DAILY DEVOTIONALS: 8.15.20

"Why Me, God?" - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and againstevil spirits in the heavenly places. -Ephesians 6:12 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/why-me-god/ Listen Have you ever been walking with the Lord and doing all the things you think a Christian ought to do, when suddenly you were barraged with spiritual attacks? You struggled with doubt. You battled temptations. You experienced all kinds of other problems and wondered what horrible sin you committed to bring that upon yourself.What did you do to deserve such a fate? Why did God let that happen to you? Here's something to consider: those things may not happen to you because you're doing something wrong but because you're doing something right. Remember Job? The problem was that he had never read the Book of Job. If so, he would have been able to cruise right through the whole thing. But Job didn't know how the story ended. All he knew is that one day he had his beautiful family, all kinds of land, servants, and success all around him. And the next dayhe lost everything in rapid succession. He lost his children. He lost his possessions. And he lost his health. Maybe he even wished that he'd lost his wife, because in the aftermath she told him, "Do you stillhold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9 NKJV). Everything fell apart. Did this happen because Job was a wicked man? No, it was the very opposite. Job was a godly man, but the Lord allowed the Devil to bring a seriesof attacks against him. In time, the story turned out beautifully, and God doubled everything that Job had. You might be going through a spiritual attack or getting hit with temptation again and again because you're a threat to the Devil. Like it or not, the moment we became Christians, we entered into a spiritual battle. So, we have to learn how to fight using the weaponry that God gave us. How to Build Your Faith - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. -Matthew 6:34 Awhile back I was watching a news program that was doing a story on a man who had lived well past 100. He promised to reveal thekey to his longevity on the program. So, the news crew followed him to a local market, where he proudly showed them his secret. He ate a hot dog every day. And it wasn't one of those high-quality brands, either. Go figure. You may eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, which means that you'll probably have a good, strong life in contrast to someonewho isn't doing those things. But ultimately, God numbers and orders your days. He determines the length of your life. Jesus said, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" (Matthew 6:27 NLT). The answer, of course, is no. In fact, worry may even shorten our lives. Studies have shown that worry actually can disease ourdigestive organs. It can have a detrimental effect on us physically. Worry also indicates a lack of faith. Again, in Matthew 6, Jesus said, "And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that arehere today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?" (verse 30 NLT). Some have more faith than others. So how do we build up our faith? Romans 10:17 gives us the answer: "So then faith comes by hearing,and hearing by the word of God" (NKJV). When I hear God's Word, it puts things in perspective. I see everything the way I ought to see it. So, it's important for us tohear the Word of God and bolster our faith. Far too often we doubt our beliefs and believe our doubts. Instead, we need to go back to what God says in His Word-what we knowis true. That's how we build our faith and stop worrying. When You Speak, God Hears by Max Lucado Those who pray keep alive the watch fires of faith. For the most part we don’t even know their names. Such is the case of someone who prayed on a day long ago. His name is not important. He is important not because of who he was, but because of what he did. He went to Jesus on behalf of a friend. His friend was sick, and Jesus could help, and someone needed to go to Jesus, so someone went. Others cared for the sick man in other ways. Some brought food; others provided treatment; still others comforted the family.Each role was crucial. Each person was helpful, but no one was more vital than the one who went to Jesus. John writes: “So Mary and Martha sent someone to tell Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick’” (John11:3, emphasis mine). The New Birth and Baptism Romans 6:3-10 Jesus commissioned His followers to go and make disciples, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matt.28:19). As the early church spread the gospel message, baptism would follow a new believer's response of faith. It publicly signified that the individual was now a follower of Jesus Metaphors often communicate on a level that words cannot. Baptism is a powerful picture of our salvation experience. Through this act, we proclaim the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again--and testify that we've welcomed Histransforming power into our life. The Greek word for "baptize" in Scripture is the same term used to describe a cloth dipped in dye--it refers to total change. So by being plunged into the water, we declare that we're choosing to die to our old way of life and are uniting with Christ. Oursin is buried with Him, and its power is conquered through His atoning death on the cross (Rom. 6:14). When we're raised up out of the water,we affirm His resurrection. Baptism is a symbolic way of expressing that just as the Lord conquered death and rose again, we are spiritually resurrected from death into new life. We are "born again" and irrevocably transformed through the power of His HolySpirit. In the Bible, the word "believe" isn't a conceptual word describing intellectual agreement alone. It is a word of action. Our belief should never be hidden like a light placed under a bowl (Luke11:33)--when unbelieving family and friends look at our lives, they need to see the gospel in action. Understanding Management “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and deliveredunto them his goods.” (Matthew 25:14) Several kingdom parables in the New Testament provide glimpses into two major principles: God’s provision and our management of His wealth. In the parable of the talents found in Matthew, the “talents” (money) belong to the “lord of those servants” (Matthew 25:19), and he gave to “every man accordingto his several ability” (Matthew 25:15). Each steward had the master’s confidence and trust, and success of enterprise depended upon the servant’s productivity.Each steward received varied amounts of resources according to the master, and the reward was based on faithful use of those resources. Luke’s parallel account (Luke 19:13-27) focused on the percent of return. In both cases, the stewards were essentially asked, “What did you do with whatyou were given?” Each had enormous freedom in his management and the opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities. God funds His work through His people. The funding of the tabernacle building project (Exodus 35) is a good example. The Israelites were recently freed slaveswho had all been given gold by the Egyptians until there was more than enough. The funding of the temple during David’s reign (1 Chronicles 28 and 29) is another excellent example. The leaders gave vast amounts of wealth and buildingmaterials, setting an example for the rest of the nation. Though they did not actually build it, they had the vision for it, and their children eventually did it. God works no miracles to meet critical needs except through the miraculous giving of His willingpeople. HMM III Seeking the Savior by Max Lucado Simeon said, “Can I stay alive until I see him?” The Magi said, “Saddle up the camels. We aren’t stopping until we find him.” The shepherds said, “Let’s go…. Let’s see.” They wanted the Savior. They wanted to see Jesus. They were earnest in their search. One translation renders Hebrews 11:6: “God … rewards those who earnestly seek him” (NIV, italics mine). Another reads: “God rewards those who search for him” (PHILLIPS, italics mine). And another: “God … rewards those who sincerely look for him” (TLB, italics mine). I like the King James translation: “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (italics mine). Diligently—what a great word. Be diligent in your search. Be hungry in your quest, relentless in your pilgrimage. Let this book be but one of dozens you read about Jesus and this hour be but one of hundreds in which you seek him. Step away fromthe puny pursuits of possessions and positions, and seek your king. Don’t be satisfied with angels. Don’t be content with stars in the sky. Seek him out as the shepherds did. Long for him as Simeon did. Worship him as the wise men did. Do as John and Andrew did: ask for his address. Do as Matthew: invite Jesus into yourhouse. Imitate Zacchaeus. Risk whatever it takes to see Christ. God rewards those who seek him. Not those who seek doctrine or religion or systems or creeds. Many settle for these lesser passions, but the reward goes to those who settle for nothing less than Jesus himself. And what is the reward? What awaitsthose who seek Jesus? Nothing short of the heart of Jesus. “And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him” (2Cor. 3:18 TLB). Can you think of a greater gift than to be like Jesus? Christ felt no guilt; God wants to banish yours. Jesus had no bad habits; God wants to remove yours. Jesus had no fear of death; God wants you to be fearless. Jesus had kindness for the diseased andmercy for the rebellious and courage for the challenges. God wants you to have the same. He loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus. From Just Like Jesus Copyright 1998, Max Lucado Soldiers for Christ 2Timothy 2:1-4 Today's passage is from Paul's letter to Timothy. The apostle encourages the young man—and, by extension, every believer—to face difficulty as a good soldier. The military term "soldier" implies that we are in a battle.And in fact, the combat started before Adam and Eve's lifetime. We see the first evidence when almighty God, who had created all the celestial beings, nevertheless allowed Satan and other angels (thereafter known as "demons") to rebel against Him. They established their own kingdom andwaged war with the Lord. Understanding Ownership “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm24:1) The doctrine of creation is not merely a “scientific” debate. The opposite concepts of natural and evolutionary development versus the fiat creation of an omnipotent, omniscient, and transcendent Being impact every facet of our worldview. God owns the earth;He is its Creator (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 24:1-2; Revelation 4:11; and hundreds of other passages throughout the Bible). Christians who revere the biblical revelation of God are not to be in conflict with this most basic of all doctrines. God owns the living creatures that inhabit the earth (Psalm50:10). He owns the metals that establish monetary value in the earth (Haggai 2:8). He claims ownership over our bodies (1Corinthians 6:19). He even states ownership of our very souls (Ezekiel 18:4). Nothing is excluded from the sphere of His ownership and kingship (1Chronicles 29:11-12; Isaiah 45:12; Colossians 1:16-17). And we are to manage God’s resources as stewards of the Owner. Lucifer’s error was that he thought he could become like the Owner, usurping all the rights and privileges of the Creator (Isaiah 14:12-14). Israel’s errorwas similar; they behaved as if their possessions were their own property (Malachi 3:8-10). The prodigal son claimed for himself the right of ownershipand treated the money as if it were his own (Luke 15:12-14). The unfaithful steward made no effort to be productive (Matthew25:24). We have been delegated authority over the creation itself (Genesis 1:28), are required to be faithful with the “mysteries of God” (1Corinthians 4:1-2), and are expected to administer “the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). May God preserve us from self-serving stewardship. HMMIII My Success Is about Him by Max Lucado With success comes a problem. Just ask Nadab, Elah, and Omri. Or interview Ahab, Ahaziah, or Jehoram. Ask these men to describe the problem of success. I would, you might be thinking, if I knew who they were. My point, exactly. These aremen we should know. They were kings of Israel. They ascended to the throne… but something about the throne brought them down. Their legacies are stained with blood spilling and idol worship. They failed at success. They forgot both the source and purpose oftheir success. You won’t be offered a throne, but you might be offered a corner office, a scholarship, an award, a new contract, a pay raise. You won’t be given a kingdom to oversee, but you might be given a home or employees or students or money or resources. You will,to one degree or another, succeed. And when you do, you might be tempted to forget who helped you do so. Success sabotages the memories of the successful. Kings of the mountain forget who carried them up the trail. Handling Difficult Circumstances Philippians 3:8-11 The apostle Paul understood how to handle tough circumstances. Even while he was confined in a prison cell, he kept his eyes on Christ and trusted firmly in the Savior. Therefore, despite being in chains, he was able to celebrate the Lord’s work in his life.In fact, the epistle he wrote from jail to the Philippians was filled with rejoicing (1:18; 2:18; 3:1). Focusing on Christ is neither a natural reaction nor an easy one. Our instinct is to dwell on the situation at hand, searching for solutions or stewing over the pain and difficulty. As a result, troubles look scary and overwhelm us with a sense of defeat. However, fear and defeat cannot live long in a heart that trusts the Lord. I’m not saying you’ll forget what you’re going through, but you can choose to dwell on His provision and care instead. He is the Deliverer (2Cor. 1:10). He is the Healer (Deut. 32:39). He is the Guide (Prov.3:6). The believer who lays claim to divine promises discovers that God pushes back negative emotions. In their place, hope, confidence, and contentment take up residence (Phil.4:11). You aren’t going to be happy about a difficult situation, but you can be satisfied that God is in control and up to something good in the midst of trouble. The Lord’s principles and promises don’t change, no matter how severe or painful the situation is. Focus on Christ instead of the circumstances—God will comfort your heart and bring you safely through the trial. Then you can answer Paul’s call to “rejoicein the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4). Stewardship Conflicts “Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” (Psalm8:6-8) The commission to rule over Earth was never withdrawn from humanity by the Creator. That dominion mandate implies authorization for the following human enterprises: •Discovery of truth—science, research, exploration •Application of truth—agriculture, engineering, medicine, technology, etc. •Implementation of truth—commerce, transportation, government, etc. •Interpretation of truth—fine arts, literature, theology •Transmission of truth—education, communication, homemaking When that authority was first delegated by the Creator, Earth was “very good” (Genesis1:31). However, Adam’s failure in his first assignment created an ongoing conflict with humanity’s efforts on every front. Now, the “whole creation groaneth” (Romans8:22) as the very ground from which all things are made conflicts with the environment (Genesis3:18). Sin and death are the conditions of existence (Romans5:12), and ignorance of God’s ideas, apart from God’s revelation, is rampant (1Corinthians 2:14). Humanity’s drive is to serve ourselves, not God or others (Ephesians2:1-3), and the ability to obey comes only through God’s new creation (Ephesians4:17-24). One day, all these wrongs will be righted with the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Until that day, our mandate remains as stewards over Earth. HMM III My Message is About Him by Max Lucado The request came when I was twenty. “Can you address our church youth group?” We aren’t talking citywide crusade here. Think more in terms of a dozen kids around a West Texas campfire. I was new to the faith, hence new to the power of the faith. I told my story, and, lo and behold, they listened! One even approached me afterward and said something like, “That moved me, Max.” My chest lifted, and my feet shifted just a stepin the direction of the spotlight. God has been nudging me back ever since. Some of you don’t relate. The limelight never woos you. You and John the Baptist sing the same tune: “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30 NLT). God bless you. You might pray for the rest of us. We applause-aholics have done it all: droppednames, sung loudly, dressed up to look classy, dressed down to look cool, quoted authors we’ve never read, spouted Greek we’ve never studied. For the life of me, I believe Satan trains battalions of demons to whisper one question in our ears: “What are peoplethinking of you?” Humanity's First Job “God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominionover the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis1:28) This verse is often called the dominion mandate and is repeated and amplified in Genesis 9:1-7. The purpose is clear: accept the responsibility to bring into subjection all of Earth’s systems and creatures, effectively managing its resources, growing and expanding until the earth is filled with the fruits of that labor. Humanity’s first job description: When God made the garden “eastward in Eden” (Genesis2:8) and placed Adam there, Adam was to “dress [serve] and keep [guard]” that special and lavishly designed estate (Genesis2:8-15) in the unique role as initial occupant but more broadly as God’s steward for Earth. There were no instructions on how to serve and guard, only the general “orders” from the Owner to the steward. Humanity’s implied responsibility: Since there were no instructions about the functioning systems of Earth, Adam had to first learn about the earth’s systems and processes (science), and then organize and utilize the discoveries in productive waysto help others and honor the Creator (technology). The information about those practical inventions and products of technology had to then be accurately disseminated to everyone through business, education, communication, transportation, etc. And finally, both the information and inventions had to be received so that the divine evaluation (“very good”) was detailed in works of music, art, and literature, glorifying and praising God for all He had done in creating and making all things. The ongoing responsibility is still in effect in us “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1Peter 4:10). HMM III My Body Is about Him by Max Lucado "Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you?" (1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT). Paul wrote these words to counter the Corinthian sex obsession. "Run away from sexual sin!" reads the prior sentence. "No other sin so clearly affects the bodyas this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body." (v.18 NLT). What a salmon scripture! No message swims more up-stream than this one. You know the sexual anthem of our day: "I'll do what I want. It's my body." God's firm response? "No, it's not. It's mine." Be quick to understand, God is not antisex. Dismiss any notion that God is antiaffection and anti-intercourse. After all, he developed the whole package. Sex was his idea. From his perspective, sex is nothing short of holy. Overcoming Obstacles Joshua 6:1-5 The Lord has a beautiful plan for each believer’s life. But to thwart God’s purposes, Satan sprinkles obstacles in our path. There are many types of hindrances, such as a difficult boss, contrary family members, and financial trouble. Anything that blocks a desired goal can cause anxiety and great frustration. But remember that no obstacle can touch you without God’s consent. Consider Joshua’s army, which was no match for Jericho’s military. And the great wall protecting that city was an impossible barrier to cross. Yet God had promised the Israelites the land, and Joshua believed. He wasn’t fazed by what seemed unconquerable. Instead, he acknowledged the Lord’s power and sought His guidance. A Nail in a Sure Place “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut;and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.” (Isaiah22:22-23) This prophecy was originally applied to Eliakim, the keeper of the treasuries in the reign of King Hezekiah. The wearing of the key to the treasuries on his shoulder was symbolic of authority. Isaiah, in fact, had used this same symbol in his great prophecyof the coming Messiah, saying that “unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Eliakim thus became a type of Christ in his capacity to open and shut doors with his special key. The Lord Jesus quoted from this passage in His promise to the church at Philadelphia: “These things saith…he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and noman shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Revelation3:7-8). This strong assurance has been a great bulwark to many who were trying to maintain a true witness during times of opposition and suffering. But Eliakim was also called “a nail in a sure place,” and in this also he becomes a wonderful type of Christ. Eliakim was trustworthy in his office, and so is Christ. The nail in a sure place speaks of stability in time of trouble, as Ezra later said: “Nowfor a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God…to give us a nail in his holy place” (Ezra 9:8). Eventually, of course, Eliakim’s nail hadto be removed (Isaiah 22:25), but never that of Christ, for He is “an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast” (Hebrews6:19) who will never fail. HMM My Salvation is About Him by Max Lucado Who would look at the cross of Christ and say, “Great work, Jesus. Sorry you couldn’t finish it, but I’ll take up the slack.”? Dare we question the crowning work of God? Dare we think heaven needs our help in saving us? Legalism discounts God and in the process makes a mess out of us. To anyone attempting to earn heaven, Paul asks, “How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? ….What has happened to all your joy?” (Galatians4:19, 15 NIV). The Source of Jealousy Galatians 5:17-21 Most likely, you have been caught off guard by a wave of jealousy at some point in your life. Was it a spiritual attack? Did the Enemy make you covetous? Was someone or something working to make you resentful? The answer—which may surprise you— is no. Jealousy actually springs from within us, even though we might try to deflect the blame. For example, we may say, "Well, they just shouldn't have that. They don't deserve it, so I'm perfectly justifiedin feeling this way." With Christ “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the headof all principality and power.” (Colossians2:9-10) The book of Colossians begins with a stirring exaltation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Creator (1:16) and Sustainer of all things (v. 17). He is the Head of the church and preeminent in all things (v. 18). He is fully God (v. 19) and yet Redeemer (v.20). On the other hand, believers, before they were reconciled, are described as “alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works” (v. 21). It comes as somewhat of a surprise, then, in chapters 2 and 3 to see that we are inexorably linked with Christ. Our lives and destinies are His—our identification with Him is total. We are not just reconciled, we are with Him in all things. Notice, first, that we are “buried with him in baptism” (2:12). Furthermore, we are “quickened together [i.e., made alive] with him,” no longer “dead in [our] sins” (v. 13), and “risen with him” (v. 12). Just as surely as God “raised him from the dead,” we are born again; given new life. Obviously, since we are “risen with Christ, [we should] seek those things which are above” (3:1). Our priorities should be His godly priorities (v. 2), for “Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (v. 1), and we are there. Next, we are told that our “life is hid with Christ in God” (v. 3). To be hidden in Christ is to be totally immersed, covered, our sins concealed, our identity masked within His; indeed, remade into His. God accepts Christ and us, as well, as we arehidden in Him. The next verse amplifies this identification with the term “Christ...our life” (v. 4). This identification will not be in vain, for when He “shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (v. 4). As our text teaches, we are “complete in him,” for He is fully God, and we are with Him in all things. JDM Above All Else - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food,and your body more than clothing? -Matthew 6:25 In Australia they use an expression that I love: "No worries, mate!" I think that phrase nicely sums up the point Jesus was making in Matthew 6 when He said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whetheryou have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?" (verse 25 NLT). When we worry, essentially, we're not trusting God. Worry is a lack of trust in Him. In fact, the word worry originates from a term that means "tostrangle." And that's exactly what worry does to us. It strangles us. It chokes us. Worry is interest that we pay on troubles before they're due. It comes down to this: We need to trust in the providence of God. The providence of God, or the sovereignty of God, simply means that God is in controlof our lives as followers of Jesus. You may not understand why you're dealing with a hardship right now. But God has allowed it for some reason. Nothing touches us that has not firstpassed through God's loving hands. He's in control. So instead of worrying, let's put God first in our lives. Jesus said, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will giveyou everything you need" (Matthew 6:33 NLT). The word seek speaks of persistence. Let's say that you dropped a $100 bill on the ground, and a little breeze picked it up. Would you go looking forit? Of course you would. And what is the kingdom of God? It's the rule and reign of Jesus Christ in our lives. Above everything else, we want to give God the number one position in our lives. And when we put God and his kingdom first, life will find its properbalance. Identifying with Christ Matthew 3 Christ began His public ministry with baptism. At the time, John the Baptist was calling people to confess their sins and demonstrate repentance through immersion in the river. So why did Jesus, the sinless One, ask to be baptized? At first, John actuallyrefused, knowing Christ was the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). But Jesus wasn't demonstrating repentance; Hewas sacrificially identifying with sinful humankind. As Christians, we're called to follow His example in all things, becoming more like Him as we grow in our faith. That's why baptism is the first step in following Jesus. As He was willing to identify Himself with us, we publicly identify with Him when we are baptized, which is a symbolic way of declaring, "I have trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior and believethat the debt of my sin is fully paid through His sacrifice. I believe that as He rose from the dead, I will also be resurrected through Him. I look forward to walking in God's will while I'm on the earth and living with Him throughout eternity. Since He lovedme enough to identify Himself with me in my sin, I will show my love for Him by following His example right now, and for the rest of my days." Baptism demonstrates our connection not only with Christ but also with our spiritual brothers and sisters--past, present, and future. We're joining everyone who has walked before us in faith, saying that we are members of one body, redeemed and brought tolife by the same Lord. The Return to the Upper Room �And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room....These all continued with one accord in prayerand supplication.� (Acts 1:13-14) What a myriad of thoughts must have been swirling through the believers� heads as they walked back to Jerusalem after Christ ascended into heaven. They had many enemies in Jerusalem, but they walked fearlessly because He who claimed �all power is given untome in heaven and in earth� (Matthew 28:18) promised that �I am with you always, even unto the end of the world� (v. 20). They obediently assembled in �anupper room� (literally �the� upper room) to wait and pray. Notice who is present. The list includes the 11 remaining disciples, reassembled after scattering. Peter, who had denied the Lord, had gained sweet forgiveness; doubting Thomas had his skepticisms answered; and John was there, the �disciple whom Jesus loved.� But even he had deserted his Lord in the garden as the soldiers came. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was there. She had raised Him as a completely loving and obedient child, only to see Him ridiculed and opposed. She anguished as only a mother could, to see Him hanging on the tree, but her anguish had been quelled. At least two ofher other sons were there, presumably New Testament authors James and Jude. Earlier, they had scoffed, but now they understood. Other women were also present, those who were the last ones at the cross and the first to see Him once the tomb had yielded up itsdead. The entire group can be pictured as a trophy of His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. They gathered together in perfect �accord,� a common bond of faith and purpose, praying and petitioning God for His will and power. Might we not see many examples for our lives and prayers in these verses? JDM Advancing into Enemy Territory - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org For you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. -Psalm 61:3 LISTEN: https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/advancing-into-enemy-territory/ The Christian life is not a playground; it's a battleground. In fact, the Bible frequently uses the images of war and conflictto depict the Christian life. The apostle Paul exhorted Timothy, "Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:3 NLT). Healso wrote, "I have fought the good fight" (2 Timothy 4:7 NLT). Anyone who chooses to follow Jesus Christ will face severe opposition from the Enemy. But the good news is that we have a choicein the spiritual battle. We can win this war. And here's more good news: we'll win in the end. Jesus said the gates of Hell would not prevail against the church (see Matthew 16:18). To understand what that means, we haveto look at the way they conducted warfare in ancient times. Armies in that day used the common military tactic of breaking down the gate of the enemy's fortress with a battering ram. (You'veprobably seen it in movies.) They sometimes lit the battering ram on fire to burn down a wooden gate. Then the soldiers rushed in and defeated the occupants of the fortress. Jesus was saying the gates would not prevail against the battering ram. So, as we move forward as Christians, we gain ground-wedon't simply hold ground. And hopefully we don't lose ground, either. God has told us how to win this spiritual battle. Our objective is to reach as many people as we can with the gospel. And as weadvance into enemy territory with the gospel message, ultimately, we will win the battle. So, if you feel a little overwhelmed in the spiritual battle right now, understand that God is with you. If you're a followerof Jesus Christ, then you're under His protection. He's watching out for you.