The "god" of This World

 

Before God created the Universe, He created angels (Revelation 5:11-14; Hebrews 1:14). Lucifer rebelled against God, and God cast him and his followers to earth. Then, Adam's sin forfeited dominion over the earth to Satan (1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10; Revelation 12:10). However, we live in a scientific age now, where technology reigns and thoughts of the devil seem more like a medieval fairytale.

Most people today doubt the existence of the devil. They even discount the Bible’s teachings about the devil and demons and demonic activity in spiritual places. The world pictures Satan as an impotent, little red demon with a pitchfork, a long tail, and horns coming out of his head. Most people who believe in God still do not believe in the devil.

One of Satan’s greatest triumphs is in causing people not to take him seriously. He deceives people by masquerading as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14; Isaiah 14:12). Satan will do anything he can, and use any means at his disposal to oppose and try to destroy the work of God and to take people to hell with him. Hell is a place that is prepared for Satan, his demons and unbelievers (Matthew 25:41; John 3:18).

Many people are actually ignorant and blind to Satan's strategy, power and plans. Our self-confidence overestimates our own abilities and underestimates the power of our spiritual enemies. Yet, other people see the devil and demons behind every rock and in every person. Some churches preach about Satan more than they exalt our Lord, Jesus Christ. They have more fear of the devil then they have faith in God.

Satan cannot do anything to us without God's permission. Then, God uses that trial for our ultimate good (Job 1:6-12; Romans 8:28). God advises us to put on His armor to withstand our spiritual enemies (Ephesians 6:10-18). He gives great spiritual power to those who believe (Ephesians 1:19). Ultimately, Christ in us is greater than any demon or person in the world (1 John 4:4).

Prayer:

Father God, the devil targets lost sheep, in order to keep them addicted to the world, the flesh and his wiles (Ephesians 2:1-3). He walks about the earth as a lion, seeking people to destroy (1 Peter 5:8). Help us to take Your warning seriously about Satan being a thief who comes to pilfer, wound and mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually annihilate anyone silly enough to follow his plan for their life (John 10:10).

Thought for the Day:

The Bible makes it clear that Satan is still alive and well on planet earth; and he successfully infiltrates the mind of unbelievers and deals a mighty blow to each successive generation.

Read: http://www.amazon.com/Satan-Alive-Well-Planet-Earth/dp/0310277914

Satan’s Names:

Abaddon (“destroyer”) (Revelation 9:11)

The god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Accuser (Revelation 12:10)

Great Dragon (Revelation 12:9)

Adversary (1 Peter 5:8)

Lawless One (2 Thessalonians 2:18)

Apollyon (“destroyer”) (Revelation 9:11)

Liar (John 8:44)

Beelzebul (Matthew 12:24)

Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12)

Belial (2 Corinthians 6:15)

Murderer (John 8:44)

Deceiver (Revelation 12:9)

Prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)

Devil (Luke 4:13)

Ruler of this world (John 12:31)

Enemy (Matthew 13:28, 39)

Satan (Acts 26:18)

Evil One (Matthew 13:28, 39)

Serpent (Revelation 12:9)

Father of lies (John 8:44)

Tempter (1 Thessalonians 3:5)

Viva la Technolongy

 

Technology improves our human existence in many ways. Among other things, it controls pollution, it keeps us connected all over the world, it controls a car and flies an airplane, it registers the weather and helps us to prepare for it, it gives reviews on information we are interested in, it enhances a surgeon’s ability in the operating room and photographs the inside of our body for medical information, it checks our spelling and it can even research the Bible in an instant.

However, technology can also be an idol in our life. Have you ever noticed that people can no longer sit still? We have electronic devices such as the TV, radio, iPad, iPod, laptops, tablets, smart phones, and the list goes on into infinity. They are always “ON”. We rarely take the time to sit quietly to think or pray. Flashing pictures, text messages and sound waves constantly distract our attention. We have televisions in the kitchen, in the garage and now they are even showing up in the bathroom.

We have several Biblical examples of people who actually walked with God. Enoch walked with God and God took Him home to His house (Genesis 5:22-24). Noah walked with God (Gen 6:9). God walked with the Israelite nation (Exodus 33:14; Leviticus 26:12). The biggest blessing is that God and His Christ make their abode within the heart of anyone who keeps His Word (John 14:23). As we keep His commandments, we dwell in Him, and He dwells in us by His Spirit whom He gives us (1 John 3:24).

I love silence. I spend much of the Night Watch (Psalm 119:148) in silence, listening to the voice of God as He teaches, comforts and inspires me. He pours His love over me like a waterfall and fills my soul with His peace. If I chose to sit in front of the TV or Internet instead, I would miss this wondrous intimacy with my Heavenly Daddy. I can even take this intimacy with me wherever I go, every moment of any day of the week and into any situation. You can too.

Prayer:

Father God, You motivate us to stay in constant fellowship with You and to stand against the temptation to have any idol rule our life. Your presence motivates us and gives us rest. We find favor in Your sight and we are Your people. You distinguish us from all other people, because we belong to You (Exodus 33:14-17; Leviticus 26:12). Thank You for allowing us to be one with You and Your Christ in perfect unity in Your love (John 17:23).

Thought for the Day:

Rejoice, be at peace, be comforted and complete, for the God of love and peace dwells in you. – 2 Corinthians 13:11

Imitators of Christ

 

 

As authentic Believers in Jesus Christ, we lay our sinful, carnal, earthly life at Jesus’ feet and identify with His crucifixion and resurrection (Philippians 3:8). We find our righteousness by faith in Christ, rather than in self-effort (Philippians 3:9; Galatians 3:1-3). Over the weeks and years of our walk with Him, we stop travailing over our sinful state and realize that we are already dead in Christ and raised to walk in newness of a life in Him (Romans 6:4).

 

We are united in mind, character, creativity and vision with our Father, just as Jesus is one with us and with our Father (Ephesians 3:19). We walk, talk, think and pursue a totally different lifestyle now. We are imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1), who is our life (Colossians 3:4). We exalt Him with our thoughts, words and deeds (Ephesians 4:1). Jesus gives us His power and authority over sin and the world, because He dwells within us with all the power of the triune God (1 John 4:15; Colossians 2:9).

 

In the current age of technology, sin is easier to access than ever before. If we have the slightest inclination toward sinfulness, we will certainly find a multitude of outlets for it. However, technology also gives us a wealth of Biblical resources at our fingertips. Out ability to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God exponentially increases with technology. We also have the opportunity to fellowship with other Christians from around the world from the comfort of our own home, and to share our walk with Christ.

 

God removes the very presence of sin from our life, because we are His Temple. He cannot dwell in the presence of sin (Psalm 5:4; 1 John 5:18). We will reign with Him as priests of God during the Millennium (Revelations 20:6). Entertaining sin in our life or cowering in the corner of our house without using our talents for God will reap for us God’s displeasure (Matthew 25:14-30). God will take our talents and give them to those who are more faithful to His call on their life.

 

Prayer:

Father God, walking down the wrong path in life will affect our place in eternity. We may taste of the spiritual aspects of life, which You provide for us; and then walk away as if they have no value to us. We may sell our birthright as Your children in exchange for the lusts of the flesh. Then, we will walk as apostates for the rest of our life on earth. Hell holds a special place for those who turn their back on You. However, we desire to live only for You, because You live within us (John 14:19).

 

Thought for the Day:

Follow the wisdom from above, cling to that which is good, do not live in hypocrisy and cleanse your ways according to God’s Word (James 3:17; Psalm 199:9).

 

 

 

 

The Journey through Depression

Read: Psalm 56:8-9

“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.”

– Psalm 107:13-14

The journey through depression is often slow and frustrating. We may not even be aware of what is causing this darkness in our life. Negative conditions and emotions are signals that there are issues in our soul – our mind, will and emotions - that need correcting. It may be our attitude, unholy activities, unforgiveness toward our self or someone else, carnal goals and aspirations, filling our hectic life with too many activities or some deep hurt that is still unknowingly festering within. Journaling is an excellent way to stay in touch with our soul. If we know what we are thinking and feeling, we can more readily word our prayers and ask others for help.

God also brings His Saints to our rescue. The Bible encourages us to share one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). However, first we must be honest enough to admit to our self that we are troubled and humble enough to confess our true feelings and circumstances to another human being (James 4:10; Proverbs 29:23). Even the most detailed of plans can fail without God’s wisdom and a multitude of counseling from those who already walked this way before us (Proverbs 15:22). Therapists can help as well, because they are trained to understand the human mind and they can help us to unlock hidden doors within our soul.

In the pit of gloom, we have obstacles to overcome, but we lack energy or direction. However, even in times of depression, God will speak to us, if we will seek Him and listen for His voice (Isaiah 45:3). The Lord is good to those who wait for Him (Lamentations 3:25). His unfailing love rests upon us as we wait on Him (Psalm 33:22). By drawing near to God, He draws near to us. As we surrender our life to Him, walk away from our sin and allow Him to purify our heart, .He enables us to identify and resist Satan’s lies until clarity comes to our mind (James 4:7-8).

As we wait upon the Lord, our heart takes courage and our hope rises (Psalm 27:14, 39:7; 40:1). However, waiting is the hardest discipline for humanity today. We eat instant food. We have instantaneous access to the world through the Internet on our phone in the palm of our hand. We immediately access cash with an ATM machine. We get instant answers to all of our questions via Wikipedia, Google, and the like. We have direct help in a few moments of time for any technological issue we experience.

We are not used to waiting. We get frustrated waiting in long lines, and at red traffic lights, and in the doctor’s waiting room, and for the restaurant waitress to bring our food and for people to show up on time for an appointment with us, etc. Waiting takes patience in the face of our suffering (James 5:10). However, God uses times of waiting in our life to heal us from our losses, to renew our strength, and to prepare us for the next trial, so we can mount up with wings and soar with the eagles (Isaiah 40:31).

God is waiting too. He desires a people who will look to Him and wait on Him for His intervention. God will always hear us when we cry out to Him (Micah 7:7). Jesus, our high priest, experienced every trial and temptation that we do in our life, and He can sympathize with and relate to what we are going through at any given moment in our life (Hebrews 4:15-16). He empowers us, even when we are tired, weak and worn out. He does His perfect work in us as we wait on Him (Isaiah 40:29; Job 5:11; Philippians 1:6).

Prayer:

Father God, we thank You for Jesus as our Rock, our firm foundation in this stormy world in which we live. We look to You to put a new song in our heart, so that we can praise You in the midst of our negative circumstances (Psalm 40:3). Remind us that You work out all things, even the depressing issues in our life, for our good (Romans 8:28). Use our weaknesses to show other people that it is Your joy that upholds us and gives us our strength (Psalm 40:1-3). Thank you for Your strength as our sword and shield. Our heart trusts in You and leaps for joy, because You are our help in times of trouble (Psalm 28:7).

Thought for the Day:

God keeps track of our sorrows in His journal and stores every one of our tears in His bottle. - Psalm 56:8

Prosperous Plans

Read: Psalm 139: 14-17

“You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.” – Psalm 92:4

As you can imagine, buying my very first computer was a red-letter day for me! Installing it in my office at home elicited waves of joy in my heart as I sat before the blank screen. Wondrous technological advances hid away in the incredible recesses of the microchips dotting the motherboard. I tentatively pressed the blue button marked in the manual as the on/off switch and the machine came to life! Sounds of buzzing and whirring assured me that soon my fingers would create reams of stories and anecdotes that would disclose the essence of my life with fellow world-weary travelers.

I love to write. I find such peace and fulfillment in stitching with words the tapestry of some segment of my existence to share with others. I write all the time. I used to keep a stack of journals with carefully penned accounts of my day-to-day experiences. Now I had an assistant, the incredible mechanical device perched solidly in the middle of my desk.

Working for hours, heedless of the cramping in my back, I finally finished a treatise that I knew would change the world. I paused for a moment with my finger hovering over the mouse, whose cursor sat poised above the print key. I relished the beauty of the typed letters on the screen and thanked God for the finances to purchase this magnificent literary instrument.

As I pressed the “print” command, I hovered over the printer watching the paper descend into the tray below. The first line came into view and I realized something was terribly wrong! My work was coming out in a puzzle of letters that looked something like this:

A  Th  ou                 spo          k                  s p a n           be f    d e

             For            b                     k                            d                0

                                E                          k

                                        ll           k       

Sitting in utter horror and despair, I heard God whisper to my spirit. His words produced a score of tiny giggles bubbling up from my soul. He said, “Even machines have bad days!”

Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha! What a profound idea! We get so upset when things do not work out according to our carefully staged schedule and plans. We devise such great dreams, strategies, campaigns and goals, only to find them crumble at our feet before they ever get off the ground. We labor in vain to craft our place in the world and to carve our mark on society. We live stressed out lives when all God wants from us is to dwell in simplicity and faith. We scrimp and scrape and work and save to guarantee us an exalted place in our world. Why?

The difference between our stratagem and the Lord’s plans is that His works stand firm forever (Psalm 33:11). God is infinitely wise, powerful, eternal and excellent in all of His ways. The planetary orbits remain symmetrical. The balance of nature provides the propagation of all species. The cycle of winter and summer, springtime and harvest mingle together in precision. The most remarkable feat in God’s repertoire is that His wonderful deeds include each one of us (1 Corinthians 1:27; Psalm 136:12; Genesis 21:33; Psalm 8:1; Psalm 66:5).

God draws the hearts of mankind to Himself. He causes us to realize our need for Him in our life. He delights in blessing His Church, which He created as a bride for His Son. He has plans to prosper us, to protect us from harm and to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Job declared that God performs wonders, which we cannot even fathom, as well as so many miracles that we actually lose count of them (Job 5:9). God’s greatest work sent Jesus to die for the sins of the whole world, so that whoever believes on Him will have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Prayer:

Many, O Lord, my God, are the wonders You perform. The things you planned for us, no one can recount to You. If I were to speak about them, they would be too many to relate (Psalm 40:5). You make me glad by your deeds, and I sing for joy at the works of Your hands. (Psalm 92:4) I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I know that without a doubt Your works are astonishing (Psalm 139:14). Lord, teach us to trust in You; and when our faith fails, teach us to believe, while You help our unbelief (Mark 9:24).

Thought for the Day:

Is anything too hard for the Lord? – Genesis 18:14