It is not very often I write with such a profound burning in my heart of something that has strongly impressed me as being divinely revealed from the Holy Spirit into my spirit. It is important that I share with you some spiritual realities, which are taking place, even as you read this short article. Tiffany and I were discussing our pending ministerial conference schedules and what God was revealing to our hearts to speak about, and we were totally amazed at what was revealed to us through our conversation.
We would like to let you in on a portion of our conversation. We were mentioning about the importance of raising our children to be those of the generation who will stand strong in the face of the spirit of the anti-Christ. It can be very discouraging to parents, (both natural and spiritual) when their children fall away or turn away from the way of Jesus because of the difficulties, which life throws their way. There will be a great falling away in these last days we live in, where untold millions will turn away from the path of righteousness. Please be advised of the mission you and I have in life. We are to stand strong in faith, and hold on to our profession of Jesus Christ, through every season of life.
As my wife and I were discussing how important it is for any believer to stand strong in the face of adversity, these three words came to my mind: Division, Discouragement and Devour. These are the three D’s of the enemy’s last days’ tactics to ruin the believer’s life. First, the enemy will shoot for what is called division. Not just from within the body of Christ, but also within the family and within the individual’s own mind. To divide is to conquer and to conquer is to defeat. Division is a military tactic, which satan uses to separate out the weak from the strong, as a lioness when on the prowl.
When a spirit of division manifests itself it is vitally important that we each take the road of humility and submit to the Lord and to one another, instead of boasting about our own reasoning or point of view. Most division is successful because of pride. Humility is the opposite of pride. Humility always wins in God’s eternal perspective. Division has always been the accusers tactic to divide the strong. It will only increase the closer we come to the return of the Bridegroom for His spotless and beautiful bride.
Secondly, we spoke about discouragement. If you have ever met anyone who is more encouraged than discouraged, you know how important it is for them to stay focused and continually pressing in to what is motivating to them. Encouragement has much positive energy. Some may call it momentum or a positive attitude or outlook on life. Whatever vocabulary you would like to use, encouragement is the lifeblood of the Christian life. When we are encouraged we strive forward with passion, but when we are not, we turn on the television and sit on the couch and eat cookies (maybe not literally).
If the enemy is able to discourage a believer from pressing in with a holy passion to love god and be loved by Him, the result is a person whose prophetic and intercessory gifts are nullified and rendered utterly useless. Discouragement is the tactic, which turns the spiritual warrior into the coach potato. I once said to a group of pastors, “One of our main goals is not to preach the perfect message, rather to cultivate a heart that hungers and thirsts for more of God forty or fifty years from now.” If our hearts are encouraged we will continue to press forward and go deeper into knowing the One who loves our souls. If we do not we become the prey of the enemy. The enemy will do everything possible to “dis”, courage you, minimize and even halt you from pressing in for a more real and intimate relationship with God.
Lastly, please realize that the accuser of the brethren is prowling around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. His tactic is to completely destroy and deceive, if possible, even the elect. He will seek out the weak and discouraged at any given time of weakness and try to devour their faith, focus and future. I am stressing the tactics, which the enemy will use and not the authority or power he has over the saints of God. He has no authority or power over those who are of God except that which is given to him.
Remember, we are called to support those who are spiritually and morally faint in heart and the weak. We are not to throw them out to be killed or maimed, rather to pull them into the center of our circle and extend care towards them. At any given moment of weakness we are all potential victims, if we do not do all that we can do to stand in God’s saving grace and willfully place ourselves before His endless mercy. It is our commission by God to pull up the weak and help rescue those who are being lead astray. We are to remain strong in times of trials. Standing strong in the face of adversity is what builds the spiritual muscle necessary to withstand the tactics of the enemy. With strong spiritual muscle we sill not be surprised by the enemy’s tactics designed to ruin our lives.
In order to be considered a strong Christian, we need to possess the mental and spiritual make up of a finisher. Since the late 80’s, I (Andrew) have been preaching and teaching the Scriptures. In the early 90’s I served as a youth pastor along with many other faithful and dedicated men and women who loved God, but recently I have began to notice how many of those who served with me so many years ago have lost their passion or are no longer serving Him with the same intensity as they once did.
I think about people like king David, who was a man with many flaws and trials, but who decided early on in life he would stand with confidence before God and live in the reality that God loved him even in his own human weakness. This is the same confidence we have before God, even today, that if we ask anything of Him according to His will, He not only hears us, but He also answers us. This unshakable confidence is vitally important in order to spiritually mature and produce strong children who will walk in the way of the Lord in their later years of life.
“I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding: moreover, my reins also have corrected me even till night. I set the Lord always in my sight: for he is at my right hand, that I be not moved. Therefore my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced: moreover, my flesh also shall rest in hope. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life, thou shalt fill me with joy with thy countenance: at thy right hand are delights even to the end.” Psalm 16:7-11
Standing strong and in confidence before God is not an easy thing. That is why it is called the good fight of faith, and not the easy road of faith. Faith is not any easy road, but it is the right road to travel on. What was king David’s key? Here is something I like from Dick Eastman, in possibly one of the greatest books ever written, “No easy Road.” He wrote, “Christians cannot afford to live their lives without proper spiritual development. If lives must be overbalanced, may the fault lie in too much prayer rather than works. Church historians indicate truly successful men of God not only persisted physically, but had ample prayer time. Praying hands, indeed, become God’s select tools in building a mighty work for God.” (Baker Book House, 1971, page. 87)
If you are challenged by these words, my overwhelming desire is that you would stop everything you are doing right now and actually tell the Lord with your own mouth, “I desire to be that person you have created me to be. I ask you to build me into that house of prayer, which you have called me to be. I give myself to you, even when it is uncomfortable. I truly need more of you and less of me. Give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of your Son.” My friend and beloved of God, stand strong until the end. Do not become weary in well doing. You are loved.
The Myers have been international ministers in Mexico for some 60 years.
