WHO'S AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD WOLF?

Many of us from childhood might remember reading the nursery rhyme about "Little Red Riding Hood" and the villain in this case was the big bad wolf.  Seems like lots of these childhood stories had a bad guy in them and good always won out over evil. 

In life even though it does not seem so at times, good always trumps evil. We are not unaware of Satan's traps and schemes to bring us or our loved ones down. He indeed is a trickster and weaves his evil sinister web in order to trap unsuspecting victims. Don't be fooled. We are all susceptible  to his deceptive tactics. Just because you go to church, attend Bible study, listen to Christian radio, watch Christian television shows, attend retreats and concerts does not mean he can not try to get to you. His mission is destroying your soul and getting you to believe his lies and deny Christ.

In 1Peter 5:8(NIV Reader's Version) we are warned 'Control yourselves. Be on your guard. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow.'  Now that, my friend, is a pretty blunt  and graphic word picture. Other places in scripture he is referred to as an "angel of light". 2 Corinthians 11:14(NIV) says 'And no wonder for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.' For any of you who have ever been to a Harvest party  at Halloween or trick or treated you dress up like someone else. Well this verse says that Satan indeed also does that. If he came to you as his despicable, lying, evil,abhorrent, deceptive mean self he would fool no one.  So therefore he is tricky and gets people on his side by getting them to believe his lies. It says in John 8:43-44(NIV) 'Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to 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.'

We need to be I prayer for those deceived by him. Some are in vey high places of authority. Satan does not like the United States of America as we are founded as a Christian nation and lately he has worked his deception on many to try to destroy this great land. Take heart, keep praying. Don't feel like there is no hope because there is always hope!

Remember the first big lie was in the Garden of Eden when the serpent, Satan, said to Eve in Genesis 3:4(NIV) 'You will not surely die' . So right then and there it all began. The fall of man and sin entered the world. 

We have the power through the word of God to stop Satan in  his tracks by quoting scripture and not believing his lies. You may know someone who is caught in a trap of Satan who is a believer and may be deceived and walking another way away from the Lord right now. Just keep praying. God is not through with them yet. Revelation 12:11(NIV) tells us what to do. 'They triumphed over him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.' 

Who are you praying for today? Know that Satan would love you to give up on prayer.Luke 18:1 tells us to pray and not give up. God is still on the throne and weave victory in Jesus Christ!! 

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus I know that Satan has no authority over me. I pray for my loved ones that may have believed his lies. I pray for friends who do not know you or who are being led astray by the enemy. Lord Jesus I choose to remember to pray each and every day and put Satan in his rightful place. Jesus is Lord! In Jesus' name. Amen! 

Click on link below for an awesome song of encouragement.

http://youtu.be/FqXZD_z3eCc

ARE YOU A VICTIM?

 Victims often times come in all shapes, colors, sizes and ages. There are victims of crimes such as ID theft, robbery,  or are you Satan's victim of trickery, lies, and deceit?  He is a master of tricking his victims into making lies seem like the truth. He works through all sorts of his subjects on earth too in order to get his job done which is to deceive and bring down the Christian and make us fearful and weak.

It stands to reason that weakness and fear don't originate with God. Immoral lifestyles are not from God. Taking the life of innocent pre born baby  is not of God. Anger is not from God. Stealing is not from God. Lying is not from God. So basically things that are good, pure, true and right are from God. When you cave into a lie of Satan, and many "church" people have, then you open yourself up to all sorts of problems. Marriage of two people of the same sex is not from God. The modern world we live in tends to cave into too many issues in society to "tolerate" things. The brother and sister in Christ then is  criminalized, demonized, and victimized by standing up for the truth and the word of God. We are called hateful because we disagree and stand up for the truth.  Who said anything about hating anyone?

In order to not become a victim of Satan it is necessary, yes essential, to read your BIble and study it almost on a daily basis. Satan will keep you busy with other less important things causing you  to try to squeeze out that quiet time you need with the Lord in order to mature in Christ and defeat the enemy.

In the Army, of which I have been a part, you don't just go to battle, but you practice ahead of time by doing emergency deployment readiness exercises so when that time comes you are ready and know what to do. Similarly, we "soldiers" of the Lord need to stay in our training camp in order to defeat the onslaught of attacks daily from Satan.

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15(KJV) to 'study to shew thyself approved a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.'  Do you study your Bible or do you just occasionally pick it up and even worse, just allow the minister or priest to soon feed you from it on Sunday?  That is not enough to be prepared for battle with the enemy and ending up being his victim.  A weight lifter can not get strong unless he or she actually goes to the gym and works out with weights. Similarly a Christian can not become "strong in the Lord" if he or she has little knowledge of how to defeat the enemy with the word of God.

You can take authority in the name of Jesus from bad stuff in your life by claiming the word of God but you have to know where to find the scripture verse dealing with certain things. Maybe the Bible seems boring to you and you have no clue where to begin. As I have suggested before, try beginning in the book of John in the New Testament and read parts of it daily. Romans also in the New Testament is another good chapter to give you strength.

Revelation 3:16(NIV) reminds us that 'So because you are lukewarm and not hot or cold I will spit you out of my mouth.' Wow now that is quite a "word picture" wouldn't you say? I do not know about you but lukewarm stuff is not very pleasing. If we take a bath we want the water to be hot. If you order a cup of coffee it is nice if it is steaming. You get the point.

So why not start today and do not become a victim of Satan's tricks, schemes, and lies. He is only out to destroy you.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that I have a Bible and sometimes neglect to open it up and study it. Other things get in the way and my priorities get messed up. I desire to get to know you better Lord and I will not allow Satan to make excuses why I should not read the word of God daily. In Jesus' name Amen.

M AND M(AKA MOUTH AND MIND)

Those two M and M's in our lives can at times create lots of trouble
for us. If we say the wrong words we can hurt someone or destroy a
relationship. If we allow our minds to focus on the wrong things we
can also be deceived by Satan into believing lies. These two M and M's
need God's intervention to help you with self control of both what you
say and what you think.


The mind is a battleground of sorts for the enemy Satan. He can get
you to imagine things, concur up scenarios, worry, fret,reason, or
have self pity. To combat this, it is essential to keep your mind on
things "above". You may recall the favorite Bible verse of mine I use
lots and that is Philippians 4:8(NIV) which says 'whatever is
true,whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever
is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy, think on these things.' Letting your mind dwell on bad
junk or worrying unnecessarily not only robs you of peace but keeps
you from being productive for the Lord. The enemy can captivate you by
causing your mind to dwell on wrong things.

Now as for that mouth, nothing unholy should be coming out of it. Do
you gossip, argue, belittle, lie, or curse? These are a few examples
of bad junk that proceeds from our mouth. James 3:11-12(NIV) says 'Can
both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My
brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?
Neither can a salt spring bring forth fresh water.' Likewise our mouth
should not curse at someone then bless them. If your tongue is a
problem pray and surrender that area to your life. God can help you
have kind and pure speech if you are serious.

It is so easy to offend someone with words we say. Perhaps something
is said in innocence and totally taken out of context. And that mind
too can get us into some real wrong thinking predicaments. The cure
and your assignment is to dwell on the word of God each and every day.
Start reading the Bible daily. Read the book of John, Romans, or
Proverbs to start out. Ask God to open your mind to the good things He
has for you to learn. With The Lord's help your M and M's can be under
God's control.

PRAYER: Lord it is my desire to have a pure mind and speech that
glorifies you. At times I know I have hurt someone by words so please
forgive me. Help me lead a life pleasing to you and being kind to
those around me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

JESUS LOVES SINNERS

 

We are all sinners and our righteousness is like filthy rags.(See Isaiah 64:6). Romans 3:23 reminds us that " All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." Yes indeed we are all sinners saved by grace it says in Ephesians 2:8.

Here in the year 2012 many commit sin and do not think it is sin. For instance, two men or two women wanting to be married is not part of God's design. He created males and females to fall in love and reproduce but with the opposite sex. Satan has deluded men's minds to believe a lie. God did not intend for a man to be in love with another man or a woman with a woman. Mankind has become blinded and desensitized. Many Christians are caught in this trap of the enemy thinking they were born that way but that is a lie from the pit of hell. Also taking the life of an unborn child in the name of 'women's rights' is just not right. God created all life whether it is convenient or desired and all life is to be respected, not snuffed out at an abortion clinic. (Read Psalm 139). Sexual relations with your girlfriend or boyfriend before marriage is wrong. Looking at pornography is wrong and can have devastating consequences. Stealing is wrong even if it is something as innocent as an ink pen from work. Lying is wrong for Christians. Gossip is not right either. I am sure you can add to the list. The first four mentioned have more dire emotional consequences but all sin is wrong. One is not the 'worst' one. The good news is we can be set free and forgiven!!

God desires holiness. Ask yourself if what you are doing is holy.If God were to come to your home today would He be pleased with the TV shows you are watching or the books on your shelf? Would it be necessary to hide some magazines that were not appropriate for the King of Kings to look at? Perhaps you would have to go search for your Bible to make it look like you read it? Colossians 3:5 tells us to put to death the desires of the earthly nature.

Isaiah 5:20 says "Woe to them who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." In 2012 we find ourselves under attack from the enemy like never before. Many people coast along through life and do not see any danger. That makes Satan happy as he has them blinded and fooled. Many are not convicted of things happening in this world as being wrong. Another victory for Satan when this occurs.

Do not harden your heart towards God. If you are caught up in a sin and know you are, run to Jesus who can heal, deliver you and set you free. You can be forgiven. Do not allow the enemy to put thoughts in your head that you are okay and God is okay with what you are doing. Do not twist scriptures to justify an unholy life. Jesus can forgive so let Him!!

1 Corinthians 6:11 reminds us "And this is what some of you were, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God."

PRAYER: Lord God I know I am not perfect. Help me be alert to the enemies attacks in my life. keep me from believing a lie of the devil. Help me Lord to order my day so as to spend time with you. I pray for any friends or family members caught up in a lie as well. I want to stay on the path you have planned for me and resist Satan. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below and worship the Lord with an awesome uplifting song.

http://youtu.be/ipwEtvWL_3c

GET RID OF THE DARK SIDE

Do you have bad stuff in your life like worry, pity parties, stress, reasoning,confusion or maybe things you know deep down inside are not right and would not please God? Perhaps you have been listening to the wrong 'voices' who have put anti God things in your brain and you have not counter attacked them with God's word. You can not continue to dwell on bad stuff and expect to walk victoriously. Many believers can even be led astray if they do not listen to the truth. They will start to believe lies from the enemy and think they are true. You will not be able to convince them otherwise. Satan can send strong delusional forces to make people believe what is good is evil and what is evil is good. It is happening today in the United States. Psalm 12:8 says "The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men." Sounds like today in America right?

Galatians 5:7 says "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" It is easy to be led astray and start believing lies if you are not staying in the word of God. How can you expect to know the truth and know what God has for you unless you open up the Bible? Many times parents who have raised their children for the Lord are very sad when they go off to a liberal institution of higher learning and in many cases are subjected to anti Christian teaching for the first time. Unless the child's walk and faith in God  is strong they could, in fact, get led off the path. Proverbs 22:6 assures worried parents that "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 says "and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie ,and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness."

Stand firm in what you know to be true. Do not question God. Do you really want to take a chance on heaven or hell? Many mock the fact that someone even like myself would write so much about the Lord. What are you some sort of fanatic? What is a fanatic you may say? I heard someone once say "It is someone who loves Jesus more than you do." You can lead your intellectual life here on earth and conveniently go to church each Sunday because it is 'the thing to do in most social circles' but if you are not changed from your experience or really can not wait til you can leave church then maybe you need to get closer to the Lord.

Isaiah 5 :20 says "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." John 16:33 says ""I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Now you yourself may not be deceived by a dark spirit who wants you to believe Satan lies and 'diss God' but you in fact may be caught up in excessive worry, compulsions, fear, anxiety, jumping to conclusions, impulsiveness and a host of other things that control you because you let them. When these type things come up you need to counter attack them by speaking the truth in God's word out loud. Say things like "I over come you Satan by the word of God and the power of God's testimony" (See  Revelation 12:11). Speaking the word of God out loud helps to defeat the lies of the enemy.

First start off and admit to God you need Him to take control of your life, all of it!! Our thoughts have to be controlled by the word of God. You either want to walk with Jesus and believe his truth or you can be like the world today that says 'truth is relative' which is a lie from the enemy. Pray to have God's eyes for those around you .Get involved in someones  life and stay focused on God and the Bible and you will be less likely to be drug down into a pit of despair.

PRAYER: Lord I know your truth will set me free. I know that negativity and confusion is not from you. I know you are the author of peace and all good things not turmoil, chaos and lies. Lord help me open my eyes and heart to the truth. Block any wrong teaching that I am exposed to and help me recognize it as such. Deliver me from lying tongues who choose to lead me astray. In Jesus Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:Read Romans Chapter 1


Note: Click on link to listen to The Motions by artist Matthew West. Turn up your speakers.
http://youtu.be/qaHmiFaX_pk