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WORDS FOR A DAY OF TROUBLE
Jesus’ assumption and that of the Apostles was that Christians would be persecuted. We in America have largely escaped it but that is going to change.
We are approaching a Day when no earthly resource will sustain us and we’ll need to either depend on God for provision, protection, health/healing and direction – or submit to the deadly solutions that the demonic offers for the needs they have created.
The coming deceptions and stresses will be such that nothing but God Himself can enable us to remain faithful to Him and to each other. Community will help but no backup food supply will be enough; nor guns and ammo; nor bitcoin or other investments; nor secret bunkers; nor church facilities or programs; nor cash – not even gold. God has made many promises and declarations about this but there’s a catch-22 and it’s time we get serious.
We can’t assume we’ll be “covered” because we “go to church,” or “believe the right things.” Or because we practice certain religious rites, rules or traditions. Or obey the bishop. Or don’t do certain bad things. Even quoting these scriptures won’t be enough by itself.
The bottom line is that we must be aligned with God such that His life and resources flow from His spirit into ours, as in the Garden. Jesus came to make that possible, i.e. to reconnect us to the Father and the life He offers, but it is conditional on Him being Lord of our life – not just “Savior” in the popular, sentimental low-cost way. It means that we have repented of trying to do things our way and have yielded to His rule over us in all of life, now.
Only those who are traveling the Matthew 7:13-14 narrow path; denying our self and taking up our cross daily; loving our enemies and forgiving those who trespass against us; laying up treasure in heaven instead of on the earth; and living intentionally for the sake of his Name (for example) – – can be assured of “God with me” in that time. Matthew 6:33, a benchmark for true disciples of Jesus, follows Matthew 6:19-32 and leads to v34. And don’t forget Matthew 7:21-23.
If you think that today’s “church,” whether Mennonite, Amish, Baptist, Pentecostal, Nazarene or whatever your label, is even close to what Jesus meant by “My Church” in Matthew 16:18, you are already deceived to the point that you will be sucked into the darkness that is coming. If you can’t see the ongoing fulfillment of prophecy globally and especially in the Middle East, you won’t see it in time to repent at the last minute.
Matthew and Mark record that Jesus began His ministry with a call to repent (Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15), and if He were among us today in person He’d say much the same to us that He said to the Scribes and Pharisees. We’re not as different from them as we’d like to think we are.
Church, we’re not ready for troubles but we can be! And so I offer “Words for A Day of Trouble,” a treasury of scriptures and an incredible depository of truth. I present it with the confidence that it can instruct and empower you in the coming Day, but with the sobering knowledge that it will only be effective for those who surrender to the radical rule of Christ and find their identity in Him and His purposes in this life. Now. Today.
However, Jesus said that only a few will know His Kingdom life that is entered through the narrow gate on the narrow path, but you can be among them if you choose to! So first we’ll look at “God, Man, the devil, America, and the Church” to help you decide if you want to! If you do, read on so you are prepared to stand strong “in Christ” in the Day to come.
God, Man, the devil, America, and the Church
GOD
God created man as the part of creation that He would relate to personally and who could worship Him by choice. The flowers of the field and the sunsets declare His glory by simply being what they are, but He wanted a part of creation to be like Him in a way that they could enjoy relationship with each other.
God is spirit, and He made us in His image by putting a little portion of Himself in every human at the moment of conception. We call that “the breath of life.”
Man is the only part of creation that has a spirit, along with his body and soul (mind/will/emotions). God is eternal, and man’s spirit is eternal, but our body and soul are not. (It’s hard to precisely define heart, soul and spirit, so let’s try to understand how things work in a practical way without debating that.)
God’s spirit in us longs for fellowship with Him. (Psalm 42:1) Our spirit longs for connection with its Maker and without that we are like the lost baby calf or lamb out in a field crying for its mother. You can feel that longing in you.
MAN
God made man such that we must receive our identity; our sense of worth, purpose and security from a god, a source greater than and outside of ourselves, and it must be spirit in nature.
God wants to be that for us but He allows us to choose our source. It is as sure as the law of gravity that man without spirit fellowship with His Creator is like chocolate fudge without chocolate.
In the Garden, Adam and Eve had open Spirit-to-spirit communion with God. Their wills were perfectly aligned with His, and His life flowed into their spirits, which influenced their souls and their bodies. We were made for that wholeness and anything less is subhuman according to God’s design of humanity.
However, because God wanted fellowship with those who worship Him by choice, He made man with a free will. We have the capacity to choose to worship Him, or not, and for that to be so we needed another spirit option to give us a choice.
In the Garden, Adam and Eve could eat anything except the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, under the penalty of death if they disobeyed. The only did “good” because they only knew good, but that was about to change.
THE DEVIL
Now let’s not argue about where the devil and his evil came from, but let’s acknowledge that he is another spirit option for man, and that he proposes to be man’s source and to meet his need for a god.
In reality, the devil is an evil god and can never give the abundant life that we were made for, but his power to deceive makes him appear to be good and many believe his lies.
When the devil came to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-5) he lied to them (his modus operandi) and said they didn’t have to listen to God – they could decide for themselves instead of obeying God. They could be a god unto themselves and they wouldn’t die. That is “the lie.”
They believed the lie and ate the forbidden fruit in an act of rebellion against God and his rule over them, and THAT is the very core of the sin nature which separates man from God and the life He offers.
Since it is impossible for man to be his own god, the devil, being the thief and liar that he is, actually became man’s god – the spirit source in whom man would now attempt to find the identity and wholeness that they had in the Garden.
By their own choice, man was now characterized by a rebellious nature, and while we are born innocent we all soon grow into the age of accountability and make choices about right and wrong, good and evil.
God is all that is good and the devil is all that is evil. They are more different than black and white, day and night, and we take on the traits of our god, the one we look to for identity and wholeness.
“Worship” is the act of giving oneself to the spirit-source we choose as our god to meet our need for identity and wholeness. If we choose God, the basic elements of the life of the Garden can flow into us like a spectacular buffet for our soul as we are reconnected to the Father. Please believe that. If we choose the devil, the god of this world, he connects us to his world, which is like a rat and worm-infested garbage heap.
Look at the broken world around you. Consider the capacity of money, sex and power to enrich humanity, but the depravity and pain they bring when exercised under the devil’s influence.
The pain and sorrow in your life and around the world are the result of Satan’s rule. The Galatians 5:19-21 works of the flesh with their anger, jealousy, hatred, unforgiveness, lust and all they lead to, display his character. This is the world that man invites when he believes he can be his own god.
The devil tells us that we would be happy if we just had more of this or that, or something bigger, faster or better in some way, but he lies. It’s his way. “Liar” and “thief” is who he is. It’s his only game.
BUT GOD – –
God is holy and no sin can come into His Presence. Consider the tabernacle and the temple with the veil between man, and God in the Holy of Holies, with the penalty of death for violating the rules that God has set.
Bottom line then, their sin separated them from God and the abundant life that flowed into them through their Spirit-to-spirit communion, but because God loved man so much and wanted fellowship with him, He designed and initiated a plan to redeem them for Himself.
It began with the gory blood sacrifices of the Old Testament. God, the One who makes the irrefutable rules, had ordained that the shedding of blood was required as atonement for man’s sins (Hebrews 9:22). In the Old Testament their blood sacrifices simply “covered” their sins but something better was coming.
God the Father loved us so much that He sent His only son Jesus as the perfect and final sacrifice. Jesus would take on a human body and shed his blood so that our sins can be forgiven, not just covered. They are actually washed away by His blood and we are reunited with the Father and His eternal life while on earth, and forever in heaven. We call that “salvation” because we are saved from our bondage to sin and its consequences. It’s not complicated.
However, God is God, man is man and the devil is the devil. Genesis 2:17 to Revelation 22:20 is the story of God saying, “I want to make life good for you but you must do it My way” and man, believing the devil’s lie, pridefully says, “Thanks, but we know a better way.” That is the subject of my book “Bookends, A Truth that Matters.”
So, man vainly tries to be good enough morally; or do enough good works; or intellectually believe enough right doctrines; or practice certain rites and religious practices – to earn salvation. Think of your church or culture’s rules that are given with the sense that they help assure your salvation.
They don’t, because they can’t, because God made it so. All are to be evidences of salvation but none can produce it. Ultimately, your church’s many rules are as worthless as teats on a boar hog, as we say, when it comes to securing your salvation.
Our only hope is to repent of our rebellion; believe God; receive His free gift of salvation; and enter into the abundant life that follows.
Consider:|
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Acts 2:21 And it will come to pass that everyone who shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Acts 4:12 Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Ephesians 1:7-10 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Hebrews 9:11-14 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Every act by which we hope to enhance our chances of heaven is a denial of Jesus’ power to make us pleasing to His Father. Think about that, and give up. Repent of your pride that tells you otherwise and acknowledge that you are in fact hopeless except for the love of God as expressed in His mercy and grace. Humble yourself and receive His unmerited favor and the abundant life He offers. It will cost you everything but it’s like buying pure gold for a penny an ounce.
THE MARKS OF AUTHENTIC FAITH
1) LOVE GOD
Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
We will love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, repenting of our love for the world. We choose to believe His truth and refuse the devil’s lies, and are on a life-long, II Corinthians 3:18 journey of becoming more like Jesus.
We find our identity and wholeness in Christ instead of in the world, and the world’s allure loses its power as we follow Him in a way that produces His life in us, which naturally separates us from the world which is under the devil’s rule. It even separates us from religious, church-going folks for whom the world is still their god and we will be hated by some, even family.
2) LOVE OTHERS
Mark 12:31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
To love is to give (John 3:16). We will love our neighbors and even our enemies. Husbands will love their wives as a more delicate vessel (I Peter 3:7); will give up their “self” for her as Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:25-28); and wives will be subject to their husbands as to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-24).
3) UNITY
John 17 Unity, meaning that true Christians of every stripe whether from the most conservative and traditional Amish, to Evangelicals, to Liturgical, to Pentecostal, to Calvinist, to Catholic will be united by their shared faith in Christ and in the life that follows.
We will recognize one another as brothers and sisters and co-laborers in the Kingdom of God. Our common belief in and allegiance to God and His mission will overshadow our lack of agreement on secondary and cultural issues and traditions, and we will share together in the bread and the cup. Nothing less is truly “Christian,” or “Christ-like.”
That is strong, but what does Jesus say?
4) GOOD WORKS
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 28:18-20 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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
John 15:1-6 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Titus 2:14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
If we are truly following Christ we will look like Him, marked by the Galatians 5:22-24 Fruit of the Spirit and the traits of the Beatitudes. Good works in terms of character, serving others and a Spirit-empowered (Acts 1:8) life shaped around the Father’s purposes, are evidence of our salvation and a testimony to others of the life of the Kingdom of God.
5) RADICAL OBEDIENCE
John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
1 John 2:3-5 By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments 4 If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
This is black and white, and while God is full of grace He still holds to the standards for obedience, with the penalty for disobedience, that is seen in the Old Testament.
Jesus’ radical words regarding love, forgiveness, the way of the cross, servanthood, unity and laying up treasure, along with His warnings about unbelief and loving the world, are uncompromising and implacable and we will be judged by them.
He does not require human perfection but He does require life-altering repentance for our love of the world. We must flee evil and pursue righteousness with a sincere heart, and continue in our faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel, (Colossians 1:23).
How can we be so presumptuous upon His grace? So casual about obeying Him? So free to decide for ourselves, which the organized church in America validates as the standard?
Yet even now God calls us to repent and to come to Him. We are invited to come close and receive His forgiveness and the John 10:10 abundant life that we were created for, even in a Day of trouble.
This goes far beyond merely “confessing” our sin, which simply means to agree with an accusation.
Repentance means to turn from a present direction and head in a different one. It means repenting of trying to be our own god and humbly surrendering to the rule of God in our hearts, which profoundly redefines our life on this earth and determines our eternal destination.
A DAY OF TROUBLE
We have believed “the lie” that we can make our own rules, and are in disbelief about the richness of the abundant life that God offers. Our love for the world is stimulated by the opportunities of the American Dream, and we of the Anabaptist community are particularly at risk because our culture of integrity, industriousness and diligence naturally produces earthly prosperity.
God blessed our nation in an unusual way with resources and a system of government that allowed us to develop them. That was all by His design, and for His purpose of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth, but we have exploited it for our earthly pleasures. The Church in America has squandered our opportunity. We have failed to be the Matthew 5:13-14 preserving salt and guiding light for our nation and His judgment is near.
We are in the Last Days as described in scripture and End Times events are taking place before our eyes. The earth is groaning (Romans 8:22) and signs in the heavenlies, on the earth and under the earth are increasing. Strange things are happening and this is only the beginning.
All of this, along with the stated agenda of the UN, World Economic Forum and their woke cohorts, including the 2030 Great Reset, it is clear that dramatic changes are coming in America and around the world.
The rise of Islam and growing persecution of Christians even in Canada, is stark warning of what is coming to America.
I hasten to clarify that all is according to God’s plan and nothing happens without His approval. Our great and boastful world leaders are merely puppets in His hand as He orchestrates things to fulfill His plan that was established before the world was made. He gets the last word about everything, and as part of that He has made provision for us in our coming time of persecution here in America.
He has promised to be with us and to protect us, but that is all in the context of our obedience to Him which produces the spirit life of the Kingdom of God, now and forever, and he doesn’t promise to keep us from pain and sorrow in this life.
We must be of the same spirit as our Hebrews 11 heroes of faith, where the only thing that really matters to us is that we know Him and live or die by faith in Him.
Here are some words that will help you on the journey.
WORDS FOR A DAY OF TROUBLE
Old Testament
Genesis 28:15 Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 15:26 If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His eyes, and pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, then I will not bring on you any of the diseases I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.
Deuteronomy 7:12-15 Then it shall come about, because you listen to these judgments and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you His covenant and His lovingkindness which He swore to your forefathers. 13 “He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock, in the land which He swore to your forefathers to give you. 14 “You shall be blessed above all peoples; there will be no male or female barren among you or among your cattle. 15 “The LORD will remove from you all sickness; and He will not put on you any of the harmful diseases of Egypt which you have known, but He will lay them on all who hate you.
Deuteronomy 28:1 Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. (Read it all)
Deuteronomy 29:5 For forty years I led you in the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Joshua 1:5 No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Ruth 2:12 May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.
2 Samuel 22 And David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: – – – –
II Chronicles 7:14 and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Nehemiah 9:21 For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.
Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against His Anointed One: 3 “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them. 5 Then He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His fury: 6 “I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.” 7 I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. 8 Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession. 9 You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.”
10 Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 3:3 But You, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.
Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever shout for joy. May You shelter them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
Psalm 16:1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.
Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
Psalm 18:30 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:35-36 You have given me Your shield of salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your gentleness exalts me. 36 You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way.
Psalm 20:1 A Psalm of David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
Psalm 23 A Psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?
Psalm 27:4-5 One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate in His temple. 5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.
Psalm 27:14 Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!
Psalm 31:23-24 O love the LORD, all you His godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful and fully recompenses the proud doer. 24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
Psalm 34:10 Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.
Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
Psalm 34:22 The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Psalm 36:7 How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!
Psalm 37:1-11, Do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrongdoers. 2 For they will wither quickly like the grass and fade like the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday. – – – – Read it all!
Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 41:2 The LORD will protect and preserve him; He will bless him in the land and refuse to give him over to the will of his foes.
Psalm 42, As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. – – Read it all!
Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; (Read it all)
Psalm 56:9 Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.
Psalm 57:1 – – Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.
Psalm 59:1 A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me.
Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of Your strength and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning. For You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 61:3 For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy.
Psalm 73:24-26 With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 91:1-16
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” 3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. 5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; 6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you. 8 You will only look on with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent. 11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. 12 They will bear you up in their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and cobra, the young lion and the serpent you will trample down. 14 “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. 15 “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 “With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation.”
Psalm 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I put my hope in Your word.
Psalm 121:1-8
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? 2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. 8 The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.
Psalm 138:7 If I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me from the anger of my foes; You extend Your hand, and Your right hand saves me.
Psalm 147:11 The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.
Psalm 149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the afflicted with salvation.
Proverbs 1:33 But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.
Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.
Isaiah 26:3-4 The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. 4 “Trust in the LORD forever, for in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.
Isaiah 40:10-11 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. 11 Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.
Proverbs 27:12 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Isaiah 41:10-13
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
11 Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish. 12 You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent. 13 For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’
Isaiah 43:1-3 But now, thus says the LORD, your creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! 2 When you pass through he waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. 3 for I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; – – ”
Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55 – Read it all
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.
Daniel 3:17-18 If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.
Daniel 12:1 At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.
New Testament
Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:43-48 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 and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
Matthew 10:37-39 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; 38 and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came up 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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Mark 13:12-13 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
Luke 9:23-26 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. 25 “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? 26 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.
Luke 12:32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
John chapters 14 through 17 and especially relevant to this topic. Read and ponder them, and especially note:
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
Luke 14:33 In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.
John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 8:12 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 15:18-21 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.
John 16:1 I have told you these things so that you will not fall away.
John 16:13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!
John 19:11 Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Romans 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Romans 8:26-39
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
II Corinthians 4:8-11 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
II Corinthians 12:9-10 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,
Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
II Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
II Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
II Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
2 Timothy 2:12if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
II Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
II Timothy 4:18 And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 1:14 Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 3:12-19
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, 15 while it is said, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME.”
16 For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient?
19 So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
Hebrews 10:32-39 and Hebrews 11:1-40 Our “heroes of faith” whose faith in God Himself enabled them to trust Him and to remain faithful whether they were released from prison or “sawn asunder.” It wasn’t faith for some earthly result, but faith to remain true to the end regardless of what that meant.
Hebrews 13:5-6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” 6 so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”
James 1:2-3 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
I Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
I Peter 2:19-23
For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
I Peter 3:13-17 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
I Peter 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
I Peter 4:12-19
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
1 Peter 5:7-10
casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
I John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:18-19 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.
Revelation 22:11-21
Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”
12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
Therefore take up the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes,
you will be able to stand your ground,
and having done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13
Please see many articles, and free workbooks at:
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and especially note
“The Cosmic Battle and the American Christian”
www.john2031.com/books/tcb/main.html
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Ken Stoltzfus
P.O. Box 228
Kidron, Ohio 44636 USA
Email: zoebooks@flyinghigher.net
July 17, 2026