Tag: Devil

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Don’t You Believe It!

NOVEMBER 17

MATTHEW 7:19_that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down…

You’ve learned a lot of truth from Jesus this year. Now you’re in the home stretch. The devil does not want you to experience the freedom gained from this creation principle. He wants you to see it as judgmental and legalistic—don’t you believe it!

The devil can give you an easy and fun life—forget all this about hard times and struggles. But remember—his fun times are temporary. The fun turns into far greater pain than life’s struggles.

Hebrews 11:24-26 (KJV), “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

Moses knew there was pleasure in sin. He had lived as an Egyptian prince in a palace of false gods and idols. This is how he learned the pleasures of sin are only for a season. When the fun is gone all that’s left is bondage – trying to get the pleasure back. 

If the tree doesn’t produce good fruit it will be cut down.

Corrupt trees do not produce good fruit. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, Your rewards are far greater than the pleasures of sin. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                    

Christ knows sinful pleasures are bondage—He frees me!

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I’m Saying It Again

NOVEMBER 16

MATTHEW 7:19_Every tree…

This life is hard—for everyone. Some people may appear to never have trouble, but you’re only seeing the surface. Everyone has struggles in this earthly life. 

I believe I’ve said that the Bible is about truth, and truth is about freedom. I’m saying it again.

I believe I’ve said that Jesus wants you to live free. I’m saying it again. 

I believe I’ve said that Jesus wants you to be alert to the devil and his schemes, so you can escape the bondage into which he desires to snare you. I’m saying it again.

When Jesus ate His last Passover meal with His disciples He let them know that everyone will face hard times. John 14:26-27 (KJV), “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  

I really like that Jesus assures me the Holy Spirit will remind me of these creation principles.

Jesus’ peace conquers fear.     

PRAYER

Immanuel, Thank You for giving Your peace to me when I face trouble. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.     

Christ is peace over fear—He gives it to me!

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False Teaching

NOVEMBER 4

MATTHEW 7:16_Ye shall know them by their fruits…

Jesus is about to teach some clarity on how to recognize false prophets. If you think you don’t know any prophets, false or otherwise, change your perspective.

Look at something simple—like false advertising. You may covet some kind of product you see advertised.  You may save up all our money, or nag the life out of your parents, until you have it. In no time at all you discover it is not as advertised. 

Being taken by some false advertising is minor in comparison to being taken by some false teaching. False teaching can appeal so strongly to your flesh that your spirit is diminished.

False teaching appeals to your appetite for wealth and possessions, for glamour and fame, and for power and control.

In Jesus’ wilderness experience the devil tempted Him, Matthew 4:8-9 (KJV), “Again, the devil taketh Him [Jesus] up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto Him, ‘All these things will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me.’”  

Jesus knew the truth, He replied, “10 Then saith Jesus unto him, ‘Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.’”

PRAYER

Good Shepherd, Help me strengthen my spirit in the truth of the Bible. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.     

 Christ knows the weakness of my flesh—He will save me!

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To Snare Them

NOVEMBER 3

MATTHEW 7:15_but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

II Corinthians 11:3-4 (KJV), “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he [false prophet] that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him …13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

It is easy to be deceived by smooth talkers if you don’t know the truth. The more truth you feed your spirit, through the Bible, the quicker you recognize a lie. 

The inside of this sheep’s clothing is completely opposite from the outside.  A wolf will devour a sheep—so will a lion, I Peter 5:8 (KJV), “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

The devil is actively searching for those who do not know the truth to snare them.

PRAYER

God of All, Help me know the truth and escape the devil’s trap. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                                               

Christ wants me to be vigilant in the truth—He saves me!

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Prophesy Came Alive

NOVEMBER 1

MATTHEW 7:15_of false prophets…

A prophet was God’s spokesperson to His people.  Acts 2:17-18 (KJV) on the day of Pentecost, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.”

Peter was quoting from Joel 2:28-29. Israel had experienced a time of silence from God because of their disobedience. On Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon God’s people prophesy came alive again. That’s what Peter said anyway—and he was there! Prophets were people chosen by God. 

The devil also has prophets. Because the devil does not possess God’s unlimited power, he can only operate within his limited boundaries. As the prince of the world he has great powers. Among them are: deception, lies, accusations, fear, temptations, interference, and theft. On our own we are no match for him.

Eve tried to match him on her own and fell into the seduction of his lies. She fell to the fear of missing out on the good things of life and disobeyed God.

You know the rest of the story.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, Help me call upon You to defeat the devil and his deceptions. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                                                

Christ knows all of the devil’s deceptions—He will save me!