In the face of this opposition and ridicule, Paul "shook the dust from his clothes" and went to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 18:6). He went in search of greater things.  What do you do when you’re not experiencing the fruit you’re believing for? 

Faith is like a marathon. Most runners who have endured the 26 mile race will tell you that at some point, no matter their experience, they hit a wall. It feels like they cannot go any further. And much like a marathon, in the race of faith there will be times, tests and seasons when we find ourselves feeling fatigued. Even now, many of us may be spiritually exhausted and tired, like we cannot go on. 

The Bible says there is seed, time, and harvest as long as the earth remains. Abraham would say to someone today that it is foundational for us to learn how to wait on God. Abraham and Sarah waited on God for three decades before Isaac’s birth. Complaining causes us to circle.

We must think about our open doors, words, and agreements. We are not just fighting flesh and blood. We are fighting principalities; there are rulers and spirits in the air, speaking words to us that do not match the Word of God. We must break this by the Spirit of Jesus, to take back territory the enemy has tried to steal from us. We do not have to accept defeat. God has given us authority over every evil attack the enemy throws at us. We can take authority through God’s covenant with us. We have been given a contract, a covenant, the Bible, full of good promises for our lives. 

We are in a faith fight that started with original sin in the Garden of Eden. Satan first attacked Eve's hope by questioning God's love for her (Gen 3:1). Next, he challenged her faith by twisting God's Word (Gen 3:4) saying, "You will not surely die." With a foothold, Satan substituted a new belief system (Gen 3:5); if she eats from the tree, she "will be like God, knowing good and evil."

From Abel we learn to put God first. Abel believed in God because he walked with God and talked with God (Genesis 4). So did Cain. Abel brought the first fruits as an offering to the Lord. But, Cain brought his offering over the course of time. Abel put God first. If you want to please God with your faith, God must be first and foremost. It's not just what you do, it’s the order in which you do it. Your priorities matter.

As we remember the attacks on September 11th, we also recognize the parallels to the spiritual attacks that we as Christ followers experience. These attacks come against us as believers, the church of Jesus Christ, and the purposes and plans of Jesus on the earth.

In John 13, Jesus gives us a new command. He establishes his love as the measure for how we should love others. Not just are we to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, we are now called to a higher standard, to love others like Jesus has loved us.