Be of Good Courage
Be of Good Courage
Last Saturday night I had the privilege of attending our annual PA Family Institute banquet. I was very encouraged. I pray for our state almost daily, binding the strong man and believing for God’s will to be done in Pennsylvania as it is in heaven. After many months of believing God and asking Him to rule in the affairs of men, I was blessed to see how God has been at work throughout our commonwealth. We pray by faith, and commit these officials “who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2) to God, but it is such a faith-booster to “see” the results of these prayers in the flesh.
The evening closed with a speech from Mike Pompeo, who had served under President Trump as the director of the CIA and the Secretary of State. This brother in the Lord, gave a much different perspective on his years in government and on the state of our country than the mainstream media. I could have listened to his stories and observations for hours. His words and experiences strengthened all who were present.
Joshua
Two years ago I was at a fund raiser for a local conservative candidate. The speaker was a former general in the military and a sitting congressman. After the event, I was mingling in the crowd and found myself standing next to this representative. I told him that I would be praying for him like Moses did for Joshua. He looked a little puzzled, so I gave him a short Bible lesson from Exodus 17.
“Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.’ So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” (Exodus 17:9-12)
I explained that he was the Joshua on the battlefield and I was Moses on the mountain. I thanked him for standing for all that was good and right in Washington, and assured him that I would continue to pray for him. He thanked me and I have followed through on my promise.
Josiah
In addition to asking God to strengthen the hands of the Joshuas on the battlefield, I am also asking God to raise up Josiahs to enter the fray. Good men and good women make good decisions.
“Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah and walked in the ways of David his father; and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and the metal images.” (2 Chronicles 34:1-3)
Priests Pray
With less than two weeks until the election on November 8 I am posting yard signs, making contributions, learning about the candidates. While being a responsible citizen on earth I am also praying and fighting the good fight of the faith in the heavenlies.
Peter, in the Spirit, tells us that we are a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). As a priest living in Pennsylvania, I take Paul’s exhortation seriously and make “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:2)
Priests Believe in Jesus
Jesus was asked a question by those following Him: “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:28-29) Believing God is good work. It is the work of God.
Regardless of how the general population perceives the direction of our society, I am believing that God’s kingdom will ultimately prevail. I seek to saturate myself in Scripture to firm up my faith with verses such as: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)
I remember how Jesus taught us to pray: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
This is an Honor for All His Saints
The coming King gave His disciples incredible promises while He was with them. Three times in Matthew He tells us them that as royal priests, they can impact the battle in heaven. “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18, also 12:29 and 16:19)
Binding the strong man has become a part of my daily discipline. This is something we all can do. I love this passage in Psalm 149:6-9, “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written; this is an honor for all His saints. Praise the LORD!”
The High Praises of God
When I am tempted to be discouraged, it is helpful to not only believe the truth ,but sing the truth as well.
This is my Father’s world: Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world, the battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and Heav’n be one. Amen!!
Let’s close this portion in prayer
“Father in the mighty name of Jesus, have Your will done on earth as it is in heaven. Strengthen the hands of the Joshuas who are in the battle and give them fresh courage. Raise up Josiahs and give us godly officials.
Help us to do our part in praying, believing, and voting. Because of your Word, we exercise our calling as part of a royal priesthood and bind the strong man in Jesus’ name. We ask you to deliver our nation from evil. We believe that You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and that You sit at the right hand of the Father, and rule in the affairs of men.
We love you, appreciate You, and with Your help, stand by You. In the magnificent name of Jesus, that name that is above every name and in which every knee will one day bow, Amen.”
Speaking in November
I will be in Ansonia, Connecticut on November 4th. Come and join us if you live nearby! Here is the link.
For my Canadian brethren, consider joining me on November 16 for an online event.
Magazine Article
I penned an article you may enjoy for Homeschooling Today on the Family that Stays Together, Stays Together.
Podcast
Podcast 337 is about helping our families to be Biblically Literate.
And as you can’t tell, I am inspired at the thought of being a priest under the new covenant. In a few days, podcast #338, Being a Priest, will be posted. It is the first of 12 episodes exploring the parameters of serving God in this capacity.
Winter Men’s Event
February 3-5, I will be leading a Men’s Retreat in Minnesota. If you are interested let me know and I will fill you in on the details. This conference is being hosted by MACHE. More details will be forthcoming in the next newsletter.
Until we see each other again, receive this priestly blessing:
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. So shall they put My name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:24-27)
Steve