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Defeating The Devil March 30, 2017

3/30/2017

7 DEVIL DEFEATING TIPS [Excerpts from a recent sermon]
As we journey towards heaven, Satan will attempt to detour, divert or distract us with various temptations. Fortunately, the Apostle Peter provides valuable assistance in 1 PET 5:8-9: “Be SOBER, be VIGILANT; because your adversary the devil WALKS ABOUT LIKE A ROARING LION, seeking WHOM he may devour. RESIST HIM, STEADFAST IN THE FAITH, knowing that the SAME SUFFERINGS ARE EXPERIENCED by your brotherhood in the world.”

In this passage, Peter provides 7 “tips” for fighting the devil.

1) “Be SOBER…”

“Sober” means to be clear headed; capable of rational thinking.
Therefore, we must not allow the devil to “impair” our judgment with “intoxicants” such as alcohol, illicit drugs, lusts or the love of things.

2) “…be VIGILANT…”

“Vigilant” means “alert, wary, on guard.”

In other words, we must STAY ON OUR TOES! (“…let us NOT SLEEP, as others do, but let us WATCH and be sober.” 1 Thess. 5:6)

3) “…because your adversary the devil WALKS ABOUT like a roaring lion…

“Walks about” suggests moving here, there, and BACK AGAIN!
Remember - if the devil appears to leave you alone at times, he will ALWAYS return to the “scene of the crime.” Don’t be caught off guard! (Review point # 2.)

4) “…seeking WHOM he may devour.”

Just as with wild lions, the devil always seeks WEAK or VULNERABLE prey!

DON’T BE AN EASY TARGET! Avoid people, places, things or habits that make you susceptible to his attacks!

5) “RESIST him…”

Don’t give up without a FIGHT! Just say, “ NO!”
“RESIST the devil and he will flee from you.” JAM 4:7b

6) “…steadfast in the FAITH…”

No one can fend off the devil for long without faith.
Strengthen your faith by reading God’s word (Rom 10:17) and assembling with the saints.

7) “…knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Remember - you are NOT ALONE in being tempted. We ALL struggle with certain sins.
But by assembling and serving God TOGETHER, we can stay “on course” and finish the race!

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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First Things First March 30, 2017

3/30/2017

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FIRST THINGS FIRST!

Several decades ago, I heard some wonderful advice about starting the day off right. “Since the first 90 seconds sets the tone for the next 16 hours, begin your day with a smile!”

Over the years, I’ve met numerous people who indeed begin their days with comparable rituals. One man (with occasional protests from his wife) actually begins each day by enthusiastically clapping, followed with a hearty, “It’s going to be a great day!” Others go from their bed to their knees, earnestly praising God for another day of life. Still others spend their first moments of each daythanking God for 5 or more blessings.

King David agreed. Listen to his words in Psalm 63:1-4. “O God, You are my God; EARLY (first thing in the morning) will I SEEK YOU; my soul THIRSTS for You; My flesh LONGS for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have LOOKED FOR YOU in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will BLESS YOU while I live; I will LIFT UP MY HANDS in Your name.

If you want to begin each day in the best possible way, do one of more or the following immediately after waking or rising:
·        Thank God for the day, along with blessings such as your salvation, family,
health, home, heat, food, etc.
·        Sing a song of thanksgiving, such as, “Thank You, Lord!” or “Count Your
Blessings!” (Having a songbook nearby will help.)
·        Read a Psalm or Bible passage related to gratitude. (Try Psalm 23, 37, 42, 46,
56, 100, 117, 136, 139, or 145.)
·        Write a “note” to God, telling Him how much you love, appreciate and need
Him. (Praying “on paper” tends to make us focus on what we are saying, and helps us communicate on a deeper level.)

With this in mind, I will slightly modify the wonderful advice I mentioned at the beginning of this article. “Since the first 90 seconds sets the tone for the next 16 hours, begin your day with God!”

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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What Jesus Did March 18, 2017

3/18/2017

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WHAT JESUS DID

In my 62+ years on earth, countless people have assisted me in wonderful ways - financially, materially, emotionally, etc. But none has done as much as Jesus did 20 centuries ago.

At age 33, Jesus was condemned to die by crucifixion. At the time, crucifixion was the worst form of execution, reserved for the most contemptible of criminals. In most cases, the condemned were crucified naked, adding to their shame. Although some were secured to a cross by ropes, Jesus was nailed to the cross by 6 - 8 inch spikes.

These dreadful spikes were first driven into each of His hands, close to the wrists. There is a strong tendon in the wrist that extends to the shoulder. As the nails were being hammered in, the wrist tendon often ruptured, forcing the condemned to rely on back muscles in order to elevate his chest so that he could breathe.

Then, Jesus feet were positioned and nailed together. The pain and cramping of leg muscles must have been excruciating. When the cross was raised and abruptly dropped into a hole, the 3 spikes ripped surrounding tissue, typically eliciting a scream that could be heard for over a mile.

Jesus, recovering from the shock of the jolt, was forced to support most of his weight on the spike that impaled His feet. The intense pain and cramping in His feet and legs prevented Him from supporting himself very long. In order to breathe, He was forced to alternate between arching His back and pushing up with his legs. All this while the mob below the cross taunted, teased and spit at the convulsing, suffering Son of God.

Depictions of the crucifixion typically accentuate the wounds to Jesus hands and feet, and perhaps the spear wound in His side. But many additional wounds covered Jesus’ body. Before being crucified, He was beaten and scourged. His face was lacerated, bloody and bruised. The scourging left His back and sides shredded. A crown of thorns turned His scalp and face crimson.

The human adult body contains about 3.5 liters of blood - just under a gallon. Jesus gave every drop for you, so that your sins could be "washed" away. Have you given your life to Him?

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you EXCEPT JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED.” (1 COR 2:1-2)
Jesus, always Jesus! Dennis

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Before you speak... March 10, 2017

3/10/2017

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THE FENCE

“…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)

Have you ever spoken words in anger, only to regret them afterwards? Who hasn’t? Millions of people sigh daily, “If only I could take those words back!” And even if we apologize for our callous remarks, the “damage” we inflict may linger for some time. The following story illustrates this point.

A young boy possessed a frightful temper, causing him to utter hateful words to siblings, friends and even his parents. Following countless rebukes accompanied by extra chores, his father decided to employ a different tactic. Every time his son uttered a stinging remark, his father would give him a long nail, and then instruct him to hammer it into the old fence out back.

The first day the boy drove 37 nails into the fence. That night, his hands and arms ached terribly and he felt exhausted. He then realized that it would be easier to hold his tongue rather than to keep driving nails into the fence. Quickly learning his lesson, the number of nails he drove into the fence declined rapidly.

Eventually, the boy was able to keep his tongue in check for an entire day. After commending him, his father instructed the boy to yank out one nail for each day that he was able to restrain his temper and words.

Although it took several months, the boy finally announced that all the nails were gone. The wise father then led his son to the old fence. He said, "You’ve done well, son, and I’m proud of you. But there’s still an important lesson for you to learn. See all the holes in the fence? Although the nails are gone, the fence is permanently blemished. In the same way, unkind words often leave holes in hearts. Even if you ask for forgiveness, the “scars” may remain for years. Remember that whenever you are tempted to say something cruel ."

“There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.” (Proverbs 12:18)

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Defeating The Devil March 30, 2017

First Things First March 30, 2017

What Jesus Did March 18, 2017

Before you speak... March 10, 2017

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