Monday, January 27, 2014

The Devil and his tricks

Paul discovered a demon possessed clairvoyant girl who had great value to her owner. (Acts 16:16-40) I asked my New Testament class. Did she really know the future? Could she have read the minds of her customers? Could she have had the power to look into your past and see things clearly? Perhaps demons are truly powerful creatures that can help us?”

The bible relates that Paul was able to cast the demon out and then she no longer had value. As Christians we believe in the power of God, and we have experienced it in our lives. But often we forget that the devil has a few tricks up his sleeve. There is much he can do.

One student in my N.T. class commented “Well the devil can influence other people in your life. (Mark 8:33) So if the girl would have told her client you are going to meet a tall dark handsome fellow, the demon could whisper into the ear of such a fellow and convince him to take certain actions that would lead to such a meeting.” In truth the devil does this all the time. He is constantly trying to influence people. Another student had this to offer “Well if the girl had told someone you are going to get a promotion, that person might believe it so strongly that he or she would work harder, and with more confidence make it happen. “In this manner a demon can influence your life.”

Demons also have another advantage. There are legions of them all over the world. (Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39) They can’t be seen and apparently they love to watch us. They know “what we did last summer,” and the summer before and this morning. They also know what catches our attention and what makes our heart race. When a clairvoyant tells you that what your father told you when you were eight years old is still haunting you, it is only because the demons using this person were actually there and saw it.

Therefore there is no doubt demons can impact our lives. However scripture makes it clear their intentions are only evil. The devil comes to destroy devour, deceive, murder (1Peter 5:8, Revelation 20:10, John 8:44). He shows up as the Angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), offering to give us advice or help, but his true intention is the total destruction of our lives.

The bible directs us to flee from demonic influence. (James 4:7) Instead let us learn to trust in God. He knows our future and has great plans for us. His intentions are to bless us and be with us until the end.

A Mystery

Horace the great stood before us in a darken hall. We could barely see his face, with his top hat casting a shadow. His assistant, the beautiful Solace, stood near him with a rather sinister smile. He was about to do the unthinkable. She was about to disappear from this world. First she was tied and chained, then blind folded. Into the chest she went. It was locked and chained as well. No one could escape. It hung from the ceiling and it was checked all around by volunteers from the audience. Surely Horace would fail this time.

With a bit of wave from his wand and a few words he only understood it was finished. The chest came down, the chains unlocked and opened. The volunteers still watching stood amazed. The chest was destroyed just to add another exclamation point on such an amazing feat. Finally, to truly take our breath away, apparently from the back of the hall, came the enchanting Solace. She glided across the hall with her hair flying and soon she was on the stage next to her beloved Horace. The Crowd was on its feet. It truly could not be explained. How could Horace have done it?

Everyone loves a good magic trick. A good magician can seemingly do the impossible. Most of us don’t believe they have magical powers! We are pretty sure they have simply mastered the art and science of allusion. They have trick doors, quick hands and use all kinds of distractions. They are good at what they do and are truly entertaining. Although we know there has to be an explanation, their feats remain a mystery to most of us.

However there are mysteries that are greater than any magician’s tricks. Mysteries that we know require more than sleight of hand and trick doors. They require nothing less than the power of God almighty. One such mystery is the works of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is God. He is the personal God that hears our prayers (Romans 8:26 ),councils, teaches and guides. It is to the Holy Spirit that we credit our understanding and wisdom (Isaiah 11:2, 1 Corinthians 2:13 ). All this is more than enough to leave us in awe. But there is more, truly one of the greatest mysteries. For the God that fills the entire Universe and exist beyond the heavens, the God that time and space cannot contain also dwells in such a tiny creature known as man(1 Corinthians 6:19, John 14:15-17, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ). He dwells in you and me. The same God that moves the pages of history, created the Universe, has mapped out all of eternity, is the same God that from within our very person can speak softly and comfort us in our weakness. He does not go and return to possess us temporarily. He does not take vacation from our presence. He is always in us (John 14:15-17 ). From within us the Holy Spirit Springs Rivers of living waters and what we feel is joy, peace and love like no other.( John 7:38-39,Galatians 5:22-23) , He is within us, outside us, in the world and outside the world, all at the same time(Ps.139:7-10). It is one of the most beautiful and perfect mysteries.

Bibleaid related articles

Verses on the Holy Spirit

Beyond the stars yet in me

Beyond the stars, yet in me

So great He is beyond the stars and space
yet He dwells in me in this place
He is about His business sees all that is to see
yet watches a small one such as me
He’s planned the History of every nation
But still finds time to determine my station
Abraham, Moses and Elijah knew Him well
No doubt with Him they now dwell
And yet he speaks to me, no prophet am I
He hears my call, my plea, and my cry
Why love me? Why send your son?
No great deed have I done?
Yet you hold me through the night
Keep me always in your sight
My talents are but a few
Worship you is what I can do
Tell them He is great, Write of your fame
Stories of your great name
For all to know you love them so
The small, the great, the mighty and the low
What else can I do?
Remember forever You are true!

“Who can express the noble acts of the Lord or show forth all

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Jesus is better than Hercules

I just saw a really fun movie with my kids, “The Legend of Hercules (2014), ” and even though some critics didn’t like it the boys and me thought it was really entertaining. The subject of how Hercules compares to Jesus came up. Zeus is Hercules father and Jesus the son of God, Hercules was procreated with the purpose of saving people(according to this movie) and Jesus came to save the world, both had supernatural power, both could call upon their father and speak to their father, and the kids kept discussing it. Then Samuel my second son said,”but Jesus is better” and everyone simultaneously agreed.

The daddy in me was really proud that his kids came to this conclusion all on their own. This thought, that Jesus is the one and only true “Super” hero, actually passes my mind every time I see a superhero movie and trust me I’ve seen a lot. The boys and I love the genre. It doesn’t matter if it’s the xmen, the guardians, the avengers, or the justice league. We each have our favorite and mine is Superman. The truth is I don’t remember so many superhero movies when I was growing up. It’s as if we have become a culture that desperately seeks a hero or should I say a savior. But we already have one!

My son said it best, “He (Jesus) is the best because He saved the whole world with Love.” Not only is He the best but unlike all the others He is not just another story. He really came and spoke to the storms, raised the dead and battled legions of demons. Most importantly he came with the purpose of saving the world. He came with the purpose of saving you and me! All we have to do is believe in Him, recognize His sacrifice on the cross, repent of our sins and accept Him as Lord and Savior. While we’re at it, we can definitely all agree with my sons, Jesus is better than Hercules!

Verses

John 3:16

16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 14:6

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

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Verses on Homosexuality

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Verses on Homosexuality

Leviticus 18:22

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 1:26-28

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Mark 10:6-9

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

1 Corinthians 7:2

But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

Leviticus 20:13

If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

1 Timothy 1:10-11

The sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

Genesis 19:1-38

The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.”

Jude 1:7

Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

Judges 19:22

As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, worthless fellows, surrounded the house, beating on the door. And they said to the old man, the master of the house, “Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him.”

A brave act of Love

Chained in the deepest most secured area of a prison, two missionaries were kept, bleeding from their wounds. They had been beaten mercilessly. They had come to the town of Philippi to preach the gospel when they came upon a demon possessed slave girl. They set her free from her demonic captives and their reward was an unlawful beating and imprisonment. (Acts 16:16-40) Would they rot in this jail and never see the light of day again? Apparently it was no concern for these men, Paul and Silas. Their response was to worship God.

Then at midnight the spirit of God must have truly been pleased by their offering for the ground shook, the prison wall trembled, the doors swung open and the chains of these Godly men broke. Surely God had set them free. Now they could run out and escape from this terrible place! We all would have! Matter of fact it was not too long ago that these men had escaped from Iconium. There they discovered a plot to stone them and quickly fled to save themselves. (Acts 14:1-7) Why not flee again?

They did not flee, out of love. This time a man’s life was at stake. They knew that Roman law would require the life of the guard if they would escape.

Just about when the guard was going to kill himself Paul yelled out, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” (Acts 16:28) Imagine the thoughts of this man, first relief, “Thank heaven”, then joy and finally confusion. “Why had they not attempted to escape? Why did they stop me from harming myself? Who are these men that would care for me?” All these thoughts must have been swirling in his head. But his heart was now open to receive their message.

Now he wanted to know about Jesus. The bible relates that He and his entire family were saved because of one brave act of love. (Acts 16:33) Paul and Silas knew how much they were hated in this town; their bleeding backs where proof of that. They also knew that justice was not guaranteed. There was a real chance that by not escaping, they could spend many years in jail or be sentenced to death. But out of love they stayed.

Let us all consider how one act of unselfish love can change someone’s life. How one act of love can change a family and maybe even a neighborhood. We have the power to make the world around us better. We have the power to reach others with the Love of Christ. We can bring real change. Let us show our love!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

No other God

They ran down the court the five from St Vincent Prep Academy. They were called the mighty lions. Down by 26 points no one gave them a chance with 5 minutes left. But their biggest fan little Johnny Wilkins knew in his heart that his Lions would not let him down. He had all the faith in the world that they would pull out a victory. He especially knew that the greatest guard in school history Jackie O’Neal would fight to the end.

In the huddle Jackie bravely told his classmates “every time we get down court just get the ball to me.” Sure enough they followed their fearless leader, “Pass to Jackie, he shoots from the three and it’s good, wait and there is a foul. Oh my, he truly is a legend. Jackie shoots and scores. Coming down the court the Red Robbins set up, Jackie steals! He rushes down and pulls up for a three. It’s good! Jackie is pulling off a comeback miracle.”

Johnny Wilkins could barely contain his excitement. He turns to his buddy Sal and exclaims “He’s a god I tell you, a god!” Jackie kept pounding the basket and before you knew it the Lions had come within 2 with 20 seconds left on the clock. The crowd was so loud you couldn’t hear yourself think. Jackie had turned everyone into a believer. Johnny knew who to keep his eyes on, they were fixated on Jackie.

Time stood still and with the clock running out Herb made the pass, Jackie shot and it was all net. Never had the arena been this loud. Never in the school’s history had the crowd been this crazy. They flooded the court. It was pure madness. Johnny hoped he could get close enough to his idol. He fought his way through, dreaming of at least a high five. It would be the greatest moment in his life.

He got to Jackie and standing before him he froze. He was in awe and could not think of a word to say. Jackie looked at him and turned to some of the cheerleaders “What a looser. Come on girls.” Jackie was gone.

Later that evening Mr. Wilkins found Johnny crying in his room. “Johnny what is the matter?” Johnny told his dad the entire story. “Johnny, I am sure Jackie is a great ball player and fun to watch, but we have to be careful who our heroes are and who our god’s are. There is only one God worth worshiping, one God who will never betray you, and one God who will always have time for you. He died on the cross to give us the greatest victory of all, victory over sin, eternal damnation and the Devil himself. With Christ we are more than conquerors indeed!” “I guess we can make a god out of anything right dad, even a high school ball player.” Dad nodded his head, he had made a god out of lot different things in his life.

Luke 4:8

8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

Matthew 6:24

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Acts 19:26

26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.

Isaiah 43:10

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.

Revelation 22:8-9

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

“Idolatry is trying to play God to one’s gods” by J.I. Packer

Flowers for the Enemy

“Oh I love you so much honey I can’t wait to see you so we can celebrate our 16th day together. Oh I hear dragon lady coming, she drives me crazy. She really has it in for me. I know sweetie, OK, I’ll see you later, OK bye sweetie.” Manny hangs up the phone and she is standing write behind him. “Mrs. Picket how can I help you?” She has her hands by her hips and she is wearing a nasty frown. “This report is horrendous. Now I I’ve made a bunch of notations I expect it redone, on my desk and done a.s.a.p. I realize it’s your lunch break, but you’re going to have to cut that short, considering the time sensitive nature of this report.” Then she was gone, tail and all. “She hates me. She doesn’t treat anyone else like that. I’d like to show her” Manny thought, Well this just means less time to get the flowers I wanted for sweaty, the love of my life.

Manny was worried now, “Five o’clock and the report was not done. Sweaty is waiting for me. What am I going to do? ” Manny decided to take a bold move. He threw on his Jacket, and grabbed the flowers and marched into Mrs. Picket’s office.

“Manny how dare you just barge…..” Mrs. Picket stopped mid-sentence when she saw the flowers. ”My favorite Tulips. How did you know?”She grabbed the flowers leaving Manny stunned. “Manny you remembered.” Manny was confused but managed to respond “of course how can I forget” Mrs. Picket happily announced, “our three weeks anniversary of working together. Manny do you have the report done?” Manny breathed and then sheepishly said, “Well” …Mrs. Pickett interrupted him,” I am disappointed but considering all things enjoy the rest of your evening Manny.” Then Mrs. Picket did something Manny had never seen, she smiled.

The old saying is “you can catch more bees with honey”; the bible puts it another way. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” (Romans 12:14) The wisest man of all, Solomon, had this to say “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:21-22)

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Monday, January 27, 2014

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