A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Tuesday,
August 10,
2021
Sunset
Grocery Outlet in Lebanon County providing a biblical
witness right when you walk in their entrance. What a
blessing each time they feature different Bible passages.
"Satan's
Schemes"
“Put on the full armor of God so that you
can take your stand against the devil’s schemes”
(Ephesians 6:11). “So that no advantage would be taken
of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his
schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). “Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil walks about like a
roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter
5:8).
Yesterday I visited with Henry, a
friend who works at White Oak Display. He is a fellow
believer and we began to muse about Satan's strategies,
essentially collaborating on what would be good sermon
points. I started by stating that Satan always seeks to
divide. Henry added and to distract.
Being of a three point sermon inclination I added and to
deceive. Then Brooksyne came along and
added to discourage.The first daily text instructs us to take our stand against the devil’s schemes. The second text reminds us that we are not to be ignorant of his schemes. We have the Bible as a guide regarding who our ancient foe is and his timeless schemes (designs, methods) to wreck.
Naturalism has taken a toll in regard to not
only belief in God but also belief in Satan. Years ago
Keith Green wrote a song written from Satan's
perspective with the line, "No one believes in me
anymore" (subtitled "Satan's Boast"). We do well to
remember as Martin Luther wrote, "But still our ancient
foe doth seek to work us woe". (A Mighty Fortress Is Our
God)
Satanology is the study of Satan and though such a study should never be our major focus we do well to be aware of who he is and his activities. A different way of stating our second daily text is, “We know his schemes”. They’re exposed throughout the Scriptures, both in fact and as revealed in the experiences of biblical characters who either overcame or succumbed to the devil’s temptations. We are reminded that Satan’s schemes are present in every generation.
We must recognize that Satan is our adversary, seeking whom he may devour. “Schemes” translates the Greek word “methodia”, from which we get the English word “method”. From the beginning Satan’s method has been to discredit God and overthrow His plan to redeem the lost.
Satan has a plot for our defeat but God has a plan for our triumph. Satan’s plot is summed up by Jesus in John 10:10, “to steal and kill and destroy". God’s plan is to "give us life, and give it more abundantly" for our journey below and store up eternal joys for when we take up residency in heaven.
Satan’s original plot causing the fall of man (Genesis 3) provides many clues to help us recognize his ongoing schemes and methods. He causes doubts; he distracts; he distorts; he deceives and he brings about utter destruction.
Satanology is the study of Satan and though such a study should never be our major focus we do well to be aware of who he is and his activities. A different way of stating our second daily text is, “We know his schemes”. They’re exposed throughout the Scriptures, both in fact and as revealed in the experiences of biblical characters who either overcame or succumbed to the devil’s temptations. We are reminded that Satan’s schemes are present in every generation.
We must recognize that Satan is our adversary, seeking whom he may devour. “Schemes” translates the Greek word “methodia”, from which we get the English word “method”. From the beginning Satan’s method has been to discredit God and overthrow His plan to redeem the lost.
Satan has a plot for our defeat but God has a plan for our triumph. Satan’s plot is summed up by Jesus in John 10:10, “to steal and kill and destroy". God’s plan is to "give us life, and give it more abundantly" for our journey below and store up eternal joys for when we take up residency in heaven.
Satan’s original plot causing the fall of man (Genesis 3) provides many clues to help us recognize his ongoing schemes and methods. He causes doubts; he distracts; he distorts; he deceives and he brings about utter destruction.
We must not be ignorant of his schemes but
rather we must daily wear the armor of God (Ephesians 6)
so that we can take a bold stand. We must be sober
rather than frivolous and we must remain vigilant. Let
us do so today so that we do not cringe in fear from our
adversary, but instead take a confident stand against
the devil’s schemes.
Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, though Satan has a
sinister and deceitful scheme for my life I will
not fear. Your guidance for me in discerning his
evil schemes is revealed throughout the entire
Bible. Not only do we receive warning through
the prophets, the disciples and other people of
faith, but we see Jesus as the supreme example
of One who resisted the temptations of the evil
one. His time of testing in the wilderness and
the garden of Gethsemane reveal that resistance
to temptation brings present and future reward.
Though Satan wants me so that he can destroy me,
You want me so that You can save me, here and
now, and for the eternal hereafter. Thank You
for the spiritual armor that protects me from
the evil one and I take a stand against him
through Christ who strengthens me. Amen.
Daily
prayer: Father, though Satan has a
sinister and deceitful scheme for my life I will
not fear. Your guidance for me in discerning his
evil schemes is revealed throughout the entire
Bible. Not only do we receive warning through
the prophets, the disciples and other people of
faith, but we see Jesus as the supreme example
of One who resisted the temptations of the evil
one. His time of testing in the wilderness and
the garden of Gethsemane reveal that resistance
to temptation brings present and future reward.
Though Satan wants me so that he can destroy me,
You want me so that You can save me, here and
now, and for the eternal hereafter. Thank You
for the spiritual armor that protects me from
the evil one and I take a stand against him
through Christ who strengthens me. Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"No One Believes In Me Anymore (Satan's Boast)" Video Keith Green
"No One Believes In Me Anymore (Satan's Boast)" Video Keith Green
"A
Mighty Fortress Is Our God" Video
Sovereign Grace Music
"Turn
Your Eyes" Video The Glorious Christ Live Brooksyne's Note:
Stephen discovered and played this version
for me and I absolutely loved it. It is not
the original stanzas but the added and very
meaningful lyrics are easily sung to the
tune of the chorus. If I were still
worship leader this would definitely be a
song I would introduce. (This
version adds additional lyrics to the
familiar chorus)
"Turn
Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Amazing Grace)"
Video
Shane and Shane (Traditional words)
Yesterday
we went to an open house at Audrey's, a company
that sells gift and home decor items where
we have the privilege of serving as
chaplains. Audrey (in photo) and her
husband Ken were dairy farmers in rural
Lebanon County when over 40 years ago she
began to design, create and sell home
decor items which developed into what they
are today. They had a stellar day
yesterday with the largest attendance
ever!
What
a nice surprise to see Daryl Leisey at the
open house. He is one of my long-time
friends here in Lancaster County having
first met him when he was the HR manager
at Four Seasons Produce in 2001. He is now
a partner with North Group Consultants.
Daryl has also been very helpful to us in
various ways in our ministry through the
years. He has a way of practicing Hebrews
10:24, "And let us consider how we may
spur one another on toward love and good
deeds". Shortly after first meeting
him he shared about his father's
dedication to nursing home ministry,
leading services in a local nursing home
for 44 years.
That
brings to mind a young couple (at the
time) in the church we served in northern
Pennsylvania. In their early twenties Tom
and Marsha Neizmik began leading chapel
services in a nursing home and still do so
today some 40 years later! What a blessing
long-term faithfulness is!!!
Yesterday
we posted this photo of the restored
Lincoln School, a one room schoolhouse.
We received this note from Daniel, a
local reader:
"The school house you visited
yesterday was where my wife Lois went to
school for grades 1-6. After it was no
longer a school her parents bought the
building and made it into a dwelling.
That was where she was living during our
two years of dating. And her mother
lived there for about another
twenty-five years. Our children would
think of it as going to Grandma's house.
My wife is the only person still
living who has lived in the building.
Brooksyne's
thoughts: Inside Lincoln
School various historical clippings were
spread out on the tables. The former
students wrote about their remembrances of
the one room school and you can read some
on this page. As I read
through these stories it is clear that
public schools in the past took a stand
for God even in the classroom which made a
deep impression on the students. In
Elementary School and even in the first
year or two of my Junior High School I
remember reciting the pledge of allegiance
followed by reciting the Lord's Prayer
every morning in our homeroom class before
prayer was prohibited. After reading the
attendees' stories at Lincoln School I
thought about the many godly grandparents
I've met over the years. Surely a big
factor is due to God's presence being
encouraged in the home, the school, the
church and even in Washington D.C.
Students had problems back then like they
do today. Many of them came from less than
desirable settings, but just imagine if
they were exposed to godly teachers that
cared about them and didn't have to be
"quiet" about their faith. Surely it would
leave a lasting impression that would help
these children who will not find it within
their own families. Scores of children
could be helped, encouraged, and learn to
overcome their difficulties not through
drugs or psychology, but by the power of
the Almighty God!
In
writing about godly grandparents I'm
reminded of Jim whom I know through choir.
He and his wife are in their 80's and are
still involved weekly with Child
Evangelism Fellowship which is a
release-time and after-school Good News
Club program where children are taught
Bible stories and principles and given the
opportunity to follow Christ. We thank God
for those who are burdened for this
ministry and make time in their schedule
to reach these young ones for Christ.
Finally
today:
Farmer's
Market in downtown Lebanon, PA.
I
wonder if that big fat red chair would
be big enough to hold me!
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a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
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Weber".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 make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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