R690 Finding Encouragement in Conflict

God has an encouraging word for you and me today. The Bible-based teaching of Dr. Don Wilton on this edition of The Encouraging Word. None of us enjoy conflict is just not something we want to dive into, but there is a possibility like today's message indicates to find encouragement and conflict that's the message of Dr. Don Wilton as we had the second Chronicles for our Bible study today. While we do so we want to remind you were connecting on our website 24 hours a day@tewonline.orghetewonline.org why you're there you can hear today's broadcast see other videos from Dr. Wilson or sign up for the daily devotional from Dr. Don and heads out email of chronically every day I can sign up today@twonline.org you begin receiving the devotion tomorrow. Let's open our hearts and God's word together with Dr. Don Wilton second Chronicles in the 20th chapter in the Old Testament you find it on page 438 in the pew Bible and subject this morning is finding encouragement in conflict world is in conflict even as we speak world is in conflict. We don't know what goes on.

I want to submit to you today ladies and gentlemen, that God has a very special and particular message for our hearts. We are convinced that God will encourage your heart through the Lord Jesus Christ and by his Spirit in his word. As we study his word together. There is much conflict in the world is conflict and hope. We are a people that live in conflict but how grateful we can all be that today we live in a place like this that we have peace on our front doors.

We are very blessed indeed in the United States. For those of you that are of the younger persuasion I would simply remind you that we have been spayed wars care in the United States of America and so where does that leave those of us who love the Lord Jesus Christ want to read to you from one of the greatest epic battles that was ever recorded in Scripture.

It happened under the leadership of King Jehoshaphat and I'm reading from second Chronicles chapter 20 off to this, the Moabites and the ammonites with some of the menu items came to make war on Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat of lost army is coming against you from Edom from the other side of the sea.

In fact, it is already in high is on from all that is in in Gandy alarmed Jehoshaphat resolve to inquire of the Lord and so he proclaimed a fast rule Judah.

The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord. Indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

When Jehoshaphat stood up in the temple and the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the front of the new courtyard and say, oh Lord God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven. You rule over the kingdoms of the nation's power in my touring your hand and no one can withstand you allow God to do not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendents of Abraham girlfriend. I have lived in it and have built in it, a sanctuary for your name saying if calamity comes upon us with the sort of judgment play goal famine. We will stand in your presence before the sample that bears your name and will cry out to you and now disgraced and you will hear us and save us now Carol man from Amon Moab, and Mount Seo whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt so they turned away from them and did not destroy them see how they are replaying us by coming to drive us out of the position you gave us as an inheritance of our God, will you not judge them for we have no power to face this boss army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones stood there before the Lord in the spirit of the Lord came upon to has the old son of Zechariah, the son of Anaya, the son of GL, the son of Matt Anaya, a Levite descendent of Asaph, and he stood in the assembly and he said listen King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says do not be afraid or discouraged because of this boss army. The battle is not yours but God's tomorrow march down against it.

They would be climbing up by the costs of zoos and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the desert of Jerry Rowe. You will not have to fight this back to a comfortable position, standing firm, and see the deliverance of the Lord will give to you all Judah and Jerusalem do not be afraid to not be discouraged. Go to face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you.

Jehoshaphat bowed with these face to the ground and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord might he write his word upon our hearts on this Lord's day. There are five directives that God gives to his children. Here in this particular remarkable moment in time in the history of Israel. There are five biblical directives that I believe God would write upon all hawks in America today. As believers, as Christian men and women who place their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who is the one true God. I want to share these five directors with you. They are rather simple, somewhat elementary and yet when we understand what it is that God was saying as he was writing these things across the annals of history we come to a fresh understanding that he indeed is the same yesterday and today and forever. We come to a brand-new appreciation perhaps about mandate as believers. I am as Disciples of Christ as our president believes our nation through this time of conflict, from whence do we gain our encouragement waited we turn that they are five directives number one standup standup. That's what God said to Jehoshaphat, that's what these people did. If you look with me in Scripture you read about it in verse five, Jehoshaphat stood up in the house of God.

If you go to verse nine.

In the latter part of verse nine. You'll see we will stand in your presence.

If you go to verse 13, all the men of Judah, together with all their families.

They stood up there in the presence of the Lord, ladies and gentlemen, American, and above all those of us who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to submit to you today in the presence of God and in his temple. The Clarion trumpet call of God in the midst of conflict is that we ought to stand up, stand up, we need to stand up as men and women of God.

For we have a message to share.

We know who God is and we know that he is sovereign and we know that he is in control and we know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord, and we know that he has given us eternal life, and we know that he will never leave us nor forsake us stand in the midst of conflict therein lies our encouragement. What is it mean to stand up means to be counted.

What is it mean to stand up it means to be bold and unapologetic. What does it mean to stand up in the midst of conflict as a believer it means to be focused this morning in our prayer time together with the ministry team, we began to pray together because we have faced tragedy in our church family this week and our hearts are so sad we've had to deal with things we began to talk about traveling and youth trips in spring breaks and before we knew it we would be in court topping in all other things of life, and when it came down to the time the price we looked at each other and we said, but now we're going into the house of the Lord, and there might be indeed a broken heart on every pew. It is time for those of us who are called to lead, to stand standup what is agreeing to stand up it means to be counted. It means to be bold it means to be focused. It means to be dependable directive number two cry out cry out in the latter part of verse nine Jehoshaphat in these people make the point that we will cry out to you in distress and you will hear us and save us and hearing the Hebrew text that is literally translated that God expects of those of us who belong to him who are his children to prostrate ourselves before the throne of grace, and a cry out from the very depths about being it carries with it that heartfelt yearning for the presence and the voice of God God God believes about the will and free will, God, do you also pray we pride we repay our sin. We cry out to you.

You'll face from us. We cry out to you from the depths about the so difficult for those of us in America all control our boys and girls in uniform need to handle the problems that doesn't affect us with quite comfortable. Thank you.

We still have our air conditioners we not living in the desert. We don't have to deal with sandstorms. We don't have to stare down the barrel of the gun. We can still go and have lunch. There is no need for us. We some pre-somehow become weak, loading the son kind of apathetic self-containment. It is time in America for believers to stand up and endocrine. Now why did God call upon them to cry out well. There are four reasons in this text I wish I could preach on every one of them for the next six weeks. Number one, we cry out because God is the God of history. According to the first part of verse six is the God of our fathers. He has a track record.

God doesn't have to prove himself.

He is proof number two we cry out because he is ruler over all. Not only do we cry out because he's the God of history and the ruler over all nations, but we cry out, according to verse six because he is all-powerful Bible says power and monitoring your hand. We cry out because he is irresistible. The Bible tells us in the latter part of verse six.

No one can withstand you. One soldier said one time. It matters not if I have in my hands a machine gun strapped around me hand grenades or a knife in my pocket when I have the word of God in my heart I have the sword and the shield of his strength. I want you to know if God be for us, who can be against us. And if you belong to Jesus Christ, the battle is not yours but God's, do I hear an amen this morning.

That's what it's all about.

Forgive the interruption will be back with the rest of today's message finding encouragement in conflict with Dr. Don Wilton in just a moment. Oh what a powerful statement.just mentioned when we belong to Christ. The battle is not ours but God's. But oh how we want to find it. I pray that you know that we're here to to win the battle with you to see God work in and through us as prayer intercessors with a great team ready to pray with you right now it 866-899-WORD I hope you'll open your cell phone get that plus in your contacts and stores there again as Dr. Don would say we all need some 2 AM, friends, and we'd love to be one of yours. Call us anytime at 866899673.

We can meet us online as well. At TW online.org if you haven't heard about the calls for courage resources available on our website will drop by TW online.org and take a look know many people of faith are concerned about what the future holds for Christians in America wake up to a nation in the world.

It's increasingly hostile to those of us that are followers of Christ. How do we respond you'll discover more on our website with this call for courage resource that's at TW online.org again TEW online.org now back today's great teaching with Dr. Wilton and the message finding encouragement in conflict is not any stand up and cry out, but the third directive is we must listen to this 15 profit save list. King Jehoshaphat an older living Judah and Jerusalem. And so what are we to pray for, we ought to pray that not only for ourselves, that we would stand up and cry and listen to but that would be the hallmark of the president of the United States. Why listen to while they are three reasons in the states number one because the Lord speaks he carries on a conversation with these children number two because the Lord direct number three because the Lord encourages there is 1/4 director. Not only must we stand up and cry out, listen to, but we must lie down. According to verse 17 he said listen, you will not have to fight this back. Some people believe lying down in the presence of God means capitulating that what God was saying is that you are not going to have to be engaged. That's not what he's talking about what he means by lying down is number one remember his promises that I will take care of you.

Number two that you need to accept your responsibilities. The Bible says take optical positions.

Whether you're a mother or a father with a hearing uniform or whether you are at home number three that you stand firm in your convictions, he says, stand firm, and see the deliverance of the Lord.

Number four that you would release your fear. That's what it means to live down in Christ to take your rest in him to let go of the fear that you and I have number six. It means number five it means to claim victory. The Bible says here in verse 17 go out and face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you. What an incredible mandate. Stand up, cry out, listen to lie down and finally bow down this 18 Jehoshaphat God with these face to the ground and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down and worshiped before the Lord.

We are told in Chronicles as well that if we repent of our sin, and humble ourselves and pray God will listen and heal our land and so my friends I give to you, just six practical suggestions on how to overcome the matter of discouragement in the midst of this conflict. Number one. Pray pray tonight. I'm announcing that at 515.

We are calling our community to join us and our friends right here in the sanctuary. Maybe for just three quarters were now we're going to pray number to promote you want to find encouragement in conflict promote Jesus Christ promote true faith.

Number three invite. I'll guarantee there's at least one person.

Yet today reciting if only my son was here to Bonnie. My daughter was finally my neighbor was here, you know, still the number one reason why people come to church is because somebody invited them to come invite people to come it will encourage it will encourage their hearts.

Why because they are going to hear about Jesus Christ.

Number four.

Explain moms and dads a special word to you. Take time to talk to children don't turn a blind eye don't switch the television save all three. Don't misunderstand me, you must protect your children. But if you don't explain this to them. Somebody else will. And most of the time it will be some person has no idea what's going on. Sit down and look at those pictures explain this scroll at the bottom of the TV. Explain the doctors explain those flashing things that go all explain why we doing this. Explain to them what is going on and they will rise up and call you blessed number five worship the Lord in the beauty of his holiness. It's time to worship God because of who he is.

Number six be a witness for him. My friends, I would say to those of you that own your own businesses tomorrow morning. Do something different: your employees in and say to them, listen, we always have meetings to discuss business, but I'm calling you here today for us to pray together be a witness would you bow your heads with me this morning. Father, we want to encouragement to the we desperately need to hear from you, and you have spoken father as you have done so many times in history so it is that you do for us today because you are unchanging you are the same yesterday and today and forever and father. We hold these foods in our hearts today and father. We want to be encouraged and we want to be blessed. We want to be a people who stand tall upon our convictions.

Yes, Lord, we want to stand as one. As Americans because we are a free people and we hold these truths dear but above all our father to the as Christian men and women.

We understand that we are citizens of the king that we have forfeited our earthly citizenship that we belong to you and father you are our great commander-in-chief, and it is into you that we direct our thoughts as we pray for our president.

As we pray for our loved ones and father. Today we pray that his men and women we might not any stand up but that we might bow down in your presence, and that as we bow down in your presence.

We might understand like never before, that there is none like him to the father God in heaven bless America today.

Bless our troops please bring them back safely. Help us to end this conflict as quickly as possible and that we have a mandate to protect our sons and daughters so that they too in years to come might be able to enjoy the same benefits that we have today above. Allow God in our father we want to thank you for the Lord Jesus Christ for none of this makes sense outside of him.

We pray God that if there is anyone here today who does not know you as personal Savior that they would surrender their hearts and lives to you and they too would be born again of the spirit of the living God, in whose name we pray together a main. If you're ready were ready to meet your need to know that our phone number. 866-899-WORD will always connect with one of us 24 hours a day, ready to listen, to pray, to connect with resources. That's 866-899-6732 per Dr. Wilton teach today from second Chronicles on today's message on finding encouragement and conflict. I pray you now open your heart to the most important part. Perhaps the docs can share next as he steps in the studio today.

Are you ready to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm so happy to hear that wanted to pray this prayer with me today. Dear God, I know you love very very and I know that the Lord Jesus Christ came died on the cross so that I might be forgiven of my sin. Today I repainted my sin. I confess my sins and I invite you to my life. Jesus prayed that pray for me be the first one will I hope that you know how much I'm going to be like place to begin this wonderful journey. And in just a moment I come back to the final, your thankful as a team. The Encouraging Word God facility.

We are rejoicing already because we believe you were praying along you gave your life to Jesus Christ. Or perhaps you rededicated your life in today. From this day forward you have a greater more deep commitment to live for Jesus. Either way, we have wonderful resources we want to put in your hands. Dr. Wilton has prepared these resources for you if you just gave your life to Christ or we dedicate your life to Jesus. Once you call us at 866-899-WORD. That's 866899673 email us at online@tewonline.org we are here for you can only connect you with these great resources but also share other resources with resources like the snow wind is blowing courageous courage when the time comes this month for your gift of $25 or more to The Encouraging Word you will receive the south and powerful message series by Dr. Wilson letting the Christians response to a nation in crisis, and a Christian response to a personal account. You will receive a call for parents as soul stirring into the resources to find Amy out to respondent under the spirit of fear can stand: 866-899-WORD 899-9673 request to be something like owning a coffer courage today. Thank you for listening and thank you for supporting The Encouraging Word.

Now is the time to sporadic gospel. What a powerful resource you can discover more on our website@twonline.org and while you're there, don't forget to check out some of the other resources, including the book from Dr. Wilton just released recently about his time as being the pastor of Dr. Billy Graham call Saturdays with Billy and it's a powerful encouraging resource in the life of this remarkable man of faith.

Dr. Billy Graham but also into the humbleness that he imparts to everyone he came in contact with including our teacher and pastor Dr. Don Wilton all the details on our website at tewonline.org before we get away closing thoughts from Dr.you know before we go today.

What a day of worship. We've had you know you and I have in the middle of our hearts, our beloved nation but how much I love America.

I'm so proud to be an American. You know this board cost is seen by so many of our Armed Forces across the will to hear from meaning meaning we love them. My name they are our heroes and I want to join with us. We are praying for them that God would take love right now showing just before we go wanted to join Jesus. I'm joining with thousands of people by trying for our members writing right name many families behind.

Listing times for today but tomorrow it's what's next. That's the message of Dr. Don Wilton.

I hope you join us between down and stay connected on our website@tewonline.orglargedewonline.org