or having a bad day.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4

Many Christians are partaking in church wide Daniel Fasts at this time of year. The purpose of Christian fasting is to seek a more intimate relationship with God and build a deeper spiritual connection through prayer. All too often these corporate Daniel fasts are characterized by social media networking of recipes that follow dietary guidelines that are designed to continue to satisfy the pleasures craved by our flesh. The focus has shifted from God to maintaining physical pleasure in food as we endure the 21 day fast. We seem to have lost sight of the true purpose of Christian fasting.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. – John 6:51

God’s Word reminds us that our physical bodies are temples of His Holy Spirit and we are exhorted to take care of it and glorify Him with it.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

There is nothing wrong with eating comfort foods on occasion. However, indulging our flesh with a steady diet of such foods fails to properly care for His temple. When we seek first the comfort derived from such foods when we are under stress or in a gloomy mood for whatever reason then we have crossed the line into idolatry.

You shall have no other gods before me; But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…; Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…- Exodus 20:3; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 11:28-30

May the Holy Spirit guide you to the Living Bread to nourish your soul and comfort you in all afflictions and trials.

May you seek Jesus in prayer first in your time of need for comfort.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

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Sword of the Spirit – Simply Faith #1081

Posted on January 1, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1081

“Simply Faith”

…and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

In our attempt to engineer computers with artificial intelligence that approximate human reasoning, fuzzy logic was developed to allow for partial truths to exist. With respect to spiritual matters of faith, human wisdom is flawed. Human wisdom wants to fit God into a box that it can analyze, dissect and explain. This is a futile exercise; therefore human reasoning rejects God and faith and explains creation as chance evolution.

Sadly, fuzzy human reasoning has compromised the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus in our Christian churches as well. Thank God that His grace has provided a breakthrough from fuzzy reasoning to the clarity of His Truth by faith. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9

Do you remember the woman with the issue of blood who pressed through the crowd to touch Jesus believing she would be healed? …She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased… – Luke 8-43-48

Many people were ‘following’ Jesus and touching Him during that time. But only one followed, pressed in, and touched Him in faith. So it is today in many of our churches. People professing to be Christians follow Jesus, attending church services but never really touch Him. Their faith rests in the wisdom of men, in doctrines and creeds and righteous works. They lack the simplicity of faith from God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit; It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life; … Who has bewitched you? …Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? – John 3:6; John 6:63; Galatians 3:1-3

We need to return to the simplicity of a personal relationship with Jesus – a lifestyle of walking with Him in faith. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me; Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him… – Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:6

May you reject the fuzzy thinking of this world and embrace the simplicity of faith in Jesus as revealed through His Word. May you walk confidently with Him in faith secure in your salvation not by what you have done but rather by what He has done for you.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ; So we are always of good courage… for we walk by faith, not by sight..- Philippians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 5:6-7

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Sword of the Spirit – Exchanged Truth #1080

Posted on December 25, 2019 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1080

“Exchanged Truth”

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

Jesus was born into this world to bear witness to the Truth. …For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” … – John 18:37-38

Yet during this season to celebrate the birth of Jesus so little of the Truth of God is evident. It has been exchanged for the celebration of a generic money-making ‘holiday’. The problem however is much bigger than the Christmas season. The exchange of God’s Truth for the lies of man is consistent all year long. Pilate flippantly asked Jesus ‘What is truth?’ – He did not really want to know and the world system today does not want to know either.

The short answer to Pilate’s question is that the Word of God is Truth. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. – John 17:15-17

Jesus is the Living Word of God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:1,14

Jesus is the Truth that the world needs. Jesus said to him (Thomas),“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

I love to watch nature programs on TV. I cringe however when the scientists proclaim the lie of evolution as truth rather than acknowledging the Truth of creation by God. Claiming to be wise, they became fools…because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie…For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. – Romans 1:22-25, 20

When we remove Jesus and the Truth of God from our lives we back away from Him and into the waiting arms of Satan. God’s Word says that because people have exchanged His Truth for a lie that He gave them over to the lusts of their flesh. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves. – Romans 1:24

We see this playing out in our society today as it increasingly embraces the LGBTQ lie as a new norm. The Truth of God about marriage, creation, the life of the unborn, sexual purity and so on has been exchanged for the lies of a society that has denied Jesus Christ.

As Christians we are at the front line of the battle for the Truth of God. May you be ready equipped with the full armor of God and wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word and the Truth of God. Be encouraged: The Word of Truth has already overcome the world. (Ephesians 6:14-17; John 16:33)

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Sword of the Spirit – Unhewn Stones #1079

Posted on December 19, 2019 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1079

“Unhewn Stones”

If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it. – Exodus 20:25

As I reflect on this Word of God, I am reminded of the times I visited ornate cathedrals. These houses of ‘worship’ were marvelous examples of architecture art, and craftsmanship, yet they seemed devoid of the presence of God. They were empty and spiritually dry. Attempts to pray and worship were thwarted by the myriad distractions competing for your attention. What was intended to glorify God seemed to have the opposite effect and glorified man and his accomplishments instead.

This commandment of God to use unhewn stones to build altars for worship and sacrifice sets the example that only God – without help from man – can deliver us from sin and give us salvation and eternal life. Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. – Zechariah 4:6

These altars of unhewn stones are an example of Christ who is the ‘stone cut from a mountain’ in Daniel. …just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. – Daniel 2:45

As God’s creation we too are like altars of unhewn, living stones. We can put on our Sunday finest and our church smiles yet be as spiritually empty as an ornate cathedral. We must not play church. We must be the church – the altar of worship shaped by God alone. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 2:4-5

We are not only living stones, but also living sacrifices shaped by God for His glory. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship; Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.- Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We cannot make ourselves holy and acceptable to God through our works and righteous acts. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment; …as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; – Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10 

Yet we are exhorted to offer righteous sacrifices. This is only possible through grace from God. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord; For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast;…and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. – Psalm 4:5 (NASB); Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9

May you be a living stone altar shaped only by the hand of God. May your life be a living sacrifice, righteous and acceptable to God by His grace alone and for His Glory and the glory of His Son, Christ Jesus.

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Sword of the Spirit – Great Things #1078

Posted on December 11, 2019 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                       1078

“Great Things”

The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. – Psalm 126:3

Too many Christians describe their walk with Christ by the difficulties they have. There is too little mention of the great things God has done for them. Indeed, for many of us, life circumstances in this fallen world have worked to steal and dampen our joy. We have lost sight of the victory we have through Jesus.

The antidote is found through daily reading and meditating on the Word of God which reminds us of all His benefits. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. – Psalm 103:2-5

Trials and difficult circumstances will always be with us while we are in this world. But through a personal, close relationship with Jesus we can overcome them and be filled with the peace and joy of the Lord. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world; But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – John 16:33; 1 Corinthians 15:57

As you read and meditate on the Word of God, pray the Word also applying it specifically to your circumstances. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t let the busyness and concerns of this world distance you from a personal relationship with Jesus through continual prayer and the reading of the Living Word of God. It is through this relationship that you learn to trust and hope and have rock solid confidence in the knowledge of His love for you.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose; But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation; Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:28; Psalm 13:5; Romans 8:35-39

The Lord has plans for you that the enemy of your soul cannot stop. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

God is never far from you. Pray and seek His presence continually and be comforted in the knowledge that He has and will continue to do great things for you. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. – Psalm 16:11

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Sword of the Spirit – Give to Caesar #1077

Posted on December 4, 2019 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1077

“Give to Caesar”

… “Teacher… Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” …But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him. – Mark 12:13-17

Our reference Scripture has more to do with obedience than it does money or taxes. The image on the coin at the time implied literal ownership. The image on our coins is mere symbolism. Caesar however owned the coins – they were minted in his image and he required a portion returned as tax.

Jesus’ reply to the attempt to trap Him instructs us how to live in obedience while caught simultaneously in two kingdoms: The kingdom of this world, and The Kingdom of God.

We belong to God – we are made in His image.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…; Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.– Genesis 1:26; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The things of this world belong to this world and we are subject to the governing authorities.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. … Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. – Romans 13:1-10

I have a tendency to be disobedient and rebellious. Perhaps you can relate to nudging your cruise control a few MPH over the speed limit or disobeying other valid civil laws and rules. I was convicted of my rebellion recently when I decided not to comply with a new policy instituted at work which I deemed to be silly and stupid. The Lord showed me through His Word that my disobedience to the governing authorities was indeed disobedience to Him and a failure to follow His example.

Our civil disobedience tarnishes our witness and does not bring glory to God. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. – Hebrews 5:8; 1 Peter 2:21

Our Father in Heaven wants us to walk in obedience following the example of Jesus. We are not our own. We are His and He desires our obedience more than our works of the flesh.

And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice… – 1 Samuel 15:22

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

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Sword of the Spirit – Clay Pots #1076

Posted on November 26, 2019 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1076

“Clay Pots”

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. – 2 Corinthians 4:7

I managed a big box garden center for several years and it was quite a learning experience. The Lord brought this experience to mind as I read our reference Scripture, specifically all the pottery associated with plants.

We had pottery that ranged from basic terra cotta to the very ornate. I recall that some of the most beautiful arrangements were done with non-descript pottery allowing the ‘treasure’ of the plant to be the focal point.

The focus must be the treasure, not the pot. And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplace. – Mark 12:38

We are clay pots. …for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” – Genesis 3:19

As Christians, born again by the Spirit of Christ, we have priceless treasure in our hearts. This treasure is the light, life, and power of the living presence of Jesus in us. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. – Acts 4:13

Do we hide our treasure? Do we seek to blend in with the world of clay pots and hide the light of Christ? Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”… “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – John 8:12; Matthew 5:14-16

Do we seek to glorify ourselves and usurp the glory that is due to God and God alone? Like an ornate pot do we take away from the glory of the treasure within? Your giftedness and abilities should always be used for the glory of God. For it is… Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. – Zechariah 4:6 and He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30

God’s Word exhorts us to ‘walk in Him’. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him… – Colossians 2:6

Walking is an action word. We are to actively pour out the Living Water of Jesus and let His light shine in all the contexts of life on this earth. Light shines brightest when surrounded by darkness. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. – 2 Corinthians 4:6

May all recognize that you have been with Jesus and give glory to God.

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Sword of the Spirit – The Day of Evil #1075.1

Posted on November 19, 2019 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1075

“The Day of Evil – part 2”

O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. They crush your people, O Lord, and afflict your heritage.  They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; and they say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.” – Psalm 94:3-7

Evil in this world is nothing new. It has been with us since Adam and Eve sinned and Cain slew Abel.

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually… So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” – Genesis 6:5-7

Even though the Lord purged the earth because of its evil at the time of Noah, mankind has continued its evil spiral into greater and greater sinfulness. I don’t know why I am surprised that each day it seems that a new level of depravity is played out in our society as well as the world news media and ‘entertainment’ venues. Like David wrote in our reference Psalm I ask, ‘How long, O Lord shall the wicked exult?’ The answer has to do with the grace of God that is poured out on mankind.

I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth…”– Genesis 9:11-13

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. – 2 Peter 3:19

God will deliver us from these evil days. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, – Galatians 1:3-4

Meanwhile we need to wear the whole armor of God each day, placing our hope in Him to keep us from evil. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. – Ephesians 6:13

Thou art my hope in the day of evil. – Jeremiah 17:17

Being surrounded by evil will bring temptation but God will see us through it as we trust and hope and Him. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  – 1 Corinthians 10:13

May you seek the presence of the Lord continually, walking in the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15-16

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Sword of the Spirit – The Day of Evil #1075

Posted on August 31, 2019 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1075

“The Day of Evil”

Thou art my hope in the day of evil. – Jeremiah 17:17

I write this from a campground in west central Georgia. I have evacuated my home in Florida ahead of Hurricane Dorian. As I drove the several hundred miles fleeing the impending storm I was reminded of God’s Word that admonishes us to flee evil.

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. – 2 Timothy 2:22

We have not yet fully recovered from the damage inflicted by Hurricane Irma two years ago and I was tempted to lose hope as Dorian gathered strength and took aim for Florida. Whether it is the evil of a hurricane or the temptation to sin, God remains faithful and will provide a way of escape.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. -1 Corinthians 10:13

The Lord provided the way of escape for us and we were able to reserve the last campsite available at my chosen location to flee to. He provided favor with our employers allowing us the time to escape the storm. He is truly our hope in the day of evil.

The times we live in are evil. Our society celebrates full term murder of babies and is methodically attacking all Judeo-Christian moral values, indoctrinating our children in schools with all that God’s Word declares to be an abomination to Him. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions… 2 Timothy 4:3

Living in Florida, we have to be prepared for hurricanes. Our house is boarded up and secured as best it can be to withstand the winds. We also must be dressed ready for spiritual battle every day.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. – Ephesians 6:13

Some people foolishly fail to prepare for devastating hurricanes. Some even plan to party in the midst of the evil day. This same mentality applies to those who live for today and refuse to repent and accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. God calls these people fools and unwise.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15-16

Whether it is Cat 4 hurricanes or the temptation to sin, God is our hope in the day of evil.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father; But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. – Galatians 1:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 3:3

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