As we move forward in all the ways that the enemy tries to disrupt our walk….I continue in my writings on the vowells of his schemes to attempt to hurt us:

 

I is for INTIMIDATION  

 

Intimidation is an awesome tactic to use on Christians to get them to “back off” or “step down”…..

 

A giant named Goliath tried it as he called for ONE MAN to step forward and fight him…..

 

A King named Nebuchadnezzar demanded that all people bow down to his image of gold.

 

A ruler named Darius made it illegal to pray….resulting in Daniel’s sentence to spend the night in the lion’s den.

 

I recently heard a story of a lady who was out witnessing to people when a man who was unaware of her mission jumped into her car and told her that if she did not get out….he would shoot her.

 

To which she replied:  “It’s okay if you shoot me…..because I came here to die.”

 

He had no words in response….and she eventually lead him to Christ…..

 

Wow.

 

Would I have that kind of courage?  I do not know if I truly would.

 

But I want you to truly pray about what God has called you to stand up to……

 

I see many who get into fights over things that I do not believe they were called to fight for…….and I also see Christians nationwide succumb to things that we have no business allowing.

 

Where is the fight that God has called us to?

 

Only YOU know.  

 

What I want to point you to is this:  We have a Bible.  We have prayer.  We have a Savior that has made an offer to bring ALL to salvation.

 

Yet, we seem to be getting farther and farther away from that call.

 

How can that be?

 

Perhaps people are Intimidated.

 

I want to leave you with a story.

 

There was a woman who was put in a very tough situation.

Her family was about to be executed and she was in the position of convincing a dictator to NOT “pull the trigger” on the order.

Her fear was that he, and his right hand man, had planned this execution for a long time and that they would not change their minds.

Though she had plenty of good reasons to talk to him…..she had much to fear.

 

This woman’s name was Esther.

 

And the family she was about to lose was not only her uncle, but all of her people.

At that time….even going before the King without an invitation was punishable by death…..and she probably had seen this very thing happen.

 

But Esther had trained for years to gain the favor of the King.  And…..she was anointed by God to be exactly what the King needed…..and because of that, he not only loved her—but he respected her greatly.

 

Esther also had a relative….a mentor….named Mordecai.  And he advised her as she pondered her next move:

Esther 4  14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

 

By walking out the call God had put on her life

By listening to those she respected

By being anointed and rising above “the world” and gaining the favor or royalty

 

Esther had gained something that no one else could:

 

Favor from the world.

 

She changed the mind of a king.

 

She saved a people.

 

She achieved victory over a very evil man…..for the very death he had set up FOR HER and HER PEOPLE was given to him.  (He died on the instrument of execution that he created)

 

In a time when women had little or no power.

In the face of overwhelming odds.

At a time when no one else could have stepped forward.

By a means that broke all of the rules.

 

Esther achieved victory.

 

She was a child of God.

She was a wife that blessed her husband.

She was a woman who listened to her mentors and honored her elders.

She was the very thing that God used to save a nation.

 

When you do what God tells you to do and humble yourself before the King…..He empowers you to do great things and change history.

 

Do you think that your “small life” has no influence?

 

So did Esther.

 

But I am here to tell you….and so is the Lord…..that your life matters……

 

And His plan to use you is bigger than you think.

 

Say YES.

 

In The Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

Know anyone who might like these?  Encourage them to jump on to 2minutewarning.blog and hit the FOLLOW button!!!

Coach J