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In Times of Quitting
You Either Walk With God or Run With the Devil
Isaiah 14:12-16
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer? Thy has said in thy heart that I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.
Revelation 12:4 and 7-9
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
When Lucifer was cast out of heaven, his tail drew the third part of the stars (angels) with him to earth. The devil wanted to be a God. But, how could that take place in heaven? Was it possible the war in heaven was before the creation of the world? God created the heavens and the earth. He created all of the angels, even Lucifer the most beautiful of all the angels. Was it so easy for Lucifer to war against God because God created him with the elements? Did Lucifer have vanity, vain glory, pride and jealousy in his heart? Could it have been God’s divine plan to allow it to happen so it would open and pave the way for God to send His son (Jesus) into the world to suffer and die for the sins of mankind. Lucifer wanted to be a God. God created the earth for His people to accept His love and to worship Him. However, at the same time, the earth also served as the devil’s kingdom to choose his followers from.
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Are we still battling the war in heaven with soldiers of the war who are still fighting the daily battles? The war will continue on until the last battle; the battle of Armageddon when we’ll win the victory with God through Christ His son. God knew the devil would turn against Him (God knowing all things). He knew he would be an enemy to Him and to us. Is it a small part of God’s divine plan so that Jesus will deliver us from the evil enemy and his ways? Good over evil and man’s choice to live or die existed before the earth began. God had worked out the only perfect plan for His people through His son Jesus Christ before the earth was ever created.
Matthew 18:11
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few are chosen.
We have the choice to serve God or the devil. We can either walk with God or run with the devil. Did the devil tell God that he was at a disadvantage since God can do all things? Did the devil tell God he didn’t have a chance because the only way he could get his followers was by evil thoughts, evil ways, desperation and lies? The Lord probably told him that it was true that He can do all things. But, He would only use two things against him which was His son, Jesus, and faith to get those to follow Him. God’s reward, eternal life, to His people will be through His son and Him only. The devil’s and his follower’s reward will be the lake of fire and eternal torment.
In the Garden of Eden, there were two trees mentioned. One was the tree of knowledge of good and evil; it sat in the midst of the garden. The second was the tree of life. The tree of knowledge of good and evil may have been a tree but it was also symbolic of good which is God and evil the devil. The Lord told Adam not to take of that tree. Adam told Eve that God told him they shall eat of any of the trees in the garden but not to take of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, the devil deceived Eve; she took of the tree and Adam took of it as well.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Adam and Eve did eat and their eyes were opened. When their eyes opened, they realized they were naked. They immediately made aprons of fig leaves to cover their nakedness. They had become carnal minded (such as you and I today); they knew good and evil. Is it possible that before they took of the tree of knowledge of good and evil that they were walking in the spirit and in fellowship with God? They became carnal minded after they took of the tree and fell into sin. After Adam disobeyed God, his actions inputted sin into all mankind. It appears that we could be the victim of war in heaven, a casualty of the daily battles of spiritual warfare. Christ will come after His people and the devil will take his.
Revelation 20:11-12
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
We have a choice in this life and in God’s divine plan through God’s only begotten son, Jesus Christ. There’s no way the devil will ever defeat God or Christ Jesus His son. The victory is in Jesus. It wasn’t the apple on the tree that was the problem. It was the pair on the ground. The plan is very simple, get right or get left. The war is not over and won’t be until God says so. It didn’t end in heaven. It is eternal until life’s end, when Jesus comes back. We will fall victim to our choice whether it be good or bad. Could it have been the tree of life in the garden or could it have been symbolic of Christ himself? If Adam and Eve had taken of the tree of life, they would have lived eternal. There is no way a person can live eternal except by and through Jesus Christ our Lord and the son of God.
Genesis 3:21-24
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them. And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever. Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
We are engaged in a spiritual warfare, daily, as we live in this world. We will either walk with God or run with the devil.
I John 2:15-17
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
God has made a way for all to rise above the battles of this life, to overcome the struggles and walk in the light.
Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Th
e world is our spiritual battlefield. We are at war against the spirit and flesh.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
We are beaten, battered and wounded in this world. But, the end is not yet. For those of God’s children shall endure through Christ. Our kingdom is not of this world, nor riches, fame, nor glory and not even our possessions. For the children of God shall reign in a new world, a new heaven and a new body. Today, we may be the dust of a forgotten world. But, we need to look at the light at the end of life’s tunnel, the shed blood of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9-10
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Works of the Flesh
Galatians 5:18-21
But if ye be led of the spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Fruits of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Because of Adam’s disobedience in the garden, we are born into the world sinners.
Galatians 5:16-17
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Although we may fall weak, depressed and seem to be shaken, it is when we lift our hearts unto God that we shall be cuddled in His hands. Our spirit shall be lifted and our tears shall be dried.
Psalm 121:1-3
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
As we live on, we should press forward even though the battles will rage on. We have to keep our heart, eyes and mind on the Lord Jesus when we struggle and fall weak. Others have walked this road before us and others shall follow behind us. But, it will be worth it all in the end to hear the words, well done.
Romans 12:1-3
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
The day may be without light; the end of the tunnel may seem dim. All else may seem so lost and hopeless and the stars may fall from the sky.
Romans 8:35-38
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come.
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Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
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In Times of Quitting
About as Useless as a Bent Nail
There is a place for me; there is something for me to do. Although I may not accomplish a lot in this world nor fulfill my uttermost dreams, but what I do in God’s eyes means everything. I am, to Him, just me.
− b. a. troutt