I was reading a forwarded email -- normally I don't read anything that's been forwarded, but this happened to be about an "entertainer" I never cared for. Part of the message was that this person and their spouse were both dead. I began to wonder whether they were in hell or in heaven. Did any of their friends know Christ? Did anyone share the Good News that we are sinners, but that Christ came to this earth to save each of us from certain eternity in hell if we did not repent and believe in Jesus as the only way to heaven? What if I knew this person? Would I have been afraid to share, or would I have spoken out about Jesus? How about you? Will you hide your light, or will you take a stand? This world is getting worse day by day. Things are more complicated. Many people who attend a church on Sunday never hear the Good News. When Jesus takes us home, will you be ashamed of your stand on earth? Time's short. GO TELL!!!!
It's been a great year and I am thankful that God has allowed me the privilege of hosting this blog. I pray that you have been strengthened in your faith as you've studied with me. Next year's blog is 2013musing.blogspot.com - join me!
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Weekly posts and an opportunity to ask questions or give your perspective. Let's study the Bible TOGETHER!
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Weekly posts and an opportunity to ask questions or give your perspective. Let's study the Bible TOGETHER!
31 December 2012
Spiritual Warfare - December 31
We are at the end of the year as well as the end of our
study in Spiritual Warfare. I pray that you have grown in Christ during these
studies, and that you will return in January to study the book of Romans. Tell your
friends, too!
We’ve read to the End of the Book and we know that God wins.
As Christians, we know that we are under God’s protection, so we win, too. However,
God doesn’t expect us to sit back and let things happen all around us. We have
responsibilities as Christians.
Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour. Resist him, firm in your
faith, knowing that the same
kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the
world. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV)
Satan is ANGRY! He knows the end of the Book, as well, and
he wants to devour every person that he can. He’s especially fond of “helping”
Christians sin! We are to resist the devil, and we know that God
gives us the tools to resist – knowledge of Scripture (the Sword of the
Spirit), prayer, faith, truth and peace. But can we do more than resist Satan? Is it possible to overcome?
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men,
because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:13-14 (ESV)
For
everyone
who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has
overcome the world— our faith. Who is it
that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of
God? 1 John 5:4-5 (ESV)
YES we do! As Christians, we overcome the world, and the
world belongs to Satan. We do this through God, of course, because we certainly
can’t do this ourselves.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and
in the strength of his might. Ephesians
6:10 (ESV)
When things look impossible to you, remember that God gives
you the ability to resist. Sharpen your mind with the Sword of the Spirit!
Satan was defeated on the cross. His power and authority are limited by God.
But remember – YOU can’t resist Satan’s schemes without GOD.
Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw
near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you
double-minded. James 4:7-8 (ESV)
Stay in the Word, friends. If you have not read the Bible
through, find a one-year (or even two-year) Bible plan. Read, take notes,
memorize scripture. The more you understand God’s plan, Satan’s authority, and
your responsibilities as a believer, the better your life will be.
May you have a blessed and safe New Year’s Eve celebration. May
these words from King David go with you into 2013, and may all your resolutions
be attainable.
I
waited patiently for the Lord;
he
inclined to me and heard my cry.
He
drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out
of the miry bog,
and
set my feet upon a rock,
making
my steps secure.
He
put a new song in my mouth,
a
song of praise to our God.
Many
will see and fear,
and
put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed
is the man who makes the Lord his
trust,
who
does not turn to the proud,
to
those who go astray after a lie!
Psalm 40:1-4 (ESV)
See you on January 7.
27 December 2012
Spiritual Warfare - December 27
Two more lessons in 2012. Hard to believe the year is passed
already. We begin a study of Romans on January 7.
Today we focus on prayer.
…praying at all times in the Spirit,
with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance,
making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be
given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for
which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to
speak. Ephesians 6:18-20 (ESV)
Praying in the Spirit – that sounds so technical, but it’s
not! We don’t have to have a special language or pray in a special place. Praying
in the Spirit means that we pray in the Spirit’s power – the only way to pray
in the will of God. When we pray in the Spirit, we are prevented from praying
selfish prayers which aren’t in God’s will.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our
weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit
himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who
searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)
Paul specifically asked for prayer that the Spirit would
control his mouth, allowing him to speak for boldly for Christ. Since our words
are a product of our mind, it’s a great idea to pray for the words we speak.
Another point Paul makes is that praying in the Spirit will
allow us to intercede for others when we don’t even know how to pray!
We are to pray at all times. This doesn’t mean that
every word is a prayer; it means to pray with perseverance – keep on praying
until you get an answer.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in
tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 (ESV)
The Ephesians passage reminds us that we should pray for all
the saints. Praying for other believers will help strengthen them to Satan’s
attacks. I have personally discovered that when I pray for someone that I’m not
particularly fond of, the Spirit gives me grace to love that person even more. So
praying for others strengthens them and strengthens you!
Today we’ve focused on prayer and learned that we should continually
pray. When we don’t know what to pray for or how to pray, we can rely on the
Holy Spirit to help us. We should pray for our words, because our words come
from our mind, and we need to be sure that those words have not been hijacked
by Satan. We also know that praying for others helps them to withstand Satan’s
attacks.
As this year closes, will you commit to praying daily for
one person that you’re not fond of – and one person that you like – each and
every day? I am already doing this, and I can’t begin to express the difference
it’s made in my life. I have a particular alarm which goes off long enough
after I’ve awakened to get my caffeine fix. When that alarm sounds, I pray for
three very specific people/entities. The prayer isn’t long, but it’s a daily
habit. I won’t know how that helped those people/entities until I get to
heaven, but somehow that prayer has illuminated other areas in my life that need God's help, and as a result, I'm growing every day. Try it.
It will change your life!
I will talk to you once more before the New Year. May this
weekend be safe and blessed and may your New Year’s resolutions become habits!
24 December 2012
Christmas Eve 2012
“My
soul magnifies the Lord,
and
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for
he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For
behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for
he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and
holy is his name.
And
his mercy is for those who fear him
from
generation to generation.
He
has shown strength with his arm;
he
has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he
has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and
exalted those of humble estate;
he
has filled the hungry with good things,
and
the rich he has sent away empty.
He
has helped his servant Israel,
in
remembrance of his mercy,
as
he spoke to our fathers,
to
Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Luke
1:46-55 (ESV)
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that
all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when
Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own
town.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of
Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he
was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his
betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her
to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in
swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them
in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the
field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord
appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were
filled with fear.
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring
you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is
born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this
will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and
lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the
shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing
that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the
baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that
had been told them concerning this child.
And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told
them.
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in
her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he
was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the
womb.
Luke 2:1-21 (ESV)
May the Peace of Christ rule your hearts, and may that tiny
Baby show you that you are in need of a Savior. If you have not accepted this
Baby as Savior, today is the day. Let the peace of Christmas be in your heart
forever. Just tell Him that you are a sinner, ask Him to come into your heart
and begin a life change, and thank Him for coming to earth to live and die –
just for you! Then, like the Shepherds in the field… GO TELL!
Merry Christmas. We resume our study on Thursday.
20 December 2012
Spiritual Warfare - December 20
It’s time to suit up with God’s armor!
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt
of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and,
as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of
peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which
you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet
of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:14-17 (ESV)
We are told to put on the belt of truth. Because Satan is a liarer, (John 8:44), we must be
controlled by the truth so we can combat his lies. This belt, like our contemporary belts, also
serves to hold the “outfit” together.
Next, it’s the breastplate
of righteousness. A breastplate was made of metal plates or chains and
covered a soldier from the neck to the waist, front and back. It symbolizes our
righteousness in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) as well as our righteous life in Christ (Ephesians 4:24). Satan can
accuse, but if there’s nothing for him to grab onto, he must fall mute (as he
did with Job, and as the “advisers” had to do when they looked for fault with
Daniel [Daniel 6:4]).
The shoes of the
Gospel gives us the peace of God (Romans 5:1). We can’t defeat the devil if
we aren’t at peace with one another
(James 4:1-8). We are ambassadors for the Gospel wherever our feet take us.
The shield of faith
protects our bodies from Satan’s fiery darts. In Paul’s day, these shields were
about 4 feet high and 2 feet wide and were constructed so each shield would
interlock with the next person, forming an impenetrable wall. This would resist
the literal “fiery darts” shot in combat. Satan’s darts are lies, blasphemous
thoughts, hateful and bitter thoughts, and the sins that we most crave.
Our heads and minds are covered by the shield of salvation. Satan easily deceived Eve, and he wants to
deceive us as easily.
But I am afraid that as the serpent
deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere
and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians
11:3 (ESV)
We prevent Satan from attacking our mind my Bible study and
prayer. When we study, we learn and grow. The more we grow, the greater our
ability to withstand Satan’s attacks.
You therefore, beloved, knowing this
beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless
people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter
3:17-18 (ESV)
In our original passage, the final item of armor is the sword of the Spirit. This is our
offensive weapon, and in Roman times it was used for close combat . The writer
of Hebrews says the Word of God is even sharper than a sword.
For the word of God is living and
active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and
of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions
of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
A “real” sword dulls with each use, but the Word of God
sharpens us. The sword of the Spirit isn’t operated by human hands; a member of
the Trinity is there to guide it. Although the Word of God “cuts to the heart”
to convict us of our sins …
Now when they heard this they were
cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers,
what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts
2:37-38 (ESV)
…it ultimately heals us and brings us eternal life. When we
use God’s Word against Satan, we deal a crippling blow that hinders his work. Jesus used the Sword of the Spirit to defeat
Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). Satan knows enough Bible to quote verses
(Luke 4:10), but like his disciples (false teachers), Satan misquotes the Word
to twist its meaning. (Be careful when you quote Scripture that you don’t
take it out of context or skip words. Even the little words matter!)
The whole armor of
God is a beautiful picture of Jesus – the Truth (John 14:6), our
righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), our peace (Ephesians 2:14), whose
faithfulness makes our faith possible (Galatians 2:20). Jesus is our salvation
(Luke 2:30) and He is the Word of God (John 1:1, 14).
We’ll look at prayer on Monday. May your weekend before
Christmas be stressless and blessed, and please remember that it’s not YOUR
birthday we celebrate – Christmas is Jesus’ birthday.
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