​Weary Christians need refreshed.
As we discussed last week, Christ’s followers find rest, refreshment and renewal in Him.   
The church, the body of Christ, is another place for believers to be refreshed.  
There are times when a scripture jumps off the page, hits you square in the eyeballs, then burrows deep down into your spirit.
Romans 15:32 reads “S o that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company.” Wow! Refreshing rest in the company of the church!
REFRESHING REST.
The context of this verse is vital to understanding the depth, fullness and richness of what Paul is communicating to the body of Christ.
The Apostle Paul was a tried and true, tireless proclaimer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He traveled for years, conducting three missionary journeys to share God’s love with Jews and Gentiles across the known world. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he also penned thirteen books of the New Testament.
His focus was always to preach Christ crucified and risen from the dead. Multitudes came to the Lord through his itinerant ministry. Others resisted the message and messenger. Paul was mocked, taunted, persecuted, beaten, imprisoned and eventually martyred for his faith. Often Paul was on his own with only a handful of faithful sidekicks.
If you are ever having a bad day, I invite you to read II Corinthians 11:22-33 and discover what Paul dealt with on a regular basis. Your day won’t seem so bad, believe me!
In verses 29-33, Paul asks the church to pray for Him. If it is God’s will, he will travel to Rome to visit the brethren after he delivers an offering to the poor saints at Jerusalem.
Paul asks that he may come “in joy” and find “refreshing rest” in their company.
The John Wayne of the Gospel was tireless, but tired. Weary of being on the road so much, exhausted from the demands of ministry, Paul longed for “refreshing rest” from his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
What would “refreshing rest” look like? 
The weary warrior for Christ would be in the joyful company of like-minded believers. He would be secure, protected, provided for and able to take a few deep spiritual breaths away from the ministry trips. The church would be a safe harbor, a place where the Gospel trail blazer could relax, kick back, take it easy for a while. He longed for and looked forward to sharing the joy of the Lord with those who loved the Lord like he did.
Paul received “refreshing rest” in Rome before he set out on the next leg of God’s plan for his life and ministry.
Refreshing Rest In The Church

• Stay refreshed in the Lord so you can bring refreshing rest to others.
• If you are stressed out, get your act together before you enter the church. Surrender your stress and issues to the Lord. Receive rest in your soul from Him. Then enter the fellowship to share His refreshing rest with others.
• Life is not about you. It’ s about Christ in and through you to serve and minister to others, the church first, then the world.
• The church should never be a place of strife, division, gossip, backbiting, power plays, turf wars or plain old selfishness. These ungodly, sinful things hinder “refreshing rest” that someone may need.
• Minister rest to your Pastor(s) and brothers and sisters in Christ by encouraging them at church. Encouragement in the Lord always brings refreshing, restoration and renewal.
• Help create a restful, refreshing atmosphere in your church. Put a warm, joyful smile on your face. Hug somebody in the name of the Lord. Speak an encouraging word. Genuinely care about your brothers and sisters in Christ.
• Thank God every day for “refreshing rest” in Christ and His church.

“Refreshing rest” is rest that is refreshing!
The body of Christ, His church, should always be a holy haven of “refreshing rest” for His servants. Followers of Jesus, including you and me, need refreshed in the Lord when we gather with God’s people.
Let’s be honest. You and I will not find “refreshing rest” in the world, the workplace, in the company of unbelievers, and certainly not on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!
“Refreshing Rest” belongs to the community of believers in Jesus Christ. There is no rest without Him and each other.
 What if your local church was a place of “refreshing rest”? What if weary, stressed out, frustrated, anxious, worried, troubled, fearful, hurting brothers and sisters in Christ would take a deep spiritual breath when they walk through the church doors, knowing the peace, hope and joy of God awaits them? Wouldn’t that be awesome? Of course it would!
So, do you leave your church services feeling rested and refreshed in the Lord? Do you do your part to contribute to a spirit of “refreshing rest” in your fellowship? Would visitors to your church say there is a spirit of “refreshing rest” in your assembly?
How can you bring “refreshing rest” to a brother or sister in Christ in the church this week?
“Repent therefore, and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19
A Word For Your Week: Refreshing rest is every believer’s responsibility in the body of Christ.  

​Exit 2020. Enter 2021.
As a Christian I am expecting 2021 to be a good year because of God’s faithfulness to keep His promises. But I will be honest. My soul is weary. How about yours?
According to the Bible, mankind possesses a spirit, body and soul. (I Thessalonians 5:23). Our soul is composed of three components: mind, will and emotions. Our thoughts, choices and feelings make up our soul.
Covid-19 uncertainty. Political upheaval. Civil unrest. Economic disruption. Relationship distancing. A host of other soul stressors have created a weariness in our world, nation, families and individuals. I am worn out just mentioning these things.
I think you know what I am talking about. Scratching our heads wondering about what is going on and might happen. Making choices we have not had to make before. Experiencing emotions that are confusing, contradicting, and downright troubling have plunged you and me into an unrelenting stress mode that produces acute and chronic weariness of soul.
Soul weariness is ugly to say the least. Constant tiredness. Overwhelming fatigue. Restlessness. A sense of feeling stuck in life. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness because you seemingly cannot do anything about what is happening around you feed soul weariness.
So, what are you and me to do? Will the world system alleviate weariness? No. Science. No. Politicians. No. Media and technology. No. The Stock Market. No. Addictive substances. No. Spiritual or religious activity outside of Christ. No.
But I do know what, rather Who, will help us win over weariness. His name is Jesus. Soul rest in Jesus is the remedy for soul weariness.
In Matthew 11:28-30 the Lord invites all who are soul weary to come to Him for rest.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am humble and gentle in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My load is light.”
Note steps to rest from a weary soul.

1. Come to Jesus weary soul. He will give you rest. Come is an invitation.
2. Take His yoke (hook-up, connect with  and learn from Him. Learn how to rest like Jesus does.
3. Find rest for your soul because Jesus’ yoke is easy and His load is light. Life’s load is easier when we handle it with Christ’s rest.

My weary friend accept the Lord’s invitation to come and find rest. If we do not come to Him for rest, we will remain weary and worn out. Life will be harder than it could be when we attempt to work our way out of weariness without God’s help.
Truth be told, it takes humility to admit that we need the Lord’s help to overcome soul weariness. We think (erroneously) we can handle it on our own. If that is you, how has that been working out for you? Just asking.
Come. Yoke . Learn. Receive. Rest. Sounds good to me right now, how about you?
Jesus is a bottomless well of soul rest, restoration and renewal that never runs dry.
Helpful Hints For Relieving Soul Weariness

• Soul weariness happens in life. Be aware when your soul is becoming tired. Do not blow through warning signs of soul fatigue. Melancholy moods, sadness, sorrow, grief, outbursts of anger, irritableness, feeling overwhelmed, worry and anxiety, helplessness and hopelessness, being disillusioned, discouraged, depressed and demoralized all indicate serious stress and weariness.  
• Talk with a mature Christian who is a good listener and encourager. Pray with them to receive rest from the Lord.
• Wait on the Lord. Get alone with Jesus. Be quiet. Give up your weariness. Lay your weary soul at His feet. Listen for His voice. Learn from Him. Receive His rest.
• Take a deep spiritual breath. Read a Psalm or two. Meditate on God’s promises. Then take a little nap!
• Stop feeding, fueling your weariness. Shut out. Shut off anyone or anything that wears your soul out. You can choose to tune out life’s negative, stress producing noise.
• Do not, I repeat do not make major life decisions when you are weary. Tired decisions are often bad ones.
• Be wary of taking advice from weary people. How can tired people bring rest to your tired soul?
• Withdraw from the world’s weariness. Take a break from the spiritual, mental, emotional and relational clamor of the world.
• Rest when the Holy Spirit directs you to. Pay attention to the still, quiet voice of the Spirit who will comfort you, ministering rest and peace to your soul.   
• People handle soul weariness differently. Cut folks some slack when they are worn out. Wouldn’t you want them to cut you some slack when you are so tired that you are like someone who said “I am too pooped to pot!”
• Rejoice and give thanks to the Lord for restoring rest to your soul.
• Share with a weary soul how the Lord refreshed you, restoring your vision, peace, comfort, strength and joy.

My fellow Christian and friend look to Jesus to give you rest from your weariness. His rest is the rest you need to overcome a weary soul. Weariness always must surrender to rest.
Take a moment right now. Say this to Jesus, my soul is weary Lord. I need rest. Hear Him say to you. (Your name) come to Me and I will give you rest. Release your weariness and receive rest from the One who is never weary. 
“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37:7
“The Lord preserves the simple. I was brought low and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalm 116:6-7
A Word For Your Week: Turn soul weariness into soul rest by resting in Jesus.

​2021 has arrived.
Imagine with me for a moment this possible scenario this new year.  
You are surrounded by a band of corrupt, power-hungry, greed motivated, lying, hypocritical  evildoers who want to control then destroy you and your loved ones. How would you feel about your situation? What would you do?
King David of Israel was faced with such a dilemma. He writes about it in Psalm 27:1-3.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation. Who shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life. Who shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war rise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.”
Three observations regarding how David chose to face his enemies with fearless faith.  
David’s declaration.  Note David declared that the Lord is “my light’,” my salvation”, “the defense of my life”. The king had it settled. He would not fear or dread anybody, even if he was surrounded. His heart would not fear. The evil ones who would “devour my flesh” stumbled and fell because the Lord was David’s light, salvation and defense.
In other words, David had a fearless faith that stood tall as he watched the evil horde fall.

• My friend, is the Lord your light, your salvation, and the defense of your life?

David’s determination. The king had predetermined, because of his trust in the Lord, that his heart would not fear. David would not be shaken even if an intimidating army of adversaries surrounded him and God’s people. David’s faith was settled long before enemies showed up.

• My friend, no matter what is happening in your life currently, or may happen in the future, will you determine that your heart will not fear?  

David’s dedication.  “In spite of this” is a tremendous, thought-provoking phrase. In spite of what?  A menacing, marauding, murderous army of evildoers on David’s doorstep, that’s what! Hard to imagine much worse than that scary scenario isn’t it?
The king’s fearless faith caused him to stand confidently, courageously and firmly in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.  

• My friend, in spite of whatever may be happening in your life, will you remain courageously confident with fearless faith in the Lord?

 
It is time for you and me to wake up to what is actually happening in our society and world.  Evildoers and enemies are real. They are not fictitious.  There really are people in our world who are demonically inspired to carry out evil and wickedness. Evildoers do not do good things.
The day you and I live in requires and demands that Christians have fearless faith that wholeheartedly trusts in the Lord in the face of adversity. Spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, financial and political enemies surround us on many fronts.
Fair weather faith. Fantasy faith. Fake faith. Faltering faith. Fearful faith. Fractured faith. Fainthearted faith will not cut it. Only fearless faith in Christ will overcome evil doers.
Facts About Fearless Faith

• Fearless faith is biblical faith. Study the faithful biblical characters in God’s Hall of Fame of Faith in Hebrews 11.
• Fearless faith has no fear. Faith and fear cannot coexist.
• Fearless faith faces challenges head on.
• Fearless faith creates personal confidence and courage.
• Fearless faith inspires those who are fearful.
• Fearless faith encourages and builds up the faith of others.
• Fearless faith follows God’s path to success.
• Fearless faith finishes the faith race victoriously!

Do evildoers cause you to be fearful? Do evil enemies terrify you?
Does evil shake your confidence in God? Do evil men and women intimidate you, creating in you a spirit of anxiety and fear? Does fear of them disrupt your personal peace?
When fear comes knocking on the door of your mind and heart, will you stand boldly with fearless trust in the Lord? Will you declare “No entrance here fear”?
2021 will be your and my opportunity to face life fearlessly with singlehearted faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Life is going to happen, whether we like what happens or not.  
Today, this day, and every day after, trust fearlessly in the Lord even when evildoers and enemies surround you.    
 “But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7
A Word For Your Week: Fearless trust in the Lord is faith that overcomes life’s challenges.

Whew! 2021 is just around the corner.
For most of us, the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021 is welcoming news.
2020 certainly has had more than its share of life-disrupting, nerve-wracking challenges. “Normal” life was turned topsy-turvy, upside down and inside out. No one would disagree with that assessment.
I am sure you are thinking, wondering, pondering and praying about 2021. Of course, none of us know what the next year will be like. But I do know this: God knows. He really does. He knows about each and every day that you and I live. Psalm 139:16 says so. “Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” Your and my days have been pre-ordained by our Maker. This is good news in an increasingly bad news world.  
So how should you and I approach the upcoming New Year?
I asked myself that question and wrote down some random thoughts for 2021 that will help me, and hopefully you, navigate the new year successfully.

• Leave 2020 in 2020. I will leave yesterday in the rearview mirror and look forward with faith out the windshield of God’s good, acceptable and perfect will for me in 2021. Forward looking beats looking backwards every time. (Romans 12:1-2)
• Smile at the future. I will smile, not frown or be fearful about the future. The future is forward. God is there. Forward by faith in the Lord is the right kind of going forward. (Proverbs 31:25) 
• Trust God for everything. No matter what direction other people, our nation and the world take, I will keep my faith focused on the Lord Jesus Christ. I will trust Him with all my heart at all times. (Proverbs 3:5-6)                                                            
• Live one day at a time. I will rejoice in each day as a gift from the good, gracious hand of my loving Heavenly Father. I choose to make the most of every day for God’s glory and the good of the people I love. Day by day is the way to enjoy each day. (Psalm 118:24)
• Expect God’s best. I will reject the worst and receive God’s absolute best for me, my loved ones, friends and fellow Christians. Expecting the best from the Lord is the way to live a life of peace, joy and victory every day. No matter what challenges come my way, I will keep my expecter expecting God’s best! (Psalm 62:5-8)
• Guard my peace. With God’s help, I will walk by faith in His peace. I will not be distracted, disturbed, dismayed, disheartened, discouraged or depressed by the world’s negative noise. I will tune out all that attempts to steal my peace in Christ. (Philippians 46-9)
• Love and serve others in Jesus’ Name.  I will make it a personal priority to focus on others more than myself.  Life is not about me. It is about Christ in and through me to touch the lives of others with His love. I will serve, not seek to be served. (Galatians 5:13)
• Stand in the gap through prayer. I will devote time and effort to pray for my family and friends, people who need the Lord, the body of Christ, America and our world. I will believe God for revival to come to our hearts in life changing ways. (Ezekiel 22:30)
• Strive to be more Christlike. I will commit myself to continue to grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ. His likeness is my aspiration and goal. I long for people to see Christ in me. (Romans 8:29)
• Witness for Christ. I will do my best to be a faithful witness of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Through His voluntary, sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus has saved me from sin, death and the grave and is preparing a place for me in heaven. Others need to know this. I pray I will be a positive, winsome witness of God’s love to a spiritually dark world that has lost its way. (Acts 1:8)
• Keep my eyes on the prize. I will faithfully run my faith race, heading steadily toward the finish line where I will receive the “crown of righteousness” that awaits all who love Christ’s appearing. What a day that will be! (II Timothy 4:8)

On the eve of 2021, too many people are anxious, uptight, stressed-out and fearful about 2021. Honestly, how is that a good, healthy, productive, peaceful, happy way to live? Of course it isn’t!
I choose in the new year to tune out the dooms dayers and doom sayers. Anyone with half a brain can think and speak the worst. Biblically, God’s people are instructed, empowered, and encouraged to think and speak the best, even in the worst of circumstances. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I am going to discipline myself to watch my words because life and death are in the power of our tongue (Proverbs 18:21).  
I resolve to speak life and live life in Christ in 2021.
I encourage you to wait on the Lord and come up with your Thoughts On 2021 list. Then go to work on your list for the next twelve months expecting to reap a bountiful harvest of good in your life and others.
Trust the Lord that 2021 will be one of the best years of your life.
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet: but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
A Word For Your Week: Welcome 2021 with expectant faith in Jesus Christ.

​Dashed hope.
There is nothing more disconcerting than to hope for something that ends up in shattered pieces on the jagged rocks of disappointment and disillusionment.
Dashed hope has disrupted my life at times. Most likely yours also. While my ultimate hope has always been rooted and grounded in God, I hoped a couple of times in men too much. I really thought some folks would come through, help me out, have my back, if you know what I mean. Unfortunately, my trust and hope was misplaced in some who proved not worthy of trust.
Let’s be honest:  who doesn’t hope to hope in people to help us along the road of life? It is so human and natural to put hope in people, systems and the world around us. But I ask you: what hope can a hopeless world offer? False hope is the only hope the world knows.
Currently many people in America and the world are feeling hopeless and helpless because their hope is misplaced. Men and movements are not saviors. Institutions are not redeemers. Christless religion is not a deliverer. Humanistic philosophy rescues no one. 
Hoping in persons or things that cannot bring hope breeds hopelessness.
Result: a mental/emotional battle with disappointment, discouragement, lack of peace, disillusionment, depression and even despair for a season.
I have good news, very, very good news if you are feeling hopeless.
Biblical hope is much more than a positive attitude or an optimistic outlook. It is a “living hope” based on what Jesus Christ has done for you and me.
One of my favorite biblical passages is found in I Peter 1:3-9.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has cause us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation or your souls.”
I could preach on this passage forever. However, I only have room for some summary thoughts.
1.“living hope”. Hope in Christ is alive because Jesus is risen from the dead. Our hope is alive because Jesus lives! No one can diminish or take that away from born again believers.
2. “imperishable inheritance”. Wow! Inheritance from God that is undefiled, imperishable and will never fade away. It is so good to be in the Father’s will!
3. “reserved in heaven”. God’s kids are protected by His power. Nothing on earth or hell can take salvation away from Christians who have reserved seats in heaven! Who in this world can hurt the “living hope” of those who believe in Jesus Christ?
4. “rejoice with joy inexpressible”. Rejoicing, praising, party time when we realize that we have a “living hope” because of Christ’s glorious resurrection. Note it is a joy that cannot be put into words it is so overwhelming awesome. No depression here. Thank you Lord Jesus!  
5. “salvation of your souls”. Bottom line of “living hope” in Christ is salvation. You and I are saved from our sins, forgiven, because of Jesus’ shed blood on the Cross and an empty tomb. The hope of eternal salvation is hope indeed!
Oh my, I could shout His praises with all my being right now! Do you get this, what a “living hope” is? It means nothing that comes into our life, even if for a time our faith is tested, God’s people come out of the fire proven, pure as gold. His holy fire sanctifies and purifies those who have a “living hope” in Jesus.    
“Living hope” is an eternal hope. Hope in anything or anyone other than Jesus Christ is dead hope. Temporal hope expires. Eternal hope is secured through faith in God’s only Son Jesus. Eternal hope endures for time and eternity.   
Christmas 2020.
Living, eternal hope is a baby in a manger who died on a cross, rose from the dead and is coming back in glory to take those who love Him home to heaven!
Christmas without Christ is hopeless.
How is your hope this Christmas? It is alive in Christ? Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Receive Him into your heart by faith right now. Invite Him in. Ask Him to forgive your sins. Commit yourself to obey His Word and serve Him the rest of your life.
“Living hope” is the greatest Christmas gift you and I could ever receive.
”…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of Christ has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5
“…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
A Word For Your Week: Hope in what is hope indeed, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Surrounded. Hemmed in. Trapped. No way out.
2020 can make you and me feel surrounded by an insurmountable army of evil.
Pick your surrounding army(s). Covid-19. Economic setback. Election confusion. Violent protests. Corruption. Hatred and division. Need I add anything else?
When you and I are surrounded by evil, we have two choices: surrender to fear or stand firm with faith.
II Kings 6:8-23 records the incredible story of the prophet Elisha who was surrounded by a massive, marauding, murderous army. Here is the Cliff Note version of what happened.
King Aram hated Elisha because he warned the King of Israel that Aram was going to kill him in an ambush. Israel’s King was saved, which ignited Aram’s wrath toward Elisha.
During the night, the Aramean king sent “a great army that surrounded the city” (verse 14) where Elisha was. In the early morning, Elisha’s servant peered out the window and saw a sea of enemies with horses and chariots circling the city. Fearful, the trembling servant turned to Elisha, saying “what shall we do?”
In verse 16 Elisha replied “So he answered: Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Mr. Servant, don’t push the panic button!
In verse 17 Elisha prayed and said “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” WOW! The servant saw what Elisha knew was there, God’s mighty army encircling the enemy troops.
Then in verses 18-23 Elisha asked the Lord to blind the Arameans while Elisha led them to Samaria where he did not kill them but put on a feast for them and sent them home! They never attacked Israel again.     
Three things Elisha did that blow me away.

1. Do not be afraid servant. No need for fear. Almighty God is near! Those with us are more than those with them. God’s heavenly army far outnumbers Satan’s hellish troops. MORE THAN THEM!
2. The servant’s eyes were opened to actually see the heavenly host! Can you imagine what that looked like! I am getting spiritual goose bumps right now! Man’s wood chariots would be no match for God’s chariots of fire!
3. Elisha spared the enemy. He showed them amazing mercy. Talk about the spirit of Christ in Elisha. I wonder if I would have spared them. I like to think I might have.

Here is what I take from this true story. When surrounded by evil enemies, God surrounds them with greater numbers. More, not less spiritual troops. The heavenly warfare described in Ephesians 6:10-20 doesn’t give Satan the upper hand.  He is outnumbered, outmanned, outgunned if you will, and can never win! Hallelujah!
What does this mean for you and me as 2020 winds down? It means God’s people win over evil. Every situation. Every time. No exceptions.
Maybe we need to open our eyes to see that there are more for us than for them. What do you think?  
I think that is a fantastic idea that I need to put into practice more often. Oh Lord, give me a heart and eyes of faith to see what is really going on, that I am on the winning side even when seemingly surrounded.
Remember when surrounded we have two choices: surrender to fear or stand firm with faith.     
Standing Firm in Faith When Surrounded

• Always remember that Almighty God is for you, with you and working on your behalf.   Who or what on earth or from hell can stand against Him?
• God’s heavenly forces far outnumber hell’s menacing evil minions. No contest.
• Resolutely resist the spirit of fear when surrounded. Resolve to put your faith in God.
• Fix your eyes on God who surrounds the enemy who surrounds you.
• Watch God do His thing in vanquishing inferior forces that come against you.
• Rejoice, again I say rejoice, that the battle is the Lord’s and He never loses!

When Satan surrounds God’s people, God protects His loved ones by surrounding the devil with superior forces and decisively defeating him.
I am still soaking this up folks. Though God’s resources are often invisible, they are really there, fighting on our behalf. By the way, I read the end of the Bible which makes it clear that God’s side wins and Satan loses. Glory to God!
Feeling surrounded, overwhelmed by evil? Take your eyes off the evil. Focus your faith on a good God who delivers His people from evil.
Fear of a few, or faith for many. You decide.
“If God be for us, who can be against us.” (Romans 8:31). I heard a pastor say “If God is for us, everybody else might as well be!” Amen to that!
“You are of God little children and have overcome them, because greater is He (Jesus) who is in you than he (Satan) who is in the world.” I John 4:4
A Word For Your  Week: Never surrender your faith when surrounded by evil.

​Praying for others matters.
If you have a grandmother or grandfather who faithfully prays for you, you are richly blessed. I am convinced praying grandparents move heaven and hell on behalf of their loved ones.
As a teenager, I was confused, at times rebellious and definitely lost. I made my share of hormone-driven adolescent mistakes. At one point, my waywardness threatened to end my young life. Enter George and Willa Eplin, my prayer warrior grandparents.
These precious people loved me unconditionally. Faithfully they interceded for me in the spiritual gap while their teenage grandson wildly spun out in life. I would not be saved and headed for heaven if my Christian grandparents had not hounded heaven on my behalf. They even asked the Lord to call me to preach! Who would have thought (certainly not me!) that Steve Roll would be a preacher of the Good News of Jesus Christ! Miracles do happen!!!
My grandparents were gap standers.
I believe my godly grandparents spent many hours on their feeble, aged knees at the watchtower, fervently praying for me to come to the Lord and serve Him. On my behalf, they consistently, courageously, boldly battled the enemy of my soul in heavenly places. One day when I see them in heaven, I will give them a huge hug and heartfelt thank you for interceding for me.
Intercessory prayer is praying for others who need prayed for. Who of us doesn’t need someone to stand in the gap for us on occasion?
God is always looking for gap standing intercessors.
In ancient times, God sent Ezekiel to call Israel back to the Lord, rebuke false prophets, and foretell future events. In the Bible, Ezekiel 22:30 contains an ominous word that we need to heed today. “And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land that I should not destroy it, BUT I FOUND NONE.”
God searched for an intercessor for Israel but did not find one. Not even one. Oh my, no one interceded for the nation. Deliverance from destruction did not come.
Gap standers do not sit in life’s bleachers eating nachos, sipping Coke Zero while watching others pray. They get on the playing field, praying, seeking the face and heart of God. They stand in the gap with faith for people who are struggling in life.
Today, many, many people who feel hopeless, helpless, defeated and desperate surround you and me. They may or may not be praying for themselves.
Prayer to the Living God has the power to touch their hearts and turn them toward the Lord to receive His healing, restoring, renewing strength.
My heart is heavy, burdened for our families, friends, the church, our nation and the world. Gap standers who pray in the name of the Lord are needed more than ever today.

• Standing in the gap for family and friends means praying for loved ones to be saved, to love the Lord, to worship Him, obey His Word, serve Him and be a vibrant witness for Him. Christians are the light and salt of this dark, unsavory world. (Matthew 5:13-16). May our families and friends go to heaven and take a bunch of folks with them!  
• Standing in the gap for the church means praying for the body of Christ to wake up, live holy lives, practice the moral standards in the Bible, share our faith in Christ and stand up boldly against evil in Jesus’ name. Pray for Christ’s bride to act like His bride.
• Standing in the gap for the United States of America means praying that our citizens repent of sins, sincerely return to the Lord, obey the Bible, forsake immoral, corrupt behavior and honor God in everything we do as a nation. America must return to her Judeo/Christian roots or destruction will come upon our land. May that never be. 
• Standing in the gap for the world means praying for the “Multitudes in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:14). May God break the heart of the church for lost souls. Billions of people on our globe still do not know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Sadly, many have not even heard about Jesus yet. Proverbs 11:30 declares “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”

From cover to cover, the Bible is a book of prayer. Jesus prayed (Matthew 14:23). He taught His followers how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13). He told us to not lose heart and pray without ceasing. (Luke 18:1-8).
Who knows what may have happened in my life if the Eplins had not built a wall of prayer and stood in the gap to pray for me?
Do you have some Eplins in your life? Gap standers who seek God on your behalf? Who can you name and thank God for because they have prayed for you?  
The Lord is continually looking for a man or woman to stand in the gap. Will you be that person? Will you be an Eplin to family, friends, the church, nation and world?
Stand in the gap for someone, who like me, was saved because of the intercessory prayers of Christians.
I pray you and me will not be the one who would not intercede for others.
“Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17
A Word For Your Week: Be a gap stander for someone who needs prayer.

​Evil seems to be winning in America.
My friends, at this strategically significant moment in American history, we are engaged in a monumental spiritual/moral battle for the souls of our citizens and nation.
The United States teeters precariously on a perilous precipice of self-destruction.  If our nation tumbles over the edge, our beloved country will cease to exist as we have known it.
I am fully convinced that if committed Christians do not stand strong and boldly in Jesus’ name against the merciless onslaught of Satan against America, we will soon lose “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” The devil is systematically pulling out all of hell’s stops for the sole purpose of eradicating Christian influence in our nation.
I find this disturbing prospect frightening and totally unacceptable for me, my wife, my children, grandchildren, friends and fellow Americans.    
 Christians who love the Lord and His Word cannot sit idly by and watch evil triumph. Only the power of God can stop the power of hell. It is time to stop playing church. Instead, God’s people must get after the evil one in the triumphant name of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Jesus has something to say about His bride the church. In Matthew 16:18-19 the Lord said “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build My church; and the gates of hades (hell) will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
In the context of our verses, Peter had personally confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God (verse 16). Jesus is the Rock the church is built upon. Peter and all believers are little rocks, living stones that make up the church (I Peter 2:4-10).
Jesus declared in no uncertain terms that hell would never overpower, not prevail over His church. The thought in the original language is that hell would not push back the church. Quite the opposite. The church is to push back the gates of hell. When push comes to shove, the church, not Satan, is to do the shoving!
The good news: the church will never be overpowered! Not now, not ever! Who or what could possibly remove Jesus from the throne of His Kingdom?
The not so good news: why isn’t the church prevailing over Satan, pushing back the gates of hell? Why does the church appear spiritually anemic, seemingly powerless to turn back the assaults of the evil one? Why do we wimp out when we should courageously and confidently use the “keys of the kingdom” to keep Satan at bay?  
The church is not commissioned to just hold the fort. Digging in defensively and hoping to hang in there is not God’s will for His people. God’s good soldiers are to charge the enemy in the name of our Commander in Chief, routing the enemy back to hell where the devil and his demonic troops belong. (II timothy 2:1-4).   
Evil is in our face. Up close and uncomfortably personal. Shouting violently with vile threats targeting God’s people. Mocking, ridiculing, intimidating, manipulating, deceiving and duping segments of the church into submission. This should not be tolerated.
 Hell-inspired evil is pushing righteous people around when we should be pushing evil around! What happened to taking authority over Satan? Rebuking, resisting and binding the devil in Jesus’ name?
 It is time, right now to push back the gates of hell through intercessory prayer.
To intercede means to stand in the gap for another, to represent someone else, to intervene. The church’s most effective spiritual weapon is to intercede for our families, friends, the church, our nation and the world. Never minimize the power of prayer.  
Satan trembles when we pray.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, never, never cower or retreat from Satan and his demons. Stand up boldly to the devil and his demonic cohorts in the name of the holy Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ who has stripped Satan of all authority. (Colossians 2:13-15). 
The right fight is the faith fight. Jesus said “Have faith in God.” (Mark 11:22). It is time to stop fighting the wrong fights and start fighting, protected by the shield of faith, for the souls of our people and our nation.
Are you doing your part to push back the gates of hell in Jesus’ name? Are you standing up strong with biblical faith to help turn the tide from evil to good? Can you be counted on to be a person of righteousness that will turn this unrighteous tide around?
Beloved ones of the Lord, its pushback time on the devil. Let us get on our knees to humbly, fervently seek God, then stand up in the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit with the Word of God and save our nation from self-destruction.
Push back or be pushed back is up to you and me.
Next week I will discuss how to pushback the gates of hell through intercessory prayer. Look for my devotional next Tuesday called “Standing In the Gap”.
“Righteous exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to a people.” Proverbs 14:34
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen for His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12
A Word For Your Week: Now is the time for good people to overcome evil.

​Thankfulness.
 
A woman boarded a bus. Every seat was filled. She was tired and carrying several packages. Noticing her plight, a man stood and graciously offered his seat. She sat down and promptly fainted. After she was revived, she looked at the man who had given up his seat and said, “Thank you sir” whereupon he promptly fainted.
 
“Thank you” is so rare today. You may feel like fainting when someone says “thank you” to you, but God will never faint when you give thanks to Him.
 
The Thanksgiving holiday 2020 is upon us. I need not tell you that 2020 has been and continues to be a very challenging season in our lives.  Because of the ups and downs of 2020, it is vital to focus our faith and be thankful to the One who is worthy of our praise and gratitude.
 
David wrote in Psalm 92:1-2 “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High; to declare Thy loving-kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness by night. Psalm 92:1-2
 
The Psalmist declares that it is GOOD to give thanks to the Lord. Gratitude to God is a good thing! When we arise in the morning praise for His loving-kindness should be on our lips. Retiring at night, our last conscious act before slipping off to sleep should be to thank Him for His faithfulness.
 
Indeed it is good to give thanks to the Lord.
 
Someone said “He who forgets the language of gratitude can never be on speaking terms with happiness.” Excellent thought. Thankful people are secure, happy people. A thankful heart is a healthy heart. A grateful mind is a great mind. Gratitude is a sign of a life lived well.
 
Gratitude is the memory of the heart.
 
 I believe that if a person isn’t thankful for what he’s got he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he is going to get. Gratitude is an attitude that we cultivate daily. I have discovered that gratitude is a great antidote for anxiety, despair, depression, discontent, jealousy, envy and a grumbling spirit. When tempted to be ungrateful, be grateful, and see what happens in your heart!
 
Reflect on these benefits of a thankful heart.
·      Thankfulness guards against a complaining spirit
·      Thankfulness insulates us from bitterness
·      Thankfulness opens up opportunities for creative ideas to flow
·      Thankfulness inspires and encourages those around us
·      Thankfulness pleases God and silences Satan
 
I agree with David that it is good to give thanks to the Lord.  
 
Why not set aside some undistracted time to get alone with the Lord? Praise Him from a grateful heart for the following things this Thanksgiving.
           
Ø  If your sins are forgiven and you have the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ…GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have a committed, caring, faithful husband or wife… GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have a happy, healthy, family and home life…GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you attend a good Christian church which serves as a spiritual home for you and your family…GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you walk in health and wholeness and do not suffer from sickness or illness …GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have been spared tragedy and calamity by God’s protecting hand…GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have a good job that you enjoy where you feel you make a difference…GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, and food in your belly….GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have people who love you, believe in you, support you and encourage you...GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have a future and hope in God and believe that you can do all things through Jesus Christ who is your strength… then GIVE THANKS!
 
Remember to say thank you to the Lord, especially when you are under stress or pressure. Giving thanks to God in the middle of a crisis calms our spirit, brings peace to our heart and restores our perspective that the Lord is with me, for me and working on my behalf.
 
How about you? Are you going to experience a thankful Thanksgiving?
           
Psalm 107:1-2. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His loving-kindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…”
 
A Word For Your Week The more you are thankful to God for what you have, the more you will have to thank God for.
 

​Currently millions of Americans are shaken over important issues in our nation.
 
Many are wondering where our country is heading. Some are shaken a little bit, some a lot and some are shaking in their emotional boots!
 
Breaking News bulletins can shake things up in a hurry. Covid-19. Controversial Presidential election. Troubling worldwide events. Catastrophic natural disasters. Shameful, divisive, hateful political theater. Heartbreaking tragedies. Economic ups and downs. Moral implosion. Injustices. Prejudices. Civil disorder. All the above and more shake, shake, and shake our personal and corporate security to the core if we are not watchful and careful.
 
Significant shaking can cause you and me to feel dumfounded, dismayed, disappointed, disillusioned, doubtful, and if not careful, downright depressed. I do not like any of these “d’s” do you?
 
So what should Christians do when a whole lot of shaking is going on?
 
I encourage you to read Hebrews in 12:25-29 where we are reminded that God’s Kingdom is unshakeable.
 
“And this expression, “Yet once more” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, in order that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.”  Hebrews 12:27
 
Created things that are shakable will be shaken “yet once more” so that unshakeable things will remain. I believe the writer is encouraging us to focus our faith on what is unshakeable and lasting, not on what can and will be shaken and lost. Three thoughts stand out to me about not being shaken. 
 
 First, shaking is part of life. Shaking happens. I do not think I need to elaborate much here. All of us, at some time or another, and most likely more than once, have felt shaken by something that has happened. The fact is shaking (besides earthquakes!) is a by-product of living in this world that chooses to reject God.  
 
Secondly, there are some things that will be shaken and will not survive. Human opinion. Material possessions. Worldly stuff. Everything man made. Temporal things. None of these things will pass the shaking test. Shakeable things do not stand the test of time.
 
Thirdly, and most importantly, there are things that are unshakeable. Shake proof things exist in life. When shaking comes, they are unshakeable and remain. Allow me to   remind you of three unshakeable things you and I can build our life upon.
 

• God and His Kingdom are unshakeable. Who or what can possibly shake Almighty God off His eternal throne? He is immovable, unimpeachable and unremovable. God’s Kingdom is shake proof.

 

• God’s Word is unshakeable. The Word of God in the Bible is unshakable because truth cannot be shaken. Jesus, who is the Word and the Truth, is the solid rock of our salvation. The Word of God cannot be moved by the word of men.

 

• God’s kids are unshakeable. As Kingdom kids, we cannot be shaken when we abide and hide in Christ. Our Father in heaven is our cover who protects us from people and events that shake up life from time to time.   

 
It is a fact of real life that you and I will experience some shaking. But when tempted to be shaken, will we remain unshakeable?
           
Not everyone is shaken up by the same thing. Things shake up people in different ways. I believe that we should be sensitive and seek to understand what might be shaking someone up. Just because it is not shaking us up does not mean the trial is not very real to the other person. 
 
I know what has the potential to shake Steve Roll up. You do not need to know what those things are, but I do. I must identify, then isolate and not be intimidated or negatively influenced by the shaking going on. I would like to report that I am 100% successful in standing unshakeable. But then I would be less than human and certainly not honest.
 
My personal resolve and goal is to be unshakeable in the things that cannot be shaken. I have realized that it takes some good old-fashioned grit, guts and complete surrender to and dependence on God to stand tall and firm when life is tumbling down around me.
 
Being unshakeable in spirit does not mean that Satan will not try to shake us up. The devil is a disrupter, a confusion artist, an antagonist.  Satan is a master of stirring things up. He thrives on disorder. The evil one is a conniving, lying, deceiving enemy who is bent on shaking up the security and stability of God’s people.
 
Satan’s strategy is to shake us up and shake us down for the purpose of destroying our faith in Jesus Christ. The devil’s goal is to keep spiritually lost people from coming to faith in Christ and to discourage those who have faith in the Lord.  
 
Unshakeableness (is that a word?) is not for sissies! The longer shaking goes on, the more you and I need to dig in our spiritual heels, pull up our spiritual bootstraps and stand fast in our faith. Spiritual and emotional wimps do not live unshakable lives.
 
Are you unshakeable, unflappable, immovable in Christ? Does your faith withstand the shaking that is going on? Take some quiet time before the Lord to take inventory of your ability to withstand shaking.
 
My fellow Christian, this is not the time to cower in discouragement. No matter how much the world around you is shaking, choose to wake up every day with unshakeable faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Your trust in God will shake up what is trying to shake you up.
 
“My soul waits in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock, and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6  
 
 “Now we request of you brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together with Him, that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.”                                  II Thessalonians 2:1-2
 
A Word For Your Week: Shake off what is trying to shake you and your faith.