So if you are reading this I hope the title caught your attention. That was the intention. This is the question that a speaker at Liberty this morning, Miles McPherson, asked us during convocation. The question was a pretty bold one, and it got me locked in so I hope it locks you in too. There are God's friends, and there are God's enemies. Some people are on one side, and some on the other. There are some people who are jumping back in forth between the two sides. It is a fact that the deciever, the Devil, is going to tempt you. We all have a relationship with the Devil, but where do you stand with that relationship?
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
Satan's intention is to seperate us from God. He wants to destroy us, and he ultimately wants to lead us to death. He wants sin to corrupt our lives, and he wants our hearts to be hardened. Getting wasted, getting high, sex as recreation, and pride are all things that he wants in your life to turn you away from God. He wants you to think that your life is about you, and that it is all about, "living it to the fullest", through all those things that I listed above. He is going to do everything he can to convince you of something different than what he even knows is true, that Jesus Christ is Lord.
"Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped on the land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, what have you to do with me Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me." Luke 8:26-28
Even the demons declare that Jesus is Lord. They bow down because they know his authourity. Through the authority of Jesus we too can have authority over Satan in our lives. Jesus gives us the power through the Holy Spirit to put Satan in his place, and to live a holy life becasue a holy life reflects the presence of God. I heard Miles McPherson ask this question today, and it got be thinking. Is your life spontaneous enough to reveal the presence of a powerful God?
"Resist him, firm in your Faith, knowing that the same kinds of sufferings are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all Grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm strength, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Our struggles we go through during the little amount of time we have on this Earth are nothing compared to the glory we will experience with God in heaven and for eternity! I can't fathom eternity. God promise's to restore, confirm strength, and to establish you if you put your faith in him. So I ask you again. What is your relationship with Satan? The presence of him through our everyday life is pretty evident. We are all going to experience temptation, but are we going to put our faith in Jesus to overcome his evil? There was something else that Miles said that I thought was pretty cool. If you turn on a light the darkness disappears. If you have electricity, light bulb, and a switch then you can eliminate the darkness. There is nothing that is faster than light except for the darkness that flees from it when you turn on that light. So what is stopping you from turning on the light in your life right now? You can overcome the evil you will face in this world through Jesus Christ our Lord. He died so that we could overcome it, and he rose again to empower us to have authority over the presence of Satan in our lives during our time in this world. So here is a verse that gives me chills.
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
Take what Jesus can offer you. Let him be the light of your life, and shine out all the darkness that causes you so much pain. Jesus can give you life, and the power to overcome. Don't wait any longer. Turn to God right now, and accept his eternal gift. He will shine his light on all the darkness in your life and darkness will surely flee as fast as the light appears. Let's pray.
Jesus thank you for saving me. I give you my life because You laid down your life for me. Thank you for being the Almighty God you are, and giving me the power to overcome Satan. I want to live a life that shows the presence of a Holy God. I want everything I do to glorify you, and to shine light in the darkest places of this Earth with the power you give me. Thank you for being the faithful God you are, and for showing me mercy. I can't wait to spend eternity with you, and all your Glory, but until then I dedicate the little time I have with this life to you Lord. AMEN
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