B2B Concert of Prayer – Eye Control #955

Posted on June 30, 2015 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 955

eyes_popping“Eye Control”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)

It seems that the daily news is always reporting an incident of moral failure among men and women in leadership positions. Everyone from Pastors and church staff to politicians, policemen, teachers and parents are vulnerable to succumb to the temptation of sexual sin. Sadly, these are not ‘private’ sins and such moral failure has a far reaching impact on others as well as our society as a whole.

The late Dr. Howard Hendricks interviewed 246 men who had suffered from moral failure and found four characteristics that were common to all of them:

They all lacked consistent daily times of prayer, worship, and study of God’s Word.

They all felt that such moral failure would never happen to them.

The majority became involved with the other woman after spending much time with her.

They all lacked personal accountability.

Think about these four characteristics and be honest in your self evaluation. How is your prayer life? Is your relationship with God a Sunday to Sunday experience or is it daily, continual and meaningful?

Do you feel that you can toy with temptation and not fall into sin? Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished. (Proverbs 6:27-29)

Are you spending too much time with a member of the opposite sex other than your spouse? It could be work related or in a ministry of some type. If so, you are in dangerous territory and need to bring others into the work or ministry context to maintain integrity and accountability.

Who holds you accountable for your Christian character when you are alone? You may work at home or travel for your job. Who loves you enough and has your permission to periodically check in on you – a phone call, a text – something, anything that will help you avoid giving in to temptation? Satan loves isolation. He goes after those who have failed to put on the full armor of God and are vulnerable.

The moral center of our society is no longer centered on the Word of God. Immorality is prevalent throughout the media, entertainment, and advertising. Modesty in attire is all but gone. Provocative dress is considered acceptable in the workplace and can even be found in Sunday church congregations. How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Proverbs 119:9-11)

May the Holy Spirit equip you with the full armor of God and the power to say ‘No’ to temptation. May you guard your eyes and your heart according to the Word of God, keeping your way pure and holy.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – The Flag Flap #954

Posted on June 23, 2015 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 954

sc conf flag“The Flag Flap”

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. (1 Corinthians 10:23)

This blog was first published in January 2000. The divisive issue of the Confederate Battle Flag was in the news then and continues again today given the recent tragic murders in a Charleston church by an individual who embraced this flag as a symbol of his racial hatred.

Former South Carolina Governor David Beasley was quoted in 1996 as saying “A flag should be a symbol that unites all of those standing below it, one that every South Carolinian can look up to with respect, and admiration.” The current governor, Nikki Haley has called for the state legislature to remove the divisive symbol from government facilities, while preserving the right of individuals to fly the flag on their own property if they so desire. Several of the nation’s largest retailers announced that they will no longer sell merchandise bearing the Confederate battle flag symbol. These are politically correct responses to the issue. What should be our individual response?

For decades, the Confederate flag has divided the people in our country. While many view it as an emblem of racism, most of the legislators and voters are dead set against removing what they regard as a besieged symbol of their heritage. I wonder how many people on both sides of the argument ever paused to reflect on what Jesus would do with respect to such a deeply emotional issue.

God’s Word is timeless and can be readily applied to the political issues of today if we choose to do so. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Jesus taught that all the Law hung on the commandment to Love God and our fellow man. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

If I argue to continue to fly the Confederate Flag, does it harm my neighbor? Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10)

If the situation were reversed, what would I want done to me? Am I seeking my own good over that of others? “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

To honestly answer the above questions in the light of God’s Word, it becomes clear what Jesus would do. Now the question becomes: Do we love the Lord and our fellow man enough to set aside selfish pride and act on what Jesus would do?

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Concert of Prayer – Who is Jesus? #953

Posted on June 14, 2015 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 953

word 2small“Who is Jesus”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:28-31)

There continue to be television documentaries seeking to discover who Jesus really is. Archeological and historical records have been searched as well as experts in these fields being interviewed. They all conclude that Jesus did exist in human history but they all fall short of the faith declaration that Jesus is God incarnate – the Word made flesh.

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. (John 14:9)

As Christians we believe in the simultaneous divinity and humanity of Jesus which can be described as follows:

Jesus is fully human to have been born of a woman while being fully God to have been conceived of a virgin.

Jesus is fully human to have been tempted by Satan in the wilderness and fully God to have never sinned by giving in to temptation.

Jesus is fully human to get tired and fall asleep in a boat while fully God to calm the wind and the waves by His spoken word.

Jesus is fully human to weep over the death of His friend Lazarus and fully God to have raised him from the dead.

Jesus is fully human to have suffered and died on the cross while fully God to have been resurrected on the third day and ascended into heaven having paid the price for our sins so that we who believe in Him can receive forgiveness and have the promise of eternal life with Him.

Who is Jesus? Who do you say He is? Was He simply a historical figure who’s three short years of ministry made a great impact on mankind for 2000 years? Or is He the Living Word of God, the Messiah, our Savior who came to reveal and pave the way to eternal life through Him?

Thomas needed to see for himself before making his declaration of who Jesus is. Ask God for eyes of faith so that you too can see as Thomas did and declare Jesus as Lord. May the Holy Spirit bring the truth of His Word to life in your heart and that by believing you may be called blessed and have eternal life in His Name.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Not Open for Debate #952

Posted on June 2, 2015 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER                                                                                       

Pray Week 952

jesus prayer“Not Open for Debate”

“I…ask…that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us…that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:20 – 23)

‘United we stand, and divided we fall’. This saying holds true not only with respect to nations, but also for any context where two or more are joined together for a common purpose. Unity is something we all strive for and desire. However, should unity be attained at any price? Jesus prays that we may be brought into complete unity yet He also stated that He did not come to bring peace. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34) The unity that Jesus prays for is that we be one as Jesus and the Father are one. He is not praying that we achieve unity through compromise by changing and diluting the absolute Truth of His Word. His Word is not open for debate.

There are two ways to achieve unity. One way is through consensus. Consensus requires compromise and compromise supplants foundational truths and values, replacing them with new societal norms and beliefs. Compromise reduces to the lowest common denominator in order to find agreeable commonality.

The other way to achieve unity is through affinity. Affinity requires an uncompromised shared value and belief system. Through His Word God outlined His absolutes for us. He details the values and beliefs that we are to accept. He shows us the one and only way to salvation and eternal life with Him. It is not open for debate.

Our human nature is rebellious. We do not want to turn the other cheek. We do not want to love our enemies. We want more pleasure, more money, and more power. We do not want to trust completely and depend totally upon God. We want to be self-reliant. We reject God’s plan for sex, marriage and our sexuality. We want eternal life and salvation on our own terms. Entire church denominations have formed and others have divided over these issues. This is where Jesus brought His sword and not peace.

We have a saying, ‘My way or the highway’. God would say to us, ‘My way is the highway’. In fact God says His way is the only way. It is not open for debate.

Beware of the temptation to compromise on God’s Word in order to keep peace and establish unity. Flee from churches that dilute and compromise God’s Word in order to fit a more preferential doctrine that tickles the ears. 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, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

May you stand on the solid bedrock of the Living Word of God – Jesus Christ. May His Word of truth be firmly established in your heart and mind. May you be united in the body of Christ, one with them and the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in the uncompromised Truth of His Word.

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Concert of Prayer – Unity of Heart #951

Posted on May 28, 2015 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 951

one-spirit-unity200x150“Unity of Heart”

The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord. (2 Chronicles 30:12)

In my management career I have had numerous assignments to help correct dysfunctional work teams and business units with my most recent assignment coming a few weeks ago.

As I sought the Lord’s direction (He has a way of placing me in work assignments that keep me on my knees) He made it clear to me that the root cause of such dysfunction is the same as the cause of strife in marriages, church boards and congregations, communities and political parties. Wherever two or more people are ‘yoked’ together in some context dysfunction can arise.

The root of dysfunction is a lack of unity of heart, mind, and purpose. Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; (Proverbs 29:18, ASV)

There should be no room for such disunity in Christian marriages, church bodies, and leadership boards where the servant leadership example established by Jesus should be followed. So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant… (Philippians 2:1-7)

In secular and Christian contexts alike it behooves the leadership to establish and continually communicate a clear, motivating vision, mission and purpose for the organization. Guiding principles should be collaboratively created, communicated and people held accountable for adhering to them. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

It may seem strange to discuss this at first but husbands and wives should also be of one mind and heart – united toward a shared vision for their family and united in the path to take toward common goals and objectives. House rules are guiding principles that maintain harmony in the home. Again, the servant example of Jesus is key. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… (Ephesians 5:25)

How many children has Satan bruised or conquered by dividing a marriage? How much money, time, and resources are wasted due to conflict and division within your organization or company? How many people have had their faith shaken because of disunity that divided a church congregation? …He said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. (Matthew 12:25)

May the Holy Spirit give you the gifts of discernment, knowledge and wisdom to build unity of mind, heart, and purpose among those you serve. May you have the mind of Christ Jesus creating a servant’s heart within you to be a catalyst for peace and unity in your home, work, church, and community.

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Concert of Prayer – What Would You Ask For? #950

Posted on May 19, 2015 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 950

one thing ask“What Would You Ask For”

In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” (2 Chronicles 1:7)

Imagine being gently awakened by Jesus in the middle of the night. He smiles and waits for you to regain your bearings. Then as you blink and rub the sleep from your eyes He says to you, ‘Ask what I shall give you’.

How do you respond? How much time do you need to think it over? Perhaps you recall Scriptural truths like: Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13) and …Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24)

Then the carnal thoughts invade your mind. Isn’t that the way it always is – the enemy of your soul always being there trying trip you up? You think of all the material wealth, power and prosperity that you could ask for and then the Holy Spirit counters with the truth of God’s Word: For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? (Mark 8:36)

Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit that was upon Elijah. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” (2 Kings 2:9)

Solomon asked for wisdom to better serve the people and his God. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” (2 Chronicles 1:10)

David asked first and foremost to abide in the Lord. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)

The truth of the matter is that this scenario plays out continuously in our daily walk with Jesus. Our prayer life is supposed to be a life of prayer. …pray without ceasing… (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

I am challenged by these Scriptures to examine the priorities of my heart and to be honest with myself. Am I truly seeking first His kingdom and righteousness above all that is carnal and temporal? But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

We can deceive ourselves, but we cannot hide the truth of our heart from the Lord. The heart is deceitful above all things…I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

May a double portion of the Holy Spirit be upon your life. May God grant you the wisdom and discernment to pray in accordance with His heart and perfect will. May you have a heart after God like David and may your prayer life be a life of prayer bringing glory to God by all you say and do.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Inside Out #949

Posted on May 5, 2015 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 949

inside out (Small)“Inside Out”

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us… (Ephesians 3:20,21)

The lyrics to the song, From The Inside Out by Hillsong preach the truth of who we are and the overcoming power we have in Christ Jesus. How many of us who profess to be Christians live an overcoming lifestyle from the inside out recognizing that we are His holy temple? Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

How many of us remain in awe and maintain a reverential fear of the abiding presence of God in our hearts? But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him…So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:17-20)

How many of us have taken Him for granted and are living from the outside in rather than from the inside out? And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. (1 Chronicles 13:10)

On the surface it seems that God struck down Uzzah for doing a good deed. In fact this whole scenario led by David was all wrong and in abject disobedience to God’s law concerning the Ark of the Covenant. In the first place the Ark was not supposed to be transported on a cart pulled by oxen but rather carried with long poles by Levites from the Kohathite division. The ark had been in Uzzah’s father’s house for some time. Perhaps because of Uzzah’s familiarity with the Ark he had lost his sense of awe and respect for the temple of God which is why his act of steadying it angered God.

I am challenged to examine my own heart. Have I lost the sense of awe and reverence for the indwelling presence of God in my heart? Am I caring for God’s temple in accordance with His Word or am I defiling it and destroying it by indulging my fleshly appetites? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:17)

Am I set apart and sanctified in relating to God by trying to be obedient to rules and ritual practices and doctrines of the church or am I continually aware of His abiding presence in me – His temple? …circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. (Romans 2:28)

I confess that I have a habit of taking action in my own way first and seeking the Lord’s direction through prayer only after my attempts fail. This is akin to living life from the outside in. Can you relate? Can you prayerfully sing these lyrics?

In my heart in my soul 
I give you control 
Consume me from the inside out Lord – Excerpt lyrics From The Inside Out by Hillsong

May the cry of our hearts be to praise Him and love Him from the inside out. May you be always aware that you are His holy temple and live from the inside out to His glory and praise.

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B2B Concert of Prayer- Diluted Faith #948

Posted on April 30, 2015 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 948

Beni from the Mummy“Diluted Faith”

So they feared the Lord but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. (2 Kings 17:33)

In the movie The Mummy, the character Beni wears symbols of many religions and their idols or gods around his neck. When face to face with the Mummy he rapidly prays to each idol in turn hoping to find one that will protect him. How many of us are like the character Beni or the people spoken of in 2 Kings in that we fear the Lord but continue to serve other idols in our life as well?

What does it mean to ‘fear the Lord’? The root word translated as ‘fear’ does not mean to be afraid of God. It means to have a reverential awe of Him. Having Fear of the Lord is to respect and obey Him and to be in awe of who He is – Almighty God, our creator and our Savior.

It is evident then that our faith is diluted and we are like disobedient children when we disobey God’s commandment to have no other idols before Him. You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)

God is calling us into a deeper, more personal relationship with Him. He does not desire a relationship veneer based upon ritual and religion. Without the depth of a personal abiding relationship of love we are easily enticed into having other idols in life.

When under stress or in need of peace and comfort, some turn to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs to temporarily numb the reality of their situation and provide a brief escape. These are idols that dilute their faith and these idols exact a high price from them physically, emotionally and spiritually. To whom or where do you turn in your time of need? Are there a plethora of ‘saints’ that receive your prayers instead of praying to the one, true God? Do you seek peace in the bottom of a bottle or at the end of a needle rather than turning to your Father in heaven first and foremost?

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

A steadfast relationship with our Lord builds trust and gives us perfect peace in any and all situations we encounter in this life. Steadfastness implies a 24/7 awareness of His abiding presence as we also abide in Him. When we abide in Christ and He in us, there is no room for other idols to dilute our faith.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:7-11)

May your faith be pure and undiluted, strengthened by the deep abiding presence of our Lord Jesus in your heart.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – When the Pillar Moves #947

Posted on April 24, 2015 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 947

pillars“When the Pillar Moves”

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. (Exodus 13:21; 40:36-37)

Have you ever gotten ahead of God and taken action to help Him out in answering your prayers? There have been times in my Christian walk when I decided to take what I rationalized to be ‘a step of faith’ in a direction I believed God was calling me to. Sometimes these ‘steps of faith’ ended with disastrous results. I thank the Lord that even in my missteps He has been there with Grace to see me through the difficulty I brought upon myself.

When is a step of faith a misstep? How do we know when the pillar of cloud has moved? In hindsight I see that my misguided ‘steps of faith’ were driven by the wrong motives. Sometimes it was my impatience that drove me to action. God seemed too slow in answering my prayer. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness… (2 Peter 3:8-9)

Other times it was fear that motivated me to take a particular course of action. An acrostic for fear is False Expectations Appearing Real. In our mind we play out what-if scenarios and before we realize it we have fueled our fear far beyond reason and fact. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. (Proverbs 3:25)

The combination of fear and impatience becomes a juggernaut that destroys peace and displaces faith and we take action before the ‘pillars of fire and cloud’ move. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

We may not have the tangible evidence of direction provided by a pillar of cloud or fire but we do have the gift of discernment from God’s abiding presence if we choose to abide in Him. Abide in me, and I in you…for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)

We know God’s direction when we see doors opened for us that we could not have opened ourselves. We know God’s path to take when it is leveled before us, free of obstacles that would hinder us. We know it is God’s direction when provision is made for the journey and it did not come by our efforts.

May you have a discerning spirit so that you can recognize the pillar of cloud and fire in your life and know beyond a doubt when they have moved. May you have a heart that is not only able to discern God’s direction but for the strength of spirit to obey Him in faith and trust.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – True Character #946

Posted on April 15, 2015 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 946

true-character“True Character”

After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer … the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’  I will take nothing but … the share of the men who went with me…” After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” (Genesis 14:17-15:1)

The word ‘character’ means a distinctive, differentiating mark. The Greek root word from which we get the word ‘character’ means to engrave. Your character is the distinctive you. It goes beyond skin deep and stems from what is ‘engraved’ at the very core of your being. Does your character identify you as a Christian – a follower, a disciple of Jesus Christ? Is the differentiating distinctive of God’s Living Word evident in your day to day actions and decision-making? Does your personal relationship with Jesus define your character?

Abraham was a man of Godly character. God had just given him a tremendous victory over his enemies and two kings greet him. Melchizedek, who is believed to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, greets Abraham. The entire exchange between Abraham and Melchizedek glorifies God. Contrast this with the meeting between Abraham and the king of Sodom who typifies Satan himself. The king of Sodom asks Abraham for the people (the Hebrew word means ‘souls’) and, in exchange, offers him all the material wealth. Isn’t that the way the enemy works today? When a leader’s character is corrupted through greed and lust of the flesh, the lives of many become prey for the enemy. This is true in our families, churches, and governmental entities.

Note that the meeting occurred when Abraham was probably bone weary and exhausted as he returned from the battle. It is in our tired and weak moments – our valley experiences – that the enemy comes to us to tempt us with the physical pleasures of this world. But note also that Jesus is present in the valley with us. Through Him, we have the power to be victorious over the enemy even when we are at our weakest moment. …For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Observe Abraham’s character, his acknowledgement and glorification of God and his stern refusal to have any relationship, any bond or tie to the evil one. There was no room for compromise in Abraham’s character. It was because of the purity of his character that Abraham was able to hear from God so clearly in a vision. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)

Do you need a fresh vision from God? Are you at a crossroad and need guidance and direction for your life? Do you need reassurance and peace? Your ability to hear from God – to have a fresh vision from Him depends upon your character. God’s Word exhorts us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Actively seek God and allow His Holy Spirit to renew you, to engrave upon the tablets of your heart His Word that He may create in you the character of His Son, Jesus Christ.

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