LOOK DELIBERATELY

RISE AND SHINE FOR JESUS! \O/
By Pam Iannello (my late mother)





   How much do you take into account your potential reaction when planning something? What about the reaction of others? In what way can a project fail before it starts? Do you really know what you are getting into? These are some questions I hope to find answers to as we turn to the Word of God for Biblical insight…

Luke 14:31-32 (KJV)
Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? [32] Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

Ladies, the Bible teaches us that if we are going to war against another king, we should endeavor to seriously determine our odds of survival. And frankly, anybody that is attempting to live wholly for the King of Kings is going to war with Satan! Yes, the devil is going to come against you with twenty thousand – are you absolutely certain you will be able to gain a victory over him with your ten thousand? Are you prepared to “meet him” in the shape you are in? Can you meet the forces of hell and survive?

  • DON’T BEGIN SPEEDILY, BEGIN CAUTIOUSLY.
  • SCRIPTURALLY, AND WITH ALL HONESTY, ASSESS YOUR ABILITY TO PROCEED.

Proverbs 20:18 (KJV)
Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Plans should not be laid apart from wise counsel and guidance. Better not to enter the situation if you can’t be sure of the outcome!!

  • HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THE HAZARDS?
  • HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES YOU WILL ENCOUNTER?
  • ARE YOU PREPARED TO ENDURE HARDNESS?
  • WHO DID YOU CONSULT IN ORDER TO WISELY DETERMINE IF YOU WERE TRULY READY TO MAKE WAR? (Or didn’t you think it was necessary??)

REMAINING USEFUL TO GOD MEANS REMAINING FAITHFUL TO HIM.
Jesus discourages superficial discipleship…

DO YOU HAVE A SCRIPTURAL BATTLE PLAN?
  • Every believer should calmly and deliberately look at all the consequences of going to war against Satan and be prepared to meet them.
  • Act with prudence – do not plan to war when there is the likelihood of being defeated. Take the time necessary to build into yourself character qualities that will keep you from giving up or giving in.
  • Being followers of Christ calls for sobriety, thought, and a calm and fixed purpose. To properly war you must make it the business of your life to fill God’s requirements. Nobody can suitably enter the battlefield who does not resolve by the grace of God to please the Lord at all cost.
  • Expect difficulties in the Christian life. We will war against our sins, against the lusts of our flesh, and against the mockery of the world. The price is high but we must cheerfully undertake the cause of Christ and be prepared for it all.
  • We must deliberately resolve to leave all things and to accept all things that may be placed upon our shoulders, and to persevere to the end in the service of the Lord. Are you prepared not to turn back, no matter what you meet?
  • Never underestimate the devil and never overestimate yourself. As you eagerly volunteer yourself for the Lord’s work you must understand that Satan will hide the worst from you and bait you with the best just to have the opportunity to defeat you once and for all!  
  • As you proceed down the path of your Christian life are there any fantasies, any false expectations, any deals you might be tempted to pursue along the way?  If so, these obstacles must be removed from your heart and mind before you encounter the enemy. Otherwise, you may fall prey to Satan’s battle plan and end up settling for false conditions of peace…

Matthew 5:13 (KJV)
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Col. 4:6 (KJV)
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

In closing, if you are going to be an effective ambassador for Christ it is imperative that you realize you have not the sufficiency in yourself to be victorious. Ladies, we are no match for the devil – we need Jesus Christ to triumph in the good fight of faith! Before you set out to make war, look deliberately at whether or not you are truly equipped to meet the conflict. Is there enough salt to your character, your conduct, and your conversation? If not, prepare yourself, but at least check!!

God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2005 Pamela A. Iannello


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