VIDEO Not Like the World

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 2 Corinthians 10:3

As of 2023, there were approximately 12,500 nuclear weapons in the world with 90 percent belonging to Russia (5,889) and the United States (5,244).¹ Those huge numbers are a holdover from the Cold War between Russia and the U.S. when the arms race was a way to intimidate each country’s main enemy. That has always been the way of the world: accumulate more and better material weapons.

The apostle Paul wrote that “we do not war according to the [ways of the world].” Paul doesn’t explain what war is. He assumes his readers know that we are in a spiritual war, and he wants them to understand the difference in the weapons we use. He goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 that our primary weapon is truth—“mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” of the enemy. His words remind us of God’s message to Zerubbabel: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

If you find yourself in a spiritual battle, don’t fight like the world. Turn to God and His truth, empowered by the Spirit, to find victory (Matthew 4:1-11).

Lies and false reports are among Satan’s choicest weapons.
J. C. Ryle

1. Einar H. Dyvik, “Number of Nuclear Warheads Worldwide 2023,” Statista, November 30, 2023.

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The Battle of the Mind II – 2 Corinthians 10 3-5 HQ AUDIO | #BillyGraham #Jesus #Christ

Meeting Together in Jesus

[Don’t give] up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but [encourage] one another. Hebrews 10:25

When I went through an extended period of emotional and spiritual pain and struggle due to difficult circumstances in my life, it would have been easy for me to withdraw from church. (And sometimes I did wonder, Why bother?) But I felt compelled to keep attending each Sunday.

Although my situation remained the same for many long years, worshiping and gathering with other believers in services, prayer meetings, and Bible study supplied the encouragement I needed to persevere and remain hopeful. And often I’d not only hear an uplifting message or teaching, but I’d receive comfort, a listening ear, or a hug I needed from others.

The author of Hebrews wrote, “[Don’t give] up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but [encourage] one another” (Hebrews 10:25). This author knew that when we face hardships and difficulties, we’ll need the reassurance of others—and that others would need ours. So this Scripture writer reminded readers to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess” and to consider how to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (vv. 23-24). That’s a big part of what encouragement is. That’s why God leads us to keep meeting together. Someone may need your loving encouragement, and you may be surprised by what you receive in return.

By:  Alyson Kieda

When have you felt encouraged after leaving a worship service? Why? Who needs your support and reassurance?

Loving God, please help me not to give up meeting together with other believers, but to experience together Your peace and love.

A Heart for Wisdom

When you feel inadequate for the task in front of you, where do you turn? 1 Kings 3:5-9

When we find ourselves in a new environment or unfamiliar situation, it’s natural to feel unsure. Even Solomon felt lost and inadequate in taking on his new role as king of Israel. He said he felt “like a little boy [who did] not know how to go out or come in” (1 Kings 3:7). Can you relate?

Maybe you’re embarking on a second career. Or perhaps you’re stepping out of your comfort zone to serve in an area of ministry you’ve never experienced. Maybe you’re a new grandparent who feels the weight of responsibility as a positive influence in your grandchild’s life. Whatever the uncharted circumstance, we each have a choice when we’re unsure what to do next: We can either lean into our own understanding and try to figure things out on our own, or we can ask God to guide us.

Solomon’s realization of his own inadequacy caused him to cry out to God for the wisdom to do his job well. And his prayer was answered. We, too, have the opportunity to turn to God for help. Next time you feel unsure of yourself or your abilities, remember to follow Solomon’s example. Ask the Lord to give you a heart of wisdom to do—with excellence—what He has called you to.

Christ Our Intercessor

“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34)

One of the most glorious truths of the Christian life is that the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, now lives to intercede for us before God. The greatest example of intercessory prayer in the Bible is in John 17, where the Lord poured out His heart for His disciples. “I pray for them,” He said, “I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine” (John 17:9). But that was not all! “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20). And that’s us! That includes us!

What is it that He prays for us? First of all, He prays for our security. “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are” (John 17:11). Then He prays that we might have real victory over sin and the devil. “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil [or ‘the evil one’]” (John 17:15).

His next request is: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). Our sanctification will come, therefore, not through some special experience but through God’s Word. He also prays for true unity among His true disciples: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21).

Finally, He prays for our ultimate glorification. “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me” (John 17:24).

We can be assured that the Father will grant these requests of His beloved Son. HMM

Are We Compassionate In Our Ministry To Others?

Cowboys drive cattle.

Shepherds lead sheep.

There is a difference, but occasionally in our efforts to minister we confuse the two.

One way to assess whether we resemble cattlemen or shepherds is to observe our reactions when people fail to perform up to our expectations:

• Are we irritated by their failure, or driven to our knees in intercession?
• Is our approach characterized by law or grace?

“The Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.“(John 1:17)

Jesus, like Moses gave us the truth… but shrouded it in grace:

“We all have received grace upon grace“(John 1:16)

That is, we have received grace that is continuous and never exhausted.

Surely that is also to be our approach in ministering to others.

When our primary objective in ministry is to help people toward an intimate relationship with Christ, the tenor of our service will be that of tender care rather than demands for rigid compliance.

If, however, we view people primarily as an important cog in achieving our ends of building a larger organization, or enhancing our image as a spiritual leader, those under our charge will be driven toward external conformity rather than nurtured toward internal transformation:

Driven like cattle rather than led like sheep.

When Jesus asked Peter if He loved Him, the Master suggested that the way to express that love was to feed His sheep. Shepherd His flock.

And that is our calling as well.

“Behold the Lamb of God.”

John 1:19-42

While Jesus was absent, John continued his ministry as before.

John 1:19-21

He was not literally Elias, nor any other departed prophet. The Jews did not see the true import of the promises which foretold the coming of the Messiah’s forerunner, but vainly expected Elijah to return in person.

John 1:23

Jesus is the Word, John only the voice declaring the word.

John 1:24

For Sadducees in their unbelief would have taken no interest in such things.

John 1:26, 27

So did he honour his Lord that he felt unworthy to perform the menial service of unloosing and carrying his shoes. To do anything for Jesus is a great honour.

John 1:28, 29

This was a true gospel note. Jesus is the great victim sacrificed for human guilt, not a lamb but the Lamb, and the Lamb of God—”God-ordained, God-given, God-accepted.” The sin of the world is viewed as one huge burden which he takes away as a sacrifice. This verse is the substance of the gospel message, and is the burden of all true preaching.

John 1:32-34

Jesus and John had lived apart, and John did not know Jesus till the Spirit had spoken to him; there was therefore no collusion between them, and the witness of John is rendered all the more valuable.

John 1:35-37

That is good preaching, which leads men away from the preacher himself to his Lord.

John 1:38

Meaning, “We desire to converse with thee in some quiet place, and learn what John means.”

John 1:42

Blessed is the man who having found the Lord for himself brings his brother also. These first disciples were John and Andrew; John says nothing about himself, but is careful to record the zealous act of Andrew; true humility is as glad to display the virtues of others as it is anxious to conceal its own. Andrew brought to Jesus a convert of greater mark than himself, and so may the least be the means of the conversion of the greatest.

The Presence of God

The righteous shall give thanks… the upright shall dwell in thy presence. (Psalm 140:13)

The spiritual giants of old were those who at some time became acutely conscious of the presence of God. They maintained that consciousness for the rest of their lives.

How otherwise can the saints and prophets be explained? How otherwise can we account for the amazing power for good they have exercised over countless generations?

Is it not that indeed they had become friends of God? Is it not that they walked in conscious communion with the real Presence and addressed their prayers to God with the artless conviction that they were truly addressing Someone actually there?

Let me say it again, for certainly it is no secret: we do God honor in believing what He has said about Himself and coming boldly to His throne of grace than by hiding in a self-conscious humility!

Those unlikely men chosen by our Lord as His closest disciples might well have hesitated to claim friendship with Christ. But Jesus said to them, “You are my friends!”