“… submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

By Pastor Dennis Morales

It’s awesome to be able to turn the page and start fresh in a new year.  For some, 2015 may have been a contentious year.  I have realized that the closer we draw to the Lord and His will for our lives, the more the Devil will be there to oppose.  The Apostle Peter also points out that some afflictions may come from both disobedience and obedience (1 Peter 3:17).  I’m reminded of Nehemiah, who is described as a man of character and prayer.  He had been in Babylonian captivity.  He asked the king if he could go rebuild the walls of his home town, Jerusalem, which had been destroyed.  With God in the driver’s seat, Nehemiah was able to begin rebuilding the walls.    Almost immediately, a man name Saballat opposed Nehemiah.   Accusation was made about Nehemiah and his motives for rebuilding the walls of the city.  In the face of opposition, he didn’t back down or hide.  Nehemiah prayed and laid out the situation before God (Nehemiah 4:4-5).  We find Nehemiah praying 11 times through the book that bears his name.   Nehemiah is given encouragement and wisdom to complete the work of God.  In times of opposition we come to realize that our “knees” and “hearts” are brought to the rightful position.  We are more prone to lean upon God, than to rest upon our own strength (2 Corinthians 12:9).  In this new year, we may meet resistance, but remember that victory is around the corner.  “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith..” (1 John 5:4)

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays at 10:30am, and Wednesdays at 7:00pm at Clara Barton Elementary School, 7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale.  Visit their website at http://www.calvaryeastvale.org.