The Stronger One

Luke 11:21-22 KJV

When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:

But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

Our world is now in the possession of a strong man armed. Satan, the prince of this world holds on with such might and success that the majority never recognize his grip. Satan trusts

·       his armor

·       his minions and

·       his wiles

as he reigns with nearly unquestioned authority.

·       He keeps his palace

·       He sets his watch

·       He guards his conquests 

But there is a stronger than he. It is Jesus Christ. He has come and set the stage for His invasion.

·       His campaign is funded

·       His armies are assembling

·       His strategy has been verified

·       His launch is imminent

The stronger one shall come with such power and great glory that Satan's spoils will be taken without contest.

The only real question remaining is; which side will you be on?

The Fourth Potential Answer to Prayer

Luke 10:40-42 KJV

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Martha prays to the Lord what she believes to be a legitimate request. She is serving. She is aborting to meet the needs of the Lord and His people. She sees

·       her work as right

·       her need an urgent one and

·       her request as reasonable

she needs help.

The Lord, however, did not see things the same as Martha and in tones that I think were loving and kind, corrected her prayer, thought life and priorities. She was, in fact, in the wrong.

We often say that God always answers our prayers and that

·       Sometimes the answer us yes

·       Sometimes the answer is no and

·       Sometimes the answer is wait

There is a fourth potential answerthat ought to be added here;

·       Sometimes, maybe many times, the answer is to correct and change our thoughts, priorities and conclusions on the subject about which we pray.

The Worst of Times is the Best of Times

Malachi 3:16 KJV

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

The worst of times in this world are the best of times for those who love and fear the Lord to get together:

·       to speak of the Lord

·       to encourage one another as brothers and sisters in Christ and

·       to remind each other of the promises, instructions and duties that belong to the people of God.

While those in the world, even the religious world, might see fewer and fewer reasons to emphasize the truths of the Bible, those who genuinely fear the Lord will see even greater reason to focus their time and attention on what the Word of God says. By doing so we are able to:

·       Strengthen our own faith

·       Fortify the faith of those who are faltering and perhaps

·       Pass along the faith to one who has previously not had it

The promise of the Bible is that these gatherings of believers to speak one to another please the Lord. He hears, He records it and in due time, He will bless it.

Worship Is In the Details

Malachi 1:6-7 KJV

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

The priests and the Lord had come to a disagreement. It was not that the priests refused to offer sacrifices to God or even that they offered them in the general spirit of the Mosaic parameters. The issue God had was in the details. The priests had made light of specific details. If the lamb was lame or blind, they saw no reason the animal should not be used. If the bread was in some way polluted or blemished they could find no reason it should not be offered.

And in missing these details God said they had:

·       Despised Him

·       Polluted His altar and

·       Called His table contemptible

Christian worship today is in the details. We might be accused of some of being legalistic, but God deserves desires and demands our best. When it comes to the things of God we can't afford to

·       Slide in our doctrine,

·       Slouch in our separation or

·       Skimp in our dedication