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Friday, February 3, 2012
Sturgeon Point Lighthouse along Lake Huron near Harrisville, Michigan
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"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith" (1 Peter 5:8,9a).
A
couple days ago I was visiting with Ken, a local friend who had been
golfing in Florida the week before. He showed me this photo of an
interesting "water hazard" he encountered on the course. I suppose if
my ball fell anywhere near this alligator I would opt for the penalty
stroke!
Those who regularly play on this course must be alert and vigilant in regard to the alligator hazard, something rarely encountered on most golf courses thankfully!
Today I'd like to consider another hazard we all encounter not on the golf course but on the course of life. Our daily Scripture portion is a tremendous source of strength and godly counsel as we deal with this hazard.
This may seem like strange logic, but the continued work of the tempter and his many minions actually increases my faith in God. The Scriptures are so clear regarding good and evil and the cosmic battle we are in the midst of, whether we acknowledge it or not. We are not spectators but active participants in this battle.
As disgusted as I am at the constant assault directed at those of the Christian faith, I need to cry out to God for renewed strength to "be self-controlled and alert." A Study Bible I use makes this observation in regard to this phrase: "Perhaps Peter remembered his own difficulty in staying awake during our Lord's agony in Gethsemane."
In this course there are scores of ways our "ancient foe" continues to work his deadly woe. He's adept at using the latest technology and now scores are battling the wiles of the devil in ways never imagined by previous generations.
"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Matthew Henry comments on this verse. "The whole design of Satan is to devour and destroy souls. He always is contriving whom he may ensnare to eternal ruin. Our duty plainly is, to be sober; to govern both the outward and the inward man by the rules of temperance."
Today may we all realize, regardless of the nature of Satan's attack in our area of weakness, that our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Four keys to victory in dealing with this hazard are found in this short portion of Scripture:
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
Prayer: Jesus,
though Satan's temptations swirl about me in many forms and in various
venues I resist the enemy's desire to reside in my life. Even as
the devil seeks to wrap his noxious tentacles around my heart, I stand
firm against him because You, Jesus, are the Protector of my soul, who
stands guard at all times. I am grateful for the warning signals
often repeated throughout the Bible that teach me about Satan's
strategy. Thank You for Your still, small voice regularly reminding me
that I am a child of God purchased by Your life-giving blood. May
everything that passes before my eyes and all activities I engage in
reflect the light of Your redeeming love within me. It is through Your
power that I resist the devil and stand firm in the faith. Amen.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Sturgeon Point Lighthouse along Lake Huron near Harrisville, Michigan
Listen
to this
message on
your
audio player"Dealing With Hazards On The Course of Life"
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith" (1 Peter 5:8,9a).
A
couple days ago I was visiting with Ken, a local friend who had been
golfing in Florida the week before. He showed me this photo of an
interesting "water hazard" he encountered on the course. I suppose if
my ball fell anywhere near this alligator I would opt for the penalty
stroke! Those who regularly play on this course must be alert and vigilant in regard to the alligator hazard, something rarely encountered on most golf courses thankfully!
Today I'd like to consider another hazard we all encounter not on the golf course but on the course of life. Our daily Scripture portion is a tremendous source of strength and godly counsel as we deal with this hazard.
This may seem like strange logic, but the continued work of the tempter and his many minions actually increases my faith in God. The Scriptures are so clear regarding good and evil and the cosmic battle we are in the midst of, whether we acknowledge it or not. We are not spectators but active participants in this battle.
As disgusted as I am at the constant assault directed at those of the Christian faith, I need to cry out to God for renewed strength to "be self-controlled and alert." A Study Bible I use makes this observation in regard to this phrase: "Perhaps Peter remembered his own difficulty in staying awake during our Lord's agony in Gethsemane."
In this course there are scores of ways our "ancient foe" continues to work his deadly woe. He's adept at using the latest technology and now scores are battling the wiles of the devil in ways never imagined by previous generations.
"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Matthew Henry comments on this verse. "The whole design of Satan is to devour and destroy souls. He always is contriving whom he may ensnare to eternal ruin. Our duty plainly is, to be sober; to govern both the outward and the inward man by the rules of temperance."
Today may we all realize, regardless of the nature of Satan's attack in our area of weakness, that our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Four keys to victory in dealing with this hazard are found in this short portion of Scripture:
- Be self-controlled
- Be alert
- Resist him
- Stand firm in the faith
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
Prayer: Jesus,
though Satan's temptations swirl about me in many forms and in various
venues I resist the enemy's desire to reside in my life. Even as
the devil seeks to wrap his noxious tentacles around my heart, I stand
firm against him because You, Jesus, are the Protector of my soul, who
stands guard at all times. I am grateful for the warning signals
often repeated throughout the Bible that teach me about Satan's
strategy. Thank You for Your still, small voice regularly reminding me
that I am a child of God purchased by Your life-giving blood. May
everything that passes before my eyes and all activities I engage in
reflect the light of Your redeeming love within me. It is through Your
power that I resist the devil and stand firm in the faith. Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"A Mighty Fortress" Video Chris Rice (traditional version)
"A Mighty Fortress" Video Christy Nockels (a different version)
"No One Believes in Me Anymore" Video Keith Green An interesting perspective!
Today's photo of the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse on Lake Huron was taken by our friend, Howard J. Blichfeldt and is used with his permission. His website is here. Howard desires to honor the Lord through his photography. Here's information about the lighthouse.
Request: Ken shared today's photo of the alligator he had taken on his camera phone and the daily verse came to mind, although of course the Biblical image of the hazard is as a roaring lion not an alligator! Perhaps some of our readers have a photo they have taken and would be willing to share with others on daily encouragement net. If so send me the photo (highest resolution possible) and a suggested Scripture verse and/or theme. I am not sure I can use it but will try.
Send
a message to Stephen &
Brooksyne
"A Mighty Fortress" Video Chris Rice (traditional version)
"A Mighty Fortress" Video Christy Nockels (a different version)
"No One Believes in Me Anymore" Video Keith Green An interesting perspective!
Today's photo of the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse on Lake Huron was taken by our friend, Howard J. Blichfeldt and is used with his permission. His website is here. Howard desires to honor the Lord through his photography. Here's information about the lighthouse.
Request: Ken shared today's photo of the alligator he had taken on his camera phone and the daily verse came to mind, although of course the Biblical image of the hazard is as a roaring lion not an alligator! Perhaps some of our readers have a photo they have taken and would be willing to share with others on daily encouragement net. If so send me the photo (highest resolution possible) and a suggested Scripture verse and/or theme. I am not sure I can use it but will try.
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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