PLUS

Ephesians 4:27 “Neither give place to the devil.”

A wedge is one of the six classical simple machines that have been in use for thousands of years.  It is defined as “a piece of hard material with two principal faces meeting in a sharply acute angle, for raising, holding, or splitting objects by applying a pounding or driving force, as from a hammer.”  It works by “converting a force applied to its blunt end into forces perpendicular to its inclined surfaces.”  With just a relatively small amount of force, it can separate objects, lift objects, or secure objects.

A wedge needs only a small opening to operate.  Once placed in an opening, it magnifies force through mechanical advantage that allows it disproportionate effects.

The devil seeks a small opening to operate in the lives of believers.  He does the same to operate in the affairs of a nation.  Once he makes his way into an opening, it magnifies his force and allows him to have disproportionate effects.  In doing so, he can severe relationships, move institutions, and stifle progress.

American Christians need to realize that giving even a small place to the devil can provide inroads into our lives that give the devil advantage.  In many ways, this effect has been evident in our acceptance of sin and acquiescence to the worldliness around that has caused our nation to steadily slide away from God.

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO SEAL UP THOSE FISSUES THAT GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL IN OUR LIVES.  We must no long accept the small openings that allow the devil a wedge that can impact our lives through mechanical advantage.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God:  I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Proverbs 14:9 “Fools make a mock at sin:  but among the righteous there is favour.”

Psalm 37:1-3 “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.  Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

It is easy in our flesh to see the victories of the enemies of God and conclude that justice is not being served.  It is simple to be trapped in a human-centered short-term view that discounts the longevity of God’s perspective.  It is natural for us to want immediate justice for the world, and to desire immediate ramifications for rebellion.  It is understandable to be bothered by the mocking spirit of a sinful world.

Instead, we must be still!  We must know that God is in control as we serve Him in this world.  He will be exalted among the heathen, and will be exalted in the earth.  There is favour among the righteous.

Justice will be served!  There will be ramifications for rebellion!

PLEASE PRAY THAT AMERICAN CHRISTIANS WOULD TRUST GOD’S JUSTICE AND GOD’S PLAN.  As we strive for Him, let us be still!

NOTE:  There will not be a post next weekend as I enjoy a vacation with my family.  See you in two weeks!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fail, the one will lift up his fellow:  but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

Several years ago I was able to spend an afternoon at the Pratt & Whitney headquarters and assembly line in Hartford, Connecticut.  Pratt & Whitney is one of three major worldwide advanced engine manufacturers, and they are constantly in stiff competition with Rolls Royce and General Electric.  If there is an industry where business is considered a zero-sum-game, this is it.  A win for one seemingly implies the loss for another.

Interestingly, though, as I wandered through the advanced Pratt & Whitney complex in Hartford I noticed something surprising and encouraging.  Just off the high-tech assembly floor were liaison offices of Rolls Royce and General Electric.  Yes indeed, Pratt & Whitney had employees of their competitors embedded in their operations.  Their rationale for doing so was simple but powerful – even in the most competitive businesses there is a strong need for communication and ample opportunities for collaboration.

This is a great reminder to all of us who call on the name of Christ with like doctrine.  There is a strong need for communication and ample opportunities for collaboration, and we should do so at every opportunity.  Even when we view our partners as competitors, we must remind ourselves that there is outreach to be done and mutually beneficial partnerships to be formed.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMUNICATE AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHER LIKE-MINDED BELIEVERS.  Two are better than one!

Genesis 41:15-16 “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it:  and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.  And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me:  God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Several years ago, our church had an amazing lead singer named Elizabeth.  There were several times that I had the opportunity to go up to her after a solo and compliment her amazing talent.  Yet, her response was the same each time – “Praise God!”  While I was intending to compliment her, she wanted to ensure the praise, the glory, the honor, and the credit went to where it belonged.  The power was not in her.  Instead, it was completely in God’s hands, and Elizabeth wanted to make sure that we all knew it.  The Lord deserved it all!

When asked by Pharaoh to interpret his dream, Joseph immediately gave God the praise, the glory, the honor and the credit.  The power was not in him.  Instead, it was completely in God’s hands, and Joseph wanted to make sure that the Pharaoh knew it.  The Lord deserved it all!

PLEASE PRAY THAT AMERICAN CHRISTIANS WOULD GIVE GOD ALL THE PRAISE, THE GLORY, THE HONOR, AND THE CREDIT.  The power is not in us.  Instead, it is completely in God’s hands, and we should make sure that the world knows it.  The Lord deserves it all!

II Timothy 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

The United States Air Force Weapons School is the Air Force equivalent of the Navy’s Top Gun.  The graduates from this grueling six-month course are the tactical experts and warfighting leaders of the Combat Air Force.  They are tasked with not just being superb at their warfighting craft, but are expected to replicate themselves by producing a squadron full of tactical experts.  It is through this process that the United States Air Force maintains its decided edge over all others.

The Weapons School creates such warrior mentors and leaders by expecting them to embody three critical characteristics.  These warfighting experts are expected to be Humble, Approachable, and Credible.  The last of the three is likely the easiest for a graduate as they permanently wear a graduate patch on their left shoulder that indicates their ability to withstand the rigors of the school’s demanding syllabus.  Yet, without the first two characteristics, these tactical experts would never be able to replicate themselves.  While they would likely survive any engagement due to their individual prowess, their supporting force would crumble around them and the enemy would win the battle.  Thus, they are reminded by their instructor cadre that humility and approachability are as important as credibility.  Without all three, they could never produce a complete fighting force.

American Christians need to remember that the battle we are waging for the soul of our nation requires not just individual faithfulness, but collective faithfulness.  Our own credible testimony is not enough, but we need to build up the skills of others around us by reproducing ourselves through humility and approachability.  If our supporting force crumbles around us, then the enemy will win the battle.  Instead, we need to replicate ourselves to produce a complete fighting force.

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO BE HUMBLE, APPROACHABLE, AND CREDIBLE.  It is the only way we can create a decided edge over a determined enemy.

For a related thought, please see:  https://prayatlunch.us/replicate/