"Lord, do You not care?" - Part 2

 Now it happened as they went that JESUS entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”  And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”   Luke 10:38-42 (NKJV)


Are you in a situation similar to Martha's? You have lovingly welcomed JESUS into your life and into your house. You want to do your best in serving Him.

 JESUS probably walked in a little earlier than she expected, not giving her adequate time to finish all that she had planned. Martha felt compelled to continue with her work while JESUS sat there. Time was catching on and the stress was building up within her. Her mind was upset and the food was spilling and splattering, messing up the kitchen. The watch-pot wasn't boiling either! Martha's thoughts turned to her pathetic and helpless situation. "If only I had someone to help me to set the food out for JESUS. My sister HAS to help me serve JESUS, without just sitting there! ...And....JESUS...!! Surely, He should understand my plight!!"

Although the stressed Martha couldn't see it, JESUS was very conscious of the situation Martha was in and His gracious mentions of her name "Martha, Martha" showed that He cared much. He also knew the cause of her problem and had the solution. Mary refused to be distracted by her sister. JESUS commends Mary for choosing the better portion. We always have more to receive from the Lord than we could ever give Him. Unless we receive from Him, we cannot give to Him or others. When we try to give more than we receive from Him, we bring out unpleasant, selfish sediments!

Are you worried and troubled about many things, even if it concerns your service for the Lord? What are the things that you do FOR the Lord that keep you from sitting at His feet and make you stressed? Do you feel upset and angry with someone who isn't helping you with some task? Does it  makes you feel that even JESUS doesn't care?

Later, on another occasion, JESUS again visits this family in Bethany.
There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.   John 12:2-3 (NKJV)

Martha has taken the Lord's counsel to heart. She has quit being 'Distracted with Much Serving,' and is simply serving. Not only had JESUS brought dead Lazarus to life, but with His gracious words changed Martha's ministry from dead works to joyous service. Mary, by sitting at the feet of JESUS and hearing His word, learnt how to serve the Lord in ways that please Him. She is also free from the condemning attitude of a stressed sister! The atmosphere of worship is present and Mary freely worships. The room is filled with fragrance! The attitude of one person can affect the atmosphere in the home.

We should check our motives and attitudes even while serving the Lord. We should refrain from doing unnecessary 'extras' that bring stress upon ourselves and others.
Why am I doing this?
   Is it to please myself, others or the Lord?
      Am I doing this to justify myself or because I love JESUS?
        What does the Lord require of me?
          Am I carrying an attitude of humility and love for others?
             Am I imposing on others what I think is service for the Lord?
                Is my attitude hindering or facilitating an atmosphere of worship of the Lord JESUS?


JESUS says,  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”   Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

"Lord, do You not care?"

 On the same day, when evening had come, JESUS said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”   Mark 4:35-41 (NKJV)

Are you in a situation similar to that of the disciples of JESUS? He is in the same boat with you, but seems to be asleep, ignorant of the danger you are facing because of the great storm. "Lord, where are You? Are You aware of the trouble I am facing? Do You care for me? Are You able to save me?" Is this your heart's cry?

The Lord says, " Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.   Matthew 10:29-31 (NKJV)

The Bible tells us that God cares for us.

 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.   1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)


To the disciples, the storm was a test of their faith. There was no way  they could perish having JESUS with them in the boat. Not only would they not perish now, but they would not perish eternally if they believed in JESUS.

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.   John 3:16 (NKJV)


At such times therefore, we need to believe and trust in the Lord and have faith in Him. He knows your situation. He loves you and cares for you. He is well able to save you. He is always Faithful

Spiritual Warfare - 9

Dynamics of spiritual warfare

The kingdom of darkness verses the kingdom of light.

Eternal victory and defeat

God is on the throne and the King of the kingdom of light is eternally victorious.

Satan’s kingdom of darkness, though prevalent currently, has already been defeated by our Lord Jesus and is destined for eternal doom. Hell has been prepared by God for the devil and his demons as an eternal destination of punishment. Since Satan himself has no escape, he uses all he has, to take as many human beings as possible with him to hell. That is all he can do. He gets people to follow him through deception and lies, oppression and fear. Man has the freewill to choose to follow God or follow Satan.

All authority

 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.   Matthew 10:28 (NKJV)

The enemy’s plans are threefold.
1) Keep the lost, lost.
  2) Make the saved to stumble and fall.
     3) Keep the saved from finding the lost.

Free will and choice of sides

Every person has been granted a free will to choose to follow the Lord Jesus or the devil. God is the Author of every thing that is good. The devil ( d-evil ) or the evil one is the author of all evil. JESUS connects us with God. The devil separates us from God.

 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.   John 10:10 (NKJV) 

 The war - The war is therefore for people living on this earth.

 I do not fight for God or for myself. God fights for me and I fight for others. I do not fight the devil but stand against him.

The victory stand I take is, with God, against the devil, for people.

I cannot fight for myself. It would be foolishness for me to try to fight the enemy. It is the Lord Jesus Who has fought for all of mankind and gained victory for us. The devil has power but God is all-powerful!

 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” ¹⁴ Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. ¹⁵ And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” ¹⁶ Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.   Acts 19:13-16 (NKJV)

 Lay your hand on him; Remember the battle— Never do it again! ⁹ Indeed, any hope of overcoming him is false; Shall one not be overwhelmed at the sight of him? ¹⁰ No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against Me? ¹¹ Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.   Job 41:8-11 (NKJV)

 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”   2 Chronicles 20:17 (NKJV)


Over comers

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.   Romans 12:21 (NKJV)

Jesus teaches us how to win over evil without fighting and this means overcoming.
In each letter written to the 7 churches in the book of Revelations, rewards are promised to ‘Him who overcomes’. Having a clear motive to glorify God and coming through every situation with a humble, loving attitude towards God and man, marks spiritual victory. We should not resist even an evil person but resist the devil that uses the person as his tool.

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹ And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.   Matthew 5:38-48 (NKJV)

Jesus, the Son of God, not only taught, but lived out such a life of victory while on this earth, setting the example for us.

 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   Philippians 2:5-11 (NKJV)

 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ²² “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; ²³ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;   1 Peter 2:20-23 (NKJV)


In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus overcame the temptation to escape the suffering by saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” The only way we can overcome times of suffering and pain is by yielding our will to God.

Therefore victory, in the spiritual sense, is quite contrary to victory in the natural sense.

Spiritual Warfare - 8

Taking my stand for people – Gaining territory

 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.   Joshua 1:3 (NKJV)


 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma   .Ephesians 5:1-2 (NKJV)

Once I have found my position of victory and security and know how to take my stand in that position, I need to progress from there to gain territory. Gaining souls is gaining territory. This we do, because of the love of Christ in our hearts for others. In  spiritual warfare, fighting for others is gaining territory. Bringing people from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, bringing people to salvation in Christ Jesus, helping people to be established in the faith, set free from the snares of the devil, and causing them to walk in victory, is spiritual gain for us. Exposing and destroying the works of satan in the lives of people brings defeat to his kingdom.  Thus we progress in this path.

This we do, by preaching, teaching, interceding and helping with love.

We have been commanded and given the authority in Jesus, to preaching and teach.

 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.   Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)

 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: ² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.   2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NKJV)

We have been given the authority and power in Jesus to trample the enemy and set people free.

 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”   Matthew 16:19 (NKJV)

 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.   Luke 10:18-19 (NKJV)

We have been given the anointing in Jesus to set the captives free.

 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; ² To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,   Isaiah 61:1-2 (NKJV)

We have been asked to serve with love.

 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.   Galatians 5:13 (NKJV)

Therefore in the spiritual battle, we fight for others.

 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”   Nehemiah 4:14 (NKJV)

 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”   Esther 4:14 (NKJV)

We don’t fight with people, but we fight for people.

We don’t fight for land or possessions, but we fight for people.

Since we have been saved by grace, we should desire to see that grace extended to others so that they also may be saved. The sufferings in this world cannot be compared to the eternal torment in hell-fire. We have a glimpse of it in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, when the Lord rained down brimstone and fire and the smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace. God’s grace and mercy prevail before His judgment comes.

When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” ¹⁶ And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. ¹⁷ So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.”   Genesis 19:15-17 (NKJV)

Rotorua in New Zealand gives us a picture of the place of eternal torment. It gives us a glimpse of bubbling, boiling mud and Sulphur. May we consider this and have our hearts filled with compassion to see many saved from being cast into hell.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. ²² And on some have compassion, making a distinction; ²³ but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.   Jude 20-23 (NKJV)

Spiritual warfare - 7

Taking my stand in the world

 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.  1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV)

And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”   Luke 12:15 (NKJV)

We cannot go to war with bags and baggage. A desire for position and possessions brings forth conceit, provocation, and envy.

 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.  Galatians 5:26 (NKJV).


We are able to enjoy the possessions and positions God gives us when we acknowledge them as His gifts, using them for God's glory and for the blessing of others and live thanking God with a grateful heart.
We should also be willing to let go any earthly possession and position in obedience to the Lord.

• Praising God and worshiping God brings me to God’s side.
• By submitting to authority and taking my responsibility within the area of authority in obedience to the word of God, I position myself in the world spiritually.
• Now I stand in victory.
• From this position I intercede for others.
• I teach others the way of victory.

Spiritual Warfare - 6

Taking my stand with people


Not only are we the light of the world but also the salt of the earth. It is therefore important for us to identify ourselves with and relate to people.

 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Romans 12:3-5 (NKJV)

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;   Romans 12:10 (NKJV)
 
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.  Romans 12:15-16 (NKJV)

Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.  Hebrews 13:3 (NKJV)

We are asked to take our position in the structure of authority set in the scriptures. Although a structure of authority is set, we have to honor and respect each individual and quit oppressing anyone who is under our authority.

submitting to one another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  Ephesians 5:21-22 (NKJV) 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  Ephesians 6:1 (NKJV)

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV)

Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;  Ephesians 6:5 (NKJV)

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.  Ephesians 6:9 (NKJV)

Practical steps to humble myself with people:-

Look for something common to identify myself with them and relate to them.
Acknowledge and commend the good things in others.
Live simply, eat simply, and dress simply. Associate with simple people as attitudes are usually contagious. When dealing with the proud, beware not to ‘catch’ their pride!
Look for opportunities to serve others even with menial tasks.

GOD has set a boundary around each individual and says, “No Trespassing!” We are instructed to submit to one another in the fear of God. Remember, God alone is to be worshiped. He alone demands our absolute submission and obedience without any questioning. This is because God alone is perfect in Himself, in His character, in His attitudes and in His motives.

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.  1 Peter 2:13-14 (NKJV)

Spiritual Warfare - 5

Taking my stand with GOD


Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  Ephesians 6:10-17 (NKJV)

Once we find our position in the Lord, the enemy will do his part to oust us from this position. Therefore we are exhorted to stand, withstand stand and stand!

1. I stand in this position of submission to the Holy Spirit, overcoming my flesh, pleasing Him and not my selfish lusts.

Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.   1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NKJV)

2. Following JESUS and not overtaking Him.

 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”   Matthew 16:21-23 (NKJV)

It is Satan who tries to put us ahead of GOD. In that position, not only are we in danger but we are also a hindrance to the work of GOD.

 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.    Matthew 10:38 (NKJV)

3. Fearing GOD and not Satan or man.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.   Matthew 10:28 (NKJV)

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.   1 John 4:4 (NKJV)

We need to understand that Satan can only touch us as and when GOD permits.

 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” 8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” 9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” 12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.   Job 1:6-12 (NKJV)

 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.   Luke 22:31 (NKJV)