Good Morning Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
What are your thoughts about the state of the United States, or the world, currently? Ten-fifteen years ago, if I asked you to describe the state of our country, or the world, in ten-fifteen years, would you have described our condition today? If you’re like most, you are shocked at where we’re at today. And, if you’re like most, you’re shocked at the pace at which this happened. As I’ve shared with others, it is going to get worse, and the pace at which this happens will accelerate. How do I know this? It’s in the Scriptures, God’s Word. We are living in the “perilous times” described in II Timothy 3:1-7. Please read these verses and tell me if this describes this country, and world, today. What I find most interesting is II Timothy 3:7.
II Timothy 3:7
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth.
Boy, does this verse ever describe today. We have more “smart” people and discoveries today, than ever, but we have more “fools” than ever as well. I’m often amazed when speaking with Believers at how much more they believe the world than God’s Word. My simple question to them lies at the heart of the matter – “is God a liar?” “Oh no, God is not a liar.” I then ask, “Ok, do you believe all the Word of God?” What has been most surprising to me is how many of those I’ve asked this question pause when deciding how they are going to answer. This tells me everything I need to know. They do believe God is a liar or else they would have been able to unequivocally and emphatically state, “no.” Now, they would never directly or openly accuse God of lying, but when we must stop and think to answer a question like this, we are calling God a liar. This is not meant to condemn any Believer; especially if one is grappling with the Truth. However, until a Believer comes to be “fully persuaded” all that God has said is Truth, they will live an up and down Christian life. We’re meant to walk a level plain of consistent love, peace, joy, and triumph in our lives. Jesus was our example. He was never up and down nor had struggles.
Zechariah 4:6-7
6 Then he [angel] answered and spake unto me [Prophet Zechariah], saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel [Governor of Judah], saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
This verse in the Prophet Zechariah’s Book of the Scriptures tells us “how” we address the problems, challenges, persecutions, afflictions of the world. Remember we’ve learned “mountain” is a metaphor for either a “kingdom” or an “obstacle, problem, challenge, affliction, etc.” What did the angel tell Zechariah to tell Zerubbabel? Exactly the same thing Jesus told us in Mark 11:22-24 – YOU speak to the mountain. We are, as Zerubbabel was instructed, to speak to the mountain opposing us with the Word (remember, Jesus said the Words He spoke were Spirit and life in John 6:63), which is the Spirit. Notice in Zechariah 4:7 what happens to the mountain when you speak to it in faith. It is leveled and becomes a plain – flat before you. You don’t have to go up and down the mountain. You level it and walk over it. What did Jesus say would happen to the mountain in Mark 11:23? It would be cast into the sea, out of your site, never to be seen again. Notice also in Zechariah 4:7 Zerubbabel is saying, “grace, grace” unto the mountain. What is “grace?” Unmerited, unearned, undeserved favor. Who is “grace?” Jesus Christ. Who is “Jesus Christ?” The Word (John 1:1, 14). We’re to speak The Word of God to any mountain opposing us – Grace, Grace!!
Let’s go back to II Timothy 3:1. The word “perilous” is translated from the Greek word “chalepos,” which is used only one other time in God’s Word (of the demoniac of Gadarenes). Chalepos describes something filled with danger, risk, and hurt or something that is wounding. It was a Greek word used in the New Testament times to portray a vicious, wild animal that was dangerous, not controllable, and unpredictable or anything that had the potential to be treacherous or hurtful. It could also describe something emotionally difficult to bear, harsh, cruel, ruthless, cutting, or wounding. As you can see, all the meanings are hurtful and evil.
God has warned us about the times we are in, not to scare us, but to alert us so we, as Believers, take action to stand against, go on the offense against, and triumph over the evil of the times.
II Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour [sweet aroma] of His knowledge by us in every place.
The word “always” is the Greek word “pan-tote” translated “at all times, in every place, and in every way.” Very simply and clearly, the Holy Spirit, through Paul, is telling us WE WIN AT ALL TIMES, IN EVERY PLACE, AND IN EVERY WAY THROUGH CHRIST JESUS!!
“Triumph” is more than just winning. It also means you parade the enemy around to be mocked and made fun of, for people to see that Satan has no power, unless we give it to him, and Satan should be under the bottom of our foot, which is on his neck. It means God sends us to plunder Satan and his territory, to take it from him, to rule what he once ruled, and to take all the wealth from him that he uses for perversion, and we use it for God’s good as we’re called to do in Genesis 12:2-3. I love to mock Satan, to curse him, to bind him, to loose that which he has bound, to take his wealth from him (Proverbs 13:22), to stand on his neck. It gives me GREAT JOY!!
In closing, as a Believer, you have the two weapons you need to always live triumphantly every day – The Word of God and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. You must use them as you would a sword. Cut, pierce, chop, kill the kingdom of Satan and his demonic spirits: sickness, disease, infirmity, weakness, doubt, fear, anxiety, unbelief, financial and relationship struggles, addiction, spiritual blindness, hardness of heart, etc. I call us to remember Joshua 1:9 and Deuteronomy 3:22, a charge or order from the Most High God, our Father.
Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Deuteronomy 3:22
Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God He shall fight for you.
Have a wonderful day and week in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Larry