Thursday, Feb 05, 2009

TWG - February 5, 2009 - You are the Devil, and the Devil is Bad

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Yesterday was a busy work day. I worked on Power Point for Sunday’s services, worked on Men’s retreat, prepared Awana, got some stuff done for our upcoming banquet, and other administrative stuff. Mike from Melrose called to invite us to a seminar on Islam and a Good Friday Service. Bill and Jim were there at church working away all day long! Just as I was about to head home, the grandkids showed up. I gave hugs all around and then John drove in. We said our hello’s and Dave dropped by. What a busy time! Then I went to pick up some Awana kids. We had a great Awana… another high of 25 kids! I put a picture of a VW bus on the blog at http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com. Check it out. We passed a trio of them on I-5 and got a pic of this one while we were doing 55!

Today is February 5, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. We are doing something of eternal significance. We are redeeming the time. That is one of the basic premises of TWG. We believe that what we do every day is so important that we must do the important things each day. That is why we read the word every Day

Today's Scripture reading is Joshua 15:20-62; Psalm 139; Jude
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com

Today’s thought comes from 1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

My kids were once into ska music. One of the songs they liked to listen to was by the W’s called “The Devil is Bad.” It’s catchy chorus chanted, “You are the Devil and the Devil is bad, You are the Devil and the Devil is bad, You are the Devil and the Devil is bad… Why don't you just skidillydoo…” I’d sing it for you, but that might ruin the song forever. Be warned, the Devil is your adversary and you need to know how to defend against him. There are two simple principles every Christian ought to have down; #1 flee from temptation, #2 stand firm and resist the devil. If you are outwardly facing a temptation, RUN like the dickens! But if you are struggling with trial on the inside toughen up and play the man! The Devil must be resisted. To resist the enemy effectively you must be prepared for battle. Eph 6:11 instructs us to put on the full armor of God so we can STAND against the wiles of the Devil. If you are to stand your ground mentally and spiritually, you are going to need to armor up. That simply means being immersed in God’s Word, prayed up, having assurance of salvation and having complete faith in God. That will make you stand. James 4:7 gives us another requirement for resistance: SUBMIT to God. It is futile to attempt resistance without first submitting. If, in your disobedience to God, you’ve rejected His warnings and foolishly wandered into the lion’s den, your cries for help, while dangling from the Lion’s Mouth may or may not result in rescue. God may let you be mangled or beaten so that you will learn a hard lesson about rebellion. Sometimes it’s the only way we learn. A relative of mine facing difficulty wrote on his Facebook page, “Please, God, no more yelling, no more trips to the woodshed. Can't you see I'm black-and-blue, beat up badly in bones and soul? My mattress is soaked, soggy with tears.” The answer is to submit to God. Give in. Kneel down. Obey. 1 Peter 5:8 adds a third requirement for resistance; be SOBER and vigilant. That means to calmly keep on the lookout for surprise attacks. As a soldier if you give in to fear you will likely turn tail and run. Some people are full of anxiety and panic when we talk about the Devil. God says to be calm and be on the lookout. We can be composed if we are ready for the enemy especially when we come to realize that “greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 We are the children of God, and we can overcome him if we stand our ground and resist the Devil!

Dear Lord. I need your strength to resist the enemy. On my own I am helpless. Please help me when my mind and emotions are under assault. I need your strength and power to face the enemy. I commit myself to stand my ground, submit to you and be sober and watchful for any attack.

We walk by faith, not by sight.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:38 AM |   

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