Spiritual Combatants

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Matthew 10:34-37 (KJV) - Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

When we read these sayings of Jesus, some immediate images come to mind about the family being against one another. You may think about the family fighting, yelling, and screaming at one another. You think about them fighting the Christian’s position and making their lives miserable because of it. Christ becomes the ultimate reason for division and strife among father, mother, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and mother-in-law.

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We are all citizens of a country. Whether we are natural-born citizens or become citizens by other means, we each maintain citizenship with a nation. Each country is identified by the attributes of the country, its landscape and people. However, within this post, we’re addressing those that are citizens of a different type of country - the country of Roam.

Roam is a ‘place’ where its citizens are identified by the improper use of their eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet. They use their eyes to roam up and down people for sexual pleasure (Matthew 5:27-28); ears to listen to all types of gossip and evil (Proverbs 16:28, 18:8); hands to touch unclean things (and people) unworthily (2 Corinthians 6:17-18); and feet to travel to places they ought not go (Proverbs 1:10-19).

Roam is not a place you want to be! There are no benefits of being a citizen of that place! Roaming will produce nothing but sin, destruction, and condemnation for you and others.

Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven are known by their love for one another (John 13:34-35).

You must decide who you will be known as...a citizen of a kingdom that exploits people or a Kingdom that exalts God and loves people.

Denounce your citizenship from roam (repent) and accept the citizenship of the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Proverbs 23:23 (KJV) - Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

People are selling a lot of stuff today. What we find for sale is not just what is found in stores or online shops, but ideas, opinions, and beliefs. Many people have opinions and they want you to buy into what they're selling. They present their messages with passion, props, and videos and if we're not careful, we buy into the message without first considering its merit of truth.

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Proverbs 23:12 (KJV) - Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

After years of public school (college, etc.), the last thing many people want to do is read and study. As disciples of Jesus Christ, you will learn that a life of learning will be necessary for your success. Reading, meditation, and study are ways in which you can grow in knowledge, understanding, and find success (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:104 ; Proverbs 24:3-4).

You may not need to attend Seminary or some other formal training, but you can:

• read/meditate on/study the Bible
• read Christian books, magazines, etc.
• attend conferences and seminars
• volunteer in a church department of education (i.e. Sunday School)

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There are times when people lie on us, talk bad about us, mistreat us, and use us to their advantage. It's times like these when we want to fight back, speak our mind (or at least give them a piece of it), defend ourselves, and avenge the wrong done to us. Even though many know that vengeance is the Lord’s and He will repay (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19), the feeling of self-vindication doesn't seem to go away.

There are times when you want to see the other person or group pay for what they did! You want them to know that you were the WRONG PERSON to mess with and to think twice before doing it again! You want to see them squirm, begging for your mercy and forgiveness (Proverbs 24:17-18).

Instead of seeking vindication and revenge by our own means, we must continue to trust in the Lord, serve Him, and treat those that mistreat us with love, mercy, and respect.

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Psalm 34:8 (KJV) - O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

There are times when we are offered sample foods or want to try (or taste) what someone else has. When we try (or taste) the particular item, we make a determination on whether we want more for ourselves. The same occurrence happens for those in the Lord.

Taste and See

When a person is first introduced to the Lord, they enter into a ‘trial period.’ They may wonder what Christianity is about and desire to learn more about God. Sometimes they have no idea what to expect when they come to church or meet other Christians. They are coming for a taste.

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Most people understand compromise to be a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles.  Compromise is also known as an endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion (Dictionary.com).

Each day we face numerous decisions that can affect our lives before the Lord.  One choice decision can change the course of our lives on earth and beyond.  There comes sometimes when you would want to please your spouse (1 Corinthians 7:32-33), children, family, friends, or associates when you know God's will is entirely different.  There is a compromise that occurs, but it is at your (and other's) expense.

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1 Peter 5:1-3 (KJV) - The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

Elders have a very important responsibility within the body of Christ. They are often the direct conduit for administering God's instructions; growing His people toward discipleship; and building a strong community of believers. It is a position that cannot be taken lightly.

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Each of us have been given a purpose from the Lord. A purpose that reflects His divine will and glory among His creation. A purpose that no one can take away from you, challenge, or remove. It comes from God.

However, there are times when we allow circumstances, our environment, people, frustration, and fear to stagnate the move toward what God has already called us to. Now, many people know what God wants them to do, but will remain motionless saying they're waiting on God to tell them. But God has already spoken...long ago, but we wait and wait and wait.

What we're waiting for, to be honest, many do not know, but they continue to wait. Some are waiting for the perfect conditions to facilitate their move (see Ecclesiastes 11:4). They want the right season, church, people, and ministry that will launch them into another 'dimension,' rather than beginning with what they have, right where they are, and serving the people they are among.

There's a big world out there that God is calling you into. Pull the God-given dream off the shelf, dust it off, and begin again. God will help you, strengthen you, teach you, and give you every resource needed to accomplish His purpose.

The size of the dream does not matter - for what you have been given is from God. As with the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), each received based upon their ability. The key is to be faithful to what you have been given. Allow the Lord to breathe life into your dreams again...and please His heart.

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Many churches around the world receive new visitors. It is important that we emphasize, support, and acknowledge visitors on each visit. We should go out of our way to allow them to feel comfortable, loved, and prepared to worship the Lord. Sadly however, many churches (and members) give very little attention to visitors or seek to use them as commodities. Most visitors on their first (or second) visit experience the following:

• Offers to work immediately in a ministry.
• Compelled to give (financially) beyond what is in their heart.
• Largely ignored by over half the congregation.
• Criticized for their dress, status, or behavior (or their children's behavior).