Kinsman Warriors

So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”

Zechariah 4:14

Mitch and Lee frequently communicated during the day; mostly by text messaging.

Lee was Mitch’s nephew. He was also a seasoned cop.

Each morning Mitch lifted Lee to the Lord, asking that God give Lee wisdom and strength, with the accompaniment of supernatural protection so he could protect the citizens of his community. “Thank You, Almighty God, for always being conspicuous in Lee’s life. And for always speaking to him in ways he understands. Help him make the right decisions today. Show him things he needs to see, and give him discernment beyond his own. Infuse him with Your strength so that he can protect those You have placed in his care,” Mitch prayed.

As he carried out the duties of his vocation each day, Lee was aware that God would show him the things he needed to see, and speak to him about the things he needed to know. He knew that apart from God, there was no way he could make a real difference. “Thank You, Lord, for those who faithfully pray for me. Thank You for always watching my six. Help me see what’s really happening on the streets today. Surround me with Your warring angels, and use me to make this city a safer place.”

†

When in uniform, we immediately know that Lee is a warrior. But to look at Mitch no one would suspect that he serves God in the same capacity, because he fights his battles inconspicuously.

In today’s passage, the two olive trees represent Zerubbabel and Joshua, one a prince the other a priest; both endued with the gifts and graces of God's Holy Spirit. Although contemporaries, they were of different vocations. But both were mighty men of God.

The same holds true of Mitch and Lee. Both men were created for battle. And so were you. Like Zerubbabel and Joshua, you were created to serve the Lord of all the earth. And whether you do so in the sight of others, or quietly behind the scenes, you are no less integral, no more valuable. You are kinsman warriors.  

Prayer

“Almighty God, fill me with Your strength and the fearlessness of a warrior. Watch over me as I engage the enemy on Your behalf. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Beetle Boots and Levis

If anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Christ … do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear.”
Matthew 24:23

It was two days and counting; summer vacation was over. “You never get us the original!” Elliott said with the frustration of a fifteen-year-old. “Everybody else in school will have genuine Levis and Beetle Boots. Not some lame knockoffs like these!”
“Honey,” his mother began, “we can’t afford the originals. Those boots and jeans are three times as much as these, and they don’t fit our budget. This is the best we can do.” Had Elliott been thinking about anything but himself, he would have been able to see the hurt in his mother’s eyes. But he wasn’t, and he didn’t. All he could see were cheap imitations that would elicit ridicule from his peers at school. They’d take one look at these off-brand jeans and low-heeled boots with the zipper on the side instead of in the back, and they’d say what they always said, “Whutsamatter, Bennett? Mommy still dressing you?” Kids could be cruel, and these lessons seemed unfair.
With that thought in his head, Elliott headed for his room. I’ve gotta figure a way to get what I want or everyone’ll think I’m uncool! And with that, he slammed his bedroom door on the world.

†

There is a knockoff for everything; someone has counterfeited the original and is looking to profit from it. And in most cases it’s not life threatening.
However, there is one counterfeit that we must not buy, and regardless of the cost, we must purchase the original!
Satan has staked his claim to the throne of God and comes deceiving those who would listen to his sales pitch. His minions tell us we’re uncool and won’t be accepted unless we buy what they’re selling.
Jesus, knowing sin is tempting in the early stages because it feels good, warns us so we will be on guard, because there are always consequences. To make the wrong choice in this case will be eternally fatal.
Jesus is the original; there is no other way to salvation.

Prayer

“Lord, help me see past all the bells and whistles when Satan comes to deceive. Help me discern the lies and seek the truth. In Jesus’ Name, amen."

The Egg Minister

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give.
2 Corinthians 9:7

The two-story Cape Cod blended well into the surrounding countryside. And the 6.2 acres of land it sat on was sufficient to allow the boys room to grow. Paul and Rebecca had purchased this little piece of country for the expressed purpose of raising their three boys outside the lights of the city.
Paul had built two outbuildings, a kennel for the dogs, and a workshop for himself. One day, Rebecca   asked Paul to add a chicken coup to the side of the dog kennel. Standing on the porch, Rebecca smiled as she fondly remembered that day two years ago when God had called her into the ministry. Not just any ministry, mind you; He’d called her into the egg ministry. Paul had thought it a strange request but had built it nonetheless, saying, “Chickens you want, chickens you get.”
Rebecca hadn’t immediately explained her plans, mostly because she wasn’t quite sure what those plans were exactly. All she knew for sure was that God had given her a desire to own a few laying hens. It seemed a reasonable desire; they would enjoy fresh eggs, and the boys would learn about raising chickens.
As the hens began to lay, Rebecca discovered they had more eggs than they could use. With this unexpected bounty, Rebecca realized she could bless a few of the neighboring families. And so it began, a ministry that now saw Rebecca giving dozens of eggs to family and friends.

†

Such simple projects generate a tremendous impact. Giving of our lives is the most personal service we can offer. To give money is good; we are all supposed to assist in financing the kingdom of God.
But when we give something for which we have labored, it tells others we have taken time to share our lives.
Not all of us are called to move to the country and raise chickens. But we do each have the ability to step outside ourselves, seeking new and unique ways to serve. Ministry begins when God plants a desire in our heart. It’s up to us to make it grow.

Prayer

“I want to be about Your business, Lord. Show me where I might be of service. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Walking It Out

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.
Romans 10:15

Sandra and Ginny had been friends for almost ten years. In that time, they had shared their lives. The most important thing they shared was a deep love for Jesus, and for over nine years, they had committed to deepening that relationship.
Two years into their friendship, God led them to begin prayer-walking their neighborhood, rising in the predawn hours to walk and lift their neighbors and their needs to God.
They watched in wonder as God brought neighbors into their lives with critical timing: someone facing a tremendous struggle or the loss of a family member. They were able to witness God’s love and spend time with each one in prayer. They simply followed God’s lead.
They had been prayer-walking for three years when they felt God asking them to assemble the neighborhood so He could weave their lives together. So they set to work planning the first block night Sharp Road would ever experience. They dropped off invitations to every family, asking them to bring one covered dish, lawn chairs, and an appetite. That inaugural evening had been a remarkable success!
Five years later, they still gather monthly at a home determined the prior month. Volunteers are never in short supply, and the fellowship is sweet.
Sandra and Ginny count it a privilege to be part of the movement of God that has seen seven people, to date, accept Jesus as their Savior.

†

Paul’s prayer at the beginning of chapter ten is that the Israelites might be saved. He makes the case that anyone believing on the name of Jesus will be saved. Then he sets about challenging their conviction and commitment to Christ. “And how can they believe in one of whom they have not heard?” He’s asking them to go tell others about Jesus.
Knowing Jesus is only the beginning for those who are saved. Telling others about the freedom and joy we have in Christ should be, like Paul, the desire of our heart.
Walking it out means taking each opportunity God provides to share His Son.

Prayer

“Lord, lead me to those who have never heard of You. Guide my feet to who needs to hear about You next. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Three Whys

No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

“Okay, Mr. Know-It-All,” Marvin challenged. “What makes you so sure you have the right answers? I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but what makes your beliefs right and mine wrong?” The heat was evident in his tone.
“Marvin,” Chris began softly. “I don’t have all the answers, and you are right sometimes. But when it comes to those three questions, there is truth, and there are lies. I believe each of us is faced with a choice: believe and follow Jesus or reject Him and spend eternity in hell.”
“Yeah, I got that!” There was no give in Marvin. “Your belief says that God is where I came from, God is why I’m here, and God wants me to know where I’m going!” Sarcasm dripped from his words. “So,” Marvin goaded, “God is the answer to everything!”
“Marvin, just because you choose not to believe in God doesn’t make Him nonexistent. The proof is all around you.” Chris had a thought. “Take gravity, for instance,” he baited. “You can say you don’t believe in it. Yet, if you were to put your belief to the test from the top of a ten-story building, your belief wouldn’t keep you from dying.”
“No one’s stupid enough to do something that ignorant when the proof is so apparent,” Marvin interjected.
“Right!” Chris said. “Seeing makes it easy to believe. But faith believes without undisputable proof,” Chris finished.
“Well, until I have proof of God’s existence, I’m not buyin’ it!” The conversation died an uncomfortable death.

†

God created us for a relationship with Him. His desire is that we choose to spend eternity with Him.
And the world hates Him for it. They can’t abide His conditions that we accept the sacrifice of His Son on Calvary’s cross as the propitiation for our sinful living, asking His forgiveness, and turning from sin.
They revile and reject God’s one-way atonement, demanding, “How can a benevolent Father make such a demand?”
And to that there’s only one answer: Jesus died to present us faultless before God.
Whether we choose to believe Him or not has no relevance to the truth.

Prayer

“Lord, use me to help others see the truth in You. Amen.”

Enemy-Occupied Territory

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.
2 Corinthians 4:4

Jennifer and Karen were having the age-old discussion. “How can a loving God let bad things happen to good people?”
“In war after war, innocent men, women, and children die senseless deaths. And for what?” Karen demanded. “Are you going to tell me that it’s God’s judgment for a nation’s disobedience?!”
“Karen, no matter what I say, it probably won’t change your belief of God turning a blind eye to injustice. I understand your frustration and at one time shared your misconceptions about how God can say He loves us yet stand by and let people suffer. How do you rationalize cancer or AIDS?” The softness in Jennifer’s voice did little to diffuse Karen’s anger. When her husband died of leukemia, Karen blamed God for not answering her prayers. She’d turned away from God and hadn’t returned since Randy’s death.
“Karen, you mentioned wars and how innocent people die needless deaths. The truth is we were born into war. And we live in enemy-occupied territory. This is not the earth God created. That all changed when Adam ate the forbidden fruit. And until Jesus comes to judge the Earth, and all those in it, we will live under the enemy’s occupation.”

†

It is inconceivable—apart from faith in God’s redemptive nature—that evil reigns on Earth. Yet, Adam had a choice: say no to temptation and retain dominion or eat the fruit and usher in a season of mankind possessing knowledge we were never meant to have. When that happened, sin, in the form of illness, lustful desire, and myriad forms of idolatry entered the heart of man, and death was required so we would not live forever in our sin.
Those who believe there should be no evil among us are living under a veil of deception. The enemy manipulates the hearts of those who will listen to his sordid lies.
Bad things do happen to good and bad alike. In this world, God does not promise we will not endure hardship and loss, but that while in enemy-occupied territory, He will provide shelter.

Prayer

“Lord, we pray for the removal of the veil from the minds of those who blame You for the evil in this world. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Never Grow Weary

Do not become weary … for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9

Charles and Lucille had been married twenty-eight years. “Lord, you promised Charles would come to You if I was diligent in prayer. I have been praying faithfully all these years. Please show me that my prayers are making a difference. Just a morsel, Lord!” she implored.
That night, Lucille had a dream. In the dream she saw a lamb. God spoke to her, “Pay attention. Look!” She looked again; the lamb had become a sheep. God said again, “Pay attention. Look!” She looked once more to see that the sheep had become dirty and was peeking around the corner, poking its head in and out. God then said, “This is Charles at the door, wanting to come in. Continue to pray!”
Two weeks later, Charles gave Lucille an unexpected gift. Lucille opened the package to find a praise and worship CD; she was elated! “Thank You, Lord!” she said, grateful for another morsel.
Lucille listened to the CD repeatedly, gaining inspiration in the knowledge God was changing Charles’s heart. One evening, she walked into the house to find Charles not only listening to the CD but also singing along! “Oh, Lord! Thank You!” she whispered.
Three weeks later, Charles began attending church with Lucille; within six weeks, Charles gave his life to Christ!

†

Lucille’s perseverance in prayer is a lesson for us all. Many, if not all of us, have unsaved family members. Though they may not respond to our direct influence, we can affect change by lifting them to the throne consistently, praying for the veil to be lifted and God’s light to penetrate the darkness.
Today’s text encourages us to not give up in our weariness. God hears our prayers and responds by drawing them unto Himself.
Twenty-eight years is a considerable amount of time to pray without evidence of an answer. Yet it pales in comparison to eternity and eternal separation from Christ. We must not grow weary; it is not hopeless.
Do you want a harvest? Persevere in prayer!

Prayer

“Lord, hear my prayer. Draw all those in my family who don’t know You to Your side. Help me to never give up on them. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”