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Step Into The Ring
This week's focus: Boldness
While at the gym, I decided to change things up and hopped on a new elliptical machine. I was surprised to see it offered a mixed martial arts (MMA) workout, which tries to mimic MMA bouts. The screen provided motivational messages encouraging me to “throw it” and “punch and move.” The last command it gave before I “stepped into the ring” was: “Size up your opponent and fight!”
Whether we like it or not, Ephesians 6:12 makes it clear that God’s children are, in fact, in a battle, but the fight is with spiritual forces of wickedness in the Heavenlies. If we fight this war using our strength, we would be down for the count in record time. Fortunately, Jesus is our champion. He has already disarmed Satan at the cross, fought on our behalf in the battle for our souls, and guaranteed our eternal salvation.
His accomplishment means that we are fighting from victory and not for victory. He delivered his knock-out punch when He conquered death and rose from the grave, stripping the enemy of his title and power over us. Each of us now has the authority to push back against evil, armed with the knowledge that we cannot effect change without confrontation.
We live in a fallen world. As the days become increasingly dark and wicked, we have no choice but to enter the battle. Nehemiah 4:14 says,
“Don’t be afraid of the enemy. Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Now, more than ever, we must be bold and courageous. We are responsible for fighting for our loved ones, our nation, and future generations.
In Proverbs 24:11-12, we read an urgent plea to step into the ring and take a greater role in defending others when we read,
“Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.”
We have been given authority over the enemy for a reason. If we choose to do nothing, evil will continue to triumph because darkness is the absence of light. Knowing this, let’s size up our opponent and fight.
by: Jennifer McAlister for My Faith Votes
Jeremiah 22:3
“This is what the LORD says: “Do justice and righteousness, and save one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. And do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” - Jeremiah 22:3
Prayer Points:
Pray: Dear Lord, Please revive Your church and give us a sense of urgency to boldly fight for our families, nation, and future generations. With so much at stake, may we never be deceived, shrink back, give up, or give in. Holy Spirit, we ask that You remind our hearts that if You are for us, who can be against us? In the great and glorious name of Jesus, Amen.
Think: “Evil is powerless when the righteous are unafraid.” – Ronald Reagan
Act: Ohio recently passed an Amendment to enshrine abortion rights in its state constitution—a heartbreaking example of what happens when the church doesn’t “step into the ring” on behalf of those who can’t defend themselves. Please read this statement from our CEO, Jason Yates, about Ohio’s election results. May it be a battle cry for future elections.
“The Ohio election results are an indictment on the church. Either Christians have set aside their biblical values and voted in favor of Issue 1, or they simply did not show up to vote No. Abortion activists knew that the only thing that could stop their push for unlimited abortion and the removal of parental rights was the church, so they pooled their money and targeted people of faith with deceptive messages and outright lies - and their despicable tactics worked. I am sending out a clarion call to Christians across the nation...we must rise and stand united against the cancer that is spreading like wildfire across America. To stop the decay of our nation, Christians need to get educated and understand the issues and the dire consequences they bring - and then stand and vote in every election.”
We want to see God honored in America, and we pray for an unprecedented spiritual awakening.
This devotion was produced in partnership with Every Home for Christ.
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