The Enemy Within

Ps 140:1-2 - Deliver me, O Lord from evildoers; protect me from those who are violent, who plan evil things in their minds and stir up wars continually.

As a 30-year retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant; with a husband who is a 20-year retired Air Force member and a son who is a 12-year Marine Corps veteran, we are a family with 62 years of combined military service.

In my extended family I have dads, uncles, cousins and nephews who have also served honorably in various branches of our US military.

When someone goes into the military, there is an oath we take that goes like this

“I, [we state our name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

Against all enemies, but what happens when the enemy is from within? The title of today’s message is, “The Enemy Within”.

Today my prayers, my heart, and my thoughts go out to the approximately 1.33 million members who are currently serving in our US military. More especially the over 30,000 in harms way, serving in eight conflicts. Conflicts that have nothing to do with them and that they will never benefit from. In fact, the majority of this nation will not benefit from any of those conflicts.

My job now, as a senior pastor and leader is to take the words printed in the Bible and show you how they apply or pertain to what we are experiencing today.

And so, let us begin. This 140th division of the Psalms was penned by King David, the man after God’s own heart, the apple of God’s eye.

David, through no fault of his own, was on the run from King Saul who was trying to kill him, because Saul was jealous of David.

David served when and where he was asked to serve.

David did the job he was asked to do and he did it well, so well in fact they sang songs about him.

David loved Saul, in fact, he loved and married Saul’s daughter. He was best friends with Saul’s son Jonathan.

But then something happened. Saul’s jealousy consumed him, evil spirits tormented him and he turned on David. Still, for as long as he could, David was Saul’s musician and when the evil spirits would torment Saul, David played his instrument and the evil spirits would leave. Light and darkness cannot dwell together.

But there came a time when it was not just dangerous for David, it became deadly. Saul wanted David dead. So David had to go on the run and there were many trying to take him out.

And because of who he was, David talked to his Father in heaven, David turned to the one he knew could fix it, David prayed to God the maker and the ruler of all things.

Saying, “Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers;”, what we must remember is, evildoers are always around us. Trouble is present on every side so we must be ready, willing, and able to pray without ceasing.

David wanted deliverance, those who truly know what it is to be in a war will do everything in their power to avoid it.

Those who have seen and experienced the death and destruction that war brings, would not wish it on their worst enemy.

Those who have suffered and grieved through the loss of of a loved one, who have lost limbs, who have lost their quality of life, who are suffering the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder because of what they’ve seen and had to do, would exhaust every means of negotiation possible before taking the steps that would lead us down that path.

So those who would put others into a war for selfish gain, well, they are the evildoers.

David says, “Protect me from those who are violent.” In the span of 14 months, the United States of America, a country who has served as the world’s peacekeeper, has gone from being that, to one who is the attacker. We have become the aggressor, we have become the bad “man” dropping bombs, and killing babies. Engaging in shady and in some instances illegal, according to our own laws, behavior.

Behavior led by, the enemy within. The enemy within is a violent, vengeful person, who is only looking out for himself and a literal handful of people.

The violent enemy within has sworn to exact revenge on any and all those who dare call out his bad behavior, even if they were just doing their jobs. God bless them for doing their jobs, I wish more people would, we wouldn’t be where we are today as a nation if they did.

David continues praying, “who plan evil things in their minds”. When you are uneducated, unlearned and unwilling to understand, it can be a dangerous thing.

I want to give you some information about our nation as it stands today.

The

Federal Election Commission - they are charged with administering and enforcing the federal campaign finance law. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House, Senate, Presidency and the Vice Presidency. They say who can give and how much.

Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. They control what we hear and see over the airwaves.

Securities and Exchange Commission - protects investors, maintains fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitates capital formation. It enforces federal securities laws, regulates stock exchanges and investment advisors, and requires public companies to disclose meaningful financial information. It makes companies tell the truth.

Federal Trade Commission - protects consumers and promotes competition by preventing unfair, deceptive, and anticompetitive business practices. It enforces antitrust laws, stops scams, regulates advertising, and reviews mergers to ensure fair market competition. It stops price gouging.

So what do all these agencies have in common? They were all independent agencies, led by experts in their fields, created by congress to serve the public interest free from political interference.

Those offices have now been mandated to submit their major regulations to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The order also mandates that these independent agencies set up new “White House Liaison offices” and coordinate legal positions with the President or Attorney General (neither of which are experts in the field).  

Unauthorized access to our sensitive payment and data systems has been given to people that have no business with that information.

Grants were done away with, causing, not just a ripple effect, but a tidal wave of despair and destruction throughout the nation to include our own food pantry program right here at Love Christian Center.

The US Constitution and laws have been violated and ignored numerous, multiple, a whole bunch of times, with no repercussions.

Americans who were government workers and their families, are now stranded overseas because the organizations that employed them were dismantled without warning, without thought, and without a plan for their safe return.

Approximately two million federal workers were sent emails to resign or be terminated in the wake of job cuts, under the auspices of “cutting the fat” from government.

Patient protections have been rolled back to include Roe vs Wade, affecting and endangering the lives of so many people.

We have been separated from long time allies and I’ve often talked about what happens when you’re separated from the herd. It’s not good, even if you are big.

Removing us from the World Health Organization, which is the organization responsible for the research, reporting, and stopping the spread of infectious diseases, like HIV/AIDS and oh yes, COVID. Remember, that one that killed 1,235,885 Americans.

Reduced Pell Grants and Federal Student Loan Programs and attacks on the Department of Education attempting to strip student protections and gut federal funding.

In his first 100 days in office, there were 200-300 lawsuits filed challenging various executive actions and an estimation that over 500 lawsuits were filed in 2025. When you take away weekends and holidays, that’s two lawsuits filed per day; an unprecedented amount of litigation compared to previous administrations.

And then there’s the

unlawful deportation of American citizens

the murder of American citizens by yet another rouge law enforcement agency

families being torn apart

food prices increasing

gas prices increasing

unemployment increasing

police misconduct increasing

mean, hateful speech increasing.

The hoods have come off and what was once relegated to closed door, back room conversations is now front and center

That’s a lot and it’s not even half of the destruction, unrest, and upheaval this nation has endured since Jan 20, 2025. This current administration has created, well let’s just call it what it is, a lot of confusion, strife, and turmoil.

David said, “Deliver me from...those who...stir up wars continually.”

Did I mention we are now in eight conflicts, none of which have been approved by congress?

Church we need to suit up, we need to pray

pray for our leaders

pray they will step up do the job they were elected or selected to do, even if it costs them that job

pray they will be bold and courageous, serving the people and not their own interests

pray they will stand in the face of pressure, no matter where it comes from

pray they will stand in face of unhinged power, no matter how threatening it may be

pray they will trust in the Lord with all their hearts and lean not unto their own understanding

pray that they will acknowledge God in all their ways and allow him to direct their paths.

pray that will know that they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them

pray that those who are not doing their jobs and looking out for those whom they are responsible for would either begin to fulfil their duties and responsibilities or someone be put in place who will

pray so that they may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and give thanks, for all men; [we don’t have one of these, but] 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Church we need to pray because when we pray;

When the children of God pray…

When the saints of God pray…

When the people of God pray…

God said, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

In that scripture that we often quote found in 2 Chron 7, we often just quote verse 14 but I’m going to read on, verse

15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. God sees and he’s listening

16 “For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.” God is with us and can I tell you something else,

you are now the temple, your body is the temple of God

you have been set apart to be holy

you are a place where God’s name will be honored forever

God will always watch over you for you are dear to his heart.

You are so dear, that he sent his only Son to die for your sins.

You are so dear, that His only Son, Jesus, left His Father’s side, came down through 42 generations, through a virgin girl named Mary

You are so dear, that he was the perfect example, living a sinless life

You are so dear that he performed wonders and miracles to give us hope—to show us that indeed all things are possible through him

You are so dear, that when the time had come he allowed them to take him before a kangaroo court, with liars for witnesses

You are so dear, that he let them slap him in the face

You are so dear, that he let them snatch out his beard

Your are so dear, that he let them beat him with a cat of nine tails, tearing the flesh from his body

You are so dear, that he let them put a crown of thorns on his head

Your are so dear, that he let them lead him to Calvary without a mumbling word

You are so dear, that he let them put nails in his hands

You are so dear, that he let them put nails in his feet

You are so dear, that he let them lift that cross from the ground. Aahhh but that was all part of the plan, because Jesus said, I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I’ll draw all men unto me.

You are so dear, that not until he finished his assignment, not until he covered every sin, not until he declared, “It is finished”, did he give up the ghost.

You are so dear, that on that third day morning, just like he said he would [you do know he’s a promise keeper, don’t you?] On that third day morning He got up with all power in his hands

You are so dear, that he conquered death, hell, and the grave so you would have the chance for eternal life

You are so dear, that he ascended back to the Father where he sits interceding for you.

You are so dear, that he didn’t leave you comfortless, he sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in you

You— are— so— dear.

So the next time, someone in the church refers to you as dear, or you refer to someone as dear, I want you to remember, just how dear you are to God; remember just how dear you are to Jesus; remember just how dear you are to the Holy Ghost.

You are so dear.

So when the enemy is from within, even if it’s the head, we still have the power of God to cut off the head if that’s what needs to happen.

we do it with prayer,

But it goes beyond that, when Moses found himself standing with the Red Sea in front of him and Pharoah’s army behind him he was praying to God and God said quit praying and get the people moving. And so

we do it by being present

we do it by being involved

we do it by speaking up and speaking out

we do it by voting.

But for us to be the temple of the Lord we must first accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior by giving our life to him.

Romans 10:9-10 tells us

Romans 10:9–10 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

And so we pray

Father God, I confess I’m a sinner, I believe that Jesus is your Son that he died for my sins and that you raised him from the dead. Lord, I give you my heart and my life, I give you permission to take control. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

If you prayed that prayer for the first time, congratulations and welcome to the family, send us message and let us know of your wonderful decision and so we can pray with and for you.

Now find yourself a Bible believing, Bible teaching church where you can work out your soul salvation. If you live in the Douglasville, GA vicinity please come visit us at 3500 Hwy 5, and when you get tired of visiting us, join us. Sunday school begins at 8:45 and Worship begins at 10:00.

Don’t worry about not having anything to wear, we’re concerned with the inside not the outside, just give God your best, whatever that may be.

And finally, for our online viewers, I’m hearing a lot that the thing that turns people off about the church is they feel they’re always asking for money. But here’s the thing

you pay taxes (and they don’t even ask)

you pay club dues

you pay sorority and fraternity dues

you pay membership fees to golf clubs, tennis clubs, gyms and whatever other organizations you might be a part of so, what makes the church different?

Well I’ll tell you. What makes the church different, is when you find a church that is good, fertile ground, you’re not just paying dues or fees you are sowing a seed. When you sow a seed in fertile ground it will grow, it will multiply.

God has made some promises about what he will do when you give to him through the church or a ministry.

He has promised

He will open the windows of heaven for you.

He will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!

Then he challenges you to, Try it! Put him to the test! 

And for you New Testament subscribers, God said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

So how you give is how you’ll receive. Give sparingly, reap sparingly; give generously, reap generously. I’m not just telling you what I’ve read, I’m telling you this from experience.

When it comes to operations and expenses, the church is no different. Love Christian Center is not a large church with a huge building and staff on the payroll. We are a small storefront church with expenses that must be paid or we cannot operate and continue ministries such as our food pantry ministry. We give the food away for free, but it costs us money.

So, please ma’am, please sir, I know things may be tight, but I am and I’m asking you to trust God and give your best gift, and if you can, make it a recurring gift. Go to our website at www.lovechristianctr.org to see all the ways you can give.

May God bless you abundantly have a wonderful week.

Salvation

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