What’s the Devil like?

   Did you ever see that old movie where a family is experiencing strange things in their home? You know the one – a little blond haired girl stands in front of a static filled TV screen and turns to announce “their back!”. Yup, that one. Well there’s a scene in one of the movies in that series where a tall skinny scary old man walks up to the screen door and yells “You’re all gonna DIE!!!”

That, Virginia (and everyone else), is what the Devil is like!

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour   1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

And if we left it at that it would be a fairly scary situation to be in

But there’s more to the story

You see, the devil, is a defeated foe. Beaten down by our Lord Jesus Christ

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.

And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Rev 1:18 NKJV

   Whatever authority the devil thought he had when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he lost it that day on Calvary. By dieing the death of a sinner the sinless Savior broke the curse and defeated the devil.

 Death came into the world because of what one man (Adam) did, and it is because of what this other man (Christ) has done that now there is the resurrection from the dead. Everyone dies because all of us are related to Adam, being members of his sinful race, and wherever there is sin, death results. But all who are related to Christ will rise again.  1 Cor 15:21-22 TLB

   If you recall, Sin came into the world because the devil (serpent) deceived Adam and Eve in the garden. That sin was past down threw the years to all by birth. Jesus being both God and man, born of a woman but without the sin of man upon Him, died in all of our places so that the devil has no hold (ownership) on us. Jesus called the devil the father of lies and revealed to us that the only real power the devil has is to deceive. Yes, it’s true that the devils job description is to kill, steal and destroy. But, he accomplishes his tasks by deception. Just pick up a paper or turn on the evening news and you will see acts perpetrated by people who were listening to a liar. Theft, drug addiction, domestic violence, murder, abortion, adultery, fornication, and on and on – all acts fueled by lies whispered into peoples hearts and minds by the father of lies. But we do not have to believe his lies. We do not have to act on his lies. We do not have to die in our sin.

  We can be free from our past sins. We can be born again by accepting Jesus as our Savior and our Lord.  We can open the Bible and read the Word of God that will tell us how to live a life in victory of the devil. Do not be confused here. I’m not saying that your life will not have troubles or trials. Everyone on this earth will see their share of difficulties. What I am saying is that when trials come we can see them for what they are – bumps in the road. Potholes of life if you will. They are not the end all of all. You are not gonna die!! No matter how loudly that skinny scary old man screams it at your door.

   Granted some potholes may be bigger than others. I have had my share of potholes that I thought would take me out. But they did not. Jesus is truly bigger than any pothole you hit. He will see you threw whatever life or the devil throws at you. But if you don’t know that it’s just a pothole. If you think you are alone on the side of the road because you don’t know Jesus or His Promises found in the Word. You may be tempted to believe the liar who is screaming at you that you’re gonna die! That’s why it is so very important to have a relationship with Jesus, read His Holy Word, and be strengthened thru fellowship with other believers –

so that you will know the truth and the truth will set you free  John 8:32

If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior and Lord you can get to know Him. He is waiting for you to call out to Him. All you need do is admit that you are a sinner. The Bible tells us that all have sinned. Admitting that you are a sinner is the first part. The Bible also tells us that the wages (penalty) of sin is death. Jesus Christ died for your sins. Yes, your sins. As He hung on that cross He thought of you and how much He wants you to be free from sin and be with Him in Paradise. Call out to Him and ask for His forgiveness and ask Him to save you and become Lord of your life – and He Will. The moment you admit your a sinner and ask Him to save you it will be done. Don’t expect to feel or hear or see anything special or different. Your sins silently weighed on you and just as quietly they will be washed away. You will be a child of the most high King and although you die you will live.

If you prayed a pray like that and you meant it in your heart, you are saved and Jesus is Lord of your life. get a Bible and find a church that reads and teaches the Word of God (not mans opinion) and grow in your new relationship with the Creator of the universe.

If you already know Jesus and have a Bible that you read and a church that you attend remember to beware the liar lion that roams about and see if you can help save others before they really do die.

God bless you all and thank you for stopping by, AL

Enjoying Your Freedom

   Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Gal 5:1 NKJV Bible Gateway

   Liberty and Freedom. Today is a day of joyous celebration for the whole country. Marching bands and barbecues and fireworks. Nothing shy, subdued or subtle about the 4th of July. We will remember those who have died to create this land of the free as well as those brave men and women who gave their all to protect it. The very bones of our nation are built on the idea that all of us are equal and free to persue happiness. Whatever that might look like and regardless of the cost.

    No! That’s not what it says in the constitution. It does say that we are all created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But, one mans happy might be another mans sad. This is why we have laws to govern our behavior. I am not free to do whatever I like if it interferes with another persons life, liberty or pursuit of happiness.

    Likewise most “religions” have lots of rules of conduct and traditions that must be adhered to. Jesus came to fulfilled the Law and heralded in a new and better way. Radically different from the old way because the Law of Moses was incapable of cleansing us from our sins. It only covered up our sin until they could be washed away. Washed by the Blood of the Lamb. The Lamb that takes away the sin of the world.

     We, who have trusted in the shed blood of Jesus, should hold our heads up high and walk in the liberty and freedom that Christ has made for us and not be again mixed up in the rules and traditions of religion or in the guilt and shame of our own past sins. Who the Son sets free is free indeed. Free to live a life full of love for Him who first loved us and free to share that love with everyone. Yes, everyone.

    Let freedom ring this 4th of July and let that song you sing be a song of love because God is love and He desires that all come to the saving knowledge of the truth. Let us fulfill the law of Love.

      Be blessed. Have fun. Love them like Jesus. Al

Triumph or Tragedy?

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

John 1:29 KJV

he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb

Isa 53:7b KJV

   With Holy Week drawing near many of us remember the passion of our Lord. All the pain and sorrow and suffering He endured for our sakes. The humiliation and the mocking and the ridicule.

  I remember the stations of the cross that as a child taught me about that day so long ago. How the processional around the church would stop at each important event to commemorate the disrespectful act performed. The judgement and whipping and the trial. As an adult I remember the first time I heard the name “Via Dolorosa” also known as the Way of Sufferings. The name of that street Jesus walked brings visions of the blood-soaked head and shoulders bent low by the weight of the beam He carried. I can see Him fall each time and hear the anger in the voices of those who pushed Him onward to Calvary. You can almost see the clouds begin to gather as they nailed him to that cross. Such pain. Such darkness. Such despair. Such defeat and utter tragedy.

   As a new born Christian I heard singer songwriter Michael Card perform “This Must Be The Lamb“.

   I was surprised by the turn in the song. It was the first time I heard the crucifixion talked about as a triumph. Well, of course, I understood that Jesus died for my sins. I also understood that He did so willingly. But I suppose I just never fully understood that He was the victor on that hill until He opened my eyes up to His love for me. He defeated hell and death that day over 2000 years ago. Because of His victory I need not worry about death and hell. The devil has lost the battle for my soul.

 Defeated by the Lamb of God satan has no power over all of us who believe. That dark day that saw so many tears will lead to cheers as we all shout out

Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,

and unto the Lamb for ever and ever

Rev 5:13 KJV

During this Holy Week take the time to tell someone about the victory of that day. Help them to see Jesus the Victor and tell them how He gave you the Victory so that they can be Victorious also. Jesus can turn any tragedy into triumph if you let Him. That is the Good News Amen?

What Child Is This ?

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.

 

About this time Caesar Augustus, the Roman emperor, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the nation. ² (This census was taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

³ Everyone was required to return to his ancestral home for this registration. ⁴ And because Joseph was a member of the royal line, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, King David’s ancient home—journeying there from the Galilean village of Nazareth. ⁵ He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born; ⁷ and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in a blanket^[a] and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

⁸ That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them.

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem!^{[b] 12} How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket,^[c] lying in a manger!”

¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God:

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,” they sang,^[d] “and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.”

¹⁵ When this great army of angels had returned again to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Come on! Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Luke 2: 1-15 Living Bible

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Who do you think you are?

Who do you think you are?!?!

   There’s a saying out there which goes something like this –

“What matters most is how you see yourself”

   We as believers understand that what truly matters most is how Jesus sees us but before we completely dismiss this seemingly introverted concept lets look at it in the light of scripture.

    For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he Pr 23:7 KJV

   So, the Word of God is telling us that our self image affects or actions but, thankfully, that is not the last word on the subject.

for man looketh on the outward appearance,

but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1Sam 16:7c KJV

In the Book of Judges we see Gideon threshing wheat in hiding from the occupiers the Lord sent to correct His people and we have an open window into the way Gideon sees himself when he responds to the angels greeting…lets listen in….

    And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.  And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.  And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?  And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house

Judges 6:12-15 KJV

  So, here we see Gideon in hiding out of fear and explaining that he is the least (perhaps smallest or youngest) in his family and that his family is poor in the tribe of Manasseh, which isn’t the largest or greatest of the tribes of Israel. Gideon sees himself as the lowest of the low BUT the angels’ greeting reflects the way God sees him – A MIGHT MAN OF VALOR! Those of you who don’t already know the rest of the story should take a minute to see how it turns out but for the purpose of our discussion I will leave it there.

God doesn’t want us to “think of ourselves more highly then we should” nor does he want us to live in fear, self doubt, or shame”.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are children of the Most High God. We are inheritors of Glory. We shall rule as Kings and Priests in the Kingdom of God to come. We are Blessed and Highly favored. But, we are to walk in humility with lowliness of heart and put others before us as we follow the example Jesus gave us of a servant not a master.

Distorted Selfie

As important as it may be for us to have a healthy self image it is how God sees us that matters most.

Be Blessed, Al & Betty