Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 25, 2017
But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet … The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Revelation 19:20
The sun never sets on evil, and alarmingly, there are people as intent on evil actions as there are those committed to good. Like roaches under the cloak of darkness, hideous human hearts are secretly hatching evil schemes. The worst kind of evil is disguised in the robe of religion. They blame their terrorist tirades on a god of their making. They worship an idol of violence at the altar of racism, anger, unforgiveness, and hatred. These religious fanatics are deceived and delusional.
Satan is smiling at these acts of atrocity aimed at innocent people. What better strategy for hell than for people to murder in the name of religion? This plan sends people to hell for eternity and causes others to experience hell on earth. It is a hellish nightmare that is plaguing more and more of the modern world. It is the antithesis of true religion. Unfortunately, engineers of evil are engaged every day in the execution of evil acts. However, there is an unseen battle raging that is even more decisive. It is the battle for the souls of men and women.
“The LORD said to me, ‘Son of man, these are the men who are plotting evil and giving wicked advice in this city’” (Ezekiel 11:2).
A person who comes to Christ in confession and repentance does not condemn others who hold different beliefs. An individual “in Christ” has new weapons in their arsenal of faith. Hate has been replaced by love. Violence has been replaced by peace. Death has been replaced by life. Retaliation has been replaced by forgiveness. Prayer is the primary weapon in spiritual warfare. Our friends in the faith who suffer under the tyranny of terrorism need our unprecedented prayer support.
Until evil is totally transformed by the grace of God, we have a giant opportunity to invest in eternity. We have the remedy for radical religious jihads driven by evil intent: faith in Christ. Humbly and persistently we can present Jesus in our behavior and in our beliefs. He is the answer for atrocities hatched in hell. Heaven trumps hell when trust in Christ is preeminent. Pray every day for trust in Christ to triumph over tactics of terrorism. Pray for His Kingdom to come.
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy… having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them” (2 Timothy 3:1-2, 5).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me Your grace to fight evil with Your weapons of faith in Christ. In these last days help me not fear evil but trust You to have the final say on Your Judgment day.Application
Who are victims of evil acts that need my bold prayers and generous support?Related Reading
Jeremiah 14:14; Ezekiel 13:9; Mark 13:22; 2 Peter 2:1Post/Tweet today
Prayer is the primary weapon in spiritual warfare. #WisdomHunters #evildoersWorship Resource
4 minute video: Kari Jobe: Heal Our Land Check out Shana and Boyd’s newest devotional book Two Minutes in the Bible for Women. Pre-Order now! If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision. Learn how to help. Our free Apple appComments are closed.
I look to this devotional every day for inspiration and discernment in the Word. But today I cannot abide by what has been said in this particular devotion. While I don’t believe the message in its entirety is wrong in regards to evil existing in this world I find it very itresponsible to be mentioning only Jihads which implicates Muslims. There are fanatical people in every form of religion and to imply that it is only Muslims that have this fanatical wing in their religion is irresponsible. I beg you to read “My bondage and my freedom” by Frederick Douglass. A book about a man who is in Christ who is being surrounded by a world of men who believe they are also acting in Christ and yet committing horrifying acts against their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Our very nation was established by a people who claim to have been God-fearing Christians yet who in turn committed despicable acts of genocide against indigenous people and enslavement of an entire race imported from other countries. We cannot move further in this world claiming that other religions don’t have the same ability to be good and kind in the world without recognizing our own histories in our Christian believers. I will pray for the leaders of this country, I will pray for my church, for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that we would be able to see evil wherever it may lay and that we would be courageous enough to battle it even if in our own churches if we see that fanaticism exists anywhere under any religion under any God.
I receive Wisdom Hunters devotional by e-mail daily and enjoy it very much, but often the link to the daily devotion does not bring forward as I try to share it on Facebook. Sometime it works and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s been like that for a long time.
I was able to share yesterday’s but not todays….I’m not sure if you are aware of it.
Dear Miyuki,
Thank you for letting us know about the FB link. Yes, we are aware of this and have worked on this issue from time to time. From what I understand, there is a “time delay” of sorts at times when a reader tries to share a current devotional. Like you said, “sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t”. It can be frustrating, I know, but we are still working on it. We are so thankful for our readers and appreciate your willingness to share the devotionals.
I will certainly pass along your comments.
Again, thank you for sharing the devotionals. We are grateful that you have been blessed by the devotionals and give all the glory to God!
Blessings,
Gwynne
“I know that You alone, whose name is the Lord,
Are the Most High over all the earth.”
Psalm 83:18
Dear Erin,
Thank you for reaching out to us after reading “Destination of Evil Doers”. Your response was thought-provoking, as well as, sincere and passionate.
While I cannot speak directly for Boyd (the author of this devotional), I do not believe he was implying all Muslims in this devotional. When he referred to “jihads”, he stated “radical religious jihads driven by evil intent” which would not include all our Muslim brothers and sisters. However, I do understand your concern and appreciate you calling this to our attention.
Erin, we are so grateful that you pray for our nation and the body of Christ that we may all see evil where it exists and be brave enough to stand up against it. Your example of going to the Throne on behalf of our nation and the family of believers, that our eyes may be opened, is a “call to action” for all of us.
Thank you for shining His Light so others may see!
I also appreciate the book suggestion and hope to read it in the future. I am not familiar with “My Bondage and My Freedom” but I am interested in looking into it. Thank you.
Erin, again, thank you for your heartfelt words and please know we take all the responses from our Wisdom Hunter’s family seriously and learn from your feedback.
We are grateful that you read the daily devotional every day and that you are blessed by it. We give all the glory to God!
Looking forward to hearing from you again sometime.
Joining you as we pray for our country~
Gwynne
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In additional to all of this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
Ephesians 6: 14-18