As we head into another amazing year, I believer we will see the greatest harvest of souls, the greatest miracles of God as well as the most outstanding move of the Spirit of God we have ever seen! How exciting to live in such a time as this! It will be equally important to stay within the boundaries of the Word of God and listen intently to our heart within and not violate our conscience. The Word of God is a safe guard that keeps our lives moving in His blessings and protects us as well from the impending trap Satan will attempt to set for our feet. Psalm 19:11 declares, “Moreover by keeping them (His Word) thy servant is warned: and in keeping them there is rich reward.” The rewards can be found in obedience to God and His Word. In contrast, the consequences of disobedience are very serious and sobering, even in light of the amazing mercy and grace of God. I admonish and exhort you to stay within the protective provision of faith and do not cross the line into disobedience and the devil’s enticements! There are lines we must not cross and convictions in faith we must maintain.
Living Sober in Perilous Times
1 Peter 5:8 in the Living Bible says, “Be careful! Watch out for the attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry roaring lion looking for a victim to tear apart.” The New Living bible declares, “Keep awake! Watch at all times. The devil is working against you.” Cotton Patch says, “Sober up now,and get with it. That old roaring lion, your adversary, the devil, is talking around looking for someone to gobble up.” In the midst of the greatest move of God there will be counter attacks and casualties of war. What will keep us form getting side tracked and hurt, is sober living based on the Word of God, prayer and witnessing our faith to the world. It is not a time to live lukewarm and casual. These are sobering times that require sober living. god wants your attention and your heart completely. We must anticipate that attacks will come and we must be spiritually alert to stay the course and not cross the lines into disobedience to God. Satan want your affections and desires to distract you from the amazing things God is planning to do in your life this year.
Avoid Getting into Trouble
Proverbs 22:3 declares, “A prudent man forseeth the evil and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”The Basic American Standard Bible tells us, “The sharp man sees evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.” The New English Bible declares, “A shrewd man sees trouble coming and lies low; the simple walk into it and pay the penalty for it.” According the the Word of God, we can avoid getting into trouble if we are prudent and sharp spiritually. Instead of walking into Satan’s trap, we can avoid them completely. With all the modern media and social networking made available, there are many doors for error made available. We live in a culture today that has crossed over lines of protocol and order from God’s Word. Right is no longer right and wrong is no longer wrong! The streams have been muddied! Confusion and trouble are the end result. We are to be wise as a serpent but gentle as a dove.
Right is Still Right and Wrong is Still Wrong
Isaiah 5:20 declares, “Woe to them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light , and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.” The Taylor’s Translation tells us, “They say that what is right is wrong, and what is wrong is right.” As the world we live in continues to compromise the truth, we must keep it all straight. We are called not to conform to this world but to be transformed. Conformity means we have crossed God’s lines into a place of compromise with the world. We have embraced error. Right is still right, and wrong is still wrong. Romans 12:2 says in the Jordan Translation, “And don’t let the present age keep you in it’s cocoon. Instead, metamorphose into the new mind, so as to be capable of discerning god’s design, which is good and right and mature.” Let’s determine to allow god’s Word to speak loud in our lives. The Word is our standard, not public opinion of the hour and the present compromising age.
Let’s expect this year to be our best ever. Let’s stand strong within the lines of truth and avoid the pitfalls of the hour. God is planning outstanding things for you. Let’s move boldly in God and do His will in 2012.
We appreciate and love you.
