SLIDING BACK-WARD!
TO SATAN IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO IS LINGERING AND FOLLOWING BEHIND, YOUNG OR OLD, IT JUST DOES NOT MATTER, THEY ARE ALL HIS TARGET. HE PREYS ON THOSE WHO LIVE CLOSE TO THEIR PAST AND SINFUL YESTERDAYS!
In Psalms 33, we find written, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. The Lord looks from heaven; He beholds all the sons of men. From the place of His habitation He looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashions their hearts alike; He considers all their works" (Psalms 33: 12-15).
Is the United States of America in God's favor today? Is God the Lord of our nation? Do we, God's called, truly trust the Lord God's advice?
Tragically, America has all but turned from its Christian foundation and has left behind its rich heritage of Godly leadership. It's in these perilous times and in this season of increasing radicalism that we, the people of God, need once again turn to Him in prayer, asking with a contrite heart to heal and restore our land and leadership. But that will only be heard and work if this nation of people obey and keep God's commandments. If this nation proceeds in disobeying God and His commandments, it will continue being cursed. If one wants to see up to date living prophecy in action, read Lev 26 or Deut 28, where these blessings and cursing's will affect every level of society, from the family to the farmer, from the city to the White House.
Our nation was founded upon Christian principles by men and women who held God's word in high esteem and America prospered as a result. Today our country is experiencing the consequences of a severe moral decline that only obeying God has the power to correct.
Our, "want to be leaders" of today, are leaders, leading from behind. [Recognized as being the tail in Deuteronomy 28:44]. Our Constitutional laws, redeemed from the Bible, God's word, are being systematically violated by the very people and organizations sworn to uphold them. What now are the fruits of their deliberate trampling on the Constitutional laws, laws God gave our forefathers to govern our nation.
To reveal what their fruits are, let me ask you, do you know what the fastest growing religion in America is? It is not Christianity! According to the latest U.S. religion census, that was just released on May 1, 2012, reports: the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The data for the census was compiled by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies, and the results were released by the Association of Religion Data Archives.
From the year 2000 to the year 2010, the census found that the number of Muslims living inside the United States increased by about 1 million to 2.6 million, that is a stunning increase of 66.7 percent. That is an astounding rate of growth. Meanwhile, most Christian denominations had rates of growth that were far below the overall rate of population growth in the United States. Some Christian denominations actually lost members. When Barack Obama once said that "we are no longer a Christian nation," he wasn't too far off the mark.
Christianity is rapidly losing influence and other religions such as Islam are rapidly gaining members and building new places of worship. As other major religions such as Islam continue to grow in the United States, it is inevitable that this will reshape America in many different ways in the time ahead. God does not see this as going forward, He see it as sliding backward.
In the book of Deuteronomy, that was quoted by Christ more than any other Old Testament book, we find written 14 "Warnings and exhortations." These tells us to remember something! Keep in mind what our Lord told us in Luke 9. "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).
With that thought, we are shown and told to remember what Amalek did to Israel. "Remember what Amalek did unto you by the way, when you come forth out of Egypt; how he met you by the way, and attacked your rear ranks, even all that were stragglers behind you, when you were tired and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord your God has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land which the Lord your God giveth you for an inheritance to possess it, that you shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; [this verse closes with] you shalt not forget it" (Deu 25:17-19). Here we are reminded by God to "remember what Amalek did" and we are told "not to forget it".
In the book of Hebrews, where the writer seems to be Apostle Paul, said in chapter 10 verse 38, "the just shall live by faith." Who are the just ? The just are referenced to a person that is examined and found righteous, and guiltless, living in faith. By faith, the just are to endure patiently the troublous times that are to proceed Christ's return. Verse 38 continues, "But if any man draw back" (that is cast away his confidence) My soul shall have no pleasure in him."
Those who draw back from the pathway of faith can never expect to hear the words, "Well done, you good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord" (Matt 25:23). Paul continues with verse 39 "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (that is final destruction) but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (reserving of life).
Following this foundational knowledge, we should think about how life today and Noah and Lot's life are similar. "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back" (Luke 17:26-31). Then Christ said in verse 32, "Remember Lot's wife."
What did she do that we are to remember? Look at Gen 19, to refresh our memory. "And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, arise, take your wife, and your two daughters, which are here; lest you be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, escape for your life; look not behind you, [think not what was behind you] neither stay you in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed" (Gen 19:15-17). Now look at verse 26, "But his (Lots) wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." Lots wife physically left Sodom and Gomorrah, but her heart, her thoughts and desires was still in it. Christ held her up - for us, as a warning to not challenge or tamper with His offer of salvation.
Going back to the story of Amalek, God made clear we are to "remember what Amalek did" to Israel on their way out of bondage, on their way out of sin. We are told to remember how he struck down the stragglers and how he destroyed the weary, tired and the weak. Amalek knew that he could never bring a frontal attack and win against Israel, so what was Amalek strategy? It was to attack those who were not keeping up, those that were weary, tired and weak. Those lingering behind! He attacked the stragglers, those who lacked strength, those who were not able to endure and keep up with the march, and the pace for salvation.
Do we know of a Amalek that thinks that way? Amalek is a type of the adversary, we know as Satan. He reminds us of the devil and his mind set. He knows he cannot defeat us when we stay close to God's instructions and have on the armor of God. How do we know that? Because we find evidence of that in Eph 6:10-11. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to Stand against the wiles (the crafts and deceits) of the devil."
God, the one who forged the armor guarantees its effectiveness. Satan knows a frontal assault would never penetrate God's armored church, who has on the armor of truth. That is proven by what Christ told Peter, "And I say also unto you, that you are Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 6:18).
Satan, was there and heard Christ's words when talking to Peter. Satan was there when the disciples and apostles were waiting in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come on the day of Pentecost. Satan saw the restoration of God's true church in Ephesus. Satan knows he is no match for God's dedicated called and chosen. Satan knows God's church is destine for streets of gold and walls of jasper with gates of pearl, but Satan the evil one does not give up. He is always searching for those he can ambush, especially those who are weary, tired and weak, those lingering behind. Those who are not keeping up with 1.Study; 2. Prayer; 3. Fasting; 4. And meditating on God's word.
Satan knows the weak don't study or keep up with practicing God's laws. Satan patiently waits for that weakness so he can infiltrate that mind with false doctrines which we know today he has done by convincing God's called to postpone His annual Sabbaths!
Satan has picked up on mans bandwagon of carnality, and worldly pleasures. He looks for those closest to the back door of the church, who can't wait to leave and go back out into the world! There he can find the unsanctified- the un- dedicated - the careless and the prayer-less. These are the ones that are in danger, the ones who are weak and just playing church. To Satan it does not matter who is lingering and following behind, young or old - it just does not matter, they are all his target. He preys on those who live close to their past and sinful yesterdays!
How can you tell if you are sliding back into Satan's world? One- backsliding begins in the knees, backsliding begins when knee bending stops! Two- backsliding is the easiest thing to do- Meaning, you do nothing! The devil will be satisfied with you if you are satisfied with him. People seldom lose their religion by a blow out, it is usually a slow leak! For that to not happen we need to watch and pray as Matt 26:41 says, "Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation." God's called are not to wait for Christ return in idle expectancy. We are to be vigilant in obedience to His truth. The verse continues say, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Satan knows when you are weak. And when you are beginning to fall behind in meditating and talking to God.
Why were we told to remember Lot's wife? Because, she had her eyes on what she was giving up, she had her eyes on her material losses, she did not have her eyes on the salvation provided her. Lot's wife knew a man that knew a man that knew God, she did not know God herself! She only enjoyed the blessings of those that were around her that knew God. We see from her husband Lot, the example that we are to flee God's wrath.
On that subject, it's interesting what John the Baptist told the Pharisees and Sadducees. "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to the baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers,
who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Matt 3:7). John the Baptist knew that they were not sincere, he recognized their true nature, of their faithless belief in Christ.
Faith brings us to the front of things. Unbelief puts us in the back of things. Remember what Heb. 10: 38 and 39 said, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (final destruction) but of them that believe to the saving of the soul (meaning- obtaining of life eternal).
Many are drawing back today in their Christian growth. Why, because they lack faith and then fear over takes them. Satan uses the emotion of fear. It is one of his most effective means of hindering progress among the people of God. It was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who made the statement, that has become so famous, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." We, cannot as God's chosen people allow fear to cause us to linger behind or make us fearful because of the unknown! The highway of fear is the shortest route to defeat. The fear of failure, is the father of failure!
Why did God create fear in us as an emotion? The function of fear is to warn us of danger, not to make us afraid to face a trail or test. Reminding ourselves again what Paul said in Heb. 10:38, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back [linger behind], My soul shall have no pleasure in him." There is a saying, "Both faith and fear sail into the harbor of your mind, but only faith should be allowed to anchor!" Fear is a powerful influence It causes one to become timid, afraid, stagnate and draw back, having no confidence and faith.
King David's weakened faith caused him to have a broken fellowship with God for over a year. "And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months" (1 Sam 27:7). David did not write any Psalms during the 16 months when he was out of God's will.
We, as God's called, chosen and faithful cannot afford to be out of God's will. Neither could King David. Look at the last sentence in I Sam chapter 30: verse 6. "But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." David's repented attitude now was entirely different. Having now a humble heart he could meet the new challenges head on without running away and hiding in fear. In order for us to meet the challenges ahead it is essential that we put on the armor of God so we don't find ourselves fearful, weak, stagnate and following behind.
Lets all of us, read and pay attention to what Paul said in his closing letter to God's true church at Ephesus. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles ( temptations ) 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 you 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 you 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 there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Eph 6:10-18).
Our Lord said, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Tim 1:7).
James Russell
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