Resistance
Psalm 35:1 Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me.
Have you ever wondered why you personally face spiritual "resistance"? Have you ever noticed that even something as simple as making it to church on Sunday morning has the potential to be so difficult?
Most people I know who are trying to follow Jesus face at least some resistance throughout the week. I notice more spiritual resistance (an increase in feelings like doubt, anxiety, irritation, anger, etc.) in those moments just before or just after I am doing the things God has directed me to do. Often I will feel opposed just before or after I am actually making choices to line my life up with the things I know Jesus cares about. Things like meeting with others, serving others I know, helping a stranger, praying, giving, reading my Bible...but I notice it especially before I am about to pray for, or serve, others. Knowing someone just needs someone to pray for them, and then actually taking that step to say "can I pray for you?" is so daunting sometimes! Why is that?!
I can understand why David felt opposed, or Paul, or John, or Peter, but why do I feel opposed? Why do you feel opposed?
It is the same reason Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, and Adam and Eve were tempted in the Garden. It is why Paul faced angry mobs, and John was sent to live on Patmos: the enemy was terrified of each of these people living in agreement with God's plans for them....and satan is terrified of you! The enemy will do everything in his power to push you away from God's purpose for you. His tactics are well known: fear, intimidation, and doubt about your obedience really mattering.
We tend to think that in our little sphere of influence we can't do much to change the world. Most of us are waiting on God to change our situation so we can impact the world, and God is waiting on us to change our perspective to realize that we are right where He wants the world changed!
We know much less than our enemy when it comes to this area. If we were little threat, we would not be worth the resistance.
Satan and his forces aren't like God. The enemy isn't unlimited in resources. The enemy isn't unlimited in knowledge. The enemy, who has strategized on how to oppose God for thousands of years, spends most of his resources opposing people like you and me.
There is one huge reason for this. When we start to flow against the current just because Jesus said it is important to Him, we start to see the power in obedience. One life near us is changed, and then our resolve is strengthened. Then two lives, and we start to turn more of ourselves over for God to use. Pretty soon, we start to build a history of seeing light released through us in the darkness.
When Jesus' earthly ministry ended, He had a very small group of followers. 12 close friends and 120 followers were at those first prayer meetings. Because these few people saw the power in simply trying to live a life in agreement with Jesus, in one generation they literally changed the entire world forever. This was a group of people smaller than most churches in my town. These men and women laid down their ambition and dreams for "their best life now", knowing that Jesus would take what they had to offer and combine it with His perfect strength and strategy. Our King has a strategy that takes the smallest offering...genuine willingness...and turns it into the most powerful weapon on the planet.
Throughout history, the world has been changed by regular people, people just like you and I, who recognized that, when led by Jesus, their little was more than enough to change everything.
This is my prayer for today: God, please help me to see the doors you are opening before me, and help me to walk through them.
Acts 2:40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Have you ever wondered why you personally face spiritual "resistance"? Have you ever noticed that even something as simple as making it to church on Sunday morning has the potential to be so difficult?
Most people I know who are trying to follow Jesus face at least some resistance throughout the week. I notice more spiritual resistance (an increase in feelings like doubt, anxiety, irritation, anger, etc.) in those moments just before or just after I am doing the things God has directed me to do. Often I will feel opposed just before or after I am actually making choices to line my life up with the things I know Jesus cares about. Things like meeting with others, serving others I know, helping a stranger, praying, giving, reading my Bible...but I notice it especially before I am about to pray for, or serve, others. Knowing someone just needs someone to pray for them, and then actually taking that step to say "can I pray for you?" is so daunting sometimes! Why is that?!
I can understand why David felt opposed, or Paul, or John, or Peter, but why do I feel opposed? Why do you feel opposed?
It is the same reason Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, and Adam and Eve were tempted in the Garden. It is why Paul faced angry mobs, and John was sent to live on Patmos: the enemy was terrified of each of these people living in agreement with God's plans for them....and satan is terrified of you! The enemy will do everything in his power to push you away from God's purpose for you. His tactics are well known: fear, intimidation, and doubt about your obedience really mattering.
We tend to think that in our little sphere of influence we can't do much to change the world. Most of us are waiting on God to change our situation so we can impact the world, and God is waiting on us to change our perspective to realize that we are right where He wants the world changed!
We know much less than our enemy when it comes to this area. If we were little threat, we would not be worth the resistance.
Satan and his forces aren't like God. The enemy isn't unlimited in resources. The enemy isn't unlimited in knowledge. The enemy, who has strategized on how to oppose God for thousands of years, spends most of his resources opposing people like you and me.
There is one huge reason for this. When we start to flow against the current just because Jesus said it is important to Him, we start to see the power in obedience. One life near us is changed, and then our resolve is strengthened. Then two lives, and we start to turn more of ourselves over for God to use. Pretty soon, we start to build a history of seeing light released through us in the darkness.
When Jesus' earthly ministry ended, He had a very small group of followers. 12 close friends and 120 followers were at those first prayer meetings. Because these few people saw the power in simply trying to live a life in agreement with Jesus, in one generation they literally changed the entire world forever. This was a group of people smaller than most churches in my town. These men and women laid down their ambition and dreams for "their best life now", knowing that Jesus would take what they had to offer and combine it with His perfect strength and strategy. Our King has a strategy that takes the smallest offering...genuine willingness...and turns it into the most powerful weapon on the planet.
Throughout history, the world has been changed by regular people, people just like you and I, who recognized that, when led by Jesus, their little was more than enough to change everything.
This is my prayer for today: God, please help me to see the doors you are opening before me, and help me to walk through them.
Acts 2:40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
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