The War for Deliverance

"Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer." Psalm 144:1-2

Dear CBC Family,

I am writing today to ask you to join with me in prayer. Ever since we started talking about God delivering His people there has been one attack after another. I realize some of you might be saying “Oh, come on. It’s not really like that….” but it is not me that says it is this way it is the word of God.

The Bible makes clear that we are in a spiritual battle and that our enemies are not people but “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Thus, “we do not war according to the flesh” and “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God for casting down strongholds, destroying arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” Since proclaiming that God delivers His people, spiritual warfare has been raging on every front.

One of the smallest attacks came yesterday. I was informed that Facebook was shutting down our church, and members pages permanently. The reason for that is because we have violated community standards by posting “inappropriate content and hate speech.”  Apparently, telling people they need Jesus is now “hate speech”? So, if in the next few days our page is gone that is why. We will use other means to advance the kingdom of God because the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Another member of the church had her Sunday School lesson removed from the member’s page because it referenced Sodom and Gomorrah. She was reprimanded and told they would shut her personal account down as well. The church in this country has widely escaped persecution and perhaps this is just the start. I was speaking to a friend who said “My church doesn’t get hassled like this” and I replied “You need to ask why not because Jesus said “beware when all men speak well of you.” (Lk 6:26)  

As I said, this was the least of the issues that have happened this week. Others are very hard and painful thus I will not further the cause of the enemy by mentioning them here. If I did, some might fear or doubt God’s faithfulness because of them. However, I will say this: greater is He that is in us, for us, and who will deliver us, than he who is in the world. I will also give you a promise: “The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.” (Ro 16:20) We really need you to stand with us!

We will continue to explore God’s faithfulness and promise to deliver His people this weekend. Bring a friend and let’s take the fight to the enemy. We will see exactly WHAT God says He will deliver us from and How He does it. A must attend message! Last weekend God worked in three young men who were visiting. They were invited by a member who cared enough about their souls to get involved. Now, each one of them wants to follow Christ and be baptized! That’s what I’m talking about! Our God delivers His people! ALL DAY EVERY DAY!

The annual business meeting is this Saturday night right after the service. We will once again shoot for an hour-long meeting. Join us to vote and pray.

Blessings to you flock of the Great Shepherd!