Even If i Walk Alone

Instructing and encouraging you to live your life as a disciple of Jesus

Deuteronomy

Fight Back

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As countries around the world face great upheaval, we must remember the weapons of our warfare look nothing like those of the world (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Where I live, righteous indignation often results in violence begetting violence. Christians are angry and want to fight back against the forces coming against them. It’s understandable and natural. But it is natural only in the context of the old self we put away when we gave our lives to Jesus (Ephesians 4:22-23).

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Our new nature looks like Jesus (Ephesians 4:24), so we now must fight back in the way He modeled for us. We fight back by immersing ourselves in the Word of God, praying for our enemies, and loving everyone as ourselves. It all seems counter-intuitive, but this is what Jesus taught us to do.

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Fear and Negativity

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In a recent sermon, Pastor Craig Groeschel made the statement that “You can’t have a positive, faith-filled life if you have a negative, fear-filled mind.” Living victoriously for Christ begins in our heart but is quickly followed by the thoughts in our head. After taking the initial step of surrendering our lives to Jesus, we begin a lifelong journey of surrendering our minds. What we think about matters. It reveals what’s really in our hearts.

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If we claim to have the love of Jesus in our hearts but spend our days dwelling on negative thoughts and living in fear, it demonstrates we have not grasped the power of Jesus and the transforming strength of His love. The love of Jesus banishes fear from our lives (1 John 4:18). No matter in what circumstances we find ourselves, we know Jesus is with us. He goes before us (Deuteronomy 31:8) and will never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

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Our Weapon

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The greatest weapon we have in the face of tyranny, persecution, and spiritual warfare is the presence of God. Our God is unlike any other God in that He is alive and with us wherever we go. The omnipresence of God is our weapon against everything the enemy throws at us. There is nowhere we can go where God is not. He goes before us (Deuteronomy 31:8) and fights for us (Exodus 14:14).

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While we spend our time trying to figure out how to live a victorious life, God has already secured the victory on our behalf. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we have already won. No matter how dark the days or the circumstances surrounding us, we have the assurance that God is here.

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Looking Back

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This is the time of year when many are writing about looking back over the past year, recounting lessons learned, blessings, and obstacles. Looking back is helpful only insomuch as it focuses us on the beauty and blessings of our Savior. There is a danger in looking back that we focus too much on ourselves and not on God. Considering what we have accomplished and overcome can inadvertently lead to self-satisfaction and pride.

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Reflecting on our problems and challenges can lead us down a road of discouragement and despair rather than focusing on the One who provides everything we need. If we visit it lightly, the past can teach us a few lessons and serve as a wonderful reminder of the provision of our God. Better to leave it quickly though and focus instead on the work ahead.

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Finding Hope

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Where are you finding hope these days? Perhaps a first question should be, “Where are you looking for hope?” More and more people are rejecting the authority or even the existence of God, and then wondering why depression and suicide are on the rise. There can never be genuine hope outside of God. Once we deny Him, there is no hope remaining.

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As apologist William Lane Craig has said, “This is the reality in a universe without God: there is no hope; there is no purpose.” So, if you are trying to find hope while leaving God out of the equation, you are fighting a losing battle. You will find your only hope—in fact, the only hope of the world—in Jesus.

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