JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(1st John 4:18) "Perfect love expels all fear".
I for one could not imagine living a life without God in the center of it… such as I try to do each day!
Its so comforting to know that there is a "higher power", that is bigger than all of this worlds calamity and problems.
If God loved us with an imperfect love, we would have cause to worry.
But God cares about you and I too much to leave us in any doubt about His love.
The Bible says His "perfect love expels all fear." (1st John 4:7-8)
Human love is flawed… it keeps a checklist of our sins and shortcomings-and consults it often.
God keeps no such list.
His love casts out our fear because it casts out our guilt.
John writes, (1st John 3:20). "If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart". ?
When you feel un-forgiven, question your feelings but don't question God.
Go back to His Word… it outranks self-criticism and self-doubt.
Nothing fosters confidence like a clear grasp of God's grace… and nothing fosters fear like ignorance of it.
The fact is, if you haven't accepted God's grace, you're doomed to live in fear.
No pill, pep talk, psychiatrist, or earthly possession can put your mind at ease.
Those things may help numb your fear, but they can't eradicate it.
Only God's grace can do that.
Have you accepted Christ's forgiveness?
If not… why not?
The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us... and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1st John 1:9)
Why is it that humanity thinks that it does not need God, or His forgiveness and grace?
The place of confession is also the place of cleansing and restored confidence toward God. ?
This morning I want to talk to you who are believers in Christ and are enjoying Gods continued favor for humanity right now.
When you became a believer in Christ you began a life of freedom from fear.
That fear was summed up in an “unknown future”… it was summed up in “fear of guilt”… it was summed up in “hopelessness”… it was summed up in “desperation and lack of hope”.
You then came to a place of “faith in God” and His ability to care for you and you replaced all this fear with confidence in God… that no matter what, God will see you thru.
You became an example of Paul’s proclamation in (Ephesians 2:12)… “You were with out God and with out hope”, and then you traded that lack of hope for “confidence” in God… and faith that He would take care of you,
Yet some of you have “cast away your confidence in God” and began to cower in fear once again as the enemy of our souls walks around “like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour” (1st Peter 5:8)
Paul writes in (Ephesians 2:3), “But now in Christ Jesus”!
I need to ask you today, all of you whom are believers in Christ.
Who has beguiled You?
Why do you now fear once again, the things that are “beyond your abilities” to handle.
Do you think God saved you in the past to drop you now in this time of uncertainty and worldwide upheaval?
Do you think that His hand is unable to protect you and cover you and save you in the midst of the trial that you are facing?
Where is your faith and trust in God and His keeping grace?
A few year ago there was a wonderful cliché that was challenging believers in Christ and motivating us to acts of great faith!
Do you remember that cliché”?
W.W. J. D. WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
I am going to make a statement that will probably cause some of you to mock me and even publically denounce me.
But I can’t help it.
To you… the believer in Christ… I need to say it!
Where is your faith?
Where is your trust in Christ for His protection and promise of physical protection in this life?
What Would Jesus Do?
We are to be examples of Him.
Did He sequester Himself from the ten lepers.
Did He shut Himself in and hide from any contact with the world.
Did He social distance himself in the midst of some of the most horrific times of social disease during His day?
You know the answer already!
And that is no!!!!!!!!!
He did not and neither should we.
I said this during the Covid 19 shutdown of our world and I say it again concerning that atrocities that are happening in our society today… they are works of the enemy… works of the devil the enemy of our souls… who is like a roaring lion seeking whom He can devour. (1st Peter 5:8)
If you are truly a child of faith, a child of God… a believer in Christ and His ability to care for His children… then you need to rise up in faith and confidence in God and share that hope and message with our world today!
Stop walking in fear… spewing that same message of fear and mistrust in God adding fuel to the lost hope that much of the world is walking in today.
You say “when did I spew a message of mistrust and lack of hope in God”?
The answer?
The minute you started letting fear stop you from social interaction with others around you.
The minute you started hiding your light behind closed doors.
The minute you let doubt in the ability of God to protect you!
To the church, to the child of God reading this devotional this morning… we need to repent and we need to rise up in faith and begin to trust God once again to help you and I be an open book and a light of faith and hope in God to the world around you.
And you can’t do that by “social distancing” separating our selves from one another.
Yes we need to be wary, yes we need to wash our hands!
Yes you need to use common sense.
But we need to have faith in God to protect us while we go about doing good in our society, interacting with people meeting with people.
Sharing the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ with people.
We need to replace fear with faith… and then start being obedient once again to the command of Jesus… “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel”, be a light, be a witness of hope and confidence in what God can do.
"Lord, I admit I've turned away from confidence in You.
Please forgive me.
I place my soul in Your hands and my trust in Your grace.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
Now having received God's forgiveness, mercy, and grace… start living like it! ?
Be a catalyst and a witness that shows others "the Way", to peace and comfort in spite of what this world is throwing at us.
Good Day!
(Proverbs 15:14) “A wise person is hungry for knowledge.”
It’s been said that we forget more than 80 percent of what we learn in school and college.
That raises the question, “Why bother?
Is education really worth what we invest in it?”
The answer?
Yes it is!
No matter how old you are, there are many valid reasons for learning, even if forgetting will take its usual toll.
But education can be a deceptive thing as we walk and live out faith in God.
A violent battle is raging around us twenty-four hours per day.
In 1965, Donald Grey Barnhouse wrote a book about it called “The Invisible War”.
It is the battle for your mind, and that battle is vicious, its intense, its unrelenting, and it is unfair because Satan never plays fair.
And the reason why it is so intense is that your greatest asset is your mind.
I have seen the face of mental illness.
I have seen what it is like when people are unable to hear God because their minds are broken and cannot seem to connect to God even when they want to connect to Him.
And I know also to… whatever gets your mind… gets you.
So one of the most important things we need to learn and teach others is
how to guard, strengthen, and renew our minds… because the battle over sin always starts in the mind.
(2nd Corinthians 10:3-5) says… “Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh… for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal… (of the flesh)… but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God by taking into captivity… every thought captive to obey Christ.”
The apostle Paul says here that our job in this battle is to “destroy strongholds.”
You know what a stronghold is?
It is a mental block.
Paul is talking about pretentions… arguments set up against the knowledge of God.
This is a mental battle and there are several ways to keep your mind healthy and strong so that you can wage the war of “the battle for your mind”.
(1) The most important function of the battle is the learning process of self-discipline and the control that it fosters. Good students learn to follow directions, carry out assignments, and channel their mental faculties toward a constructive end.
These are skills you’ll need in order to succeed in life.
(2) Even if the facts and concepts can’t be recalled, you know they exist and where to find them
so that you can retrieve the information when you need it later on.
(3) Old learning makes new learning easier. Each mental exercise gives you more associative clues with which to link future ideas and concepts, and you are changed for having been through the process of learning.
(4) Your brain is like the programming in your computer. You don’t really forget anything that is beyond the reach of your memory. The information is still stored in your brain and will return to consciousness when properly stimulated.
(5) You are shaped by the influence of the people who teach you. Thats why (Psalm 1:1) teaches "blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the ungodly nor stands in the path of sinners nor seats in the seat of the scornful"
(3) Old learning makes new learning easier. Each mental exercise gives you more associative clues with which to link future ideas and concepts, and you are changed for having been through the process of learning.
(4) Your brain is like the programming in your computer. You don’t really forget anything that is beyond the reach of your memory. The information is still stored in your brain and will return to consciousness when properly stimulated.
(5) You are shaped by the influence of the people who teach you. Thats why (Psalm 1:1) teaches "blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the ungodly nor stands in the path of sinners nor seats in the seat of the scornful"
The Bible says, “The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge”(Proverbs 15:14)
But if you are going to really learn, you need one quality in particular, and that is the art of “humility”.
(1st Peter 5:5) Says “God resist the proud and give grace to the humble”.
Why do you think God does this?
The answer? Because the humble are teachable!
I would rather admit that I don’t know it all… than to “pretend” that I know it all and not learn.
You can learn from anybody.
I learn from guys older than me and from guys younger.
I learn from people who don’t like me.
I learn from critics.
I learn from people who totally misunderstand me.
You can learn from anybody.
Learning from your enemies… is a way to be smarter than your enemies… because if your enemies learn only from themselves, but you learn from them, then you will know more than they do… what they know, plus what you know!
(Proverbs 18:15) says, “The mind of a smart person is eager to get knowledge (that’s a mark of intelligence!)… and the wise person listens to learn more.”
We need to be eager to learn and willing to listen.
Learn this old cliché… “God gave us two ears and one mouth” so we should listen twice as much as we speak.
(Proverbs 10:14) says, “Wise men store up knowledge”.
In Scripture, knowledge is the only thing we are supposed to store up.
Jesus says we are not to store up money.
(Matthew 6:19-21) “Don’t store up treasure. Don’t store up material possessions where moth and rust decay”… but store up knowledge because knowledge is far more important than money.
You can always get more money, but knowledge is something you can’t never have enough of, if you want to really succeed in life.
You will leave all your material wealth behind, but a wealth of knowledge goes with you and carries you.
The wise man or woman knows this and seeks to attain knowledge.
The wisdom and knowledge they develop and learn… gives them insight and wisdom to live well on this earth, and make an impact in the lives of others wherever they go.
It is wise to learn from experience… but it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others.
It is also easier!
It saves a lot of time and saves us from making the same mistakes as others.
One other thought with this whole thing about knowledge.
Paul told his young prodigy Timothy… (2nd Timothy 3:7) “there would be people who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth”.
Don’t let mans knowledge overpower or take precedence over wisdom from God.
Smart people are not always wise people.
Yes the bible talks a lot about wisdom.
(Proverbs 4:5)… “Get wisdom, get understanding… do not forget my words or turn away from them".
But if you are going to really learn, you need one quality in particular, and that is the art of “humility”.
(1st Peter 5:5) Says “God resist the proud and give grace to the humble”.
Why do you think God does this?
The answer? Because the humble are teachable!
I would rather admit that I don’t know it all… than to “pretend” that I know it all and not learn.
You can learn from anybody.
I learn from guys older than me and from guys younger.
I learn from people who don’t like me.
I learn from critics.
I learn from people who totally misunderstand me.
You can learn from anybody.
Learning from your enemies… is a way to be smarter than your enemies… because if your enemies learn only from themselves, but you learn from them, then you will know more than they do… what they know, plus what you know!
(Proverbs 18:15) says, “The mind of a smart person is eager to get knowledge (that’s a mark of intelligence!)… and the wise person listens to learn more.”
We need to be eager to learn and willing to listen.
Learn this old cliché… “God gave us two ears and one mouth” so we should listen twice as much as we speak.
(Proverbs 10:14) says, “Wise men store up knowledge”.
In Scripture, knowledge is the only thing we are supposed to store up.
Jesus says we are not to store up money.
(Matthew 6:19-21) “Don’t store up treasure. Don’t store up material possessions where moth and rust decay”… but store up knowledge because knowledge is far more important than money.
You can always get more money, but knowledge is something you can’t never have enough of, if you want to really succeed in life.
You will leave all your material wealth behind, but a wealth of knowledge goes with you and carries you.
The wise man or woman knows this and seeks to attain knowledge.
The wisdom and knowledge they develop and learn… gives them insight and wisdom to live well on this earth, and make an impact in the lives of others wherever they go.
It is wise to learn from experience… but it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others.
It is also easier!
It saves a lot of time and saves us from making the same mistakes as others.
One other thought with this whole thing about knowledge.
Paul told his young prodigy Timothy… (2nd Timothy 3:7) “there would be people who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth”.
Don’t let mans knowledge overpower or take precedence over wisdom from God.
Smart people are not always wise people.
Yes the bible talks a lot about wisdom.
(Proverbs 4:5)… “Get wisdom, get understanding… do not forget my words or turn away from them".
(Proverbs 4:12)... "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go... guard it well, for it is your life".
Wisdom will not only help you… but empower you to uphold the two greatest commandments...
(Matthew 22:37-40)… Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul… and the second is like unto the first… love your neighbor as your self.
Good Day!
(Matthew 22:37-40)… Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul… and the second is like unto the first… love your neighbor as your self.
Good Day!
(Proverbs 21:5) “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity.”
The Bible teaches a balanced approach to setting goals that includes making plans, yet doing so with wisdom and humility.
Wisdom suggests planning and skillful time management, budget management, and the understanding to include God in the very midst of your plans.
Humility includes saying “Lord show me what to do”, and then submitting to what He shows you.
Jesus’ illustrated the need for good planning in His illustration of the building of a tower, and He implies that it is a good thing to have set goals.
(Luke 14:28) “for which of you desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost whether he has enough to complete it?”
To live with no motivation or planning is not God’s desire… nor is it His will in and for your life.
(Proverbs 6:6-11) says, “Look at the ant, and consider her ways, and be wise.
Without having any chief, officer, or ruler she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
"How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you
like a robber, and want like an armed man.”
Laziness causes a person to neglect work and fail to exploit “windows of opportunity”.
Summer is the preparation time for winter, and we dare not wile it away.
Failure to plan ahead will result in poverty and want.
Wisely setting goals leads to better results… “The plans of the diligent lead to profit” (Proverbs 21:5).
However, just because we’ve done our planning, doesn’t guarantee our goals will be met.
The process of setting goals must be infused with humility.
(James 4:13-14) “Now listen, you who say, 'today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.'
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow?
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”
The Bible teaches against two extremes.
One is “never setting goals” and the second is “setting goals with no thought of God”.
The balanced alternative is found in (James 4:15), “Instead you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”
It is good to make plans, as long as we leave room for God to change our plans.
Laziness causes a person to neglect work and fail to exploit “windows of opportunity”.
Summer is the preparation time for winter, and we dare not wile it away.
Failure to plan ahead will result in poverty and want.
Wisely setting goals leads to better results… “The plans of the diligent lead to profit” (Proverbs 21:5).
However, just because we’ve done our planning, doesn’t guarantee our goals will be met.
The process of setting goals must be infused with humility.
(James 4:13-14) “Now listen, you who say, 'today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.'
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow?
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”
The Bible teaches against two extremes.
One is “never setting goals” and the second is “setting goals with no thought of God”.
The balanced alternative is found in (James 4:15), “Instead you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”
It is good to make plans, as long as we leave room for God to change our plans.
His goals take precedence over ours.
Which brings me to this thought.
Unfortunately there are many in this high tech age that have their PDA’s (personal digital assistants) and calendars crammed full of business and activities with little thought to, or any time for God.
(Proverbs 16:9) says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
I read one translation of this verse that says, a man makes His plans but the Lord laughs at them.
In other words, we have our ideas and make our plans, but God will ultimately accomplish His sovereign desires.
I wonder do your goals make room for the unexpected?
Do they allow for God to interrupt your plans?
When the Spirit of God wants you to go here or there or turn in another direction… are you flexible enough, pliant enough, ready to follow His direction rather than stubbornly push your own agenda.
(Jeremiah 10:23) “I know O Lord that a man's way is not his own… no one who walks, directs his own steps.”
(Psalm 37:23) “For the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…”
I wonder… do you and I… do we love God’s will more than our own?
(Matthew 6:33-34) tells us to “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself”
Yes we need to set goals.
Yes we need to plan accordingly.
Yes we need to calculate our way.
But we need to be willing to let God redirect our plans, (Isaiah 30:21)
“this is the way walk ye in it”
If our plans focus on Christ and our desire to honor Him, He will see to it that the best results…the eternal results are ours.
As you read this devotional today, I have a plan for tomorrow.
It’s a “witty invention” that (Proverbs 8:12) talks about,
It’s a way that we can keep travelling from town to town and community to community… to keep this ministry in the marketplace and going into all the communities of our world to be the light of Jesus to the world.
(Acts 1:8 ) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you nad you shall be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, Judea, and the utter most parts of the world"
It’s a witty invention that will allow me to fulfill the calling and the goals of this ministry.
But I can’t do it on my own.
I need God to bring it to pass.
So what are the plans you have for tomorrow… or do you have any at all.
Is there any room in your busy life to let God redirect your course your plans and show you just where He wants you or needs you to be... so that the plan He has for you can unfold according to His will?
(Jeremiah 29:11) “for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord… plans to proper you and give you a future not plans for evil”.
So go ahead start making plans… start dreaming… but let God direct your steps and allow Him to direct your paths… that is the true key to success.
But you also need to start showing some effort… start putting one foot a head of the other.
A baby never starts walking until it starts taking one step at a time.
What about you?
Good Day!
It’s a witty invention that will allow me to fulfill the calling and the goals of this ministry.
But I can’t do it on my own.
I need God to bring it to pass.
So what are the plans you have for tomorrow… or do you have any at all.
Is there any room in your busy life to let God redirect your course your plans and show you just where He wants you or needs you to be... so that the plan He has for you can unfold according to His will?
(Jeremiah 29:11) “for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord… plans to proper you and give you a future not plans for evil”.
So go ahead start making plans… start dreaming… but let God direct your steps and allow Him to direct your paths… that is the true key to success.
But you also need to start showing some effort… start putting one foot a head of the other.
A baby never starts walking until it starts taking one step at a time.
What about you?
Good Day!
(Ephesians 6:12) “”for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil”
You are amazing!
In fact, you’re not merely amazing, your potential is off the charts.
I’m not just talking about careers, talents, or even your awesome ability to memorize every line from your favorite movie (though that’s plenty cool).
God reveals your true potential in scripture... “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made… your works are wonderful” (Psalm 139:13-14)
Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought to yourself, “Ugh…you again!”
Have you ever been disappointed at what you see staring back at you?
Maybe I’m all alone in this… but there are some days I have to remind myself that the person staring back at me is a unique, one-of-a-kind, and divinely designed human made in the image of God.
If you have ever doubted your self-worth and self-image, know this…
You are not common… there are no clones of you running around... there is only one you.
You are beautiful… you are incredibly gifted… you are God’s masterpiece.
(Psalm 139:14) describes your uniqueness perfectly… “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made… your works are wonderful, I know that full well”.
(1st Corinthians 2:9) “The eye has not seen, nor has the ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him”
Trusting and believing in God means receiving everything God has to give us so that we can be prosperous, significant and effective witnesses as spokesmen and women for the Kingdom of God.
In other words, no matter how bright you imagine your future to be, it’s indescribably brighter than that.
Which is why a certain lying, scheming wretch of a bad guy (Satan) is jealous of you and bent on your destruction!
He is a miserable discontented jealous and dangerous “angelic being” bound by eternal limitations, and he wants you to be miserable too.
Well, don’t fall for that.
Satan will do all he can to thwart you along your way back to our Father in Heaven, which includes whispering (or in some cases, shouting) every lie under the sun.
Too often we are caught off guard… and unaware of Satan’s counter-fitting and deceiving work in our midst,,, because we too often forget about the harsh reality of spiritual warfare.
The Bible says ”for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12)
These forces of evil have set their sights on all true believers, and they are unrelenting.
Paul teaches us that "the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they might not see the light of the glory of the gospel of Christ" (2nd Corinthians 4:4)
The implication is that in having blinded their minds, he (Satan)... can then focus on his primary work
“the deception of spiritual truth” in the lives of believers.
We know that Satan is at work, and scripture tells us that “for those who love God and who are called according to His purpose… that all things work together for our good according to the good pleasure of God’s will and for God’s glory (Romans 8:28)
We have also been justified by grace through faith alone because of Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–10).
Jesus taught us to pray to our Father in heaven, the following prayer “deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).
Every believer must understand and acknowledge that there is a real war... a spiritual battle raging all around us, and we must be ready to fight… to stand against it.
And as the Spirit conforms us, teaches us, and works in each of our lives... we become more keenly aware of our enemy’s deceitful schemes... so that we would neither be outwitted by Satan, nor
We know that Satan is at work, and scripture tells us that “for those who love God and who are called according to His purpose… that all things work together for our good according to the good pleasure of God’s will and for God’s glory (Romans 8:28)
We have also been justified by grace through faith alone because of Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–10).
Jesus taught us to pray to our Father in heaven, the following prayer “deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).
Every believer must understand and acknowledge that there is a real war... a spiritual battle raging all around us, and we must be ready to fight… to stand against it.
And as the Spirit conforms us, teaches us, and works in each of our lives... we become more keenly aware of our enemy’s deceitful schemes... so that we would neither be outwitted by Satan, nor
ignorant of his plans.
(2nd Corinthians 2:11) “in order that Satan might not outwit us… for we are not “unaware” of his schemes”.
But instead we must be more watchful as he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1st Peter 5:8)
Yes he is a real enemy, and he can and will cause havoc in each of our lives.
That’s why it is so important that we remain hot and zealous for God and never allow ourselves to become “luke warm”.
It’s only when we remain focused and aware of Satan’s insidious work in our midst that we can truly
(2nd Corinthians 2:11) “in order that Satan might not outwit us… for we are not “unaware” of his schemes”.
But instead we must be more watchful as he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1st Peter 5:8)
Yes he is a real enemy, and he can and will cause havoc in each of our lives.
That’s why it is so important that we remain hot and zealous for God and never allow ourselves to become “luke warm”.
It’s only when we remain focused and aware of Satan’s insidious work in our midst that we can truly
be “over over comers and more than conquerors”. (Romans 8:37)
For those of us that are aware and ready for his subtle attacks and devious schemes… we can and will escape the snare of the devil.
(2nd Timothy 2:26) “and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will”.
“Coming to our senses”… is in reference to the fact that there is a battle, that there is an evil one, that there is an agenda by the kingdom of darkness and its leader Satan, to thwart the plans of God and the purpose of believers and the church in this world.
But in that realization... its by resting “in Christ” that we will endure to the end and overcome “all the works of the enemy” by His (Christ’s) sustaining grace,
(Genesis 3:15) God told Satan immediately after he tricked Adam and Eve into rebelling against something God told them not to do… “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspringand hers… and He will crushyour head, and you will strike his heel”.
(Romans 16:20) “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
Satan knows that Jesus is coming again soon, and believe you me, he is running scared!
But at the same time he wants to take down every one that he can while he has time.
So don’t you fall to his deception!
Don’t you let him deceive you!
Man up… stand up… and take your place in the Army of God, and fight the good fight of faith!
Humble your self before the mighty hand of God (1st Peter 5:6)… and let Him reveal to you and show you how to overcome “every work of the devil” (Ephesians 6:13)
Good Day!
For those of us that are aware and ready for his subtle attacks and devious schemes… we can and will escape the snare of the devil.
(2nd Timothy 2:26) “and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will”.
“Coming to our senses”… is in reference to the fact that there is a battle, that there is an evil one, that there is an agenda by the kingdom of darkness and its leader Satan, to thwart the plans of God and the purpose of believers and the church in this world.
But in that realization... its by resting “in Christ” that we will endure to the end and overcome “all the works of the enemy” by His (Christ’s) sustaining grace,
(Genesis 3:15) God told Satan immediately after he tricked Adam and Eve into rebelling against something God told them not to do… “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspringand hers… and He will crushyour head, and you will strike his heel”.
(Romans 16:20) “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
Satan knows that Jesus is coming again soon, and believe you me, he is running scared!
But at the same time he wants to take down every one that he can while he has time.
So don’t you fall to his deception!
Don’t you let him deceive you!
Man up… stand up… and take your place in the Army of God, and fight the good fight of faith!
Humble your self before the mighty hand of God (1st Peter 5:6)… and let Him reveal to you and show you how to overcome “every work of the devil” (Ephesians 6:13)
Good Day!
(1st Peter 5:8) “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”.
Some have said that the devil’s greatest lie… is convincing the world that he doesn’t exist.
Satan is the supreme deceiver, striving to convince humanity that all that the Bible’s teaches about him is the stuff of myth, legend, and ancient folklore… antiquated stories that have no place in our enlightened and comfortably brave new world.
But the Bible clearly teaches that the devil is real and he is “the father of lies” (John 8:44) and the deceiver of nations (Revelation 20:3-8)
He will do whatever is in his power to cause us to forget him altogether and to live as if he doesn’t exist.
Paul says he “disguises himself as an angel of light” (2nd Corinthians 11:14)
As believers, we know Satan exists, but many of us still fall into the subtle trap of ignoring him and hoping he’ll leave us alone.
But just as we cannot read a page of Scripture without running into the sovereignty of God, neither can we read very long without coming face-to-face with the harsh reality of the power of the evil one.
And so, we must realize that we cannot ignore the reality of his existence and his agenda in the world.
Scripture encourages us to be a people of faith and to “walk by faith”. (2nd Corinthians 5:7) with complete trust in God in all things.
But too often we tend to do the opposite and walk by sight and not by faith… thinking that we can live our Christian lives by some sort of spiritual inertia… and its then that we fall into Satan’s trap of thinking he’s not really there, or at least as if he’s not very active.
It does seem after all to be a much more pleasant thought to believe that he’s not around or at least that we’re really not a “significant enough target” for him to spend his time on.
While all true believers know Satan exists, many have succumbed to the notion that spiritual warfare is not that big of a deal.
I fear that there are even some of you whom are reading this devotion today that might be thinking and saying to themselves, “Yeah, okay, sure, I know Satan exists, and yeah, I know spiritual warfare is real… but I don’t believe that Satan or his demons are lurking behind every bush, and I don’t really believe that I can really do anything about it anyway.”
That is the attitude I most fear for myself, for my family, and for the people of God whom I do my best to serve and inspire.
The Bible says, ”for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
These forces of evil have set their sights on all true believers, and they are unrelenting.
Paul teaches us that the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they might not see the light of the glory of the gospel of Christ (2nd Corinthians 4:4).
The implication is that in having blinded their minds… he can then focus on his primary work… “the deception of spiritual truth” in the lives of believers.
It would seem to be the case that before we trusted Christ, the devil was certainly our enemy… but not to the degree that he became after we trusted Christ.
If we were blessed to grow up in a Christian home, he was unquestionably the enemy of our family.
But after trusting Christ, we gained Christ and his righteousness by being united to Him once and for all.
And, as a result, Christ’s enemy became our enemy in a more “significant” way, and he began to take greater aim at us with his flaming arrows in order to try to bring us down.
I read a quote somewhere that says, “If God were not my friend, Satan would not be so much my enemy.”
Although we know that Satan and or his demonic host can neither indwell believers, nor read, nor control our minds… we do know know that they can wreak havoc on us.
As I said, “The forces of evil have set their sights on all true believers, and they are unrelenting.”
Therefore, we must make every effort to make use of the means our Lord has given us to fight the good fight of faith.
God has given us extraordinary ordinary means of grace, and these are also the ordinary means for spiritual warfare… namely, The Word of God and prayer.
He has given us the Lord’s Day, a day of worship and rest, and He has given us the opportunity of weekly worship… gathering together with our spiritual family where we sing and proclaim our battle songs of faith and victory in Jesus… and affirm faith and trust in God… encouraging and inspiring other believers we meet with to stand strong.
Over the years I have experienced the lies of the enemy that tell me I don’t need to go to church… that God loves me and I can worship Him any where… so why go to church.
This is one of the greatest tactics the enemy of our soul uses to divide and conquer as it were.
It is part of the satanic agenda of the kingdom of darkness to hinder, destroy and take away the awesome strength and the power that is bestowed upon Gods people when we come together in unity of worship.
Never forget that the purpose of the church is for coming together in unified worship, and prayer, and that in the midst of that coming together we are encouraged and strengthened in our faith by hearing the preaching of the Word of God by which we learn to walk in together.
Not one of us is an island unto our selves… we need each other!
It’s in unified gatherings of the faithful that we are encouraged and strengthened in this battle that believers face with our archenemy the devil.
Separate or divide the troops and you have less of a threat or strength.
Remember the age-old adage “there is strength in numbers”.
We must not underestimate the mischievous work of Satan designed to keep us from regularly attending to these blessings of grace that we have as weapons of spiritual warfare.
Above all, our God has given us Himself in Christ, and He has given us the Holy Spirit.
And although Satan is not afraid of us, he is terrified of the one within us.
We can rejoice as well in the knowledge that our protector “never sleeps nor slumbers” (Psalm 121:3–4),
And in Him, “we are more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37)
And greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Even so we must be prepared.
We must be on guard, we must be aware of the devices of our enemy.
We must acknowledge that the war against evil and spiritual darkness is real and raging all around us… and we must be ready to fight.
For it is a battle for our hearts, our marriages, our churches, and our children, our time, our talents, our words, our wallets, our motives, our hope and our joy.
We cannot pretend these things are off-limits to our accuser.
We cannot coast through the Christian life.
We cannot be luke-warm!
We cannot allow ourselves to be unaware of Satan’s schemes.
We cannot allow fear and anxiety to get the best of us, and we must continue to be strong and courageous, leaning on Jesus and His strength, and leaning on each other as well… because the Lord is with us, for us, and in us.
Good Day!
(John 8:44) “…for he is a liar and the father of lies”
Just after Jesus made the statement “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”, a group of Jews began to accuse Him of blasphemy and calling Him a liar and a devil.
Jesus replied to them “You belong to your father, the devil, and all you want to do is carry out your father’s desires.
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.”
“When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
Satan is the “father of lies” and in that statement you need to know and understand that he is the greatest of liars… even from the beginning of time.
He is the “father” of lies in the same way that Martin Luther is the “father” of the Reformation and Robert Goddard is the “father” of modern rocketry and Bill Gates the father of the personal computer.
Satan told the first lie in recorded history to Eve in the Garden of Eden.
After planting seeds of doubt in Eve’s mind with a question (Genesis 3:1), “did God really say”… he directly contradicts God’s Word by telling her, “You will not certainly die” (Genesis 3:4).
With that lie, Satan led Eve to her spiritual death-bed, Adam followed, and so have we all.
Lying is Satan’s primary weapon against God’s children.
He uses the tactic of “deceit” to separate people from their Heavenly Father.
Some of his more common lies are “there is no God,” “God doesn’t care about you,” “the Bible cannot be trusted,” and “your good enough… works will get you into heaven.”
The apostle Paul tells us that Satan “masquerades as an angel of light”
(2nd Corinthians 11:14), so that what he says and does sounds good and seems reasonable… but it is nothing more than a false hood designed to trip us up and cause us to stumble.
The Bible has many names for Satan to describe his true nature, including “ruler of this world” (John 12:31),
“god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4),
“tempter” (1 Thessalonians 3:5),
“deceiver” (Revelation 12:9),
“Beelzebub” (the ruler of demons, in Matthew 10:25),
and “Belial,” meaning “wicked” (2 Corinthians 6:15).
Satan has told more lies to more people than any other being ever created and his success depends on people believing his lies.
He has used everything from “little white lies” to huge, pants-on-fire whoppers to deceive folks.
Adolph Hitler, a man who learned how to lie convincingly and effectively once said, “If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.”
Whether a lie is small or large is not really the issue.
Lies are of the devil.
But even as Satan is the great deceiver and the father of lies.
Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), “I am the way, the truth and the life”.
And He will never deceive you.
Those who come to Jesus in faith will find that “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
Satan says, “God doesn’t want to hear from you anymore, not after you’ve ignored Him for so long”.
The truth? God always wants to hear from you, even if it’s been a while.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
At the very moment we say, “Father in Heaven”, God hears our prayers and is sensitive to us and our needs… He will see you with eyes of love and mercy?… love and mercy that we cannot fully understand.”
(Matthew 11:28) “Come unto me all ye that labor and I will give you rest for your souls”.
Satan also says “Because God loves you, your ‘behavior” ultimately doesn’t matter all that much.
But friend this is a lie based on the truth?
This lie can be especially tricky because it takes a truth?, (that God loves you?, and that you have been saved by grace through faith not of works lest any man should boast)… and it draws an interpretation from that truth that is false.
That interpretation being that “you can live in any manner you want to” because God loves you and Christ saved you, so don’t worry about whether you sin or not.
Yes God does love each and every one of us, and He offers grace unto salvation to each of us… grace that is totally unearned but the rest of the promise is a sfollows.
His word says that “we been saved unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10).
In other words it does matters that we walk uprightly and circumspectly always being mindful that we are writing a message to the world around us by the things we do and say.
Men read what we are writing whether faithless or true what’s the gospel according to you?
With every word we speak and every action we involve ourselves we send a message to the world around us.
What we do matters to God and He has given clear directives about how we should behave.
(John 8:31) Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Another lie Satan uses is directly linked to discouragement when he says God doesn’t love you because He hasn’t answered your prayer/s.
The truth?
If you want to know the capital of Assyria, a smartphone and about three seconds will get you your answer.
However, “matters of the spirit” can take time, and it’s always worth the effort.
I don’t pretend to know why “faith to believe” comes easier for some more than for others.
I’m just grateful to know that the answers are always there, and if we seek them?… I mean with real intent and with full purpose of a prayerful heart?… we will eventually find the answers to our questions as we continue on the gospel path.
Another lie Satan uses is “the Church’s teachings are outdated. Just look at how most of the world believes and behaves today”.
Satan says “millions of people can’t be wrong!”
The truth? No matter how many people believe otherwise, eternal truths are still eternal truths.
We know that the preferred strategy of the adversary is to lead people away from God and cause them to stumble by emphasizing “the philosophies of men” over the Savior and His teachings.
However (Isaiah 55:8-9) says “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
The God of Heaven is not a heartless referee looking for any excuse to throw us out of the game.
He is our perfectly loving Father, who yearns more than anything else to have all of His children come back home and live with Him in close relationship forever, as in the story or the parable of “The Prodigal Son” found in (Luke 15:11-32)
When we fall short of perfection (and we always do), it’s easy to get discouraged and want to throw in the towel.
Satan is the master of discouragement.
This seems to be one of his most effective tools on the most faithful of saints and believers,
When everything else seems to fail for me, when I begin to feel discouraged, it helps me to recognize who is trying to get me down.
This makes me mad enough to cheer up, just to spite the devil.
It’s all right to get mad at the devil!
After all, who likes being lied to?
He wants to make you miserable, remember?
Next time you find yourself facing one of these lies, or others like them, focus instead on your “eternal potential” and the many blessings our
Heavenly Father has prepared for us both now and for eternity.
Truth?
Jesus said it clearly, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free?
Good Day!
(Zechariah 3:1) “He showed me…Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.”
Some have said that the devil’s greatest trick is convincing the world that he doesn’t exist.
Satan is the supreme deceiver, striving to rid our minds of his existence and to make us believe that all the Bible’s teaching about him is the stuff of myth, legend, and ancient folklore
Antiquated stories that have no place in our enlightened and comfortably brave new world.
But the Bible tells us that the devil is “the father of lies” (John 8:44) and the deceiver of nations. Revelations 20:3-8).
He “disguises himself as an angel of light” (2nd Corinthians 11:14) and he will do whatever is in his power to get us to forget him altogether and to live as if he doesn’t exist.
As believers, we know Satan exists, but many of us still fall into his subtle trap of ignoring him and hoping he’ll leave us alone.
I have come to understand and I truly believe that he is “the #1 enemy of our soul” and has an agenda against each one of us.
He is constantly on the look out to trip us up and cause confusion and distraction in each of our lives, all in order to “get our attention off of God”, and the promises of God for each of us.
Whether you realize it or not, when you acknowledged God into your life you gained an enemy of your soul who’s one focus or purpose in life is to destroy you and your relationship with God!
The reason being is because now you have become a threat to his kingdom of darkness.
Paul tells us “we fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities and spiritual wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12)
Now in keeping with that you also need to know that God has placed angels around you to protect and bear you up lest you dash your foot against a stone, (Psalm 91:11-12)
These angels are “ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:14) sent by God to protect from the wiles and the deceit of the enemy.
Sometimes Satan’s attacks are obvious.
In the Old Testament, the prophet Zechariah wrote, “He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.”
But Satan usually prefers to work incognito, so frequently he will attack you through people—especially those closest to you.
He will attack you unawares
The Bible tells us, “The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas…to betray Jesus” (John 13:2).
So what’s your best line of defense?
The living Word of God.
Exposed to a greater level of temptation than any of us will ever face, Jesus quoted the scriptures to Satan three different times and put him to flight.
When Satan attacks your mind with temptation, condemnation, doubts, and feelings of inadequacy, God’s Word is a shield he cannot penetrate.
David said, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished” (Psalm 119:92).
Notice what happened when Jesus finished doing battle with the enemy: “The devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus” (Matthew 4:11).
You are not alone.
God has placed a cordon of angels around you to sustain and protect you.
And “angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).
During seasons of adversity, remember you’re a champion, not a victim.
Invest your words and energies into creating new goals and dreams.
Hide the “Word of God” in your heart so that you might defeat all the “schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:17)
Stay awake, alert, aware, productive, and focused (2nd Peter 5:8) “for your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour”.
Exude faith, and expect your faith to be supernaturally honored by the God who promised to intervene when you need Him most.
(Isaiah 59:19) “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.”
We have become very “complacent” to the schemes of the enemy here in North America.
We have enjoyed “the good life”, “the American dream” for some time and now we have become complacent to the schemes of the enemy.
But he has been at work all along, quietly sneaking thru the corridors of higher learning.
Slowly and stealthy installing his soldiers and generals into the hall’s and courts of authority so that the believer, the child of God, the Christian has little or no voice or authority, as He slowly and methodically does everything he can to take away our Godly influence and destroy the kingdom of God in this world.
So what can we do about it?
Heed Paul’s advice in (Ephesians 6:10-19))
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains”.
Pray that I (and all of us as well) may declare it fearlessly, as I (as we) should.
See you on the battlefield!
Good Day