“Accuser”
Pastor David Moore
Old Testament reading: Psalm 37:1‐17
Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. He will make your vindication shine like the light and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.
Refrain from anger and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil. For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant prosperity. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He sees that their day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to kill those who walk uprightly; their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. Better is a little that the righteous person has than the abundance of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.
The devil has two ways that experience his power in this world.
1) The devil’s temptation is the twisting of the good God has provided for us.
2) The power of accusation.
New Testament reading: Ephesians 6:10‐13
Finally, be strong in the Lord in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We are up against the devil who is laying traps for us and has been our whole life. The devil is a liar and always has been. ~D. Moore
2 Timothy 2:25‐26: Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
When the devil twists our beliefs, knowing the truth, having a core of who we are, that we are God’s child and He loves us, having the truth deep in us will protect us from all of harm. That we repent and get hold of the truth. The truth will set us free. ~D. Moore
Ephesians 4:27: And do not make room for the devil.
Satan accuses and tempts, the temptation is the little punch, the accusation is the big punch. Satan lives to get us in a sinful situation in order to keep us from experiencing God’s grace. What he wants us to forget, or never understand, is that we are accepted by Christ, we are righteous in Him no matter what. ~D. Moore
1) So if we really are forgiven, one result is that we are fearless. Christians should not be afraid of death, or anything up to death, what would actually be a good thing for followers of Jesus as we are heaven‐bound. ~D. Moore
2) Christians can handle any criticism. You are held in highest esteem, loved deeply, fully by the only person whose opinion really matters, God. God is my peace; my life is hidden in God. ~D. Moore
3) And we are holding daily in prayer. God has told us to ask. He will give us what we ask or may give us something better. If we belong to Jesus and we ask in Jesus’ name, He will give us what we ask because He loves us and cares for us. ~D. Moore
I have great worth apart from my performance because Christ gave His life for me, and therefore imparted great value to me. I am deeply loved, fully pleasing, totally forgiven, accepted, and completed in Christ. ~Robert S. McGee
Christians are
1) Fearless
2) Able to handle any criticism
3) Bold in prayer
4) Know trials aren’t punishments
If I am still living with the results of a sin, it is not a punishment, but an opportunity for growth. If the effect of the previous sins is still in your life, they are meant to shape your journey with God. Doing what we need to do, leading us to people we need to bless. ~D. Moore
Romans 8:1: There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
This week: Review the scripture and the highlights of the message today. Be fearless and bold in your prayers, because trials are not punishment, and you are able to handle the trials and criticism.
God bless.