The Ultimate Decision
July 24,2014
I received a quote from one of our Warriors about the devotionals we have been doing on the church getting back together as One. Trisha wrote
“Simplify To Unify”
I like that. In life a lot of times we make things too complicated. We talk things over to the nth degree and before you know it the entire purpose of what we started to do was lost in busyness. Busyness is a very unique smokescreen. In life we can be very, very busy but not productive. We cant delegate some things to people. While they look very busy they may not do what you asked and the project fails. Setting goals is one thing, FOLLOW THROUGH is of the utmost importance.
Many people have told me this and that about the Bible. True or untrue I decided to take Greek in order to see firsthand what the Bible says. The Bible was first translated from Greek so what better place to start. Now my mind with ADD is not the best for learning but when God told be to do this I learned the alphabet and all the letters and vowels in a day. It was not me learning. The Holy Spirit was helping me learn. It has been a huge blessing to learn this language. I have a long way to go to be fluent but I am excited to learn to get there.
One of the passages in Greek that blew me away was
Luke 23:31,32 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” King James Version
Luke 22:31,32 "31“Simon, Simon,look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” HCSB
Luke 22:31,32 "“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” New International Version
Now both the King James and the NIV were translated FROM Greek. But it seems that the NIV has translated this one word properly. The word “You” in Satan hath desired to have you in Greek is PLURAL!!!!! So in this instance the NIV has the actual word right from Greek. For some history of the King James and NIV Bible you can read http://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/history-kjv , https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/
So this gets me to the reason for this devotional.
1. Satan needs to go through the Lord BEFORE he can touch the believer. Even unbelievers will be protected to some point as God has a plan for them in His Kingdom.
a. Hebrews 1:14 “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” “Who Will” is the key.
2. Since “You” is plural YOU will be at some time or many times in your life be sifted like wheat as we are disciples who follow the Lord.
3. When we have passed the test then we need to encourage others that Faith will bring us through.
3. The sifting will produce a faith that will be unshakable.
There is no faith without trials. Sitting on the beach, drinking a Corona for years on end will not produce much faith. Being a follower of Jesus, in the cross hairs of the devil , praying for deliverance and seeing God deliver you will build faith. I was think of a way to remind you of no matter how hard times get PLEASE Keep on keepin on. We first started using this in our ministry and many of you have adopted it. I know that the rubber bracelets have been done time and time again but I knew of no better way for you to remember to Keep On Keepin On than to make some bracelets. One one side is our logo and the other side is the saying “Keep On Keepin On”.
If you would like a bracelet please send any donation of $ 5.00 dollars or more and we will send you one. That will cover the bracelet, the blister package and postage. http://theultimatedecision.com/donate/ You can e mail me at brad@theultimatedecision.com and let me know how many you would like. It is a great Evangelism tool. Many will look down, see your bracelet and ask what does it mean to “Keep On Keepin On”:) Well, I am glad you asked…….
But with all things in this ministry that the Lord has allowed us to have for a time if you cannot afford one then please ask and we will send it to you at no charge. We want you to be reminded ALL THE TIME THAT
No matter how shaken you feel , like the sifting of wheat that God is there. That you need to have faith that God will deliver you. Then it is up to us to just Keep On Keepin On in the faith. Not in our own strength but in the Lords power.
No mater what you are going through today please hang on. Blue Skies always come after the storm, always.
Have a great day
Brad
The Ultimate Decision is supported entirely by donations. If this ministry has impacted your life please prayerfully consider giving to this ministry
Ultimate_Decision_Logo_out_Larger_.PNG
