LHIM Everything

What does it mean to be strong in the spirit? Are you strong in the spirit? To gain an understanding of this concept, we’ll consider three examples: Elisha, Jesus, and Ananias.

2 Kings 6:8-23 Elisha was a prophet of God who had great insight into the spiritual realm. He knew that God provided him with intelligence and His host protected him. His servant, however, had to be shown the spiritual reality surrounding the house. God worked with Elisha to bring a lasting resolution to the conflict with Syria.

Matthew 3:16-4:11 After receiving the spirit, Jesus went out into the desert to be tempted by the devil. His temptations reveal the astounding spiritual power of obeying scripture. Over and over Jesus says, “It is written.” In doing so, he effectively defeats the devil in three rounds of temptations. If you want to be strong in the spirit, you must read your Bible and live it out.

Acts 8:3; 9:1-2 Paul had been “ravaging the church,” rounding up Christ’s followers, and locking them up in prison. He had come to Damascus, the most significant city in the region, to capture any “followers of the Way” and march them to Jerusalem to face punishment.

Acts 9:10-20 Ananias was just a normal Christian. We don’t know anything about this man either before this incident or afterwards. Yet, he was willing to go. He partnered with Christ to bring Paul into the faith. To be strong in the spirit doesn’t mean you’re a full-time prophet or Jesus himself. It just means that you are willing to go and do what the Lord desires. When you’re doing the will of God, spiritual power gets released.

Ephesians 6:10

Ephesians 6:10   Our strength is in the Lord Jesus Christ, not ourselves.

11   Every part of the armor is vital; if something is lacking, we become vulnerable.

12   Our struggle is in the spiritual realm. Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:27; 5:14-16

1:18-23   Jesus is far above all.

6:13   This is the second encouragement to put on the whole armor. Stand – 10, 13, and 14

The only way to stand in this evil day is with the Lord, and the way to do that is to apply the following seven steps. Miss one, and you will fall.

14   Loins are to be girded with truth. God’s truth must eliminate our lies about Him, self, others, and the world. 1:4 and 5; 4:21-25

14   Breastplate of righteousness 4:24-32; 5:8-20

15   Gospel of peace 2:14-17; 3:1-3; 1:2; 6:23

16   Shield of faith 3:11-21

17   Helmet of salvation 1:9-14

17   Sword of the spirit which is the Word of God – knowing and speaking the

18   Prayer – we desperately need prayer to compete successfully in the spiritual warfare.

How to Stand in the Evil Day:

Nehemiah 8:1   The people of Israel had been living in exile in Babylon for 70 years. They had just returned to the land of Israel and rebuilt Jerusalem. Now Ezra is teaching the people how to live according to God’s commandments.

Nehemiah 8:2-8   The people stood as Ezra read the Scriptures from early morning until midday. Ezra blessed the LORD, and the people answered “Amen, amen” while lifting up their hands. The scene is one of profound reverence for Scripture.

Nehemiah 8:9-10   Hearing the Law of God read and explained resulted in heartfelt repentance. Such godly sorrow proceeds repentance, which, in turn, ultimately leads to salvation and joy (2 Corinthians 7:8-10). At his heart, God is not looking to make us sorrowful or depressed. In his presence, there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).

Nehemiah 8:11-12   The end point of an honest encounter with Scripture is joy, both for the individual as well as the community. So often God linked worship with festivals of abundance and sharing with those in need.

Nehemiah 8:13-16   The people came back for a second day! When they learned about the festival of booth (tabernacles), they immediately decided to act.

Nehemiah 8:17-18   Without joy, we shrivel up and can even get physically sick. If you are living according to Scripture, your life should be characterized by joy. We have joy because of our relationship with God, the source of all true joy. This joy is our strength, our fortress, our stronghold.

Psalm 21: 6-7 Through Yahweh’s lovingkindness, David found strength.

The Hebrew word chesed is translated “lovingkindness” in the NASB and in the ESV “steadfast love”. In Micah 7 in the NASB, chesed was translated “unchanging love”. Lovingkindness, steadfast love, and unchanging love combined provide a good definition of God’s love.

Psalm 36:5-10 Understanding Yahweh’s lovingkindness with faith that His steadfast love is for us gives us the strength to endure every situation in life.

Psalm 18:1-6, 50 David’s faith at times was very strong.

Psalm 13:1-6 David is not leveling accusations at Yahweh; rather, he is telling Him how he feels. No matter how bad things may become, we can trust in Yahweh’s steadfast love and find strength.

Psalm 52:1-9 – 1 Samuel 22 God’s love provides strength in all our adversities.

Psalm 3:1-8; 1 Samuel 22:21-23 It is easy to have faith in God’s love when life is good, but it is most needful when suffering threatens to drown you.

Psalm 6:1-7; 41:3-4 In extreme sickness, David found strength in Yahweh’s steadfast love.

Psalm 25:5-8 The specific prayerful requests are articulated by a humble, fragile, contrite believer to his compassionate, loving, and kind God.

Psalm 51:1-19 We do not get rid of sickness, sin, or suffering by focusing on the elimination thereof, rather when we focus on the lovingkindness of our God.

Psalm 31:7, 8, 14-16, 19-24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage.

Jeremiah 32:16-25   Jeremiah began his prayer by speaking of God’s awesome power in creation and in bringing Israel out from Egypt. With Jerusalem facing an invading Babylonian army, Jeremiah rightly understands this as another act of God’s power. Even so, he believes that afterwards the people will return, and God will bring them back to the land.

Exodus 7:17-18; 8:10, 22; 9:14, 16; 10:2; 14:4, 18; 15:1-2   God repeatedly made clear that His plagues were to demonstrate to the Egyptians, His own people, and the broader world who He is. Thus, God’s power is inextricably linked to His identity as Yahweh the Almighty.

Psalm 33:6, 9; 8:1, 3-4; 19:1-4; 148:1-6; Isaiah 40:21-22, 25-26; 1 Chronicles 16:28-31   God’s power is supremely on display in His creation of the universe from the moon to our planet to the stars above. Understanding just how powerful God is helps us gain perspective on our problems.

Habakkuk 3:17-19   When we recognize God as our source of strength, we can overcome and even have joy in the midst of turmoil and difficulty. If the Lord is your strength, you can tread on high places.

Mark 12:28-31

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

NET note: The kidneys and heart were viewed as the seat of one’s volition, conscience, and moral character.

REV notes: Rev 2:23, Pro 15:21 [revisedenglishversion.com]

Deuteronomy 10:12

Deuteronomy 11:13, 22

New Bible Dictionary-Love Towards God: love for God with the whole personality is God’s demand; though this is not to be understood as meaning a punctilious observance of an impersonal divine law but rather as summoning to a relationship of personal devotion created and sustained by the work of God in the human heart.

Psalm 27:4

1 Timothy 1:5

1 John 2:15; 3:1, 11, 17-18

“True love places constraints on the lover, for love is essentially self-giving. And this brings us to a startling Christian paradox. True freedom is freedom to be my true self, as God made me and meant me to be. And God made me for loving. But loving is giving, self-giving. Therefore, in order to be myself, I have to deny myself and give myself. In order to be free, I have to serve. In order to live, I have to die to my own self-centeredness. In order to find myself, I have to lose myself in loving. True freedom is, then, the exact opposite of what many people think. It is not freedom from all responsibility to God and others, in order to live for myself. That is bondage to my own self-centeredness. Instead, true freedom is freedom from my silly little self, in order to live responsibly in love for God and others.” – The Contemporary Christian, John Stott

1 John 4:10, 19-21

1 John 5:1-3

1 Kings 19:1-18   Elijah was discouraged because his greatest public success did not appear to change anything. God worked with him by sending an angel and then commissioning him with purpose.

Exodus 5:1-9, 20-23; 6:1-8   After Pharaoh rejected Moses’ demand to “let my people go,” he increased the suffering of the people. In discouragement, Moses complained to God, “Why did you ever send me? You have not delivered your people at all?” God answered by reminding Moses whom he is dealing with and what He promises to do.

Mark 14:32-36   Even Jesus himself had low points throughout his life. Probably his moment of greatest discouragement was in Gethsemane, waiting for Judas to lead the authorities to his location to arrest him. We can learn from Jesus that the best course of action in our discouragement is to turn to God.

Romans 8:35-39   When you go through tough times, remember that God’s love is neither thin nor temporary. Neither death nor life nor anything else in creation can separate us from God’s love in Christ. This is a truth worth meditating upon in our worst times so that you may take courage.

1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14   In addition to getting encouraged, let’s encourage one another! Don’t underestimate the sheer power of an edifying word spoken to someone who needs to hear it.

Luke 2:1-7   The birth of Jesus fulfilled prophecy (Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-5; 42:1-4). Bethlehem was a small village. Nazareth in Galilee was considered an insignificant place (John 1:46; 7:41, 52), but it fulfilled prophecy (Micah 5:2).

Luke 1:26-38   Mary was an ordinary woman with bold faith. Her miraculous pregnancy could have caused shame and destroyed her relationship with Joseph. Despite this, she said to the angel, “Let it be with me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Luke 2:8-20   Mary and Joseph had 9 months of anticipation during which they may have suffered ridicule. Unable to secure lodging, they laid the child in a manger. This must have been difficult. The arrival of shepherds who had also seen an angel must have encouraged Mary and Joseph. Shepherds lived on the margins of society. Yet, God chose them to be first to see the Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31   God doesn’t choose the most qualified. He chooses people who have the humility to say, “Here I am, Lord, send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

God could have chosen anyone to bring His Son into the world. Instead of monarchs, He chose ordinary people. Instead of an imperial capital, He chose a small village. Instead of royal fanfare, He sent shepherds.

We serve a big God for little people. He looks at your heart – not your intelligence, wealth, or social status. God can use anyone who has simple, childlike faith. He exalts the humble (James 4:6).

Matthew 1:18-19   The birth of Christ begins with a scandal. Mary is found pregnant though she’s betrothed. Joseph decides to divorce her quietly. The law was clear about this situation (Deut 22:13-14, 20-21; 22:23-24).

Matthew 1:20-21   In Hebrew, “Jesus” sounds like the word “salvation.” Jesus will save his people from their sins. Just like the Joseph in the book of Genesis, this Joseph is a dreamer.

Matthew 1:22-23   In Isaiah’s time, the kingdom of Judah faced an alliance between the kings of Israel and Syria. God provided a sign child to indicated He was with His people and would deliver them (Isaiah 7:14-16). Jesus likewise was a sign child.

Matthew 1:24-25   Joseph believes in the dream and acts accordingly. Even though there would be scandal, he chose to obey God.

Matthew 2:1-2   The wise men (magi) came from the east, probably from Arabia. They came to pay homage to the king of the Jews.

Matthew 2:3-8   Herod was a shrewd politician with a good deal of paranoia, especially in his old age. He carefully weaves a net to catch this so-called king.

Matthew 2:9-12   How encouraging it must have been to Joseph and Mary to have these visitors come! Their gifts would fund their escape and sojourn in Egypt.

Matthew 2:13-18   Another dream instructs Joseph to flee. He does not take his time but gets up and goes. In the meanwhile, Herod slaughters innocent children in Bethlehem. It’s telling that God didn’t exempt His son from difficulty throughout his life. Jesus understood human suffering.