He was described as the bright and morning star. He was perfect in his ways from the day he was created, till…Until. We know the rest of the story. He was cast out of heaven. We see the till behavior of this once bright and morning star, daily. I thought long and hard before writing about him this morning. This season that is supposed to bring reminders of the gift of Jesus. Talking about the deceiver is not what I want to be doing. However, the former morning star of heaven has once again, invaded the peace. He has made an attempt to woo the believer off course. Try to take our minds off of what we know and place our thinking on what we see and hear. Cause unrest.
Since that first, round the tree discussion with Adam and Eve, the worker of iniquity has tried to take the mind of believers off of what we know. He tried to take our Savior’s mind off of what He knew, there in the wilderness for those forty days. Days that Jesus would reverse the death sentence, begun in the garden, by denying the conversation of a fallen angel, to change His mission. He reversed the weakness of our first parents. Think about that a minute. God came to earth and became man, to reverse the death sentence handed down from a momentary encounter with evil. A wrong choice. A decision to listen to someone other than God.
So what do we do now? Once again he has been the inspiration of evil acts. Once again he has tried to destroy the peace. Once again he has tried to replace peace with fear. I suggest that we must react to these days exactly like our Savior did while walking in the wilderness. We must daily, read and memorize, what is written. The evil doer of iniquity does not like to hear us repeat God’s words to him. He is smart. He knows God’s word enough to try to distort it back to us. He hopes that we don’t know God’s word. We must be learned believers. In order to stand and know what we should know…We need to study for ourself. When thoughts of fear come stalking our peace, we can quote what God says and send the “other angel” fleeing. He hates the name of Jesus. That is why, right now, he is trying desparately to erase the name of Jesus from the schools, workplaces, news, the world. The less he hears that mighty name, the easier it is for him to carry out his agenda.
Put on your armor. Scatter him….Jesus…you oh former morning star are finished…Jesus. Though you appear to be winning…you are defeated…by Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Say that beautiful name and say it often.
This is the season to remember the love that came to earth. He came to deliver us eternally from evil. He did not come to keep us from trouble. We are going to have trouble and tribulation on this earth. He, came to give us a way to live under His mercy, forgiveness and grace, even midst chaos and turmoil. To live and love, by and in His name, eternally. To be the salt of the earth. To love in the name of Jesus. To increase the kingdom of heaven on earth. To pay it forward, with goodness and love.
Every act of goodness, defeats an opportunity for evil. It is not an easy job. It is an endless job. We must continue daily, moment to moment, until God calls us home. We are soldiers on the battlefield. Something that we know about this battle that is unknown in most wars. We know who the victor is. He has won. The battle was won on Calvery, nailed to a wooden cross. The baby, became the Savior of the world. Our Messiah. It is written that He came to save the world. Our task? Spread that Good News.
~Scripture For Today~
Ezekiel 28:15
15 “You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you. (NASB)
Matthew 4:8-11
7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” 11 Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. (NASB)
Ephesians 6:10
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! We are reminded that evil does not rest. But, neither do You. We seek to stay close to You in our thoughts, words and deeds. That we may be fully clothed in armor to resist the wiles of the enemy. We desire to be the opposite of evil. To do good, to love, to speak Your word. To say the name of Your beloved Son so often that the enemy flees from our midst. We pray for the families of these taken in a moment of evil. We pray Your comfort and love surrounds them during this time. Father, forgive us for becoming lax in the knowledge of your word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.