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In The World, You Will Have Tribulation

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:14

In the world, we will experience tribulation. Since the fall of man, generation upon generations have been experiencing some kind of troubles and tribulation. We can read the history of men to see how humanity has been driven to failure through physical military forces, greed, and selfish ambition. The world is an organized system of geopolitical relationships of policies. We are witnessing how economic policies can change how we do business.

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines tribulation as distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution. The Greek word for “kosmos “/world can also mean order and arrangement as to human world systems. Have you wondered about this present world system and who is in control.

How many times have you read or heard about Jesus being tempted after He was baptized with the Holy Spirit? We can read about it in Matthew chapter four verses 1 to 11. Jesus was tested by the devil. Look at verse 8 of Matthew chapter 4 and you will see that the devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. The next verse the devil tells Jesus, “All these things will I give thee, if thou will fall down and worship me,” [Matthew 4:9]. I find this extraordinary. No one would believe that the kingdoms of the world are in the hands of the devil. Yet, we forget the importance of praying for those who are in leadership roles such as kings, presidents, and rulers.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

We pray for all men who are in authority, so we can lead a quiet and peaceable life. Now look at what the apostle Paul states.

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:17-18

This is not an easy thing to do. This is a different mindset. To live peaceably with all men, yet if a nation is divided, that nation will fall.

“And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” Matthew 12:25

Apparently, even the Pharisees knew about the prince of the devils called Beelzebub. The importance of peace around the world is why we have the United Nations. United Nations international government agency whose focus is to keep peace among the nations. The charter came into being in 1945 to keep peace and maintain human rights. As the Secretary – General of the United Nations states it comes down to values. What kind of values do you want? We need to remember that love never fails.

We must follow in the steps of Jesus and be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, and prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God, [see Romans 12:2]. The key is to be transformed from the violence of men into the image of Christ where the love of God reigns within the hearts of men. Love is the key to life. Everything else will pass away.

We must remember that Jesus overcame the world through the cross he has bored for us and this is through the love of God. We must learn the meaning of what love is.

Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jesus has overcome the violence of the world through love. Let us pray for those in leadership position and have faith, hope, and love.

We Wrestle not Against Flesh and Blood

“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.”

Ephesians 6:12

“We wrestle not against flesh and blood,” said the apostle, Paul. Yet, at times tempers flare up to where believers are at war with one another, and it becomes physical. Fighting over parking places, over food, and even clothing. Politeness and respect have gone out the door. Darkness seems to grow around our surroundings. The news hour is full of those who hate others, killings, and theft. Some are even rejoicing over what is happening. These actions are of the children of disobedience [see Ephesians 2:2]. These are those who are fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind.

The inner life of a believer is to walk worthy before the Lord and men. In Chapter six of Ephesians, Paul is addressing the warrior’s armor for the believer. Paul states the following.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11

We need to heed the scripture and put on the armour of God and pray to stand against the wiles of the devil. Wiles meaning to entice, deceive, and manipulate into doing something that is not right before God. We are to walk honestly, not in strife and envying. We are to put on the whole armor of God as is stated in Ephesians chapter six in order to withstand the evil that is happening every day.

We are to carry with us the truth of the Gospel. The breastplate of righteousness, which we have in Christ. Our feet shod for the preparation of the gospel of peace. Christ is our peace.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

Jesus said let not your heart be troubled or afraid.

“Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.” Psalms 107:13

It is the shield of faith that will bring us through our distresses and God will deliver us from destructions [ see verse 20 of Psalms 107].

Faith in Christ Jesus is our shield. This is how we quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. We have the helmet of salvation, which is our protective covering from harm, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We stand strong in the Lord when we read the word of God every day and mediate on its meaning. This is how we are sanctified. Jesus said, “the light of the body is the eye,” [Luke 11:35]. If your eye is single, it is full light and not darkness. We are to take heed what our own eye sees.

“Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.” Luke 11:35

Make sure that you yourself are not drawn to darkness. Stand firm in the foundation of the Lord. We wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Our resource is the word of God and prayer. We rebuke the evil spirits at work and cast down every imagination that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, [see 2 Corinthains 10:5].

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

We pray in the Spirit and watch with perseverance God’s intervention. We give thanks to the Lord always for His protective care.

Listen to Pilgrims Journey taken from Ephesians chapter six or visit Inge Schultz Music and read the post about it.

Pray for the Harvest

The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; pray ye, therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would sent forth laborers into his harvest.
Luke 10:2

Pray for the harvest, said Jesus. Why would we have to pray for the laborers to be sent forth? Jesus states we pray because there are few laborers. Why would there be few laborers? I always wondered about the reality of the truth in what Jesus was saying not only to the disciples, but the seventy who went out into the harvest field. These appointed seventy whom the Lord choose went out two by two together and not by themselves into the cities. Jesus told them to heal the sick and say, “the kingdom of God is near unto you,” [see Luke 10:9]. Is the kingdom of God near you?

Let’s step back and look closely at what it means to pray for the laborers into his harvest. Notice first of all, it is the Lord’s harvest and not our own. Why? Because the foundation is Jesus according to the grace, we each are given by God. Everything is done by faith in Jesus Christ. The kingdom of God is near you because he sent his only Son to be our sacrifice for sins. We must believe that what is said is the truth. It begins with witnessing the works of God. I can testify because I have seen this in action not only in my own life but in the life of others. It begins with a willingness to surrender our lives to the Lord and being able to converse with the Lord through prayer. To commune with the Lord and the father in fellowship.

It is the cry of Andrew Murry who was a missionary sent to South Africa that all Christians would understand the importance of prayer for communion in the spirit with God. To seek every day the calling for prayer and have that closeness in the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Read pastor Murry’s book titled, “With Christ on the School of Prayer,” lesson nine where Murry states, “they must cry to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers.” That is to pray with strong emotion and believe that it will be done. You can download a PDF of his book here With Christ on the School of Prayer. There is no form or showmanship when it comes to God’s work in the harvest field. God will work in churches where prayer and the Holy Spirit have free reign in a believer’s life. There is no competition among different denominations, and rightly so, because we are all laborers together with God.

For we are laborers together with God; ye are God’s cultivated field, ye are God’s building.”
1 Corinthians 3:9

There is no sectarianism when it comes to the work of the Lord. There should be no excessive attachment to a denomination or political party within the church as we are seeing today, for this takes our focus away from Christ. As the apostle Paul told the Corinthians, so does paster Murry state that every believer is a laborer for Christ. We are God’s cultivated field. How amazing is that? To think that you are being cultivated by the Holy Spirit to do good works for the Lord. Many Christians know not that they are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God is dwelling within them. [see 1 Corinthians 3:16]. We carry with us the promised Holy Spirit who is our comforter. As Christians we are never alone. Prayer is essential in that it invokes God to action. Let’s remember the words of Jesus himself who said, “my food is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” [see John 4:34]. Whose work are we finishing? Are we doing the will of the Father?

We should think about God’s glory and not our own. We pray because of the great need we see in the world and in our own individual lives. We pray to receive divine intervention and to see the glory of the Lord. We pray for conformation of the word of God with signs and wonders to take place. We pray for God’s witness in our very being in that we belong to Christ and now bear his image. This is full surrender to the Lord.

God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with diverse miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.”
Hebrews 2:4

According to his own will, that is God’s will for your own life. The Holy Spirit will bring conviction into our lives as to where we stand in the specific moment of our life. We must be willing and be open to hear and listen to the word spoken in the Bible. Every Christian has a part in the Lord’s harvest. Just look at what Jesus said in the Gospel of John.

Lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages and gathered fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
John 4:35-36

Let us rejoice together for the sower and reaper. We are all laborers together with God in Christ Jesus. Have you heard the hymn by Knowles Shaw titled, “Bringing in the Sheaves?”

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Refrain:
Bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;
Bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Let us sow seeds of kindness, love, and peace, sowing for the Master. Let us pray and believe for the laborers.