Pray Network Forum

“We may not pay Satan reverence, for that would be indiscreet, but we can at least respect his talents.” (Mark Twain)

Our archenemy would love to make our life hell on earth. But when we hear the lion’s roar ringing in our ears, we can order him to get out of our face.

Struggling with sin will convince us that we need supernatural help if we’re ever going to vacate Satan’s death trap. We are a combination of opposites,a mixture of good and evil. Though we want to do right, our rotten nature distracts us from nobler pursuits. Relying on God, we can triumphantly march out of sin’s burdensome addiction with our head held high and a spring in our step.

Hell’s advertising blitz pressures us to invest in Nile stock. Fiendish voices try to convince us we need worldly resources. It’s all a terrible lie. We can find authentic satisfaction without compromise. With rivers of living water coursing through our heart, we discover the Lord is all we ever really need. In the desert’s inhospitable barrenness, we are not deserted. So we can worship God in the wilderness.

Exiting Egypt’s shadows, we bask in the sunlight of Truth. In contrast to earth’s dark depravity, we shine as sparkling diamonds. Tenaciously resisting the Devil,we walk as children of the Light.

“The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say, Let my people go, so they can worship me in the wilderness.” (Exodus 7:16 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Christian preacher and writer

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“Play so that you may be serious.” (Anacharsis, c 600 B.C., quoted in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, 4^th century B.C.)

On this day in 2004, after an 86 year wait, the Boston Red Sox finally captured a World Series trophy. Celebration was intense when success finally happened. Victory was sweet because it was a long time coming.

After last night’s game, with Madison Bumgarner pitching a shutout, the Royals’ hope of winning the World Series began to dim. The San Francisco Giants lead the series 3-2 against the Kansas City Royals.

People pay unbelievable prices for tickets to see these games. Intense emotion is evident on the faces of fans, alternating between agony and ecstasy as their favored team stumbles or shines.

Whatever happens, die-hard fans never quit cheering their beloved team. Holding signs that read “WE BELIEVE”, they persist in counting on their team’s ability to win, and they refuse to surrender to despair even when they lose a game. Next season they’ll do better, next time they’ll make the playoffs, next year they’ll win the World Series.

I recall hearing a story about a man strolling by a little league baseball field and having a conversation with the center fielder. “How’s it going, young fella?” he inquired. “Just fine, mister” the boy replied. “What’s the score?” the man asked. “It’s 14 to nothing” the youngster reported. “And it’s still just fine? How could that be?” the man asked. “It’s because,” the center fielder said, “we’re not up to bat yet!”

Sometimes it seems the score is “Evil 14, Good 0”. But beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, there’s an undying hope for an ultimate victory that will be sweet indeed—when Jesus gets up to bat.

“Next year in Jerusalem” is the true believer’s rallying cry of hope.

“Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Christian preacher and writer

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Read blog at http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized

      “I never thought we would be world champions. We have to be humble.” 

       (Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal forward, after his team’s 2-2 draw with the U.S. in the World Cup)

        The 2014 FIFA World Cup has captured the attention of millions around the world—putting work on hold, mesmerizing fans, raising enthusiasm to a fever pitch,and moving many to gamble on hopeful outcomes. Yesterday, despite chants of “USA…USA…” America’s premier soccer team experienced a heartbreaking loss to Belgium.  

        Is this sports phenomenon merely a diversion from workplace drudgery, providing temporary relief from daily responsibilities? Is it an extension of national pride,a patriotic contest for supposed superiority? Or does it serve as a substitutionary contest, giving spectators an opportunity to imagine they are the ones making the goals (or saving them)?

         There seems to be a human need to win vicariously, satisfied by victories of one’s favorite team. Life is difficult (as Scott Peck observed). We don’t always win life’s battles,no matter how hard we fight. So it’s good to celebrate our team’s success when they win a game; in the process we feel better for a while. Somehow we’re encouraged to face life’s daily frustrations energized by a small dose of exhilaration.

        I wonder if there might be something more profound going on in this global frenzy over soccer. Could there actually be (to use Jurgen Moltmann’s term) a theology of play? If so, what might it imply? Is there an innate, even God-given, human need for lightheartedness and game playing? Does the agony of defeat drive us to search for more meaningful and valuable enterprises?

        When the World Cup contest is over, and the final winner is announced, what difference will it make in our daily life? As exciting as sports victories are, spiritual victories are more crucial—and lasting. When we fully rely on God to enable us to win over worry, fear, greed, and other sins, triumphing is a real cause for wholehearted celebration.   

         “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 16:20;  1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT)

        Johnny R. Almond

        Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

        http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

Think the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it? There's a far better way.

“No one  can ask honestly or happily to be delivered from temptation unless he has

honestly and firmly determined to do the best he can to keep out of it.”

- John Ruskin

Is your future for sale? What would you eat in exchange for your soul?

You may be tempted to act impulsively to satisfy insistent appetites.

Stop to consider long-range effects before gobbling sinful morsels.

Old-world forbidden fruit tastes good, but has a bitter aftertaste.

Ordering from Satan’s menu is invariably asking for trouble.

With God’s help, Resist impulse buying in hell’s cafeteria.

Every temptation you resist will prove to be a victory.

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew.

Esau ate and drank and went on about his business,

indifferent to the fact that he had given up his birthright.

Genesis 25:34 NLT

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

Book available through local bookseller or preferred on-line retailer.

Author’s blog www.GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 16 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]             

Power outages can be very disruptive. But there's an Unlimited Power Source that never fails.

To whatever side you turn, you are forced to acknowledge your own ignorance and the boundless power of the Creator.”

- Voltaire

The anonymous hymn-writer speaks for all honest souls—“I am weak, but Thou art strong.”

By now you and I should have learned that we are morally weak, typically sinful, invariably limited.

Feeling the impact of being made of dust, we discover that much in our life is far beyond our pay grade.

On the other hand, our faith acknowledges that absolutely nothing is too difficult for Almighty God.

At His command, the universe snapped to attention and began its precision march through space and time.

The Creator of heaven and earth directs intergalactic traffic patterns so they intersect perfectly like clockwork.

If this day seems too hard for us to manage, God promises to  graciously provide response-ability.

If an intractable habit has us near the threshold of despair, God will provide victory as we trust and obey.

If tomorrow’s uncertain horizon makes us tremble, God reassures us that His promises will brighten the future.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

(Genesis 18:14 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, www.GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com

Book available through your local bookseller or preferred on-line retailer.

[Devotion adapted from Day 13, Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

As we witness prophetic events unfolding daily, we can attest without question, that the Church is in the last of the last days, the final hours before Christ returns for His spotless Bride. If there was ever a time when we, as Christians, need to safeguard our victory in Christ, it is today. The apostle Paul gives us the secret of securing our salvation in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

 The signs of the times are everywhere throughout the world—floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, wars, economic collapse, false prophets, terrorism—these global indicators are clear harbingers, signalling the end of the age. The spiritual battle is raging around us with greater intensity than ever. There is a great falling away, a spreading apostasy that is looming in the Church like dark clouds of deception as multitudes of careless, undiscerning christians succumb to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils that have infiltrated the House of God, openly defiling the Lord’s holy name and corrupting His Word. 1Timothy 4:1-2 heralds this sobering trumpet call- “Now the Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,  speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron”

 This is not a warning for the next generation—no, we are the final generation that is witnessing these exact Bible prophecies coming to pass before our very eyes! God, in His mercy, continues to send us “wake up call” after “wake up call” to shock us out of our slumber. All of these “breaking news” stories are occurring at an alarming and unprecedented acceleration. This should drive us to work out our own salvation in fear and trembling and for that reason, I have compiled this list of ten basic rules to safeguard your victory over the devil, who still walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Don’t get hung up over the word “rule” which simply means “explicit principles that govern conduct”. What I’m endeavouring to do as God’s watchman is assist you according to His Word as to how we are to conduct ourselves as overcomers in these last days of time. Some would call this list of ten rules legalism, but Jesus calls it freedom. “If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32)  Here they are:

 1. SPEND TIME IN THE WORD DAILY- “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2)

 2. STAY ACTIVE IN PRAYER- “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:16-17) 

 3. STAY IN COMMUNION WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT- “This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) 

 4. KEEP A GUARD OVER YOUR HEART- “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) 

 5. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES-  “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Mathew 5:44) 

 6. FORGIVE OTHERS FOR ANY OFFENSE- “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25)

 7. STAY IN FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER BELIEVERS- “Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhort one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching”  (Hebrews 10:25)

 8. TURN AWAY FROM YOUR SINS- “He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13)

9. GIVE THANKS IN ALL THINGS- “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20)

10. PROTECT YOUR FIRST LOVE- “I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent” (Revelation 2:4-5)

Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you daily to conduct your manner of living around these scriptural principles and then walk in your victorious freedom every day until Christ comes back for His overcoming Church! Sin shall not have dominion over you! God bless you!

Too much has been said about freedom, deliverance, breaking free, breaking loose from the bondage and shackles of our past without the actual application of just doing it! So many Christians live such defeated lives that it would take me another book to dissect all the reasons; rhymes and horrible times we put ourselves through when we refuse to live in the Victory.

This is a Devotion I'm sharing by way of one of my online buddies.... enjoy.

Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able

to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10

Opposition comes; and it comes in many different ways. We must remember however that God is greater than any situation. He has given us our weapons of warfare. They are not your traditional weapons of war. We don't seek revenge we seek truth. We don't have to defend ourselves for we are covered in the blood of Jesus Christ and He is our righteousness, and our defense. The Holy Spirit fills us with the word of God and causes us to remember exactly what we need to do in the heat of battle. We love and strive for peace instead of hate and bitterness. Our faith protects us. Not one arrow shot in our direction is able to destroy us. The Holy Spirit comes into our battle with a flaming sword and cuts through the darkness and prevents the enemy from breaking through.

We don't need to summon great armies, ***for our prayers summon the greatest authority.***

Our salvation through Jesus Christ has placed us in an army that always wins. Not with guns, or words but with the truth of Jesus Christ dwelling within us. When our enemy comes at us with all that He has, we have no need to fear but only to run into the arms of Jesus. He exposes every scheme and tactic and renders them useless. With Jesus we will stand.

***NO weapon formed against us shall prosper.***