7/6/2020
Desk of Dennis Piller
COVID. May I encourage you today to rejoice in the lord. Phil 4:4 We are in the valley of the shadow of death. Ps 23 The world is full of every negative view imaginable Isn’t news always bad news? Fear sells so much better than good. It’s just good business financially. But there’s a difference in listening to the news to be informed Vs being transformed into a disciple of anger and fear.
How great is our God? Can you recall that melody today? He is the name above all names. He is worthy of all praise. How great is our God?
Where is your filter these days? Who owns your filter? What does it look like today? Come on. Take a look. Answer it out loud to yourself or someone. Are you happy with it? Is it God-centered? Is it trusting God? Is it bringing honor to his name? As a child of God, He is asking. It is not i. What thoughts have you allowed to run rough-shod over you? Are you singing of the goodness of God? Are you being faithful to the goodness of God?
This plague will pass. He knew it was coming. Truth being, did all those other battles, prepare you for this fight? Was it for naught? Come on, will you give up the high ground that you’ve already taken?
Is there any limit to His power? Is there any fate you cannot change in Christ. He said you can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Phil 4:13 We cannot be contained. Our God reigns. Period. Whose voice have you allowed to pass your filter? The filter of God? The filter of His word. Of his promises. Of his truths… Tell me its not the distortions of the world of news and the agenda of its owners. Anger and Fear!
They sell fear. Jesus said, take every thought captive. 2 Cor 10-5 That’s your God filter. That is your defense to overcome! Have you ever wondered why fear is mentioned so often? (500 times in the Bible… Anger over 1,000) The attacks. The plagues. Racisms. Tragedies!
Hear me. This is a spiritual issue! If you are managing this on your own. You will fail. You may be marginally successful. But you will be comprised. You will grow darker and darker in your understanding. Your filter is too influenced by the constant onslaught of the noise of the world. World opinions. World compromises. Which includes being desensitized to spiritual things. Don’t be naive. Only through the strength of the Holy Spirit will you be able to stand the onslaught.
Fear and its cousin anger are both strongholds It is not a fence or door or a wall… it’s a stronghold. Fortified. defended. In conflict, anger seeks to cause fear. It is what is happening across American but Jesus has the correct anecdote.
Eph 4 – 23-27 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”* Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Eph 4:30-32 Don’t bring sorrow and grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.31 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. 32 Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Lord help us understand our battle is not against flesh and blood or black or white. It is against the murder, deceiver and lord of lies. That is why we must bath and wash in God’s word. Eph 5:26 Repentance, forgiveness, love, kindness. Father, we look to see and forsake every wicked way within our being and submit to your ways. I WILL praise you this day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKLQ1td3MbE. Chris Tomlin. How great is our God
