The Great Deceiver.
In John 8:44 Jesus tells the Jews that the Devil is the father of all lies; that when he lies he is speaking his native language. Also to not believe Jesus is the Son of God is to be a child of the Devil. In John 10:10 Jesus says that our enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Our adversary, the Devil, is a cunning enemy. He is not some naive mindless rogue, but a crafty, deliberate, manipulative adversary. His aim is to be exalted above God. However, he has no power over God. God created Lucifer as a magnificent heavenly being who became the Devil.
In Revelation 13 we see the dragon, the Devil, giving power to the first beast, the Antichrist. He exalts the Antichrist to a position of unparalleled power in this world requiring all to take his mark upon them and show allegiance to him. I am uncertain as to whether Satan truly believes that he can still defeat God, but I do believe the father of all lies, the Great Deceiver, has deceived himself. I just think it is too insane for the Devil to believe he could dethrone God. He did try it once before, so I think it is not only possible but extremely likely Satan still thinks he can dethrone God. I think he believes he should be revered as greater than God. If he believes this, then he must also believe he can defeat God and dethrone Him. His nature has deceived him. His entire existence is consumed with following after a lie he created; he started.
In our sin nature we are very similar to Satan. Our own nature deceives us. It is our enemy, but sadly we trust it to take care of us and look out for us. We don't want to trust God and don't want to rely on Him. We want to rely on our own best thoughts. We convince ourselves that God is holding out and doesn't want us to be fulfilled. We believe he will leave us hungering for true fulfillment. We convince ourselves His plan for us can't possibly bring us fulfillment.
Don't trust your sin nature because we too will be deceived into believing a lie as Satan does. We will become his pawn just as the first beast, the Antichrist. We will think we are much and getting what we want, but in the end left empty grasping for the wind. For those who do not profess Jesus as Lord, they are already under this curse. For those of us who do profess Jesus as Lord we must not become ensnared by our own corrupt nature again. Live by the Spirit.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Day 77: Hebrews 1-6
Whew, half of Hebrews! I really enjoyed chapter 4 this morning, especially verse 2:
It's pretty simple here: it's one thing to hear God's Word, it's quite another to believe it and respond accordingly. We discussed this at Bible study last night, how we can simply add to our knowledge without seeing any real change in our attitudes and behaviors. However, God's truth demands a response in our lives!
So let me keep it short and ask: Have you believed the truth of God's Word? How has that been changing your life this week? What changes do you sense God wanting you to make? Will you be obedient to do it?
For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
It's pretty simple here: it's one thing to hear God's Word, it's quite another to believe it and respond accordingly. We discussed this at Bible study last night, how we can simply add to our knowledge without seeing any real change in our attitudes and behaviors. However, God's truth demands a response in our lives!
So let me keep it short and ask: Have you believed the truth of God's Word? How has that been changing your life this week? What changes do you sense God wanting you to make? Will you be obedient to do it?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Day 75: 1 Timothy
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."
1 Timothy 1:15
I want to zero in on the middle part of this verse, "...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." I remember the first time it hit me that Jesus was actually God Himself. It was a really big "WHOA...it all makes more sense now" moment that happened to me about 12 years ago. I had just started my walk with God and didn't know much. I wasn't that I didn't believe Jesus was God, but that I had never really thought about it.
During our High School Mission Trip to St. Louis, one of the youth from another church we were teamed up with was teaching about Jesus and His deity and I really liked the way He put it. He asked the kids in our Day Camp if they knew who Jesus was and then asked them to describe Him. The kids described the earthly Jesus. The youth then responded with something like, "Jesus wasn't a man, He was God who became a man." This put the whole emphasis on His deity and takes away from the questions about who He might possibly be; a teacher, a prophet, a rabbi, a messenger from God...
"...Jesus came into the world..."
Putting the emphasis on His humanity first can take away from who He really was. Not the man-God, but God who became a man. The incarnation of Christ is beyond comprehension, but of primary importance to our salvation. Only God could save His creation, and He did it as a man.
During our High School Mission Trip to St. Louis, one of the youth from another church we were teamed up with was teaching about Jesus and His deity and I really liked the way He put it. He asked the kids in our Day Camp if they knew who Jesus was and then asked them to describe Him. The kids described the earthly Jesus. The youth then responded with something like, "Jesus wasn't a man, He was God who became a man." This put the whole emphasis on His deity and takes away from the questions about who He might possibly be; a teacher, a prophet, a rabbi, a messenger from God...
"...Jesus came into the world..."
Putting the emphasis on His humanity first can take away from who He really was. Not the man-God, but God who became a man. The incarnation of Christ is beyond comprehension, but of primary importance to our salvation. Only God could save His creation, and He did it as a man.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Day 71: Philippians
There are many great things in the book of Philippians, but without question the high water mark is 2:5-11. Here Paul gives the deepest and most profound statement on the incarnation - God taking on flesh and becoming the man Jesus of Nazareth.
There are so many things that could be said about it, but I just want to focus in on one thing. While Paul expounds some powerful theology here, it has (and was given for) intensely practical purposes.
The fact that God became a man and lived among us and died on a cross is not simply a theological belief to accept and adopt. No, on the contrary, it is the very example of how God calls us to live as well! Christ demonstrated an unfathomable humility, laying aside His deity and becoming the lowliest of servants. He submitted to the will of the Father to the point of dying the worst death of a criminal although He was without sin.
Such a powerful display illustrates the point Paul was making: that we should consider the needs of others as more important than our own. Just as Christ did not come to be served but to serve, so we too should live as humble servants.
Is that your goal for today? I pray it is, and that God provides us opportunities today to glorify Him by imitating Christ and intentionally serving all those around us.
There are so many things that could be said about it, but I just want to focus in on one thing. While Paul expounds some powerful theology here, it has (and was given for) intensely practical purposes.
The fact that God became a man and lived among us and died on a cross is not simply a theological belief to accept and adopt. No, on the contrary, it is the very example of how God calls us to live as well! Christ demonstrated an unfathomable humility, laying aside His deity and becoming the lowliest of servants. He submitted to the will of the Father to the point of dying the worst death of a criminal although He was without sin.
Such a powerful display illustrates the point Paul was making: that we should consider the needs of others as more important than our own. Just as Christ did not come to be served but to serve, so we too should live as humble servants.
Is that your goal for today? I pray it is, and that God provides us opportunities today to glorify Him by imitating Christ and intentionally serving all those around us.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Day 57: Romans 11-13
After spending 11 chapters dealing with the sinfulness of man and the goodness of God to provide us with a way of forgiveness and salvation, Paul moves to the practical implications for our lives as believers. Romans 12:1 begins this section:
First of all, it all begins with God. The way we live our lives is a response to His great love for us displayed in the cross. We bring nothing to the table and are hopeless apart from His mercy and grace. Sit down and read the early parts of Romans to see just how wretched and desperate a state man is in apart from Christ!
So, in light of that incredible mercy and grace, we're to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. Now in the Old Testament there were plenty of sacrifices, and even in the pagan religions of Paul's day there were many sacrifices as well. However, one of the key characteristics of a sacrifice was that it was killed - in other words it was completely given over to the object of its sacrifice. So a living sacrifice is almost a contradiction in terms, and yet it perfectly displays the idea behind living for Christ.
We are to daily die to self and commit our living to the One who died for us (see 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). It really is the only logical thing to do! Paul goes on to say this in the rest of the verse. The word translated here as "worship" is also sometimes rendered as "service" and together they give us a greater picture of what it means to worship God. It's not simply the act of singing songs but rather the service of sacrificial living.
So let's worship our great and mighty God today by living lives of sacrifice for Him! In light of His amazing grace and mercy in our lives, it's the only logical thing for us to do!!
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
First of all, it all begins with God. The way we live our lives is a response to His great love for us displayed in the cross. We bring nothing to the table and are hopeless apart from His mercy and grace. Sit down and read the early parts of Romans to see just how wretched and desperate a state man is in apart from Christ!
So, in light of that incredible mercy and grace, we're to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. Now in the Old Testament there were plenty of sacrifices, and even in the pagan religions of Paul's day there were many sacrifices as well. However, one of the key characteristics of a sacrifice was that it was killed - in other words it was completely given over to the object of its sacrifice. So a living sacrifice is almost a contradiction in terms, and yet it perfectly displays the idea behind living for Christ.
We are to daily die to self and commit our living to the One who died for us (see 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). It really is the only logical thing to do! Paul goes on to say this in the rest of the verse. The word translated here as "worship" is also sometimes rendered as "service" and together they give us a greater picture of what it means to worship God. It's not simply the act of singing songs but rather the service of sacrificial living.
So let's worship our great and mighty God today by living lives of sacrifice for Him! In light of His amazing grace and mercy in our lives, it's the only logical thing for us to do!!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Day 51: Acts 21-23
"For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 21:13b
*deep sigh*
I don't have anything to write on this topic. I haven't faced death for the name of Jesus. Nor have I ever had the threat. So I can't really spend much time on what it is like.
But what I can do is ponder. What would it be like to be face death for Jesus? What would I do? What would I say?
Part of me wants to believe I would face it with boldness and confidence, with joy and honor to be counted worthy enough to suffer for my Lord - much like Paul.
Another part of me fears that I would cower and run like Peter just before Jesus was crucified. Would I beg for my life? Would I hang my head in shame and denounce the One who died for me? Would I look at all this world has to offer and count it more precious than Jesus?
I have good friends in India who are praying for us American Christians. They pray that persecution will come to America so Christianity will become stronger and Jesus will be glorified more. It is a staggering thought, but Jesus did say the persecuted are the blessed ones (Matt 5:10-12).
By the power of the Holy Spirit I think there is hope for me if this day ever comes.
“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:8-12
*deep sigh*
I don't have anything to write on this topic. I haven't faced death for the name of Jesus. Nor have I ever had the threat. So I can't really spend much time on what it is like.
But what I can do is ponder. What would it be like to be face death for Jesus? What would I do? What would I say?
Part of me wants to believe I would face it with boldness and confidence, with joy and honor to be counted worthy enough to suffer for my Lord - much like Paul.
Another part of me fears that I would cower and run like Peter just before Jesus was crucified. Would I beg for my life? Would I hang my head in shame and denounce the One who died for me? Would I look at all this world has to offer and count it more precious than Jesus?
I have good friends in India who are praying for us American Christians. They pray that persecution will come to America so Christianity will become stronger and Jesus will be glorified more. It is a staggering thought, but Jesus did say the persecuted are the blessed ones (Matt 5:10-12).
By the power of the Holy Spirit I think there is hope for me if this day ever comes.
“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:8-12
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Day 50: Acts 18-20
I have always been challenged and encouraged by Acts 19:17-20:
Here we see the power of the gospel, the fruit of repentance, and the end result of God's glory and kingdom expanding. That which was previously important and valuable to them became known for what it really was: sinful and offensive to God. So they destroyed it!
Surely they could have sold their scrolls and made a great deal of profit, even with the intention of giving it to the church or in support of Paul's ministry. But the ends do not justify the means, and the only suitable end for these items was complete destruction, lest they lead others away from the one true God.
In our lives, are we willing to take such drastic measures to rid ourselves of those things that displease and dishonor God? Do we make the effort to completely end those sinful habits in our lives, or do we merely try to limit them? Tone them down? Or maybe profit from them as they exit the door?
May God grant us to live out this kind of repentance, regardless of the cost, that it might glorify Him and display the power of His gospel in our lives!
When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
Here we see the power of the gospel, the fruit of repentance, and the end result of God's glory and kingdom expanding. That which was previously important and valuable to them became known for what it really was: sinful and offensive to God. So they destroyed it!
Surely they could have sold their scrolls and made a great deal of profit, even with the intention of giving it to the church or in support of Paul's ministry. But the ends do not justify the means, and the only suitable end for these items was complete destruction, lest they lead others away from the one true God.
In our lives, are we willing to take such drastic measures to rid ourselves of those things that displease and dishonor God? Do we make the effort to completely end those sinful habits in our lives, or do we merely try to limit them? Tone them down? Or maybe profit from them as they exit the door?
May God grant us to live out this kind of repentance, regardless of the cost, that it might glorify Him and display the power of His gospel in our lives!
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