Deliver Us From Evil

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13

When you recite the Lord's Prayer do you ever think about the words you are saying or perhaps you hear it so much you never picked it apart and gave it much thought. When you think of evil what comes to mind? I think of people like ISIS terrorists who hate Christians and Jews and saw their heads off while the victims scream. For sure that is the height of evil.

Evil is associated with Satan. Evil can also be subtle as it is one of the tricks of the enemy to lure us into his trap. If things are not good and righteous they are evil.  There is good and bad, right and wrong. Evil is very wrong. We are to be praying for those we may know who are being captivated by wrong thinking and do not make a habit of studying God's word for truth. Evil forces would love to ban the Bible for they know it is truth.

 Be on your guard my friends. Satan is prowling around seeking whom he may destroy. Stay in the word of God on a daily basis. Start with the book of John in the New Testament and  be strengthened for spiritual battles ahead.

PRAYER: I resist the enemy Satan and he has to flee. I reject the lies of Satan and his demonic forces. I pray for protection for those whom I know who are being captivated and do not realize it. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mean People Deserve Love Too

And the second is this. 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:39

Allot of you may think my title is ridiculous. "No way Becky. People who treat me mean do not deserve my love at all! Why should I love someone who talks down to me and acts like they can't stand me."  Why indeed! Maybe because God says to? Love covers a multitude of sins it says in 1 Peter 4:8. Love has a transcending power through cultures and generations. Showing love can break through the hardest exterior.

Sometimes even when you show love you may not instantly get love back but keep on showing love. Whether to an unloving and verbally abusive spouse, a arrogant clerk,a rude disrespectful child who was taught otherwise, or anyone you encounter who just seems less than joyful.

Love has the power to heal a wounded heart. Love is from God therefore when we see examples of the beheadings by the ISIS rebels we know there's no part of our Holy God Jehovah Jireh living in them.God can transform really evil people though as it happened in the Bible.

Who do you need to show love to? Sometimes it is necessary to overcome evil and bad behavior with good. That's in the Bible too.

 PRAYER: Lord I want to show your love to all those around me even when it is hard. Help me to remember to pray for the unloving and those around our world who are just plain evil. Help me love through you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a wonderful praise and worship song:
 http://youtu.be/AibBR6j2g54

DEVIL IS NOT A CARTOON CHARACTER

Many in the Christian community have not heard very many sermons in their life about Satan, the devil, the great deceiver. Because of this, many are ill equipped to defeat this enemy who scripture says in 1 Peter 5:8 is "prowling around like a roaring lion". Why is it that this enemy of our souls is hardly ever mentioned from the pulpit of many churches? 

The devil is not a joking matter. He is a liar, a thief, and out to "kill, steal, and destroy" according to John 10:10. When evil happens Satan is there. Satan has got his subjects working for him and some are unaware as they have been taken captive. Their hearts are seared. All they can do is hate and destroy because the light of Jesus is not in them. This is why it is so vitally important to pray and read the word of God daily. Some have just enough "religion" they feel they do not need to battle the enemy. 

In order to get rid of darkness we need to shine the light of Jesus. In this world we are in spiritual warfare. Take a moment and read Ephesians Chapter 6 found in the New testament.

Be on your knees in a constant state of prayer. Quote scripture. Revelation 12:11(NIV) says 'They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.' Romans 12:12(NIV) says 'overcome evil with good.' God is good all the time.

Putting little red devil outfits on children at Halloween may seem cute but it is just what the enemy loves. Making himself into a "cartoon character" so he does not seem so sinister. Great tool in his arsenal. Today you know the truth so be on your guard against his evil schemes.

PRAYER: I thank you for the Bible which lights my path to help me see the way in the dark word around me. I can defeat the strongholds that the enemy puts in my path by praying and quoting scripture. Help me to not take this lightly.

LESS THAN HONEST

 

Lately in our news we have heard the terms thrown around "less than honest", "not 100% truthful" or "misspoke " in regards to the public not being told the whole truth in regards to the new healthcare law. These terms sugarcoat the sin of lying. A lie, is a lie, is a lie. You can say to make it sound better " less than honest" but it is still a lie. Satan is the original liar and Father of lies it says in John 8:44.

Lying or being "less than honest" seems to have been made acceptable in our modern world. It is not more acceptable to God. You can be forgiven for being a liar if you sincerely repent and turn from this sin. Yes folks "being less than honest" is in fact a sin.

The Bible has much to say about lying. The first place most people run into it is in the Ten Commandments in Exodus Chapter 20 verse 16. In Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV) it says 'There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness we who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.'

Revelation 21:8(ASV) is pretty clear when it says 'But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.' A lake of fire. Ouch. No my friend, lying is wrong. If this is your habit ask God to help you purge it from your life.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I want to be truthful in all areas of my life. I do not want to stretch the truth, tell "white lies" or any thing that is not true. The truth is what you want. I clearly know from your word what happens to those who make it a practice to lie and I ask you to forgive me of any time I have been "less than truthful" which is lying. Help our leaders who take an oath on the Bible start to take it seriously. In Jesus' name. Amen.

STAY OUT OF THE MUD

As a child you may have enjoyed jumping in mud puddles or even running
where there was lots of mud. This may be more of a "boy thing" than
for girls, but making mud pies and playing in the dirt was fun for
those who did it but not the moms who did the laundry. When I hike a
few days after a rain there is often mud you have to avoid or you may
slip and fall, particularly when ascending or descending the trail.
Mud can make a huge mess of things. But then along come the water
hoses to clean everything up. Jesus is like our water hose to clean
off the sinful "mud of life".

Sin is like mud. It may be fun to play around in but after a while you
are covered and unclean and really no one would want you to come sit
on their living room couch. Sin can be fun but it has a sinister side.
Initially the fun may be there even when you know you are unclean and
have to get cleaned up again to go anywhere.

Are there sins in your life you find that captivate you? There are not
big sins and little sins, there is just sin. Some may have much worse
outcomes for those participating but to God it is sin. In Hebrews
11:26 (NIV) it speaks of there being pleasure in sin for a season.
Romans 3:23(NIV) reminds us ' We have all sinned and fallen short of
the glory of God'.

Do not think just because you asked Jesus to be Lord of your life you
will no longer be tempted to do what is evil in the site of the Lord.
Temptations come. Satan is tricky. He makes things look good and
appealing just like he did with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden
with the forbidden fruit they were told not to eat. Satan was cunning
and said 'you shall not surely die'. (See Genesis 3:4).

Sin is like sheep in wolves  clothing. It is a trap and a snare. The
devil is a liar, deceiver, and full of evil. Scripture speaks of him
coming as an "angel of light" or in other words you would not really
believe it was him. He will trick many. What we need to do is to
exercise our senses and stay in the word so we can recognize evil when
it rears it's ugly head. Hebrews 5:14(NIV) says 'But solid food is for
the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish
good from evil.'

Satan is kingpin of evil in this world. We are in a battle of good and
evil. Staying close to God and running from evil is the best way to
stay out of it. We are in spiritual warfare for our very souls. Satan
is always trying to get us to follow him into the "mud puddles" of
life. He wants you to saturate yourself with his kind of fun and
forget the Lord and forget God's word which can and does keep you on
the right path when you read, study and follow what is in its' pages.
My challenge to you today is to commit to read God's word every day.
Train yourself in godliness and be able to recognize the attacks of
the enemy and run far and fast the other direction.

PRAYER: Dear Lord I am so grateful to live in a nation where at the
present time we are free to read our Bible and have it out in the open
and not get arrested. We know Satan is working overtime to try to
destroy the godly nation of the United States. Use me Lord as you see
fit in your kingdom work to spread the word and be a light in the
darkness. Help me stay out of the "mud puddles" of life. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

LIGHT STOPS DARKNESS

 It is a pretty commonly understood fact that when you enter a dark
room and flip on the light switch, instantly the room becomes
illuminated with light. If you are camping in the woods and at

nightfall as the sun sets you build a campfire, you once again are in

the light. When your electricity goes out in a storm you either get a
flashlight or light a candle. Once again you get the same result and
that is the room becomes lit up and you no longer have a chance of
stumbling in the darkness.

In God's word, the Bible, Satan is referred to in terms of darkness
and Jesus as being the light. Light always wins over darkness. You can
not keep darkness around with the presence of light.

Are you being a light for Jesus in the world you are in each day?
Does your presence light up a room or make no difference at all? We

all who claim to know and follow him should be lights for Him. I
remember a child hood song called A Sunbeam. It went something like
this, "A sunbeam, a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam. A sunbeam a
sunbeam, I'll be a sunbeam for Him". Can you and will you make an
effort to me that "Sunbeam for Jesus" wherever you go during your day?
You are in the grocery so smile at people. Be kind to others by
opening a door or two. At work be responsible and polite and do not

enter into work place gossip.I am sure you can think of other

examples.

The light of the world is Jesus but darkness does not like the light.
Satan does not like Jesus or any of those of us who are His followers.
You can expect evil things and dark things when you refer to the
enemy. John 3:19 says 'This is the verdict. Light has come into the
world but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were
evil.' Good equals Jesus and light and evil and Satan represents darkness.

 

 Let me leave you with a couple verses the first being also from the
book of John chapter one verse 5 and it says 'the light shines in the
darkness but the darkness understood it not.' Those who do not have
the light of Jesus in their hearts perhaps can not understand the
things of God. Finally 1 Corinthians 1:18(NIV) says it plainly when it
says 'The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.'
Never stop shining the light of Jesus into the darkness of this world.

PRAYER: Lord I want to light up the world around me with your love.
Help me expose the deeds of darkness around mead protect me Lord as
the enemy does not like us to talk about Jesus and salvation. Help me
to show love and shine your light even on those who shun me. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

Click on link below and worship the Lord with a powerful song.
http://youtu.be/CVqR6kTu8lE

SATAN'S CYBERSPACE WARS

It stands to reason that the enemy wants nothing about God or Jesus to be transmitted over airwaves, TV waves,or Internet waves so at times there may be glitches that cause things to not work right. Some balk at this saying it is a coincidence or accident. I beg to differ.

There have been times writing this blog where my writing has disappeared mysteriously. I work for a few hours when I plan to be out of town to prepare devotions for use during my absence. I am dedicated to getting a daily devotion out and I will do it, Lord willing. Last Fridays' work somehow went missing. No trash file, no spam file, no other folder, no sent file. It was gone. I used to let this upset me and now I just laugh it off as spiritual warfare.

Think about it. Evil forces are at work in the United States now trying to remove God from practically everything. Some deny it but it is happening. It is true spiritual warfare. The mention of the name of Jesus is repulsive to Satan and his henchmen, as I call them. We are not to be angry at the men or women doing this evil deed but to simply pray for them to come to know the Lord and turn from their wicked ways.

This country was founded on using the Bible as a guide even in writing the laws. When you visit DC you will note that nearly every monument has a Bible verse on it. The heritage of this nation was and is Jesus Christ. Our own President uttered the words 'We are no longer a Christian nation' and I said 'look out, you are treading on dangerous territory Mr. President.' We are respectful and tolerant of other religions here, but indeed, we are still a Christian nation.

The First Amendments' intent was to protect religion from the government not government from religion. Now Christians are told to be tolerant and deny their beliefs almost. I heard someone say during this past years minor earthquake in the Nation's Capitol that it was the Founding Fathers rolling over in their graves.

So whether it is in cyber space or wherever, the enemy, Satan, is out to destroy. Our job is to take authority over him in the mighty powerful name of Jesus. We are engaged in a battle of good versus evil. It is time for the men and women of God to stand up and take authority over evil forces of destruction. Do not just live in this world and then die. Stand up for the truth and for righteousness. Speak out against wrongs in society using the Bible as your guidebook.

Let me leave you with Ephesians 6:10-12(NIV) which says 'Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power.Put on the full armor of God that you may 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 spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.' If you will continue on in that chapter it will instruct in how to put on the "armor of God" to protect yourself from spiritual warfare.

Today brother and sister arm yourself by reading the word of God for only in dong so will you have the strength and tools to uncover Satan's schemes.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for living in a country where I am free to read my Bible and worship. I pray for protection for that right and ask that you deal with those on this earth who are working on Satan's team trying to remove you from everything. Soften evil hearts. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link for a powerful song of worship:
http://youtu.be/GsjJmk7tdk4

KEEP FOCUSED ON THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD!

 Much is happening in the world and our own country to make one scared about tomorrow. We wonder if we are nearing the end of time. Perhaps we are falling into a dictatorship. If you sit around thinking of these scenarios instead of trusting God for each day of course you would be fretful. But God is the true 'Master of the Universe' and He is the one who lets kingdoms rise or fall. Many verses talk about evil kings and evil rulers and how we are to put our hope and trust in God and God alone. Government can not save us. A mere man can not save us. A horoscope can not save you. A four leaf clover will not save you. A government bureaucracy can not save us. Only the King of Kings and Lord of Lords can save us and deliver us from evil!!

Instead of not being able to get to sleep at night because of the 'what ifs' of the government and what a tiny 'mere man' can do instead start focusing in what God CAN do, not the enemy. We are in a battle of good and evil in the world. Satan is a deceiver. He can deceive the most unknowing of people to believe lies from the pit of hell. That is why it is important to stay focused on the word of God which is the truth and can give you peace for the days ahead no matter what happens. This is not about a political party but this is about freedoms being under fire in this Godly nation like never before. If Satan can keep you clinging to a political party because you always have, then he has won half the battle. Focus on God and His righteousness!

There are people that read this blog from foreign countries and the issues facing you may be in fact much worse than what we face here. The thing to remember is that God can set us free and put us above our enemies. Have faith brothers and sisters. Jesus loves us this I know for my Bible tells me so. The enemy can even get you to change what the Bible means to justify what you think or do.. John 10:10 says " The thief(Satan) comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

So today let Jesus set you free from your fears and tune in to Him and away from news reports that make you fearful. Psalm 71:5 says "You have been my hope O Sovereign God. My confidence since my youth." Believe that today! Do not allow the lies of the enemy to make you be in fear. Psalm 39:7 says "Oh Lord in what do I look for?My hope is in you."

PRAYER: Father you are in control of the earth. You let the sun rise on evil people and on good. Thanks so much for being the one I trust in. Help me not to look to man to bring comfort. And Lord give me strength to turn off the TV if it is causing me fear and worry. In you I trust. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click link below and worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness.

http://youtu.be/ePPL0I2CyNk

WHY BE ANGRY EXCEPT AT EVIL?'

The Bible has much to say about anger. We all probably get mad or upset sometimes but we need to try to not let our emotions boil over and cause trouble.Anger hurts people and breaks things. None of us are perfect. Things make us mad. Traffic jams, rude drivers, slow waiters, litterbugs, tailgaters, people who lie, long check out lines, disrespectful children, and a myriad of other things. In Matthew 21:12 it says "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.My house shall be called a house of pray er but you have made it a den of robbers."  He had human emotions too but the thing is he was sinless. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that "we do not have a high priest who is able to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been  tempted in every way yet did not sin." Psalm 7:11 says "God judges the righteous and is angry with the wicked every day." Men seem to be the most common with anger management problems. Not sure why that is but as a Christian man or woman anger,  needs to be handled differently. Some of the verses dealing with anger are as follows: Ephesians 4:26  In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. James 1:19  My dear brothers take note of this. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Ecclesiastes 7:9. Do not be eager in your heart to be angry for anger resides in the bosom of fools. Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger  and forsake wrath. Fret not yourself, it tends only to evil Proverbs 15:18  A hot tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. Proverbs 14:29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. Why not 'put off' an angry spirit and 'put on' love and peace instead?  If you are spoken to rudely by a friend, family member or stranger,  return kindness instead as it helps to defuse things. Some  people are unaware of how their words wound people. There are those out there who are guilty of verbal abuse which is indeed a form of anger. If you are spoken to harshly just walk away. Only God can straighten this person out and change their  heart. So do you want to be guilty  of being a 'fool' as the Bible calls angry people or do you want to be able to control your emotions and  have peace in your heart PRAYER: Lord forgive me when I  let my anger get the best of me. Help me Lord to choose my battles but help me to never be guilty of keeping a quarrel going. Help me strive for peace in all relationships. In Jesus name. Amen.

WHO ME? WORRY?

Yesterday, 28 July 2012, was a day when most freedom loving Americans ended up in despair and worry when 5 Supreme Court justices, to include one conservative, decided the government knew more than the private sector and voted to uphold the encroaching 2700 page healthcare takeover bill. It is an oppressive law passed amidst lies, deceit, trickery and bribery. 'We The People' spoke up loud and clear yet were ignored as the government tried to take a major step in controlling our lives by controlling our healthcare. Sad to say many became fearful and worried. I was traveling, and when this decision was flashed over the televisions at the airport, I watched as deplaning passengers saw the news and most appeared in stunned disbelief. Most expected it to be struck down. One friend told me she was really worried. I told her and a gentleman on the plane that God was still in charge and had a plan in all this. Kings are not in charge. Dictators are not in charge. Presidents are not in charge. Judges are not in charge. Tyrants are not in charge. It is God who sits on the throne and gets the final say! Maybe this is what he allowed to happen to get our attention, who knows. If this law is not overturned,and this decision will be fought, doctors will be controlled by the government, insurance by the government, health care will be limited and rationed, taxes will go up to pay or it and on it goes. It is enough to give you an ulcer or headache if you allow it to. This  bill was never about free healthcare but about domination, destruction, and control of the American people and the economy. What happened to limited government? This current situation can get one frightened as we know what happens when governments get too much power. We need to be daily praying and seeking God. God is working behind the  scenes in all this chaos. He is not fretting, but knows we will make it. God knows the big picture. We may be angry, scared, and feel powerless but we are not. We still have prayer and God on our side. The Bible says in Romans 8:31 "If God be for us who can be against us."  Another verse of hope is in Psalm 56:11 which says "I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? I am not afraid of what mere mortals can do to me."  Don't lose hope. Have courage because the end of the story has not happened yet.  Your  worries will get you no where so let them go. In Matthew 6:27 says "which of you by worrying can add a single cubit to his life?" it is useless. Focus on God and His goodness instead. Psalm 27:13 reminds us "I am still confident of this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." PRAYER: Father help me trust in you and not fear a mere man. I know you delight in goodness and not evil so when freedoms you have given me are crushed and I am  oppressed it makes you sad.  Father God help me to be serious about praying for my country and it's leaders. Get rid of the oppressors who want to dominate us. Change their hearts from evil to good. Thank you that I have no fear because you are in fact walking beside me. In Jesus name. Amen. Further study: Psalm 37

SATAN THE GREAT DECEIVER

  In this world of ours we are dealing with good and evil, God and the devil. There are lots of attacks going on right now in America against the Judeo Christian values this nation was founded upon. A government official who places their hand on the word of God to take the oath of office is often times making a mockery of it when he or she does not even believe in what it says. What we are in is spiritual warfare for sure.   Often times Satan is looked at as a little red guy with a pitchfork. Even some well meaning Christian parents dress their little children up on Halloween in devil costumes not thinking anything about it. Satan is real. Scripture says in 1 Peter 5:8 that we need to "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Picture that, a roaring lion like most of us only see in a city zoo. They roar and tear things apart with their teeth and claws. That is how the enemy is described. He hates the children of God and wants us to be destroyed. He is at work overtime trying to get any mention of Jesus Christ out of these United States of America. Guess what? God is not going anywhere cause He is God.   Satan may use people to do his work who are captivated and deceived by Him because they do not know the truth. Proverbs 28:15 says "Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people." We need to be praying for evil wicked rulers as they are caught in Satan's grip to destroy and deceive mankind.  Ephesians 6:10-18 reminds us our struggle is not against man when it says "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 saints."   John 10:10 says "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." The enemy Satan is that thief. He is a liar from the get go and has many schemes to trick people. James 4:7 reminds us to "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."   PRAYER: Father I know the enemy is real and would like nothing better than to destroy me and my family. I resist him firm in my faith. He has no hold over me as I am a child of the living king and covered by the blood of Jesus. I thank you for your protection from the fiery darts he tries to throw at me. In Jesus name. Amen.     Note: Once again I have added a link with an appropriate praise song. Be blessed as you listen. http://youtu.be/O4QOuGI3irI