Those Good Ole Days

Scripture:
Revelation 13:11-18 (ESV)

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

Devotional:

Many will be deceived.  Times will be tough.  I for one hope that I am not around then.  I can look around today and think how bad things have gotten.  I think about all the changes that have happened in the last decade.  Growing up life seemed simpler and people friendlier.  Does this sound familiar?  I think each generation says the same thing.  We all look back at those “good ole days…” 

I remember being able to bring my Bible to school, even in high school.  I would lay it upon my desk during class.  Sometimes I would even open it and read it.  Now students get in trouble for even wanting to pray in school.  As kids we would roam the neighborhoods all day on Saturday.  Sometimes we would be out from sun up to sun down.  We would just hang out at the mall or even, heaven forbid, in the streets.  Today as Christians our freedom of speech and religion are being questioned as well as denied.

It certainly looks like the end is near.  Are you prepared?  I know I am supposed to say I am.  There are times I don’t feel prepared.  How many people do you know who are not saved?  What are you doing about it?  I know I am not doing enough.  It is important to do what we can to reach out to the lost.  God loves them just as much as he does each of us.  It doesn’t matter who they are or what they have done.  God loves them and wants them to find salvation for themselves.  He waits with open arms.  This world is lost and desperately needs to find its way back to God.  No matter how bad it gets or seems the simple answer to fix all the problems in the world is one word, Bible.  That’s it, all there is to it.  We need to turn to God.  If everyone did all our problems would be solved.  Reality check, not everyone will and this world will continue to have problems…

Satan's Illusions

Scripture:
Revelation 13:1-4 (ESV)

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”

Devotional:

This is Satan’s domain.  For now, he has control over the earth.  When the end comes the antichrist will rise.  People will be fooled and will follow him.  Today Satan has done a marvelous job in fooling people.  We have the illusion that God doesn’t exist, or that there are many ways into heaven.  The antichrist will come and for whatever reason people will refuse to see the truth.  We like to bury our heads in the sand and pretend everything is good. 

Here is a wake up call for us all.  The truth is God is real.  Heaven and hell are real.  When this life is over we will go to one or the other.  Oh, and Jesus is the only way to heaven.  How many people do you know who are falling for Satan’s lies?  How many people are lulled into the belief that God is not real or that good works is enough.  Satan’s reign here on earth is limited.  The antichrist’s power is insignificant compared to Christ’s.  Jesus already won.  Satan just doesn’t want you to know it. 

Each of us needs to do our own part to show the world the truth.  God is real, and so is life after death.  We have a choice to make.  We have to make that choice while we still live.  If we wait until after death it will be too late.  I hope and pray you choose wisely.  Finally, we all need to work together to show others the truth so that they may choose wisely as well.

If You Don't Who Will?

Scripture:
Revelation 12:7-12 (ESV)

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Devotional:

Even though Satan has been defeated by the events of the cross he still tries to win.  Satan knows he is ultimately defeated.  Let’s face it, the war is won.  The question is the battles that are before us.  Satan does everything in his power to try and thwart God and His plans.  He doesn’t want you to be saved.  He certainly doesn’t want you to spread the good news of salvation.

Satan is a great deceiver.  He has convinced Christians of several lies.  For example over the years we have become complacent.  Too many times have Christians thought someone else will do it.  Another biggie is the comment “Its not my job.”  Actually there we are wrong.  It is our job.  Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV):

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Jesus is not just talking to the original disciples.  This verse is meant for us as well.  It is our job to go forth and proclaim the good news.  It is our job to provide for the poor and needy.  It is our job to protect those who can’t protect themselves.  No not as a nation or country.  It is our job as Christians.  Satan doesn’t want us doing God’s work or will.  He convinces us that someone else will do it.  Have you ever thought that I don’t have to because someone else is better qualified and or will do it? Don’t buy into the lies anymore.  Jesus tells us the harvest is plenty but the workers are few.  A field of crops will not pick themselves.  One or two people cannot harvest acres of crop by themselves.  Finally, if you don’t then who will?