Strong In the Lord

[This the second article on the subject of spiritual warfare. You may access the first article online at www.givemethatbook.com, in the section entitled, “Articles.”]

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:10-12

His adversaries complained that “Wilberforce jumped up whenever they knocked him down.” One of them in particular put it like this: “It is necessary to watch him as he is blessed with a very sufficient quantity of that Enthusiastic spirit, which is so far from yielding that it grows more vigorous from blows.” [Quoted from John Piper’s “Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce, p.47]

Basic Training

[The first in a series of articles designed to show how we can fight and win the battle for faith and joy by being strong in the Lord and by using the spiritual weapons he has provided.]

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:10-12

“Spiritual warfare made the Puritans what they were. They accepted conflict as their calling, seeing themselves as their Lord’s soldier pilgrims, just as in Bunyan’s allegory, and not expecting to be able to advance a single step without opposition of one sort or another.” J. I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness, p. 22]

God so loved…He gave. [2003 Missions Convention]

“All the different ways God has chosen to display his glory in creation and redemption seem to reach their culmination in the praises of his redeemed people. God governs the world with glory precisely that he might be admired, marveled at, exalted and praised. The climax of his happiness is the delight he takes in the echoes of his excellence in the praises of the saints.” John Piper

It is the high point of our year. It is our month of mission emphasis. We get to praise God for His love for us. We get to share the blessing he has poured into our lives. We get to meet our missionary family and get to participate in God’s blessing upon their ministries. As we prepare for these awesome days I have one question:
Question: What is the most loving gift God could give us?
Answer: Himself.
Conclusion: If he gave us all things in this world and withheld Himself he would not be love.

 “I could not exist if Jesus was not glorified; it would be hell to me if he were to be always thus dishonored.” Henry Martyn

Countless men and women have left the comfort and safety of home for the risk and joy of missions. There are many reasons for choosing such a radical life: obedience to the Great Commission, love for the lost, and desire to share with the less fortunate. All of those are good motives. But, only one motivation is strong enough and heavy enough to keep us from discouragement when our efforts are not appreciated, when they have not produced the success we imagined, or when the opposition intensifies. The weight that keeps us steady and faithful in the midst of all troubles can be summed up in one phrase: “The glory of God.”