“I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”
Revelation 3:19 New Living Translation
If we refuse anything and everything hard; will our skin not become so soft that ANY amount of resistance from the enemy will tear it?
Sounds like a plan of the enemy to encourage us to refuse anything difficult; when the most difficult days are approaching.
So instead of training and gaining the strength to overcome; when the weight of the true fight comes, it would crumple us. (We must TRAIN and GAIN the strength to OVERCOME spiritually NOW; that’s the point of this message!) Where are our spiritual callouses? Where are our muscles of perseverance? Have we comforted and pampered ourselves to the point that we can no longer hold our own body weight? How will we be able to carry our brother or sister if we can’t even carry ourselves? How would David have been able to overcome Goliath; if he had not first overcome the lion, and the bear?
Let’s look at it another way. People boarding the Titanic cruise ship had their mind set for pleasure and relaxation. Their thoughts were on luxury and convenience. They had no idea that in a few hours they would be fighting for their own lives, and the lives of those around them. Even the Captain and some of the crew knew that many of the life boats and much of the safety equipment was lacking.
“But, who needs it? This ship is unsinkable!” Was their cry.
Sound familiar? We have heard several years ago; that certain businesses were too big to fail. What about all the world’s empires before us; were they too big to fail? I don’t know, but fall they did.
“But, aren’t we God’s chosen nation?” some would ask…
“Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace (reproach) to any people.”
PROVERBS 14:34 Amplified Bible
Even our enemies that call us Infidels are right when they point to our promiscuity, perversion, murder of the innocent, and greed.
In light of this; do we still refuse to repent for our silence?
Since we refuse to repent and return to Him as a nation; should we not at least heed His call to train for a fight, that we cannot escape?
He is supernaturally patient with us; and allows us to skip out on training (because we have free will). He will not force us to train! This does not change the fact that we need all of His training that we can get! Nor does it change the inevitability of our impending fight!
Don’t you think that those that have been shipwrecked or dropped into some survival situation have wished that they were better prepared? And instead of smooth and tender hands; that they had some callouses and endurance from training?
How about some wisdom concerning building and maintaining a fire?
Or knowledge about catching and foraging for the right foods?
Or the hearing and discerning of His voice?
Or being able to refine the dross of lies; out of the “truth”, being spouted out (so you won’t be able to be deceived by their deception).
How about experiencing God’s presence so we would not be lost or wondering “what would Jesus do”?
“Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head.” Ephesians 4:14-15 God’s Word Translation
Joseph “stored up” in Egypt during times of plenty so that during the times of famine, Egypt would be a place of refuge. He trained in the pit, in Potiphar’s house, in the prison, and finally in Pharaoh’s government.
Then the fight came just as it was promised. Oh yes, there are more than good and precious promises; there are promises of consequence as well.
“You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time. People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy, and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God. They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people.” {2 Timothy 3:1-5 God’s Word Translation.}
What’s the first step in our training? Taking our sweet “bon-bon” anointing and allowing it to come into contact with His “Fire”; transforming our current anointing into a “bon-fire” anointing. In which we no longer have to be prodded by external forces; to release hindrances and distractions, but we ourselves will be seeking and pulling them out of our own closets casting them into the fire! All for His glory! But, we can enjoy watching them burn!
“What else can we burn for His glory? This is fun!”
Yes, training can be fun! But, even when we experience pain in training; Hebrews 12:11 tells us we will reap a peaceful harvest of right living for those trained in this way. Nevertheless, the point is that we must train (prepare) for the fight. Because the fight is coming. Don’t be dismayed, be prepared! God doesn’t want us to be unprepared or unaware. Don’t bury your head in the sand! Don’t be caught off guard! Be vigilant and FIGHT!
Why enter the ring with a glass jaw, smooth hands, a scrawny body, and a weak constitution? Be bold, be brave, be TRAINED!
November 2nd, 2016 by Eric