Well, here in America Thanksgiving has come and gone and more importantly to
some they got to experience "Black Friday" shopping thrill. The largest sale
day of the year we are told. Many people arrived at the stores hours before
they opened, standing in lines that sometimes held hundreds of people. Deals
were found, gifts were bought, shopping frenzies were experienced, people
were pushed and pulled by crowds of people, angry or rude drivers were
endured as were the long lines at the checkout counters.
Honestly, the total experience is almost a mystery to me. Maybe you were one
of those who went "Black Friday" shopping, or maybe like me, you weren't.
There is nothing I know of materially, that is worth putting myself through
what it takes to go "Black Friday" shopping, there never has been.
What is more of a mystery to me is how some people plan for days (maybe
weeks) for that one shopping day. They study the shopping adds, they plan
out routes to the many stores where they plan to shop, they plan routes to
particular merchandise within the stores (which may or may not be there).
For many people it takes whole family involvement, with each member assigned
the task of finding one particular item in any given store. Some folks take
"shopping buddies" to help them grab the loot they desire. They have it all
worked out.
What is even more of a mystery to me is how many of these same folks can't
find their way or find time to be with God's Family at times of worship.
Honestly, if they can plan a shopping trip like a general planning a battle,
surely they could make a plan that would help them gain the most important
prize. couldn't they?
I guess I just don't understand, or so I've been told. The only thing that
comes to mind for me right now is not the latest item on sale, but Jesus
words when he said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also".
Do you have your plan for what is really important? You can do it, I know
you can! Meet with other Christians whenever they meet!
Russ Lawson
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thankful for the small things
We here in America have officially been in the "Thanksgiving" mode for the
past couple of weeks. It's interesting to see all of the folks on the
Internet expressing thanks for so many different things. Much of the time
they are expressing thanks for the small things that touch their lives every
day.
To me that is wonderful! How often do we say thank you when some extra
special or extraordinary thing is done for us? Yet the small things, the
everyday things are often overlooked. Do we forget the phone call of
encouragement, the note that says I care? What about the cup of coffee or
tea someone brings you. What about the person who goes out of their way to
speak to you or be nice to you. Sometimes folks do something that makes us
feel good when they don't really intend.
Saying "thank you," is important, even if it is not always expected. I like
this little story about being thankful: "Grandpa, I wanted to say "thank
you," said the young lady." What are you thanking me for?" asked the old
man. The young lady replied, "I noticed that when you sneeze, you've learned
to put your hand in front of your mouth." "Of course," explained Grandpa.
"How else can I catch my teeth?"
There are times in our lives when it seems there is nothing for which to be
thankful. We have all been there, all felt disappointment, all felt alone
and deserted. But when you start looking at the small things in life, you
can always find something for which to be thankful.
I'm reminded of the movie Pollyanna in which a little orphan girl, who has
had a very difficult life, plays what she calls, "The Glad Game." She takes
time to look at each aspect of a situation and fine one thing for which she
can be glad. I understand just how difficult that may be, but it can be
done. (If you haven't watched the movie for a long time, maybe it's time to
do so again.)
Most of our disappointments in life are tied to the physical world, our
house, our job, our car, our friends, our families. As a Christian we learn
(hopefully) to reorient our thinking to understand that these things are
only temporary. The things that really count are waiting for us beyond our
life here on earth. David writes about this in Psalm 39:4-7 where he says:
"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days
are numbered, how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than
the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best,
each of us is but a breath." We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy
rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you."
One of the best known verses in the scripture comes from the Apostle Paul
when he wrote: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
(Philippians 4:4) These weren't just words in some motivational book, they
are words from someone who lived a very difficult life, yet remembered what
and who he was living for. Maybe we should try and do the same thing.
I am thankful for each of you!
Russ Lawson
past couple of weeks. It's interesting to see all of the folks on the
Internet expressing thanks for so many different things. Much of the time
they are expressing thanks for the small things that touch their lives every
day.
To me that is wonderful! How often do we say thank you when some extra
special or extraordinary thing is done for us? Yet the small things, the
everyday things are often overlooked. Do we forget the phone call of
encouragement, the note that says I care? What about the cup of coffee or
tea someone brings you. What about the person who goes out of their way to
speak to you or be nice to you. Sometimes folks do something that makes us
feel good when they don't really intend.
Saying "thank you," is important, even if it is not always expected. I like
this little story about being thankful: "Grandpa, I wanted to say "thank
you," said the young lady." What are you thanking me for?" asked the old
man. The young lady replied, "I noticed that when you sneeze, you've learned
to put your hand in front of your mouth." "Of course," explained Grandpa.
"How else can I catch my teeth?"
There are times in our lives when it seems there is nothing for which to be
thankful. We have all been there, all felt disappointment, all felt alone
and deserted. But when you start looking at the small things in life, you
can always find something for which to be thankful.
I'm reminded of the movie Pollyanna in which a little orphan girl, who has
had a very difficult life, plays what she calls, "The Glad Game." She takes
time to look at each aspect of a situation and fine one thing for which she
can be glad. I understand just how difficult that may be, but it can be
done. (If you haven't watched the movie for a long time, maybe it's time to
do so again.)
Most of our disappointments in life are tied to the physical world, our
house, our job, our car, our friends, our families. As a Christian we learn
(hopefully) to reorient our thinking to understand that these things are
only temporary. The things that really count are waiting for us beyond our
life here on earth. David writes about this in Psalm 39:4-7 where he says:
"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days
are numbered, how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than
the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best,
each of us is but a breath." We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy
rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you."
One of the best known verses in the scripture comes from the Apostle Paul
when he wrote: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
(Philippians 4:4) These weren't just words in some motivational book, they
are words from someone who lived a very difficult life, yet remembered what
and who he was living for. Maybe we should try and do the same thing.
I am thankful for each of you!
Russ Lawson
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Remembering Veterans
It's so easy to forget those who served in our military, because of the most
part they are quiet, unassuming people. They are not boisterous of their
sacrifices, but they know what is expected and how to hold their place in
the line and do their duty.
It seems that when Christian Herter was governor of Massachusetts, he was
running hard for a second term in office. One day, after a busy morning
chasing votes (and no lunch) he arrived at a church barbecue. It was late
afternoon and Herter was famished. As Herter moved down the serving line, he
held out his plate to the woman serving chicken. She put a piece on his
plate and turned to the next person in line.
"Excuse me," Governor Herter said, "do you mind if I have another piece of
chicken?" "Sorry," the woman told him. "I'm supposed to give one piece of
chicken to each person." "But I'm starved," the governor said. "Sorry," the
woman said again. "Only one to a customer."
Governor Herter was a modest and unassuming man, but he decided that this
time he would throw a little weight around. "Do you know who I am?" he said.
"I am the governor of this state." "Do you know who I am?" the woman said.
"I'm the lady in charge of the chicken. Move along, mister." (Bit & Pieces,
May 28, 1992, pp. 5-6).
I think that those officials who ignore or subvert our laws should be
prosecuted to whatever extent the "law" demands. Does that mean that I like
all of the laws? Of course not, but we do have means in place to change
laws. I for one am an activist in the sense that I actively express my views
to my elected representatives through phone calls, emails, letters and
votes. A soldier knows how to hold their place in the line, do their duty
and protect what is dear to them. The same is true of Christian Veterans.
The apostle Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 6:11-13, "Put on the whole
armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the tricky ways of the
devil." (NLT) or " Each of you put on the whole armour of God, that you may
be able to withstand in the devil when he attacks and when you have done
everything in your power to stand against him, continue to stand anyway."
We thank our veterans for their service and commitment to keeping us free.
But when our service to the military ends, you can't stop fighting or
standing up for what is right.
You see I believe that it is part of our duty. To use to God's advantage in
any way we can the laws of the government he has placed here in our country.
If you want to protect your freedoms and see Godly values stay in place and
have some say, maybe in a small way in what happens in and to our country,
get out of your easy chair and do something about it! Be an activist, if you
don't, then don't come crying to God to do something when they place
"alternative lifestyle choices" on the curriculum of your local school, when
they pass laws that contradict God's laws, stand up and do you duty. It's
time we say to our world; "Do you know who I am?" I'm one of God's soldiers
and you are not going to disobey God's laws without answering to me and
thousands like me!
Russ Lawson
part they are quiet, unassuming people. They are not boisterous of their
sacrifices, but they know what is expected and how to hold their place in
the line and do their duty.
It seems that when Christian Herter was governor of Massachusetts, he was
running hard for a second term in office. One day, after a busy morning
chasing votes (and no lunch) he arrived at a church barbecue. It was late
afternoon and Herter was famished. As Herter moved down the serving line, he
held out his plate to the woman serving chicken. She put a piece on his
plate and turned to the next person in line.
"Excuse me," Governor Herter said, "do you mind if I have another piece of
chicken?" "Sorry," the woman told him. "I'm supposed to give one piece of
chicken to each person." "But I'm starved," the governor said. "Sorry," the
woman said again. "Only one to a customer."
Governor Herter was a modest and unassuming man, but he decided that this
time he would throw a little weight around. "Do you know who I am?" he said.
"I am the governor of this state." "Do you know who I am?" the woman said.
"I'm the lady in charge of the chicken. Move along, mister." (Bit & Pieces,
May 28, 1992, pp. 5-6).
I think that those officials who ignore or subvert our laws should be
prosecuted to whatever extent the "law" demands. Does that mean that I like
all of the laws? Of course not, but we do have means in place to change
laws. I for one am an activist in the sense that I actively express my views
to my elected representatives through phone calls, emails, letters and
votes. A soldier knows how to hold their place in the line, do their duty
and protect what is dear to them. The same is true of Christian Veterans.
The apostle Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 6:11-13, "Put on the whole
armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the tricky ways of the
devil." (NLT) or " Each of you put on the whole armour of God, that you may
be able to withstand in the devil when he attacks and when you have done
everything in your power to stand against him, continue to stand anyway."
We thank our veterans for their service and commitment to keeping us free.
But when our service to the military ends, you can't stop fighting or
standing up for what is right.
You see I believe that it is part of our duty. To use to God's advantage in
any way we can the laws of the government he has placed here in our country.
If you want to protect your freedoms and see Godly values stay in place and
have some say, maybe in a small way in what happens in and to our country,
get out of your easy chair and do something about it! Be an activist, if you
don't, then don't come crying to God to do something when they place
"alternative lifestyle choices" on the curriculum of your local school, when
they pass laws that contradict God's laws, stand up and do you duty. It's
time we say to our world; "Do you know who I am?" I'm one of God's soldiers
and you are not going to disobey God's laws without answering to me and
thousands like me!
Russ Lawson
Sunday, November 4, 2012
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination” (Lev. 18:22).
Just two days more and this presidential election cycle comes to an end.
Here are today's question, Scripture, and prayer:
Question:
For the past several years, the identity of the home has been changing. It
used to be that we fought the "single parent" homes due to pre-marital sex
and having children out of wedlock. We urged people to follow God's pattern
of marriage and then having children (Tit 2). Now, and frankly over the past
four years it's been pushed like no other time in our history; we've seen a
time of another moral dilemma facing homes in this country. So, sir if
you're to be our next president, will you stand for biblical marriages--one
man and woman in marriage for life?
Scripture:
"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination"
(Lev. 18:22).
"And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made
them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause
shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they
twain shall be one flesh?" (Mt. 19:4,5).
Prayer:
Father in heaven. We live in a time where folks have challenged and wrested
thy Word with respect to marriage. In just two more days we'll elect a man
who can play a vital role in seeing that homes remain between a man and
woman. Father, give us such a man as this. In Jesus' name. Amen.
For previous devotionals, visit www.NeilRichey.com.
Here are today's question, Scripture, and prayer:
Question:
For the past several years, the identity of the home has been changing. It
used to be that we fought the "single parent" homes due to pre-marital sex
and having children out of wedlock. We urged people to follow God's pattern
of marriage and then having children (Tit 2). Now, and frankly over the past
four years it's been pushed like no other time in our history; we've seen a
time of another moral dilemma facing homes in this country. So, sir if
you're to be our next president, will you stand for biblical marriages--one
man and woman in marriage for life?
Scripture:
"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination"
(Lev. 18:22).
"And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made
them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause
shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they
twain shall be one flesh?" (Mt. 19:4,5).
Prayer:
Father in heaven. We live in a time where folks have challenged and wrested
thy Word with respect to marriage. In just two more days we'll elect a man
who can play a vital role in seeing that homes remain between a man and
woman. Father, give us such a man as this. In Jesus' name. Amen.
For previous devotionals, visit www.NeilRichey.com.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
#2012 #election news
While it's not my custom to send devotional thoughts out on Saturday or
Sunday, I do hope you'll join me for just a brief thought.
It's the final weekend before Tuesday's election, and well, this is HUGE!
For the past few days we've been considering just three things by way of our
short daily devotionals. Each day we're posing a question to the
presidential hopefuls, considering a Scripture or two, and saying a prayer.
Today, I want to hit what has been dubbed one of the "moral" issues with
respect to the election. Frankly, I believe everything we've discussed up to
this point are moral matters.
Question:
In all likelihood, over the next four years you will have the opportunity to
appoint replacements for the highest court in the land. It is crucial that
you and your appointees will honor all human life--in and out of the womb.
Sir, will you respect such life, and will you condemn and correct laws that
authorize the taking of human life--at any "term?"
Scripture:
"For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the
babe leaped in my womb for joy" (Lk. 1:44).
"These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto
him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood" (Pro.
6:16-17).
Prayer:
Father, righteousness does exalt a nation, and please help our leaders to do
right when it comes to the unborn, and born. There are those who would take
the life of innocent children before they ever see the light of day. Too,
there are those that take the life of a child moments after they are born.
Father, please give our politicians hearts that will see the need to allow
all babies to be born and pursue happiness--conceived in want, those
unwanted, conceived by rape, or even incest. Father, please protect our
children by helping us to elect leaders that will honor and cherish all
human life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
For previous devotionals, visit www.NeilRichey.com.
The Piedmont Road
church of Christ
* Home of the Georgia School of Preaching and Biblical Studies
1630 Piedmont Road NE
Marietta, GA 30066
770.971.9933
www.LifeInChrist.com
Sunday
9:30 a.m. Bible Study and 10:30 a.m. Worship
5:00 p.m. Children's Bible Time, followed by our evening Worship
Wednesday
7:15 p.m. Bible Study
We hope you'll join us this Lord's Day!
Subscribe!
Copyright © 2012 Piedmont Road church of Christ, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you're a member of or friend to the
Piedmont Road church of Christ.
Our mailing address is:
Piedmont Road church of Christ
1630 Piedmont Road NE
Marietta, GA 30066
Add us to your address book
unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences
Sunday, I do hope you'll join me for just a brief thought.
It's the final weekend before Tuesday's election, and well, this is HUGE!
For the past few days we've been considering just three things by way of our
short daily devotionals. Each day we're posing a question to the
presidential hopefuls, considering a Scripture or two, and saying a prayer.
Today, I want to hit what has been dubbed one of the "moral" issues with
respect to the election. Frankly, I believe everything we've discussed up to
this point are moral matters.
Question:
In all likelihood, over the next four years you will have the opportunity to
appoint replacements for the highest court in the land. It is crucial that
you and your appointees will honor all human life--in and out of the womb.
Sir, will you respect such life, and will you condemn and correct laws that
authorize the taking of human life--at any "term?"
Scripture:
"For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the
babe leaped in my womb for joy" (Lk. 1:44).
"These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto
him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood" (Pro.
6:16-17).
Prayer:
Father, righteousness does exalt a nation, and please help our leaders to do
right when it comes to the unborn, and born. There are those who would take
the life of innocent children before they ever see the light of day. Too,
there are those that take the life of a child moments after they are born.
Father, please give our politicians hearts that will see the need to allow
all babies to be born and pursue happiness--conceived in want, those
unwanted, conceived by rape, or even incest. Father, please protect our
children by helping us to elect leaders that will honor and cherish all
human life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
For previous devotionals, visit www.NeilRichey.com.
The Piedmont Road
church of Christ
* Home of the Georgia School of Preaching and Biblical Studies
1630 Piedmont Road NE
Marietta, GA 30066
770.971.9933
www.LifeInChrist.com
Sunday
9:30 a.m. Bible Study and 10:30 a.m. Worship
5:00 p.m. Children's Bible Time, followed by our evening Worship
Wednesday
7:15 p.m. Bible Study
We hope you'll join us this Lord's Day!
Subscribe!
Copyright © 2012 Piedmont Road church of Christ, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you're a member of or friend to the
Piedmont Road church of Christ.
Our mailing address is:
Piedmont Road church of Christ
1630 Piedmont Road NE
Marietta, GA 30066
Add us to your address book
unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences
Friday, November 2, 2012
Republican and Democrat presidential hopefuls for the 2012
Both the Republican and Democrat presidential hopefuls for the 2012 election
are back hitting the campaign trail hard today following the disaster in the
Northeast earlier this week. I know they're both concerned about the folks
there, but with only a few days left to solicit votes, they have to be back
out telling us, the American people, why they should be the next President
of the United States. Who can blame them?
Today's devotional is no different than the past three days. We'll consider
a question, a Scripture, and a prayer.
Question:
I recently heard that there's never been a time in recent history where
there's been a greater chance that citizens could be robbed, or even
murdered. I wonder, is that because our society has become increasingly
tolerant on crime and punishing evildoers? Sir, if you're to be the next
President, what will be your position on crime and consistent justice for
wrong doing?
Scripture:
"A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with
his eyes" (Pro. 20:8).
"A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them" (Pro.
20:26).
Prayer:
Father in heaven. Thank you for your Word that serves as a guiding principle
for right and wrong, and justice. Father, thank you for teaching us that our
elected leaders are to lift up good works, and bring the sword down on evil.
It is our prayer that the next President will be convicted to lead in his
office in the areas of work that you prescribe. In Jesus' name. Amen.
For previous devotionals, visit www.NeilRichey.com.
are back hitting the campaign trail hard today following the disaster in the
Northeast earlier this week. I know they're both concerned about the folks
there, but with only a few days left to solicit votes, they have to be back
out telling us, the American people, why they should be the next President
of the United States. Who can blame them?
Today's devotional is no different than the past three days. We'll consider
a question, a Scripture, and a prayer.
Question:
I recently heard that there's never been a time in recent history where
there's been a greater chance that citizens could be robbed, or even
murdered. I wonder, is that because our society has become increasingly
tolerant on crime and punishing evildoers? Sir, if you're to be the next
President, what will be your position on crime and consistent justice for
wrong doing?
Scripture:
"A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with
his eyes" (Pro. 20:8).
"A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them" (Pro.
20:26).
Prayer:
Father in heaven. Thank you for your Word that serves as a guiding principle
for right and wrong, and justice. Father, thank you for teaching us that our
elected leaders are to lift up good works, and bring the sword down on evil.
It is our prayer that the next President will be convicted to lead in his
office in the areas of work that you prescribe. In Jesus' name. Amen.
For previous devotionals, visit www.NeilRichey.com.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Scott Stephens shark attack
Scott Stephens was having a good day surfing this past Tuesday off the coast
of
Eureka, California. Other surfers were nearby as Scott rode out to catch
another wave, lying on his surf board as he paddled out into the ocean.
What
happened next is every surfer's nightmare.
A shark attacked Scott, grabbed him by his midsection, and pulled him
underwater. What Scott did next can only be described as "survival
instinct":
he began punching the shark on its head until it released him.
Scott was able to get back on his badly-mangled surf board and paddle back
to
shore. There, thanks to strangers who rushed to his aid, he was taken to
medical personnel. Surgery found no vital organs damaged, and a full
recovery
is expected.
What would you or I do in such a situation? Sometimes people give in to
situations of danger, seeing no point in fighting back. Others, however, do
what Scott Stephens did; they start punching.
Not many of us will ever be attacked by a shark. But other ordeals might
grab
us by the gut and threaten to destroy us in overwhelming conditions.
Gabrielle
Giffords, the former member of Congress from Arizona, suffered a gunshot
wound
to her head in an assassination attempt in January of 2011. What was the
likelihood of her recovering from this lethal attack? Yet because Giffords
began "punching away", we have witnessed her remarkable comeback from near-
death.
All of us face the certain prospect of being attacked by Satan. Peter
revealed
this dreaded news in his first letter: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may
devour"
(1 Peter 5:8). A lion is an enemy to be feared. And it's not a question of
"if" he will attack me, but "when".
Martin Luther had an idea of how fearsome Satan is. In his famous hymn he
wrote: "For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and
pow'r
are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal." ("A
Mighty
Fortress") If that be true, what hope do any of us have when we are
assaulted
by the devil?
We have great hope - even confidence! - if we follow the advice of the
apostle
Paul: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against
the
wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). Paul then describes various pieces of
that spiritual armor - truth, righteousness, faith, etc. Those who so equip
themselves have more than a fighting chance; they know they will conquer
Satan!
Most of the armor Paul describes is defensive in nature: the helmet, the
shield,
the breastplate. But one item is offensive: "... and the sword of the
Spirit,
which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). Jesus demonstrated the
effectiveness of this "sword" in His own encounter with Satan (Matthew
4:1-11).
After skillfully fighting back with God's word, the devil was forced to
retreat.
Struggling with Satan is a subtle process, not usually as harrowing as being
found in the jaws of a shark. But the stakes are far greater! In such
times we
must start punching with all our might. With God's help we'll break free
from
this ancient foe. He will even flee from us (see James 4:7).
Timothy D. Hall
of
Eureka, California. Other surfers were nearby as Scott rode out to catch
another wave, lying on his surf board as he paddled out into the ocean.
What
happened next is every surfer's nightmare.
A shark attacked Scott, grabbed him by his midsection, and pulled him
underwater. What Scott did next can only be described as "survival
instinct":
he began punching the shark on its head until it released him.
Scott was able to get back on his badly-mangled surf board and paddle back
to
shore. There, thanks to strangers who rushed to his aid, he was taken to
medical personnel. Surgery found no vital organs damaged, and a full
recovery
is expected.
What would you or I do in such a situation? Sometimes people give in to
situations of danger, seeing no point in fighting back. Others, however, do
what Scott Stephens did; they start punching.
Not many of us will ever be attacked by a shark. But other ordeals might
grab
us by the gut and threaten to destroy us in overwhelming conditions.
Gabrielle
Giffords, the former member of Congress from Arizona, suffered a gunshot
wound
to her head in an assassination attempt in January of 2011. What was the
likelihood of her recovering from this lethal attack? Yet because Giffords
began "punching away", we have witnessed her remarkable comeback from near-
death.
All of us face the certain prospect of being attacked by Satan. Peter
revealed
this dreaded news in his first letter: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may
devour"
(1 Peter 5:8). A lion is an enemy to be feared. And it's not a question of
"if" he will attack me, but "when".
Martin Luther had an idea of how fearsome Satan is. In his famous hymn he
wrote: "For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and
pow'r
are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal." ("A
Mighty
Fortress") If that be true, what hope do any of us have when we are
assaulted
by the devil?
We have great hope - even confidence! - if we follow the advice of the
apostle
Paul: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against
the
wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). Paul then describes various pieces of
that spiritual armor - truth, righteousness, faith, etc. Those who so equip
themselves have more than a fighting chance; they know they will conquer
Satan!
Most of the armor Paul describes is defensive in nature: the helmet, the
shield,
the breastplate. But one item is offensive: "... and the sword of the
Spirit,
which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). Jesus demonstrated the
effectiveness of this "sword" in His own encounter with Satan (Matthew
4:1-11).
After skillfully fighting back with God's word, the devil was forced to
retreat.
Struggling with Satan is a subtle process, not usually as harrowing as being
found in the jaws of a shark. But the stakes are far greater! In such
times we
must start punching with all our might. With God's help we'll break free
from
this ancient foe. He will even flee from us (see James 4:7).
Timothy D. Hall
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