Entertaining the Devil

When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

Luke 7:27-31

The part of this scripture that caught my eye was when Jesus asked the demon his name. I remember some spiritual warfare books saying that we shouldn't be making conversation with the devil. We should be exercising our authority given by the Holy Spirit to drive out demons with rebuke and boldness. Any time we allow the devil to speak to us we're giving him a foothold to attack us.

So why is it that Jesus asks for the demon's name? I read how the demons were going in and out of the man, driving him to solitary places. Was the reason because there were many demons torturing him and Jesus said this to catch their attention so that He could use His authority? Knowing the sinful ways of even my own heart, my default action is to point blame or turn a deaf ear so that others will be accountable, not me. Was this what happened? Is this like how a parent calls out a child's full name when they've been bad? I'm not certain how calling out the demon's name fits in with what I learned earlier about making conversation with the devil but it seems to me that all Jesus did was get the undivided attention of it so that He could drive them out and not provide the devil an opportunity to attack.

How many times have I entertained the devil by getting to know his character instead of turning to God Almighty? In recent occurrences I've been thinking about orbs. This was because of Michelle's experiences in Lanai and all the talk around it. We are asking questions trying to find out more about it. But why are we doing this? Is it to understand it so that we could properly rebuke it in Jesus' name or are we making conversation with it, allowing the devil opportunities to steal, kill and destroy? I do believe there's a fine line that we could accidentally cross over and we need to prayerfully explore God's glory within each of these areas... if we are of steady heart and mind. We need to be full of the Spirit going in and not shaky or fearful.

I said some things this past Saturday night where I reminded others to be careful of entertaining these things. I was told I was being hard on them and that I was lecturing them. I felt horrible and felt like I shouldn't say anything at all. I rebuked the devil's attacks on me and was renewed, still felt junk but I stood firm in what I said. I knew that when we are fascinated with the spiritual realm outside of biblical teachings, we are sitting at the foot of the devil and we cannot, absolutely cannot do this. This is what so many others have done, worshiping idols and false gods. So today's scripture was so meaningful and recharges my soul to keep pressing on no matter how much I'm persecuted. The peace within me solidifies and replenishes my spirit.

Thank You heavenly Father for going through all situations with me. You knew beforehand this would come up so You allowed me to read through lessons. You know how I would feel so You sent encouragement my way. And You also know what's going to happen tomorrow so You're building me up once again. These are the things that will build my faith and allow me to endure anything in Your perfect Name. I pray that I hear all Your teachings so that I can bless so many others one heart at a time. In the wonderful name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Judging Worship

"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

Luke 7:41-47

We cannot look at another person's faith and be judgmental. The way someone worships, prays & draws closer to God is a personal, intimate experience that reflects how much love and grace that person received. This passage in Luke explains this. It reveals that some people will genuinely express gratitude with very little emotion and others will behave like this woman who wouldn't stop kissing Jesus' feet. We glorify Him by fulfilling our design and not conforming to what others expect of us.

I remember a few years ago at midweek service. I was worshiping in the back and saw this woman worshiping quite expressively, almost night-club-ish. It bothered me to the point where my worship was distracted and all my focus directed to her. I kept thinking to myself, why is she dancing like that and shouldn't someone tell her not to? An overwhelming conviction took place. I was reminded that worship has to do with God alone. Yes, others can become a distraction but where was my faith to overcome it? Is my faith paper thin where a breeze could throw it off course? I realized that we are all designed unique and God was taking such pleasure in seeing His child give everything in worship, just like David did. Who was I to hinder God's joy? This was a great lesson in balancing God's Word with individual design and bridging that with Truth.

Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me just the way I am. All the imperfections are there so that I can lean on You to work through them. I'm reminded that I'm in a training ground to go into battle. Every day I need to go through obstacles not for the sake of them but so that my faith can grow where I can live faithfully and obediently to Your calling in the world. Help me open my eyes and grant me Your wisdom to know the real race. I love You! In the beautiful name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Fruit Not About Quality

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Luke 6:43-45

There were 2 things that came to mind as I read this passage: is it possible for a good tree to produce bad fruit (and vice versa) and how much of one's insides reflect on the outside? To answer both questions Jesus is telling us that we are what we do. A lot of times we do something and say that we didn't mean it or that it was out of character; that what was done wasn't really me or what was said wasn't really what I meant. God is trying to clear things up with this scripture saying we are on the insides what the outsides revealed. As painful as this may seem it's absolutely true. We are that sinful, uncompassionate, self-centered person that we deny. And God does this not to condemn us but rather to be brought into the light where God can lay His hands and start the healing. It also allows us to look inwardly, inviting the Holy Spirit's grace and transformation.

I see this evident in my life. I sometimes question it by saying that sometimes people do good things even though they are bad. Sometimes I see good people to bad things. I'm these people on different days. But the fruit produced isn't about how it seems on the outside, it's the quality on the inside that reveals its source. A piece of fruit may seem disfigured or bruised on the outside but once you open it up and taste it might be the most nourishing and pleasant thing ever.

Another way to look at the fruit is kind of like the Charlie Brown tree. The fruit may seem unpleasant without much to offer but when it's nurtured and handled by the giver to bring a blessing to another in the name of Jesus it's so nourishing to the soul. God can take even the most imperfect gifts and make it fit for the King.

Fruit here isn't about the fruit at all. It's about what the fruit was design for by God Himself through the vessel. So now when I think about how good fruit cannot be produced by a bad tree it all makes perfect sense.

Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching me this valuable lesson. I cannot go around judging others solely by the quality of their fruit but instead allow the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to see the agendas of their heart as they offer their gifts. By this holy discernment I will be able to serve You better in all I do as well as to guard my own thoughts and actions. I'm so abundantly blessed by You LORD. In the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Understanding Grace

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.

Luke 5:4-10

You would think that Peter's response to this wonderful miracle would be in gratitude & praise. But instead, it was in fear and trembling; maybe not of Jesus but rather of Peter's own unworthiness and sinfulness. Maybe it was fear of acknowledging past sin. We can get like this too where we allow the devil's lies convince us that God's grace isn't enough. It's true that we are not worthy, we all deserve punishment and death but God's grace covers all sin.

The example of an employee's firing because of poor performance & unethical business practices comes to mind. The owner reveals all the grounds for release but as the fired employee starts walking away, the owner gives it all back and even more. A promotion, new clothes, car, office and many more all given to him. Was it deserved? Absolutely not. This is what grace is all about. Jesus paid the sacrifice and covered all our sin so that we would have a future and a hope. We deserved to be fired from life but received so much... and it has absolutely nothing to do with us and all about Jesus. This is grace.

I feel unworthy all the time. I feel like I don't deserve my wife. I feel like I don't deserve my job. I feel like I'm not good enough for my friends and place in ministry. This scripture reminds me that it's true, I don't deserve any of this but what He did was provide it for a purpose. I can't approach each of these areas in isolation. They are all part of one purpose and that's to glorify Him. I don't need to know what these details are I just need to be full of the Spirit when I'm there (or approaching). This will allow God's will to be done instead of my own. God's grace allowed these gifts to be blessings not traps of selfishness. I need to be even more prayerful today than ever so that I can minister by the overflow of the Spirit.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing and beautiful grace. When I see anything, good or bad in my eyes, I need to remember that it's just another piece of the great puzzle that will glorify You. Help me today to recognize my own errors and purify me from the inside-out. Allow my eyes to see You in every situation. Please be with my wife, family, my heavenly family and especially those who still do not acknowledge and call you Daddy. Use me. In the perfect name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Armed with the Word

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry... When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Luke 4: 1-2,13

Here, the devil was trying to lure Jesus away from the Father by attacking Him when the devil thought He would be at His weakest. But in His physical weakness His strength was made more powerful because He was filled with the Holy Spirit. We most definitely will be tempted in many ways by the devil and it will come when we're full of the Spirit or not. The devil will probe and lurk around seeking kinks in our armor and once he finds something he will attack. We need to train our minds and hearts to be ready in and out of season to do battle with the Sword of the Spirit, God's mighty Word. We must have scripture on our mind constantly because we are powerless against the attacks but God's authority will overrule the devil; he doesn't stand a chance.

In small group, we started doing memory verses again. But instead of making it a side lesson, it became THE lesson and really broke it down. The last one we did was Romans 8:1-2. Going through the scripture slowly and understanding a little more about the context it was in helped me understand it better to where I really am connected to it. We must continue to do this because how else are we gonna go into battle like Jesus? We cannot just say, "by the power and authority of Jesus, Son of the Most High!" Although this is true and can claim this victory, we need to stand in the confidence on why. We must know that we cannot live on bread alone, worship no other God, and never put God to the test. When we are confident and know these lessons in our heart then we can verbally say just what the Spirit commands.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the most powerful weapons against the devil; Your Word and prayer! Help me to utilize these gifts in everything I do; prepare my mind and soul for the journey as well as the destination. I know these days may seem tough but it's just the beginning and will become more challenging as I mature. Thank You for choosing me. Love You for all You are... in the most precious name I pray, Amen!