Taking God Seriously in Perilous Times

Taking God Seriously in Perilous Times Devotional Reading

Where are we in the progression of life on earth?

“You can be certain that in the last days, there will be some very hard times. People will love only themselves and money. They will be proud, stuck-up, rude, and disobedient to their parents. They will also be ungrateful, godless, heartless, and hateful. Their words will be cruel, and they will have no self-control or pity. These people will hate everything good. They will be sneaky, reckless, and puffed up with pride. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure.” —2 Timothy 3:1-4, CEV

For the worshipers who ask for the daily anointing of the Holy Spirit, pray, and study the Bible, we can feel deep in our hearts that we are progressing toward Revelation prophecies being fulfilled. Yes, we are moving toward the times of tribulation for the remnant worshipers of the Most-High God.

How do we know that we are in the right standing with God? “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). The Contemporary English Version states, “God’s people must learn to endure. They must also obey his commands and have faith in Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).

Obedience is a character trait that does not happen naturally. We were born with sinful hearts destined to seek and fulfill our desires that always go against God. “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Galatians 5:17).

The most important action for us to do every day is to surrender ourselves to the will of God. What does that mean? In morning worship, we pray and tell God that we desire to do His will [surrender] by committing to stay in His presence by seeking Him first before making any decision that impacts our life.

Joyce Meyer wrote “The Battlefield of the Mind” many years ago, explaining that the struggle between good and evil within us is never-ending. However, there are steps we can take each day to achieve spiritual success. The first and most crucial step is to pray for God’s Divine Intervention daily, even though it may seem like an impossible battle.

Jesus explained our spiritual dilemma and gave us the solution to living faithfully [how to stay on the Path of righteousness] despite the raging internal war of right versus wrong. “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me'”(Matthew 16:24).

The key to victory is prayer! We do not pray enough! To be an overcomer in a world that is moving toward godlessness, we desperately need God’s help. Even on our jobs, we can worship God throughout the day by taking a moment to pray. Not all prayers are audibly spoken words. At any time or place, we can pray silent prayers for the Holy Spirit to give us strength, wisdom, and discernment.

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness…” —Psalm 95:6-8

The Permanence of Practice. We become what we practice. “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” —1 John 3:7

The Power of Influence. We influence others for good or we are influenced by evil. “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26).

Be Intentional and Consistent in your efforts to maintain and grow your relationship with Christ. Surrender daily, pray throughout your waking hours, and ask for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

“And I will pray for the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” —John 14:16-18

Before Jesus was crucified, He promised His disciples that He would send a Helper [The Holy Spirit]. As today’s disciples, we also have 24/7 access to the Holy Spirit. We must stay close to God by seeking Spiritual Reinforcement through the Holy Spirit. For us to be successful in our daily walk with Christ, we can never gain victory over innate sinful desires without the determination to go all the way with Jesus.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” —John 14:15

Love for Christ is proven by the human effort of worship, faith, obedience, and the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit will keep us steadfast despite living in perilous times.

Scripture: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart.” —Galatians 6:9

Prayer: God, we desperately need the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. We ask for forgiveness of our sins. We ask for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit. Give us direction and spiritual discernment when facing internal battles of right and wrong. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray, Amen.

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