Choosing RESPONDING TO THE FATHER Over Reacting to the devil
When we read the gospels, it's fascinating to see how Jesus interfaces with troubles and difficulties. He never reacts, he responds.
In other words, the devil, Christ's enemies, troubles, nor dark days determine Christ's agenda, His heavenly Father does. Jesus never reacts to the devil but responds only to the Father.
John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
Responding or Reacting
This is one verse defines how Jesus does life and ministry. Living in response to His Father brings assurance, confidence, and rest in the midst of difficult times, challenges, and seemingly impossible situations. This means that every teaching, deliverance, and miracle is in direct response to His Father, not in reaction to the devil.
Regularly, I find myself reacting rather than responding. Whether it's reading news articles or social media posts, I find myself reacting to what I think needs to be done. In many ways, my reaction is not the wisest choice to make.
Just look at the political landscape of our nation and the world; everyone is reacting to everyone and everything else. This person said and did this, so this person reacts and does this. Then they repost what this person did to 400k followers, and everyone reacts to everyone one else. This goes on day after day, year after year. It's exhausting.
Living at a Higher Level
We are required to live at a higher level, a level modeled and lived out by Jesus himself. While the rest of the world is reacting, we need to be responding. We need to know what our Father is doing and bring His response to the world we live in. We are to be leading with Kingdom answers and solutions because we live seated with Christ in heavenly places.
We are living in challenging times. There is plenty to react to. But if we are to change the world, we must live in response to what Heaven is saying. It is possible, doable, and necessary.
Make this your goal today, and every day. It will take time to learn and develop this habit, so ask the Lord to help you. When you find yourself reacting, allow the reaction to be a signal to pause, regroup, and pray.
Responding as Christs Ekklesia
Responding to the Father is what we, as the Ekklesia, need to do to storm the gates of Hades and what the world needs to be saved, healed, and delivered.
Blessings
Pastor Greg