The Bread Of Life: Leaving God's Table
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
Luke 11:4 (NKJV)
Uncountable temptations surround us. The evil one behind them is Satan. Gloriously, God helps us get through them: 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me' (Psalm 23:4).
God also teaches us how to fight them: 'Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle' (Psalm 144:1).
Therein, I believe Christian training should include instruction in spiritual warfare.*
Even so, some fights CAN be avoided. How? Walk away. Avoid the temptation.
'Depart from evil' (Proverbs 3:7).
'Flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness' (2 Timothy 2:22).
'Abstain from every form of evil' (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
'Remove your foot from evil' (Proverbs 4:27).
'Let him turn away from evil and do good' (1 Peter 3:11).
But on this danger-filled journey called ‘life’, sometimes we go there accidentally. Even more times, we go ON PURPOSE, as in God’s purpose: The Great Commission!
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: Arts and entertainment are battlefields. You, His rising performers, are soldiers.
Salvation’s Captain prayed to His Father: 'I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one' (John 17:15).
How does God keep us from the evil one?
Defensive armor: See Ephesians**
Offensive weapons: God’s Word is POWER!
Christian fellowship: God’s strength multiplied!
His shelter and rest: Our Fathers gives both.***
Communion with God is first and foremost!
Renew it DAILY and CONSISTENTLY: 'Give us day by day our daily bread' (Luke 11:3).
As field workers go home at each day’s end, you, too, must stop work and go home to God. Specifically, go and dine with Dad, for daily nourishment and renewal.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: When you committed your life to Jesus, you got the right to sit at God’s table. Cherish that right today… and forever!
The Bread Of Life: Leaving God’s Table (Part 6)
* Many excellent books focus on God's Word regarding spiritual warfare. Among them are 'Spiritual Warfare' and 'They Shall Expel Demons' by Derek Prince. http://www.derekprince.org
* Many excellent websites contain spiritual warfare Scriptures, including http://www.battlefocused.org/spiritual-warfare/scriptures.php#.UaN3UaUvTao,
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Spiritual-Warfare/,
http://www.heavensinspirations.com/word-warfare.html
** Defensive and offensive weaponry.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206:10-18&version=NKJV
*** Shelter: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2022:3-4&version=NKJV
** Fellowship with believers: 'For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them’ (Matthew 18:20).
The Bread Of Life: Leaving God’s Table (Part 6)
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.