Written by Mark Driskill:
Monday January 10, 2010
Read Acts 4:23-30
“grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with boldness…”
What would you think of a soldier who quit the army because the enemy took a shot at him? What would you think of a Football player who protested to the coach in the middle of a game, “One of the other players hit me! I want to go to the locker room and wait for you to come get me when the game is over!” I should think in both cases we would think it ridiculous to respond as if something unusual had happened. Yet whenever a Christian faces opposition from the devil we often respond as if we had no idea there was anyone out there against us.
When trouble comes we tend to see it as a sign that something is wrong. We think God has left us, or we have failed. But the fact of the matter is when you seek to take a step for the kingdom of God you can always expect the kingdom of darkness to make a counter move. Go ahead and put it on the calendar.
The early church knew this. When they were warned by the “authorities” to stop preaching the gospel, they did not say, “Oh no the devil is mad, so we’d better stop so there will be no trouble.” They stood together and prayed for God to help then turn it up a notch. In effect they said, “hey God it looks like we really ticked the devil off, and we know you are in control, and he is playing right into your hand, so do some miracles and help us talk even more boldly because this is what we are here for.”
Friends when trouble comes in the form of sickness, persecution, or even turmoil from within the church, that is our cue to rise up not to back down! Like it or not the Christian life is not set on a playground, but a battlefield. Expect to be shot at, assaulted, and even attacked. There is a real enemy out there who would love nothing better than to immerse this whole world in total darkness. You have the light of the world within you. When the hour of darkness comes upon you that is a time to shine more brightly, not limp off and give up.
Let’s stop asking the devil for permission to follow Jesus. Are you facing trouble every time you step out in faith? Is life getting tough on the front lines of the battle? Put away your sanctified pout, pick up your sword and shield, and beat your defeated foe off of your territory. Don’t be a coward, be a warrior. Rise up oh bride of Christ, light your candle on the front porch of hell and dare the devil to blow it out.
Mark Driskill and his wife Mary are homeschooling community ministers in Breathitt County Kentucky. They have four children. They co pastor Emmanuel fellowship Church, serve as Camp Pastors at Bethel Mennonite Camp, and Mark Teaches at Oakdale Christian Academy.
Mark is web minister for Begotten by theWord , a ministry of Helping Hands Christian Resources.
Once a month he preaches on the local radio station through the “Lion of Judah” program. Mark also preaches in youth rallies and revivals upon request at no charge. Their vision is to see true spiritual awakening come to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and to the nation.
Contact information:
Email: driskill@hilbillymail.com
Facebook: Mark Driskill
Address: PO Box 1159 Jackson KY.
