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The Lord Is Our Refuge We live in troubled times. But we have not been called merely to adapt to our surroundings, nor are we called merely to cope with our circumstances. Rather, we are called to recognize and to seize the moments that are opportune to bring God glory through the difficulties. That is not easy because the enemies of God do their best to keep Christians distracted with satanically-induced,self-preservative fears. Those demonically induced fears are intended to render us ineffective in the spiritual battles. So remember, with every conflict we must be alert and remain battle ready. Psa. 144:1 (KJV) “Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight:” Unless God is saying to stand still, we will always be pushing forward and taking ground for His Kingdom. We can’t sit around quoting scriptures and talking about Bible stories; that is for the classroom. Now it is high time that we take what we have learned and put it into action! Just as faith without works is dead, so are sedentary soldiers; so we must wield the sword of the Spirit; and fight the good fight of faith. Here are two definitions for the word sedentary: 1. Inactive; motionless; sluggish. 2. Spectators. (Noah Webster). Christianity is never a spectators sport. The Bible does not say we are to simply sit around rooting others on, but rather that we all are to live as witnesses for Jesus Christ, surrounding each other as a great cloud, thereby increasing our confidence that we will be victorious till the end (Heb. 12:1). Mark 4:37-40 (KJV) “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” Storms are going to come to those who are following Christ, as well as to those who are not following Him, but those who are with Christ will hear what He is saying to do about the storm. It is common to think because we are in a battle that somehow we are being punished, but that is not usually the case. Every battle brings us to a closer walk with the Captain of the Hosts who leads us into His victories in ways we would never go on our own. Psa. 27:5-6 (KJV) “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.” Praise the Lord through the storms. Praise the Lord in the midst of the battles. Praise Him in the gatherings of His people, and praise Him in the presence of the enemies, for the Lord is our refuge! -Kurt Thurston June Newsletter 2003 | Pursue Your God In Holiness | Love: The Protection of God Pastor's Journal June 2002 | The Lord Is Our Refuge | Present Day Fathers part 3 | Pillars and Posts part 3 of 3 |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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