Knowing there is an end to spiritual warfare provides motivation for persevering in battle. Living without hope would be like running a race without a finish line. Learning to persevere in the face of the enemy is the key to learning to gain victory. The follower of Jesus who rejoices in future glory can also rejoice in present affliction, because trials produce in us the kind of character that has a greater capacity to rejoice about the future. No matter how severe or devastating our trials are, they can never take away our hope of future glory or steal our joy ……… unless we allow them to. Romans 5 tells us that trials are beneficial to our spiritual vitality because they prove our spiritual character by purifying and strengthening us. Paul wrote in Romans 8:18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” As we “Stand fast in the Lord.” we can overcome discouragement, as we recognize that our God is a powerful God, and not grow weary in our trials. We are reminded that these things will help me become like Christ … READ MORE

In the Summer of 1978, I was privileged to work on a Kibbutz in Israel for 9 weeks, in a cultural exchange program. While there I had the opportunity to talk with many Israeli’s about a number of subjects. One day, I was talking to a soldier, and said, I noticed that the Israeli soldier does not retreat in the face of the enemy. What is the reason for that? He answered, “Where are we to go, our enemy wants to push us into the sea to the West, and will not be satisfied to defeat us, they want us all destroyed. As I think of this earthly reality, I am reminded that our enemy, the Devil, wants us to be destroyed (I Peter 5:8). In Romans 6:10-14, Paul is picturing sin as a King who rules over the life of those who do not follow the Lord. For those who are followers of Jesus Christ, sin is a dethroned monarch because Christ’s death forever broke its power. We need to understand that sin has no right to rule in our lives as members of the Body of Christ. Although it desires to lure us back into its grasp, we … READ MORE

What are you looking forward to? as we continue to consider 1 Peter 1:13, we are reminded to “hope to the end.” We have been encouraged to Know the Truth, and to Live in the Truth, and here we are reminded to Trust the Truth. Are we living in an expectation for what God is going to do in our lives? God has a wonderful plan for His children, we are reminded that He is preparing a place for us where He is! With that we need to ask ourselves if we are living each day with an anticipation for what is to come. This understanding should cause us to strive for personal holiness. We need to understand that, as a believer, Satan will attempt to cause us to rationalize our sin, and justify our actions. We are to protect ourselves by choosing to live holy lives, and choose to live in the power of the Word of God as the Holy Spirit applies that Word to our lives. The expectation that we have as believers is a great motivation to anticipate what is to come. … READ MORE