Our Adversary
November 19, 2012
In the New Testament, which was written in Greek, we read about the enemy of our souls: the devil. In the Greek language, the word for devil is: “diabolos” (διάβολος). And of this enemy, Paul writes, “and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:27).
In the English language our word “diabolical” comes from this root word “diabolos” (διάβολος). And, indeed, this adversary that we face is diabolical. He will go to any “length” in order to trap us and cause us to fall. Peter tell us, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He is the very essence of his name: diabolical.
Jesus, however, helps us in our fight against this diabolical enemy. We put on the “armor of God” in order to win this fight against the devil. And we do it in this fashion: “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). We can be thankful that we have an Advocate who is able to help us defeat this adversary.
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Bible Study
November 18, 2012
I used to read the Bible through every year. In fact, I did that for nine consecutive years (2002-2010). It really did help in my walk with the Lord, but the plan that I used was not the best in terms of getting a broad look at Scripture on a daily basis.
For example, the plan that I was on was the Genesis through Revelation, “straight through” plan. The only problem with it was that I did not get to the New Testament until October. So if I strictly followed this plan, I would only spend about three months of the year in Matthew through Revelation. I found a better plan.
I can’t remember where I saw it or read about it, but, a few years ago, I learned of a new Bible study system. Here it is: one chapter from one of the Gospels daily; one chapter from one of the Psalms daily; one chapter from one of the epistles daily; one chapter from the Law or Prophets daily. This has really been a blessing for me for the last couple of years. I would highly recommend this plan for anyone who might want to get into the Scriptures as a project for 2013.
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The Lost Sheep
November 17, 2012
Last night, I watched most of the movie, Lawrence of Arabia on Turner Classic Movie Channel. This is the true story of T.E. Lawrence, a World War I British officer, who led the Arabs against the Turks of the Ottoman Empire. In this movie, as Lawrence was leading the army across the desert, one of the men “turned up missing.” At the risk of his own life, Lawrence went by himself into the desert to look for the lost man, and he found him and brought him back to safety.
This morning, this scene reminded me of the parable that Jesus told of the lost sheep. “Then Jesus told them this parable: ‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent’” (Luke 15:3-7).
Jesus rescued us from certain death (spiritual), and He did this by searching for us until He found us. Jesus also referred to himself as “the good shepherd.” We can all be thankful during this season that we have been saved and brought back into “the fold” by the One who did not quit looking until He found us.
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Church Attendance
November 16, 2012
When we go door-to-door to evangelize (with our church evangelism team), we use a survey approach. And one of the questions that we ask is this: “Do you have a church that you attend on a regular basis?” You would be surprised at the number of people, even Christians, who answer that question, “no.”
The Bible tells us how important it is for us to come together as the “body of Christ.” One of the most famous Scriptures on this subject is: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). The writer of the book of Hebrews is telling us the necessity of worshiping together and even more so as the coming of the Lord nears.
When people tell us why they don’t attend church it is usually due to the fact that they are busy with work and other duties. But if they knew that Jesus was returning in the next week they would probably rearrange their schedules. When we get to heaven, will we wish that we had gone to church more often?
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Sweet Hour of Prayer
November 15, 2012
When I was a kid, we used to sing this song in church: “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” Growing up, I don’t know that I ever spent an entire hour in one day in prayer. It was not until I became an adult that I knew the value of “quality time” with the Lord. Yes, I did pray when I was a kid, but only for a few minutes at a time.
The Bible has much to say regarding prayer. And one of the most important things that Jesus did was to teach His disciples how to pray. The “Lord’s Prayer” is probably one of the most quoted passages in the whole of Scripture. It is the framework from which Christians build their “pipeline” to God.
One of my favorite Scriptural prayers, however, is the 23rd Psalm. David was, truly, inspired when he penned this comforting and encouraging piece of literature. Although I don’t pray it everyday, it blesses me when I do.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalm 23:1-6).
Although I use the New International Version for most of my writing, I learned the 23rd Psalm in the King James. So when I pray it, I always pray it in the King James. It seems like it should be prayed this way somehow. And praying is the most important thing that we do.
* Scriptures used from The King James Version (KJV Bible)
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The Light
November 14, 2012
The Bible is an amazing document. It contains sixty-six books written by thirty-nine authors who were all inspired by God to write “the truth.” And although separated by thousands of years, these writers all point toward the same person, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Of course, the New Testament was written in Greek, and the Greek word for “light” is “phos” (φῶς). This Greek word is where we get the English word “phosphorus.”
Phosphorus, when exposed to the elements (air), will glow in the dark. Jesus, when He came into the world, shone in the darkness of this world. John, also writing of Jesus, says, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4). Thank God for sending His Son, Jesus, the light “phos” (φῶς) of the world.
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Who is the Antichrist?
November 13, 2012
Many prophecy experts believe that he will come out of the EU (European Union). Some believe that he is to come from the Middle-East. Most, however, think that he is alive and breathing this very hour.
What does the Bible have to say about this subject? John the Disciple, who was the closest to Jesus of any of His followers, wrote, “Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). We see this happening in the world right now.
But for the Christian, it really doesn’t matter. Why not, you might ask? The answer is, once again, found in God’s Word. Paul writes, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). We won’t be here when the antichrist comes into full power. We will have been raptured away to be with the Lord, and we will not have to suffer through the Great Tribulation. That, indeed, is “good news!”
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Evangelism Milestones
November 10, 2012
Four years ago this month, my wife and I joined the Faith Assembly of God Church in Orlando, Florida. Soon after, I began my tenure with their evangelism ministry (February 2009). God has done some wonderful things through this evangelistic arm of the church during this time.
I have seen many come to Christ for the first time and many others rededicate their lives to the Lord. It has been amazing to see God move in the lives of people in the east-Orlando area. And I say, “To God be the glory.”
Three months ago yesterday, the senior pastor of the church, Carl Stephens, asked me to begin leading the evangelism ministry. It has been a blessing to step into this position and to continue the work that my mentor, Phil Waisanen, had begun.
This past Thursday, was my 200th evangelistic outreach in four years of ministry. I am so thankful to Jesus for allowing me to help bring souls into the Kingdom. It has been an honor.
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Unrepentant Nation
November 9, 2012
The United States continues to turn away from God. It believes, however, that it will always stand. When a nation separates itself from all things holy, it won’t last.
We have thrown prayer out of our public schools. Then, we wonder why our schools are full of drugs, thugs and students gunned down in cold blood.
We have thrown God out of our courtrooms by preventing the Ten Commandments from being displayed. Then, we wonder why our courts are full of injustice.
We are tearing down crosses in public parks. Then, we wonder why our land is full of violence.
And, now, we re-elected a leader who defiantly states, “we are not a Christian nation.” I fear that judgment has already begun in our land. My prayer is this, “Lord, bring a revival.”
What Have We Become?
November 8, 2012
The contemporary Christian band, DC Talk, asked this question in one of their songs, with this title, almost two decades ago. They spoke about “a world degenerating.” Sadly, the world has gotten worse since they sang this song back in 1995.
When you look at the state of our society, it appears that we are approaching the point of no return when it comes to right and wrong. We have “snuffed out” the lives of over fifty-million innocents. We have legalized perversion and called it marriage. Now, we have re-elected a man who champions both of these causes. It is scary, to say the least.
Hopefully, we will come to our senses as a nation and come back to our roots, our Christian roots. The clock is running though.
