August 22, 2021
Sunday AM
Psalm 91
Psalm 27
We are not to be afraid of anything. Most definitely Covid-19. You should read these Psalms daily to combat the negative fear we are fed every day from media and society.
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“Over the last few years I have travelled the world collecting samples of fallen trees. Each one of them is completely unique. The rings of the tree are like fingerprints from mother nature. No two are exactly alike. Each tree tells its own story from a place and time. Where some have grown quickly, with thick rings, I see a story of abundance and little opposition to growth. Other trees show years where rain was scarce, and it had to conserve its energy in order to survive. The growth in the tree rings at this time is nearly imperceptible. To me these are the interesting stories. The trees that show prudence in the face of hardship. Interestingly, they are also the trees that grow the strongest wood. There is wisdom for us in the stories told by these trees. They tell us that the best way to respond to a crisis is to slow down and focus on what matters most. This is how you get through uncertainty. “
- Quote from a logger in Washington
When we look at the world today, we see uncertainty and crisis. We need to focus on what matters most, which is our walk with God. Give your time and attention to that, you will not only make it through, but you will be stronger.
Matthew 16:13-19 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
This is where Jesus gives Peter a new name. He was first called Simon Bar-Jonah, which meant “like a reed blowing in the wind”. Which was accurate to how he had lived his life up until that point. But Jesus saw that he had received something from Heaven that has made him firm and would be different from then on. He gave him the name Peter which means “rock.” It’s all based on hearing what Heaven has to say about the situation at hand! Someone has to be hearing from Heaven. Jesus, when He entered Caesarea Philippi, He asked, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” There were three responses. Even though they had answered they were not accurate. You have man saying something and you have God saying something.
2 Corinthians 4:3-5 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
In context this is speaking about people who are not born again, but it goes beyond that. You can be born again and still be lost. You have to believe you can have victory here on earth! You don’t have to wait until you’re in heaven to have it!
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
So, we get to make the choice. You can say what man is saying about your life, or you can say what God says about your life. God says the gates of hell shall not prevail! But, in order for you to prevail, there are some thing you have to know and do! Again, you get to choose whether you go with what God says or with what man says. The outward man is temporary. The inward man is far more important! Because in tough times, you have to focus on what is more important! What’s most important? The inward man and the eternal things! There are two sides to life. There is a natural side, and a spiritual side. The natural side is fleeting and temporary. It will not last forever! One day we will step into eternity! We give so much time and attention to the world we can see. The enemy is the god of that realm. He is striving to program your mind! Everything of that world is engaging your mind! We have to start giving our attention to the spirit! Everything that happens in the natural realm is governed by what happens in the spiritual realm! It’s more real than this natural world, you just cannot see it with your eyes! The devil blinds your mind! As long as you’re blind to the Spirit, you won’t be able to operate from where God wants you to operate from! Quit listening to what man has to say and tune into what God is saying! You have to think right, in order to believe right, and to talk right, and live right! Don’t walk around talking sickness and disease all the time! Don’t talk fear!
Matthew 16 explains that the gates of hell are not to prevail against the church that Jesus builds. You have to get in church! It’s never been more important to get planted in your local church. You need people around you that believe like you and will support you in your walk with God! Stay connected to what connects you to God! Spending time on social media drains you of that very connection! You don’t realize the affect it is having on you! It is the will of God that the enemy not prevail in any area of your life. Jesus has already prevailed!
Revelation 5:1-5 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
Jesus already conquered, overcame, and defeated all the powers of the enemy!
Revelation 5:8-10 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”
He gave us the victory! It does not mean we won’t face situations, but it means when those things come, we are to prevail over them! Hell prevails in your life when you allow it! Jesus turned and gave the keys to us! The keys represent our authority!
Colossians 1:12-14 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 10:17-19 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
The devil is defeated in your life to the degree that you enforce his defeat! This is why we must be focused on the spiritual things of life! Your mind will defeat you! This is the importance of strengthening the inner man. We aren’t fighting people of flesh and blood. And though we are in this world we are not of it!
1. You have authority!
2. You must know and use that authority!
3. If you don’t, nothing will be done