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A Short Time Left
Andrea Lende • May 4, 2020
Revelation 12:12 and Luke 10:19
A Short Time Left
You can also listen to the meditation and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/A-Short-Time-Left-edk9k2
Daily Word:
Revelation 12:12
“Therefore be glad (exult), O heavens and you that dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in fierce anger (fury), because he knows that he has [only] a short time (left)!”
Luke 10:19
“Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.”
As I was reading in the book of Revelations this morning the one verse that stood out to me was verse twelve.
In particular, the end of verse twelve, “because he knows that he has [only] a short time (left)!”
The enemy only has a short time left to disturb and disrupt our lives.
Jesus is coming!
And, He is coming soon!
In the meantime, Jesus has given us all authority to trample on the enemies’ advances.
We do not have to live in fear of what may come.
We have already been given authority to overcome the enemy.
Through the blood of Jesus, we are equipped.
There is nothing we cannot do through the blood.
There have been times that I have become fearful over an event or circumstances.
Very fearful.
But I know the Lord will protect me.
However, some days I may not feel so strong.
When I really, really feel weak I put on worship music.
I have it playing next to me all night long.
The enemy cannot stay where the name of Jesus is proclaimed.
I speak of Him often during difficult times.
I call upon His name.
And, when I am not awake, I let praise and worship music speak for me.
As we experience uncertainty right now, I am certain.
I am certain about the Name I am to call upon.
I am certain that the Lord is taking care of me.
I am certain that He is watching over me.
I am certain about the blood of Jesus.
Today I call upon the blood of Jesus and believe that He has given me all, “authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]”.
May you find that you have all, “authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]” today and every day.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for reminding me that there is just a short time remaining before You come back and take us home. Thank You for also reminding me that You have given me authority to fight the enemy in all ways. You strengthen me both emotionally and physically to conquer the battles that I face. Thank You, Lord, for not leaving me defenseless. Thank You for arming me with everything that I need. Help me to remember that I am not helpless. I do not need to give in to fears or circumstances. Help me call upon You and allow You to intercede on my behalf. You have already won the battles that I face, so help me give up worry and give You the battle. You are Mighty and Powerful, Lord! And Your plan is perfect. You work everything out for my good and never leave me alone. Thank You for sending Your Son to live and die so that I may be called Yours. Thank You for choosing me to know You, Father. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: I have already won the battle, so you have already won, My child.
Response: Help me walk in Your Wisdom, Lord.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.