Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 11, 2016
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
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. There is no reasoning with religiously driven people warped in their warring ways. The realities of our world are riddled with religiously motivated people bent on evil. These religious fanatics are, of course, 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. They spend time, money, and energy like an aggressive investor in a business project of monumental proportions. Their return on investment is measured by the evil outcomes of fear, intimidation, violence, mayhem, and murder. However, there is an unseen battle raging that is even more decisive. It is the battle for the souls of men and women.
A person who comes to Christ in confession and repentance does not condemn others who hold different beliefs. Condemnation is for cowards, not for Christ followers. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8). 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 Hate has been replaced by love. Violence has been replaced by peace. Death has been replaced by life. Retaliation has been replaced by forgiveness.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. A tsunami of prayer will penetrate the pride of those stuck in the sick and seductive talons of terrorism. Heaven’s call is for followers of Jesus Christ to rise up in a powerful proclamation of prayer. We are the Body of Christ. When one member of the body suffers, the entire body suffers. Faith is not isolated; it is committed to the community of faith. Our friends in the faith who suffer under the tyranny of terrorism need our unprecedented prayer support.
Fervent prayer flies in the face of fascism disguised in a fanatical but false faith. We can act as if we are isolated from international crisis, but we are not. We will also be effected as long as evildoers plot evil. 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. Evil plotters are no match for persistent and pure prayers. Pray for His Kingdom to come, on earth as it is in heaven.
The Bible says, “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, lead me to pray for my enemies and to stand by faith against evil forces.Application
What areas of my heart have anger or hurt that may be hindering my relationships?Related Reading
Today’s reading is taken from Boyd’s most popular book: Seeking Daily the Heart of God, a 365 day devotional.Post/Tweet today
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I would like to be able to have a printer friendly copy of some of your devotionals to share with someone. I would put the date & Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey. I just don’t want to use so many pieces of paper. You have some really good devotionals & this one is one of them “Plotting Evil”! I like to save them under certain topics.