Uphill Battle

 

    Jesus took the time to show us how to follow him, but also remind us that it is not always easy.  Sometimes you feel stagnant while he works on you.  That can be hard, but then one day you realize the gift that it was.  Other times it can be frustrating and draining because you are sharing the secrets to a better life and people flat out reject it and you.  Then there are a million things in between that will drive you toward God or you will run away.  It may feel like an uphill battle, but all you have to do is take one step at a time.

    Jesus appointed 72 disciples to go out in sets of two to be lambs among wolves.  There is real test: you go into the unknown and you know you will face impossible odds, but you are still willing to go.  They were to live humble lives and invite peace into the homes of the people that took them in.  They took no money, so they only had what people were willing to give for income.  These are the people that have the Kingdom of God near them at all times.

    Woe to those that reject you because they are actually rejecting Jesus.  They will regret their hard hearts, but don't let them steal your joy.   Take what people are willing to give and don't waste your time or energy questioning things that you can't answer.  Walking away is hard, but it is sometimes the best thing.  Do good like healing and teaching where you can and leave everything you can't control to God.

    Followers of Jesus have the power to make demons submit to Jesus.  They would never do it for you, but with the Holy Spirit living within your soul you have untapped spiritual power.  It only works when you are on God's path.  Don't doubt.  Remember that Jesus was there when Satan fell from Heaven.  Satan fell like lightning to the earth which he claimed as his own.  It sounds like mythology, but it is the truth.  He fell like lightning.  He was not lightning.  You can be stronger than Satan when you rely 100% on Jesus.  The fall represents his ultimate defeat.  He is just not ready to go down for the final time yet.

    Rejoice in salvation.  It is what matters.  When it comes to having to go to battle, you will be victorious if it is the battle of God's choosing.  When you win, don't gloat, be happy, or celebrate over defeating other people. That was never the point.  The point is to humble the hearts so they will turn to Jesus.

    Take joy in what the Holy Spirit gives you.  He reveals secrets of the spiritual world to the humble.  That is a powerful blessing.  Knowledge and knowing how to use that knowledge is wisdom.  Wisdom is one of the most powerful weapons in all time.  Use that weapon to develop the double edged sword of pure love.  You should not let toxic people close enough to mess with your head,  However, you should never consider yourself above anyone else.  Help where you can, but teach people how to help themselves or it will never end.  

    The key to Heaven is to love Jesus with all your hearty, soul, and strength along with faith that all that is written about him in God's Word is true.  Love is the secret.  Love God, then yourself, then other people as much as yourself.  Other people consist of everyone including the people you do not like.  Take pity on those that make themselves your enemy.  Show mercy in your life.  

    One of the most special things that Jesus did is show the value of women.  He took time to make female friends when women were considered nothing more than property.  Their purpose was to give the man children and not much more.   He taught them to hold value in themselves for being a women.  We all have value or God would not have hand made us or given us life.  We are worth more than being a stepping stone, trophy wife, or just a mother.  When Jesus came, our priorities were able to change.

    Two women that were genuine friends of Jesus was Mary and Martha.  They were very different sisters to the brother Lazarus.  Martha was a worker and took value in what she did.  When she did something, she did it well.  Mary was a student at heart.  She soaked up the opportunity to spend time with Jesus, but that meant all the work fell upon her sister when he was around.  That caused some discord between the sisters.  Jesus had to intervene and lovingly tell Martha that Mary was doing what was best.  There will always be things to be done, but taking the time to build a relationship and learn from him is invaluable.  It leads to eternal value.  Take care of souls, then task.

Luke 10