"Joey, that's NOT the devil," I would patiently try to explain to my frightened four-year-old son, who refused to go into children's church,. The well-meaning kids' pastor, dressed in a devil costume, was attempting to visualize "devil temptations" to his little congregation--bigger kids loved it--but THIS little boy was not about to sit and watch some scary "devil" run around HIS classroom! He's a "grown-up" 17-year old now--and while no longer scared of a spoofy devil costume, he now KNOWS there's a REAL devil causing havoc in his world!
..and the REAL world doesn't get it! It's Halloween--tour the streets, walk the mall, visit the stores, and see all the pitch-forked devils and broom-sticked witches making their seasonal debut. The costumes are pretend and seem so very innocent, but the spirit they represent is not. There's a REAL devil out there--he's "the spoofer of all time" and he's in full costume for this day and every day of the year!
A Helping Word...or
Two!
Meet the Spoofer!
Satan's a deceiver and he's in costume all right. He will appear to you as an angel of light, a spirit of peace, a giver of love, and dispenser of joy--and he's a fraud! Light turns to darkness, peace to turmoil, love to hate, joy to sorrow, and you're left holding the bag. He grins--and he's gone--that is, if you let him take over. Don't be deceived. The glitter and glamor of the devil's costume hides beneath it the grime and gore of evil, damnation and eternal hell. Don't mess with him--God's got a better idea!
Meet the Savior Who's MET the Spoofer!
Jesus Christ met His foe on Calvary. They battled for your soul, and Jesus won! He conquered Satan, and if you don't believe it, go to the Empty Tomb and see the Risen Savior, victorious over sin, death, hell and the grave! He's YOUR Savior and as Lord of your life, wants you to appropriate the victory He won at the Cross. He knows you're going to meet the spoofer every day of your life--and no Halloween costume will scare him away....God's got a better idea!
What to Wear When YOU Meet the Spoofer!
Jesus has provided for you the full-battle gear you will need to face the enemy of your soul. It's for REAL--and if you will appropriate it each day, you'll watch the devil run. He has no might nor power over you when you are wearing the armor of the Lord. Try it on--and then wear it each day. As a matter of fact, Jesus IS the armor of God. Look at each part of the armor and you'll agree! (Thanks to Dr. David Watson, pastor of Central Assembly, Springfield, Missouri, for this marvelous insight into the armor of God.)
Jesus is your Belt of Truth! He's the "way, the TRUTH, and the life." Get that belt around your waist, tighten it and know that your Lord's Word is true and will last forever. You need not fear the enemy when you are girded with Jesus Christ who is YOUR truth!
Jesus is your Breastplate of Righteousness! He's the "righteousness of God," the only Man who walked the face of this earth without sin. This Man, the Son of God, will give you the power you need to live a righteous, holy life--to withstand the pressures and temptations of evil which would pull you down!
Jesus is your Shoes of Peace! You can know His peace--when you're wearing His shoes. They fit all sizes, and are far better than the golden slippers Satan would have you wear. You'll slide into the muck and mire of sin without the foundational footwear Jesus gives and is! He IS your peace, a "peace that passes all understanding!" Don't walk the world without wearing these shoes!
Jesus is your Shield of Faith! He's the one who puts real faith into your heart; He's the one who casts out fear and doubt, and who protects and guards your vital spiritual organs from the enemy's attack. Keep that shield of faith raised and each time you confront the enemy, remember YOU are not confronting him. Jesus, your Shield of Faith, is confronting him--and He wins every time!
Jesus is your Helmet of Salvation! He guards your thoughts and casts down your imaginations. He banishes confusion and brings clarity of thought. The Mind of Christ is all powerful, all-knowing and all-wise. Don't walk the world without it!
And the Sword of the Spirit? It's Jesus Christ, the One who is the Living Word of God. Satan cannot stand when the Word of God is against him. Know the written Word of God; know the living Word of God...don't walk the world without the Living Word--and you'll be equipped to battle the world, the flesh and the devil.
Take off the costume, Satan--we've got you tagged as the spoofer of all time. And you've met your match. For Jesus Christ lives within us; He IS the Armor of God, and we come against you, not in a costume of this world, but in the Armor of the Lord, in His Name and in His Power. We are victorious as onward we march, Christian soldiers in the war that's already won! Christian, put on that armor, pick up that sword and be a victor in the Name of your Lord! Your Savior's no spoof--He's for REAL; He's Lord of heaven and earth and Lord of your heart! Believe it and have a GREAT week!
...and that's just a word or two from my heart to yours!
"Jesus, you ARE the armor of the Lord. Sometimes I forget a piece or two and then I'm in big trouble. Help me to value your power and authority; to wear the armor you've provided, and to go forth victoriously in Your Name, Amen.
Need some extra rest and refreshment? Visit Songs of Praise below and let the lovely music fill your soul with His peace and joy!
A place to enjoy other devotionals!
I'm blessed with a wonderful "virtual web family," many close friends who not only help to keep me sane and smiling, but write wonderful devotionals. Enjoy their spiritual insights--and their sites as well!
Most of the music playing at Peggie's Place originates from Songs of Praise.
Visit their great Web site to hear beautiful tunes by many talented artists (CDs are available).
Celebrating God's goodness . . .. . . 14 million and counting!
Note: Counter keeps a running total of "page views" for the
entire site. --It jogs around the world and around the clock--to find
YOU!
This Christian home has been visited a zillion times
since December 26, 1995! Well, not quite, but there HAS been a houseful--and
STILL room for one more--YOU! The Christian Counter scans the entire site--and there's plenty of chocolate for everyone--so enjoy!
Please note that while I strongly adhere to major tenets of the
evangelical Christian faith, I may not personally agree with every specific doctrinal belief set forth in other
Christian pages, nor would all necessarily agree with me. I do want to provide a diversity of links and resource material
for the entire Body of Christ to enjoy, and trust you will view it as such.
A safety tip: Internet links and material may include other links and/or material which do not reflect my Christian views or yours. Please choose wisely and use with discretion! And if you find an ugly spider hiding in a dark corner,
you may smash it with a broom from my BROOM
CLOSET--I hate offensive stuff too!
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9/11: A Christian Response to the Tragedy of a Lifetime . . . . . . Tower of Strength crisis devos
A Hurting
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