Daily devotion – evidence for conviction
Mat 24:6 “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
Just a little over 2,000 years ago on the Mount of Olives Jesus sat with His disciples and they asked Him what would be the signs of the coming of the end of the age.
We are that generation that are seeing Jesus words unfolding before our eyes as we see our world seemingly hurrying to its own self destruction. But we know that God has His plan, it’s happening before our eyes, a piece at a time.
Violence and antisemitism is reaching a crescendo around our world with many thousands protesting and chanting death to Israel. Take the veneer away and it is a world that is led by Satan and being filled with his venom against all that is godly. He knows his time is short too!
What we are seeing are acts of evil and the words and hatred being shouted fuelled by Satan himself and his legion of fallen demonic entities.
But let us again be reminded of the battle position you and I as disciples of Christ need to adhere to – Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 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.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
The current world conflict Daniel reminds us as did Paul, is a spiritual war. Demonic entities over nations and peoples that are driving lost and rebellious humanity to a final confrontation with Jesus Christ in their aim to remove Israel and every Jewish person from off the face of the globe. To halt God’s plan of the return and rule of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem.
There is no hiding from taking sides in this conflict. We are either children of the devil and serving his disdain for the one true God, the God of Israel and His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Or we are soldiers of Christ, in battle against Satan and his followers, by our prayers and our obedience to God and His holy Word.
The conflict will come to everyone walking this planet. There is no neutrality, you are either for Christ or you are against Him. But being for Christ is far more than having a dislike for evil. It is serving Him and seeking His will obediently in every area of our lives no matter the consequences.
Your hand will be revealed, and I pray that you consider the hour in which we live. It is the day of decision making. Of taking an active stand for Christ.
There will be some who think that their religious ways demonstrate their being followers of Christ. But Jesus in Matthew’s gospel tells us that such a façade of religious adherence does not meet being a follower of Christ.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Jesus in the verses prior to this passage has been teaching on the narrow road to salvation and being able to know true followers of Christ by their fruits.
Today, if Christianity, being a follower of Christ, was made a criminal act, would there be enough evidence in your life for you to be convicted of such a crime?
Does your light shine, are you the salt in your workplace, your school, your sporting club?
The road to salvation is indeed narrow, could it be in these last days that it grows narrower still?
Matthew 7:13 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”
Don’t forget to join us for prayer for Israel and for the Church of Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour to be strong in these last days – Wednesday evening at the chapel.
Also I will be teaching on the wonder of Heaven – how much do you know about where you will spend eternity with Christ if He is your Lord and Saviour?