ISIS is big. GOD IS BIGGER!

"For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of 

POWER,

of LOVE

and of 

SELF-DISCIPLINE."

2 Timothy 1:7

ISIS is big, and strong, and very scary. 

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, 

because

the One who is in you 

is GREATER

than the one who is in the world." 

1 John 4:4

As 9/11 approaches we will hear more and more about ISIS in America and the attacks they have planned on schools, malls, etc. 

We have a choice. We can focus on those reports and pictures 

OR

we can let each mention of them turn us immediately to God in prayer for this country. Our choice will make all the difference. I choose to focus on God, pray for protection, pray for His people to unite in prayer for themselves and our country. He alone is my strength and shield. 

I choose not to focus on ISIS to the point that my fear takes over and I forget  - even for a moment - who my God is. 

Yes, ISIS is big.  MY GOD IS BIGGER.

Today I pray the words of Psalm 11:

"In the Lord I take refuge.

How then can you say to me:

'Flee like a bird to your mountain.

For look, the wicked bend their bows;

they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows

at the upright of heart.

When the foundations are being destroyed,

what can the righteous do?'"

THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE;

THE LORD IS ON HIS HEAVENLY THRONE.

He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.

The Lord examines the righteous, 

but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.

On the wicked he will rain fiery coals

and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.

For the Lord is righteous,

he loves justice;

upright men will see his face.

I don't know what the future holds - especially on 9/11 but as the song says - I know who holds the future and nothing - nothing will happen that doesn't pass through God's hands first. 

Pray these things today:

1. Pray for hearts to be softened to the heart of God

2. Pray for God's protection and for the defeat of the armies of ISIS - from the INSIDE OUT!

3. Pray that no matter what happens in the coming days - even if we are mourning - we will seek God's face and know that he has never stopped working all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Are you prepared to praise him and worship him - no matter what happens today, tomorrow, 9/11? 

Lord we wait for 9/11 and listen to the rumors of ISIS in our country. We hear rumors of threats that could devastate families, whole cities, and demoralize our country. But our HOPE is in YOU. We feel helpless and afraid, but like Jehoshaphat we stand before you together and say, "We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but OUR EYES ARE ON YOU." His army went out led by men appointed to sing praise to you for the splendor of your holiness.We sing with them Lord:

Give thanks to the Lord,

for his love endures forever.

As they praised you, you fought the battle and won it. Do it again, Lord. Do it again, for your glory. We give you praise together. We pray in the overcoming, saving name of Jesus. Amen. 

I hope you will join me in prayer and praise this week. God is ready to move if his children will only ask and be ready. 

ISIS - Don't Believe Your Eyes

I have been sickened by the accounts of brutality perpetrated by ISIS. Seeing huge men in black masks holding weapons is terrifying which I'm sure it's meant to be. I heard part of an interview with a member of this group during which he made such statements as:

• "My hands are ready to do this blessed act"
• "I wish God would choose me for this honor"
• "I hope God gives me this opportunity"

and I wondered how in the world do people become like that? 

   As I prayed my thoughts went to the story of Elisha and his servant, surrounded by an enemy certain to defeat and destroy them. Elisha knew better. He prayed for God to open his servant's eyes and he said:  

"Don't be afraid...those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  2 Kings 6:16

God opened the eyes of Elisha's servant and:

"...he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." v.17

    This is why I love the Old Testament so much. It is rich with stories of God's deliverance when His people stand before Him in repentance and humility, worshiping him and praying for his mercy. It is also a reminder that while we see this conflict as a political or ethnic conflict, it is actually spiritual warfare. It must be addressed as such. 

    I'm not a politician, nor do I pretend to understand the complexities of what is happening in the Middle East. Governments will address this on a political or military level. Others will provide humanitarian aide when possible. I can't do any of those things.

But I can pray. 

ISIS is a symptom of a depraved, fallen world. The only solution to that is Jesus. I am so burdened to pray for this group and to pray scripture over them. Scripture is God-breathed. It is the living Word of God and praying scripture over this group will unleash the power of God right into the middle of them. 

God promises to hear us, and he promises that our prayers will be effective when we pray together in his name. I invite you to pray with me every day for God's hand to move in a mighty, supernatural way to stop this group - a group that is already defeated in His name. 

Lord we need you right now. We need a God who is awesome and mighty, who is not afraid of the enemy because you have already defeated him. Lord we can't fight ISIS with swords and weapons, but as David did against Goliath, we come against them in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, the God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. You have won - IT IS FINISHED! For your glory Lord, and for your kingdom, we ask that you begin right now to cause dissension and chaos among them. Block them at every turn so that they are not successful in their plans. Protect those who could so easily become their victims, and comfort those who already have. 

Lord call Christians all over the world to pray, agreeing together, as we ask for your intervention and your mercy. Help us to remember that you love each member of ISIS just as you love us. You died for each of them as you died for us, and you grieve for them as you grieved for us and pursued us when we were lost. 

Your Name, Lord is a strong tower where we can run to be safe. We run to you now. Don't let us become discouraged, Lord. Let us keep our eyes on you, our strength and our Redeemer. In the name of Jesus we pray and believe. Amen. 

Click here to listen to  The Battle Belongs to the Lord and worship for a few moments. Thank you for praying. 

Sherri