Good Morning,
Now more than ever before in our lives as 'believers that believe', we must be ever diligent about doing the Word. There is a great divide taking place in the 'so-called' church, and it is the separation of the wheat and the tare. It will happen and we need to make sure that we are standing on the Lord's side when the smoke clears. The lovers of God that have served Him faithfully, will be holy still. "For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous). For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?" (I John 5:4-5) Victory means a conquest; the defeat of an enemy in battle; a gaining of the superiority in war or combat. Victory denotes a winner; getting the success, achievement, advantage, or the triumph. No matter how the enemy pushes his tactics, to try and discourage, disguise and deceive, we must remember the key to our victory is keeping our mind on God and His Word, being mindful of His precepts and doing them. We must not allow the difficulties of this age to dissuade us from our goal. "If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth." (Col. 3:1-2) I know that each one of us are experiencing an onslaught from the enemy, for he knows that his time is running short. We as soldiers must be wise and discerning that our enemy is not going to quietly surrender or go back to hell without taking as many captive as he can. He diverts our minds to the temporary problems while deceiving us into thinking that what we are experiencing will last forever. We must overcome this thought pattern by keeping our mind on the eternal treasures thus making everything else temporary. We must be more than conquerors. Conquer means to subdue, to reduce by force till resistance is no longer made; to gain by force, to take possession by whatever means necessary; to overcome and gain dominion. We are the overcomers that must subdue and reduce the enemy by any means and take possession and gain dominion over his lying tactics. The devil is a liar if he thinks that we are going to surrender to him any of our territory or our loved ones, or our salvation. We must declare to the devil, resistance is futile! Arise saints of God and remember your first love and do not let down your spiritual guard, the Word is your safe haven. Not one jot or tittle of God's Word will ever change or fail. Do not surrender your mind, which is the battleground where the enemy's attack takes place initially.
God knows the times that we are living in and that the remnant (which means, the part left after the greater part has been cut away), will and must be separated and cut away from those 'who are on the broad way.' We are consecrated, separated from the ordinary. This is what we who revere and love the Lord enough to keep His precepts must do; "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger, seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—-rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world." (I Peter 5:7-9) Now listen to the synonyms that define vigilant, which is what we as soldiers of the end times should be. Vigilant means to be cautious, watchful, attentive, alert, aware, keen, circumspect, to be on the look-out. We can not become complacent or be sleepwalkers through these changing times. We are overcomers and we gain the surpassing victory! Overcomers will eat from the tree of life, they will not be hurt by the second death, they will have power over the nations; they will be clothed in white garments, their name will be written in the book of life, their name will be confessed before the Father and the angels; they will be made a pillar in the temple of God; the name of God, the name of the city of God and the new name of Jesus will be written upon them; they will be granted to sit with Him in His throne. Victorious ones, he that overcomes shall inherit all things! (Rev. 2:7,1,17,26;[3:5,12,21;] 21:7) Hear and be attentive to what the Spirit is saying.
"Clothed in white garments"
Love,
Pastor D.
Daughters of Z 