Open Heavens May 9, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Pet. 1-2

IGNORING THE ADVERSARY

MEMORIZE:
"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23)

READ: Mark 9:20-27

When in trouble, apart from praising and thanking God, you could take a step of faith in the Lord by going to bed and sleeping off the problem. This is one way to handle some problems that appear so big that they seem very difficult to praise God about. This however is a higher level of faith, meaning that you have put everything in God’s hand, and the Lord will definitely handle it and make a way out. You can be sure the Lord will respond to that act of faith. All things are possible by faith.

In Acts 12:1-11, we are told that the devil declared an all-out war against the apostles. He operated through king Herod who arrested and killed James. Seeing that by that death he scored some political points, he arrested Peter next. At that time, there were no human rights organizations to check Herod’s excesses. The situation appeared hopeless. Even the church that interceded on his behalf were holding vigils but their hearts were not there. They could not believe their prayer could work (Acts 12:16). Peter was still grieving over the loss of one of his most trusted colleagues, Apostle James. That he was now to die appeared almost completely overwhelming. In that state all he could do was ignore the problem, leave everything to God and go to sleep. Of course God honored his faith.

Problems are of different sizes and shapes. Some problems can be prayed-off. Some can be praised -off. Some others should be slept-off. A prominent man of God, having won several souls in an area Satan had labeled a no-go area, was sleeping one day when the devil came to his bedroom. The devil was very furious and came threatening fire and brimstone. When the brother heard the noise in his room, he woke up and saw Satan in a rage. He simply said, ‘Satan, is it you?’ and went back to sleep. That was one of Satan’s greatest disgrace! He likes to be noticed and recognized. But this preacher simply ignored him. He left in shame. You too can sleep off that big problem. You can ignore Satan by taking your gaze off the problem, and looking unto your source by sleeping the problem away. By the time you wake up the problem would have disappeared. Lamentations 3:26 says, “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD”.

ACTIONPOINT: Acts 14:27 says faith is a door. All who go through it, meet with God and receive their desires.