Scriptural Foundation:
1 Peter 5:8-9 New King James (NKJV)
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
1 Peter 4:12-14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly].
If you are censured and suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you—happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy, and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
Hebrews 10:24-25 New King James (NKJV)
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Reflection:
One particular church service there was an alter call, I witnessed as one by one several teenagers and young adults came forward for prayer. The call was for anyone feeling depressed to the point of considering suicide. You could feel the anointing heavy in the room, as the Lord ministered to them through the prayer warriors standing behind them. My eyes over flowed with tears and my heart ached because I could remember being that age and hearing those whispers in my thoughts. “Why am I so different?”; “I don’t really fit in anywhere?”; “Is there something wrong with me?”; “Why is life such a struggle when the Lord is one my side?”, etc.
As a Body we need each other to fight this fight together. We may not be going through the same season of struggle, but we have all been through something that we can help each other. If these young warriors in the faith at the alter are struggling and they are doing things “the right way”, how much more at risk are the mature in the faith that forsake the assembling of the church assembly because of past hurt and/or disappointment. They are putting themselves and their families in harm’s way spiritually. People are not perfect, Jesus is. If we seek Him, we will all ultimately come together as notes in a worship song – a wonderful fragrance unto the Lord.
Like myself, many of these precious souls at this altar have been in church all their lives. On a daily basis their parents have diligently poured the Word into them. As a result, we have one of the most vibrant and multi-talented youth ministry I have ever seen. Over flowing with gifts from the Lord, these children are on fire for the Lord and their energy is infectious. So then why do we as Believers that are a little farther down the path forget and tend to minimize their struggle? Isn’t that a form a judging? Am I stepping on some spiritual toes? If it is for your betterment, I am challenging you to reflect.
Let us turn to the Word for a sobering reminder. The enemy of our soul, attempted to snuff out our Lord Jesus Christ as a baby. A baby! Through Herod, the devil’s second attempt (the first being Joseph considering not marrying Mary) trying to kill Jesus, was under the guise of worshiping the King of the Jews. When we as Believers commit to our sanctification walk, at times it will feel like we are the only ones going through the struggle. That is why it is paramount to fellowship with other Believers. To come together as one Body to worship and pray for one another. If we don’t, we are just putting ourselves on the outskirts and that is where the enemy wants us, so focused on ourselves that we don’t notice that we have drifted away from the Lord’s commandment – “This is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you. No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends. You are my friends if you keep on doing what I command you.”
Remember Saints, we are all warriors in the Army of the Lord, we lay our lives down willingly. If not you, then who…
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” – John 10:17-18
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- Is there someone the Lord has put on your heart? Someone you haven’t seen at church in a while?
- Reach out ask them if you can pray with them.
- Repeat