Empty Enemies

Empty Enemies

1 John 2:15 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.
16 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.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

And so we see the enemies of God: This worldly impersonal organized system devoid of love and life – the world, the Bible calls it.

Organizational structures that are sterile, void of care, concern, compassion, yet strong enough to endure generations. This is why we know the letter of the law kills, it is the spirit that brings life. If we build these empires, organizationally and administratively clean, yet without care and concern for the people these structures are supposed to serve and help, the very people we create these to serve, become crushed beneath their weight, the tyranny of unfulfilled expectations, that places people on a treadmill like a hamster: ever running, but going nowhere, making no difference, living and dying as fuel for the machine, blind to the rule of the one behind it, the god of this world, satan himself. The Nazi’s had order – just no love, nor life in their system.

Then there is the lust of the flesh: The savage passions for promotion, power, possessions, people, places and things, that can never be satisfied. Fallen flesh, that is ever hungry for more. More what? More money, more food, more power, more sex, more entertainment, more friends, more stuff, more knowledge. Always hungry, never satisfied: lust. No matter how much you feed it, it leaves a painful empty ache each time you indulge it, because you know that you fed the wrong thing, and your true hunger, for God, for intimacy, for purpose, for passion, for peace, for honor, for love, for holiness, was never met, no matter how much you indulge carnal appetites.

Is 55;1 ¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

There is that which will fulfill our deepest thirsts! Come to Jesus!

Then there is the pride of life: Look at me, look what I can do, look at my house, my status, my company, my associations with the right people. Beautiful wife, beautiful life, empty, void of life. Spending time and money to impress people who neither understand nor care about you, or who you really are, For what?

Satan was Lucifer, the chief worship leader in heaven, closest to the throne before he fell. Why? He became proud. Those who are blinded by him, become like him – proud, selfish, screaming for entitlement, power and control. Love serves….

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Have you discovered the emptiness of life yet? Have you run hard enough on your little treadmill of work, relationships, activities, pleasures that leave you dry, weary, poured out and cored out – a hollow shell of who you are created to be? It may take some time to learn how to feed on that which truly does satisfy – to begin to feast on bread of life and things of eternal glory, but is is worth obeying that deeper nudge…that itch that has never been scratched by worldy pursuits, for you are created for much more than this world can offer. He created the universe – and is the only One big enough to fully satisfy and understand the complexity that is you!

It is Jesus who alone can satisfy the thirst and deepest hungers in your heart. Let all these enemies of God and you, die, slain at the cross, that you, like Jesus, might experience the resurrection life, found only in Him.

He is more than enough…

It has been said: ‘When the student is ready, the teacher appears…’ Are you ready yet? He is waiting, still, with loving heart, and open arms. He knows, He cares, and He waits, until you are ready to receive Him…

Let’s pray:
‘Father, I see the tyranny of the world: The hardness, the severe toughness, of the daily rough and tumble of the world. It has left a coldness, hardness, and meanness deep within my soul. How well, I know see the foolishness of my own passionate pursuits, that have left me empty, dry, hungry for what truly satisfies. So I have fallen into the comparison trap, the competitive need to impress people I barely know, nor care about. My own self will, determined to do my own will, against you. Forgive me Father, and have mercy. Meet with me, and show me why I exist, Your highest and best for me and my life. Fill me with Your Spirit, for I hunger deep inside, and nothing satisfies me…help me Jesus. Amen’

3 Truths About Enemies

1. If you serve Jesus, you will have some:
Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Mt 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

Winston Churchill You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.

You did not have to do something wrong to get people upset at you, if you are serving Jesus, the truth of your powerful love life will make some people mad. He tells us what to do about it,

Romans 12:21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

Jesus is in you, with you, and for you. You have the power of His love to defeat any adversary, for as His child, you are blessed of heaven. He knew you would have trouble in this life, and He purposed to bless you even when people are doing you wrong.

Matthew 5:10

Blessed arethose who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What is the kingdom of heaven? It is the rule and reign of Almighty God, in heaven, being extended towards you, to deliver, bless, protect, and prosper you, as His authority moves against devils, and people living contrary to His Word and Spirit. This can be dramatic and spectacular – ask Herod, when he proclaimed himself God, and an angel stepped out of heaven and struck him – he was consumed of worms and died.

Acts 12:23

Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.

Always remember, that when people oppose you for serving Jesus, you are not the one on trial, they are. We will all give an account, individually, before the throne of God upon the hour of our death. Some people will not make heaven, but our testimony will be to their eternal damnation, as God holds them accountable for the way they treated us.

Our job is to be faithful, even unto death, to Jesus, forgiving them as Jesus did, for honestly, if they saw the throne of God, they would not be doing what they were doing –

Luke 23:34

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

2. If you serve Jesus, and fully obey Him, He will cause your enemies to be at peace with you:

Pr 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

I have learned that he does this three ways:

a. We love them, and they stop fighting with us: Matt 5:44 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;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:

b. God Himself, delivers them into our hand, and subdues them under us: Mt 22:44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Ps 47:3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

Ps 18:43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.

1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

c. He corrects us, instructs us in wisdom, and makes us a better person. 

Proverbs 21:14  A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath

Sometimes, we need to pay a bill we don’t owe, do a chore that is clearly not our responsibility, or humble ourselves on purpose, simple to receive grace from God and to bring Holy Spirit on the scene.
When people persecute, always start with introspection, to see if there is anything we could have done better, to prevent further pain.

3. We must love them, and pray for them
Mt 5:44 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;

Lu 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

2 Kings 6:12-23 Elisha prayed and invoked the power of God to strike the Syrian army blind. Yet, he shows here, the heart of our heavenly Father in judgement. Rather than killing his enemies, he showed them kindness (made a big feast), and it is written they were won with love, rather than the sword: 2 Kings 6:23 And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

Ps 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

The bottom line is simply. God is after developing you and I in holiness, and His holiness is His love. God is love. He allows enemies in our lives, to keep us on our knees in prayer, to simply survive, but as we pray, two wonderful things happen: He deals with our enemies, and He deals with us, to become more humble, gentle, and loving like Jesus.
Great promotions seem to have great enemies. Walking it out before the Lord!

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, reveal the enemies in my life, and show me how to pray for them, to live and walk right before you. Give me divine strategies for love and victory. Jesus, I need your power to deliver me from their attacks, AMEN’