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                                      BEWARE OF THE DEVIL’S SCHEMES

As Christians we need to be constantly on guard against the schemes of the devil. Satan the master liar and deceiver, has many diabolical schemes to draw the Christian off the path of righteousness. He has the ability to convince people that evil is good and good is evil. Same sex marriage, sex outside of marriage, pornography, perverted sex, cheating on your spouse, lusting, etc. is considered OK by many and promoted by others. These are secular world views to be avoided at all costs. Satan is able to enter into any home via the internet, TV, and the written word. Satan is a most formidable enemy. He is out to steal your soul!
As Christians, how are we to react to an ever-increasing onslaught by Satan? The Bible says, “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.“ (Jam 4:6-7 NASB)
First we are to humble ourselves before God to receive His grace and power in our lives. Then when the devil shows up on our doorstep via the TV, internet, etc., we are to resist or stand firm in the power of God through Jesus Christ. Resisting or standing firm is to reject and turn away from all temptation at the moment it appears. If we take but a moment to indulge in the temptation, it is more than likely we will be hooked. Therefore we must immediately resist in Jesus’ name, and then the devil will flee.
Setting our mind on biblical truths and allowing our hearts to be directed by the Holy Spirit, will give us the spiritual tools needed to recognize the devil’s traps. In Pro 13:14 the Bible says, “The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.” The law of the wise is God’s holy Word that exposes the snares of the devil. It is God’s Word that is a light shining on our path, exposing all the evil schemes of the devil. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psa 119:105
BEWARE THE DEVIL’S SCHEMES: Evaluate all things from a Biblical World View, that is, look at all things through the filter of God’s Word. Then humble yourself before God and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, resist Satan, and you will not fall prey to his schemes.

                                              CALL FOR REVIVAL

What a wonderful promise God gives to His people in 2 Ch 7:14. For us today, this verse is a call for Christians to repent. As we observe the Christian Church of today, we see it slowly losing its focus on the salvation of lost souls and the preaching of the Word. The preaching in many cases does not mention sin and its consequences. Don’t mention the word Hell because it might offend someone. And what about the common practice of living together out of wedlock, the preacher better not touch that subject or he will come under the wrath of parents and relatives. Most church goers today want their ears tickled. They want to hear about all the good things the congregation is doing in the community and in the world. They want to hear that they are good people so they can feel good about themselves.
You might have heard of the Emerging Church Movement. (If you have a computer and have access to the Internet, type in your Google search window, “emerging search movement” to access information concerning this dangerous religious trend.) -Editor
The Emerging Church tends to discount the inerrancy and infallibility of the scriptures. It opens the Word of God to liberal interpretation. Wikipedia, an online Encyclopedia states; “Emergents believe it is necessary to deconstruct and reconstruct (redefine and reshape) Christianity in order to engage post-Christian Western culture in this two-way conversation rather than proclaim a message that is alien to and unpopular with that culture.” Eastern mysticism is also often times is brought into the mix.
We need the old fashioned preaching of the Law & Gospel. As my seminary professors would always say, “Preach the Law in all its severity and the Gospel in all its sweetness.” We need preachers who are not afraid to preach from the Word of God rather than from the empty philosophies of man. We need preachers who will stand behind the pulpit (a missing piece of furniture in many churches today) and proclaim, “Thus says the Lord!” and uncompromisingly preach about sin and God’s redeeming grace.
When it comes to music and hymnody, the beautiful Hymns of the past are being discarded for praise music and songs. While I have nothing against good, well written praise music, I believe it wrong to remove the old hymns with their deep meanings that address the sinful condition of man and the redeeming grace of God. Hymns such as, “The Old Rugged Cross”, “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”, “Have Thine Own Way Lord” and many more that speak to our heart and remind us of our sin, the need to repent, and the forgiving grace of God, are never sung in many churches and others only occasionally. The new Hymnals no longer include many of the old hymns.
I do not believe Post Modern era trends are good for the Body of Christ. When I leave the morning worship service, I want to leave with a sense of how wicked my flesh is and the power of God’s grace to overcome the sin in my life. I want to hear the comforting words that in Christ my sins are forgiven when I confess them. I don’t want to feel good about what I’ve done but feel good about what Christ has done for me and in me. It is in Christ where we find hope that never dies as contrasted with self where hope fades away, leaving us spiritually destitute and without direction.
Let us pray for revival. First, pray for revival in our own hearts and then pray for revival in church. Pray for the pastors who no longer preach the full counsel of God, who are leading people astray with their false teachings. Pray for the people to search the scriptures and be given discernment to recognize truth from falsehood. Yes, pray for the Holy Spirit of God to bring a Revival to our nation, but, don’t forget, we too must do our part.
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.     (2Ch 7:14 NASB)

                                                  ARE YOU PREPARED TO LEAVE?

You have been reading about the wildfires in California. One of the headlines today said, ”1M FLEE.” I wonder how many were ready to leave their home and property at a moments notice?
I’m sure we can safely assume that most of the displaced home owners were not prepared for the fires that burned their homes. Most of them would have thought about the possibility but then put it out of their mind. Then when the fire came over the mountain ridge, it was too late and many barely escaped with their lives. All their possessions and things they treasured, were burned to ashes.
From a spiritual perspective, a Christian understands that his earthly possessions are but temporal. His true treasure is stored in heaven, where there is absolute and eternal security.

Mat 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Mat 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;

The California wildfires also reminded me of the fires of judgment that will come upon the wicked. The fires in California will eventually be extinguished but the fires of hell are eternal. Suffering the pain and trauma of an earthly fire is severe indeed but can you imagine suffering in the fires of hell forever and forever?

Mat 25:41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

Proper preparations for a coming event is always essential. The day will come when we will leave planet earth to enter eternity. Will our destination be heaven or the fires of hell? If we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, we need not fear, but those who have not, face impending eternal doom. The California fires have destroyed the temporal treasures of many but the fires of hell destroy the souls of the wicked, an ongoing punishment without end. Jesus described it this way;
Mar 9:48 where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.
Worms and maggots feed on dead and rotting carcasses and when the flesh has been eaten, the worm dies but the picture here is of the eternal pain the wicked suffer in hell eternally. The physical and mental pain never ends. The “fire” or God’s holy wrath against sin and the wicked in hell is also eternal and never ending.
ARE YOU PREPARED TO LEAVE? Is your spiritual house in order? If it isn’t my friend, get right with God. Confess your sins and ask Jesus to come into your heart and take over your life. He is the only one who can prepare you for eternity. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels and all those who follow him, but heaven is prepared for those who walk with the Lord. If you do not walk with the Lord on earth, you will not walk with Him in heaven. If you have questions concerning your salvation, see your pastor or contact this office. Do not delay, your soul is at stake.

                                                 PRAYER

    I sometimes wonder how seriously we consider the power of prayer. Oftentimes people will reveal some struggles in their life and we cheerily tell them we will pray for them. I oftentimes hear the news media person after an interview state, “You are in our prayers.” It almost appears that it is the politically correct thing to say. The question for us to answer is, “Do we take prayer seriously?” When we offer to pray for someone, do we follow through?
    In Mat. 17 the story is told of a lad possessed with a demon whose father took him to the disciples to have it cast out. They failed to do so and when they asked Jesus why, He said, "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasthe path of righteousness. We need to pray for discernment to recognize the devil’s schemes. Paul prayed for the Philippians to have discernment. “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment.” (Phil. 1:9) The writer to the Hebrews said to them, “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” (Heb. 5:14)
    There never has been a time when God’s people did not need to pray. We need to pray daily for those in need, for our president, senators, representatives, other leaders of state, for our federal, state, and local governments, for our service personnel, for missions, for our pastor and his family, for Christian organizations, and many other causes, people or organizations as the Holy Spirit lays on your heart for prayer .
    Is there power in prayer? Is prayer effective? Jesus certainly believed so. He is the example we need to follow. “It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12) Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13) I challenge you to examine your prayer life as I must examine mine. I believe you will agree with me that a great deal of improvement in all of our prayer lives will be needed.
    I want to thank our prayer warriors who long ago have discovered the power of prayer. God bless you all.ing." (Mat. 17:21) Failure to pray resulted in the disciple’s failure to cast the demon out. They were relying on their own strength and didn’t even think of calling on God for help.
    In James 5:16 we read, “…the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” With this power available to us, why don’t we use it more often? Many people do not pray until there is some crisis at hand. Then they seek God in prayer to help them through their crisis. But what about the needs of others, don’t they count? Our missionaries need prayer, our neighbors, friends, country, president, ELBF, Glory of Christ Missions, and many others need prayer. How about ourselves? We too need prayer. We need to seek God’s help in overcoming the sin in our lives and entreat the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us on t