September 23, 2018: SOAP #3216:  Daniel 11-12; Luke 6

Scripture:  Daniel (NIV) 11: (Daniel’s vision of the last days.)  31 “His [the king of the north] armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

Observation:  From the prophetic verses above, I believe we find a characteristic that God desires in all of those who know Him.  It is not a characteristic of people who know ABOUT God, but of those who KNOW God.  They firmly resist evil!

Ephesians (NIV) 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Application:  When I was born again, the God’s Holy Spirit took up residence in me.  His nature is now in me.  The Holy Spirit and myself are working to align my thoughts, words, and deeds to the holy nature of God.  Living in an unholy world where sin abounds results in a battle as to who is control of this human Leon.  Does Leon follow the temptations of the world or the direction of the Holy Spirit?  Does Leon follow the patterns of the carnal flesh or the prompting of the Holy Spirit?

By following the leading of the Holy Spirit God wants me to lovingly, yet firmly resist evil!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I need your help with this.  Give me wisdom and boldness to speak when your truth when confronted with evil.  Help me not to shrink back, but to stand firm for truth.  Your Word is truth!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!