| I Hate Satan; I love Jesus |
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I was going to say "I love Jesus" then "I hate Satan," but I'm going to write a little bit about John 10:10. I read the ESV, and this verse is written as 2 sentences in that version, other versions its 1. In light of that, MIRACULOUSLY this week for the first time ever I read that verse as 1 sentence: "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that they might have abundant life." I knew that the enemy did those things, and I knew that Jesus offers abundant life. Somehow I kept them at opposite ends of the spectrum. I don't know how to explain it really. But it's like when the enemy is beating me down, I suddenly have amnesia and I have no remembrance of Jesus' promise of life located conveniently in the same sentence where He tells me how the enemy will treat me. And so many times when life seems abundant, an attack from the enemy is a totaly surprise. Sometimes when life is good, I forget the enemy is out to get me. He's the master of deceit. Somewhere in the New Testament, aren't we told to not be unaware of his schemes? I know Jesus came to kick over the works of the devil, and that Jesus disarmed the powers and authorites. But I also know "at the present we do not yet see everything in subjection to Him" (Hebrews 2:8) and that he's prowling around like a lion devouring people and that he was defeated in the war in heaven, but he was thrown down to the earth and he is very angry. (Revelation 12:7-12 ... read it cuz I totaly paraphrased.... a lot.) Jesus has given us everything we need to overcome the enemy, but we gotta know what he's trying to do and we gotta hate it.
And so also while I was doing the cell group (ie Home Group) questions, I noticed that Mark 9:14-29 and its parallels are a really great example of John 10:10. Here we hear of a demon who throws a boy into a fire and tries to kill him. Jesus's disciples don't know whats goin on, so Jesus comes and makes some small talk (cuz He can) then demands the demon to leave. The demon leaves, and the boys body lays lifeless. The surrounding people say "He's dead." But Jesus grabs the boys hand, and the boy gets up - how bout some life where the enemy tried to kill. This is the way of the kingdom of God: to demand the enemy to get out of our lives and the lives of other human lifeforms (haha) and then to give life. Jesus gave us the authority to do this.
Really I'm preparing for children's church this week, and here are some questions I'm asking myself. 1. How can we (teachers of the children) cultivate a culture of belief? I'm asking that because Jesus says nothing is impossible for the one who believes. 2. How can we create awareness and hatred towards what the enemy is doing? I'm asking that because we have to be aware and we have to hate him, or else we and the children we're raising up will not really be warriors but only mannequins wearing armor. 3. How can we and the children be filled with the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus to kick over the works of the enemy? I'm asking that because that's what we need to destroy the kingdom of darkness and advance the kingdom of light.
I'm so happy I get to kick enemy butt with Tim Curry!
He's a powerhouse |
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