“Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose…(Acts 6:1)”
“When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:13)”
Success for God is failure for Satan.He will oppose, in any way he can, the progress of the kingdom.We can count on it: when things are looking good, Satan is looking for an opportunity.And, being a thorough demon, he usually finds one.
The church in Jerusalem was enjoying a brief run of popularity.In spite of the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, “…the people held them in high esteem.And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women were constantly added to their number” (Acts 5:13,14).Then, all Hell broke loose.The first trouble came from outside: the arrest and flogging of apostles with a warning to shut up about Jesus.Then it came from inside with a complaint of unfair distribution of food.When it originates inside the body our out, it is the work of our adversary.Satan will not abide such advancement since it means retreat for him.
It is highly dangerous to discount his ability to disrupt any forward movement on our part.He will shut us down us if we let him.It is wise to aware of his schemes and strategies and to be assured that he will employ them against us.The warnings are clear:
“Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity” (Ephesians 4:26,27). “…so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
It is when disciples are growing numerically and everything looks good that we should be on guard.I have, with my own eyes, seen savage wolves filled with the lust for power, tear successful churches apart.The carnage is horrible.
In the case of Jerusalem, seven godly men were chosen to answer the complaint and the tables were turned on Satan.“The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7).
In Australia, several churches are making decisions and plans to recapture the purpose and mission of the church.God will surely bless such decisions but we must be warned: Satan is also making decisions and plans.
Is it a sin?Is it evil?First let’s get a definition from our old electronic friend, Mr. Wiki Pedia.
“Jealousy typically refers to the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that occur when a person believes a valued relationship is being threatened by a rival. This rival may or may not know that he or she is perceived as a threat” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jealousy).
We tend to get jealousy mixed up with envy.But they are not really related in the English language.When I envy you, I want what you have.Perhaps I want your stuff.Maybe I want your fame or reputation.Maybe I want your ability or talent.Maybe (not me, I swear!) I want your wife.Oh the shame! (more…)
Paul, in his second letter to the church at Corinth tells us why we must get out of the pep rally (“church services”) and into the game (the world).Let me invite you to carefully consider this passage:
2 Corinthians 4: 6 - 11For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.[1]
The world does not see Jesus because we stay out of sight.The solution is simple: (more…)
For those who are interested in seeking alternative scientific views regarding the universe, you can find a list of Intelligent Design links by going to the website below and clicking “Websites”. Thanks to John Staiger in Auckland, New Zealand for the tip. In fact the whole website looks good. Have a look.
Once upon a recent day, I was at a large, anonymous store to pick up a prescription.It was late in the day and the pharmacy was closing in 30 minutes.The line of customers promised a 15 minute wait.Sometimes such things can be boring…but not this time.A very disgruntled customer was providing us with some drama.
The first hint of something gone awry was a man, about 35 to 40, yelling, “Yeah…call the manager, I’d LOVE to talk to your manager!” (more…)
To those of you who can’t wait for my next post and hang on every word I write…I apologize for the lack of activity here. Believe it our not, I have a day job. There are several other major distractions that I won’t bother you with here.
I have also found out that if you make provocative comments on other people’s blogs that they want you to answer right away. By the time I get to it, they have forgotten who I am and what I said. I apologize to you folks as well.
Now for something completely different. We have had a rash of vandalism in our town to the tune of a half a million dollars in damage. There are several crimes I just do not understand, cannot comprehend, the motivation for. Vandalism is one of those. Anyway, these guys have been caught four “men” (I hesitate to call them that) 18-20 years of age. Apparently they were bored. BORED! Can you believe it? One or more of them cited the lack of “activities” in our town. Give me a flamin’ break!
Well, now they can be bored for five years behind bars.
It was interesting to watch Glenn Beck interview best selling author Vince Flynn tonight on CNN. Torture came up in the discussion and it was interesting to listen to them nervously defend it as sometimes necessary. It was a “the means justify the ends” kind of discussion. It makes me wonder, dude, where did my country go? Americans torturing people? Say it ain’t so!
For years now I have watched my country participate in things, support people and prop up regimes that were definitely on the dark side. I have watched us support the worst of despots, dictators and tyrants simply because they were enemies of our enemies. So, perhaps I shouldn’t be amazed that we’re discussing the relative merits of torture. I love my country but enough is enough! There is right and wrong and it is never right to do wrong.
Torture is just plain evil. Can you torture information out of a prisoner that will save lives? Yes. Does that make it OK? No. My Master, Jesus, tells us how to treat our enemies (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27). How can you reconcile such a teaching with torture?
Maybe the arguments from a Christian standpoint leave you cold. OK, then what kind of a nation are we going to be? Are we going to dive into the cesspool with the same barbarians we seek to bring to justice? I’m with McCain on this one, “This is really fundamentally about what kind of nation the United States of America is.”
I’m getting a little tired of hearing that Ron Paul doesn’t stand a chance. I challenge my American readers to read this article by Chuck Baldwin. Dr. Paul may not make it to the White House (don’t count him out yet!) but his ideas will live on. He’s a man whose principles and philosophy need to be taken seriously by lovers of freedom. Thanks to Bob Chapman for alerting me to this excellent article.
Success for God is failure for Satan. He will oppose, in any way he can, the progress of the kingdom. We can count on it: when things are looking good, Satan is looking for an opportunity. And, being a thorough demon, he usually finds one. 
