"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8, NIV)
This was in my regular quarterly reading schedule this morning. I don't have to look for "proof texts." I just have to read the Bible to pass on an up-to-date devotional thought. The reality for America in our text is that this is being played out right now in Ferguson, MO.
You have heard me say (probably ad nauseam) that America has not won nor finished a war since the Second World War. We became a nation of quitters. In 1962 we quit on the prayer of Jesus in the State Schools, then in 1963 we quit on the Word of God in the State Schools. We quit on the defense of the unborn in 1973. Now Americans have elected a quitter president, who, as one report said, "wants to reduce America's foot print in the world." The problem with such a mentality is that there are Satanic forces loose in the earth who are not quitters, who also want to "reduce America's footprint," and more. They want to destroy America and all freedom loving people.
The simple reality of life is that when one quits, the other wins. This same principle also applies to us as individuals. "He Who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps." And he who opposes "Israel" and the Church and us neither "slumbers nor sleeps." This battle is cosmic. This battle is 24/7/365, knows no boundaries, no rules, no political correctness. In case you may doubt this, just read the Book of Revelation. Jesus "takes no prisoners."
We should be thankful, however, that Jesus "takes" all who come to Him, all who are truly repentant, all who surrender their lives to Him, His Church, His Kingdom. "The devil prowls around," for no other reason that to destroy those who would follow Jesus. Yet you and I are not the problem. Jesus is Satan's problem. He attempted to "finish" Jesus at the cross. Instead Jesus finished Satan at the cross. "It is finished," not only declared the finished work of our salvation, it declared the finish of Satan, his demons, his kingdom. No matter what has happened to Followers of Jesus throughout history, no matter what happens to you and me today, there is absolutely nothing Satan can do to destroy us. Yes, "the body they may kill," but "God's truth abideth still," the truth contained in the admonition of Jesus in John 6 and in the words following our text, empowering, comforting words. "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world....Resist [the devil], standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your Eternal keeping power. Amen
*******************
* Read of Holder's agenda in Ferguson: jhs58.blogspot.com
* Please pray for the DC Mission, September 17-21
* Please pray for two preaching engagements I have in September, 14 & 28
This was in my regular quarterly reading schedule this morning. I don't have to look for "proof texts." I just have to read the Bible to pass on an up-to-date devotional thought. The reality for America in our text is that this is being played out right now in Ferguson, MO.
You have heard me say (probably ad nauseam) that America has not won nor finished a war since the Second World War. We became a nation of quitters. In 1962 we quit on the prayer of Jesus in the State Schools, then in 1963 we quit on the Word of God in the State Schools. We quit on the defense of the unborn in 1973. Now Americans have elected a quitter president, who, as one report said, "wants to reduce America's foot print in the world." The problem with such a mentality is that there are Satanic forces loose in the earth who are not quitters, who also want to "reduce America's footprint," and more. They want to destroy America and all freedom loving people.
The simple reality of life is that when one quits, the other wins. This same principle also applies to us as individuals. "He Who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps." And he who opposes "Israel" and the Church and us neither "slumbers nor sleeps." This battle is cosmic. This battle is 24/7/365, knows no boundaries, no rules, no political correctness. In case you may doubt this, just read the Book of Revelation. Jesus "takes no prisoners."
We should be thankful, however, that Jesus "takes" all who come to Him, all who are truly repentant, all who surrender their lives to Him, His Church, His Kingdom. "The devil prowls around," for no other reason that to destroy those who would follow Jesus. Yet you and I are not the problem. Jesus is Satan's problem. He attempted to "finish" Jesus at the cross. Instead Jesus finished Satan at the cross. "It is finished," not only declared the finished work of our salvation, it declared the finish of Satan, his demons, his kingdom. No matter what has happened to Followers of Jesus throughout history, no matter what happens to you and me today, there is absolutely nothing Satan can do to destroy us. Yes, "the body they may kill," but "God's truth abideth still," the truth contained in the admonition of Jesus in John 6 and in the words following our text, empowering, comforting words. "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world....Resist [the devil], standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your Eternal keeping power. Amen
*******************
* Read of Holder's agenda in Ferguson: jhs58.blogspot.com
* Please pray for the DC Mission, September 17-21
* Please pray for two preaching engagements I have in September, 14 & 28
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
