Let's not allow the enemy to distract us...
Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his evil angels, he said, "We can't keep Christians from going to church. We can't keep Christian believers from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep a Christian from conservative values. But we can do something else.
“We can keep them from forming an intimate, abiding relationship experience in Christ. If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to church, let them have their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can't gain that experience in Jesus Christ. This is what I want you to do, my angels. Distract every Christian from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" shouted his angels.
"Keep Christians busy in the non-essentials of life and invent un-numbered schemes to occupy their minds”, he answered.
"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend; then borrow, borrow, borrow. Convince Christian wives to go to work for long hours; and the husbands to work six or seven days a week, ten to twelve hours a day, so they can afford their lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their family fragments, soon their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work.
"Overstimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still small voice. Entice them to play on their phones, listen to the radio or digital media whenever they drive; to keep the TVs, PCs and cell phones going constantly. And, see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.
“Fill their coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, sweepstakes, mail order catalogues, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering, free products, services and false hopes.
”Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have Christians return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted, and unprepared for the coming week. Don't let them go out in nature to reflect on God's wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts and movies instead. And when they meet for inspirational, spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotion.
"Let them be involved in soul-winning. But crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Christ. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family unity for the good of the cause."
It was quite a convention in the end. And, the evil angels went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busy, busy, busy and rush here and there.
Is the devil successful at his schemes? You be the judge.
- Author Unknown
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“Let’s make one resolution this year: to anchor ourselves to God’s grace.” - Dr. Charles Swindoll
“We must bear in mind that mere resolutions to take more time for prayer and to conquer reluctance to pray will not prove lastingly effective unless there is a whole-hearted and absolute surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Unknown
“Enter the coming year with renewed hope in the power of God to do through you what you cannot.” - John MacArthur
“May you shine the light of Christ in the New Year.”
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So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NLT
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Ephesians 6:11-16 NLT
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If you have a story or testimony that you think might bless others,
I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.
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