I try to read the daily devotion for Proverbs 31 ministries. I shouldn't have been surprised to find that today's is entitled "Tricks of the Traitor". I strongly believe the trick to resisting Satan is simply to be aware of his sneaky little tricks and that he generally starts small so as to be extra sneaky. So I hope you'll read today's devotion and think:
http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/2007/10/tricks-of-traitor.html
~Becca
Monday, October 29, 2007
Holding the door for Satan
As promised, the efforts of our enemy to steal our joy, peace and unity in ‘believing God’ were redoubled, even as the gathering of believers dispersed Sunday morning.
Within hours after church, as Lisa and I were entering the Dollar Tree to buy a gift for a friend we were intending to visit, he showed himself...
Our enemy loves disguises. In this case, he chose that of his own person:
As I offered the common courtesy of a door held open, I realized it had not been for a lady and her daughter, but for the enemy, as he said to me in the pleasant voice of a 7 or 8 year old girl with red horns on her head, “Thank you.”
Taken aback, I turned to her and said, “That’s the first time I’ve ever been thanked by Satan.”
“But, I’m a nice Satan,” she answered, oblivious of the impossibility.
Lisa found the exchange a little disturbing, I think. To me, it was a little funny ... at first.
Later, Lisa reminded me of what the little girl had said. And, as I reflected on our encounter with the ‘nice Satan,’ it dawned on me what an extreme contradiction in terms she was: A cute little 8 year old girl: sweet, innocent, full of joy and happiness, but already toying with the idea of being the ugliest, most vicious and hateful of hearts in all creation.
Will she go home and contemplate her choice of costume this season? I hope so.
Will we courteously hold the door open for Satan, and let him walk in and out of our lives, welcomed and unheeded? I hope not, no matter his disguise. Rather, I pray we will be on our guard and have opened-eyes to see through his disguises. I pray we will be prepared to confront him with the Spirit of holiness and truth.
I pray we will slam the door in Satan’s face.
(Tim)
Within hours after church, as Lisa and I were entering the Dollar Tree to buy a gift for a friend we were intending to visit, he showed himself...
Our enemy loves disguises. In this case, he chose that of his own person:
As I offered the common courtesy of a door held open, I realized it had not been for a lady and her daughter, but for the enemy, as he said to me in the pleasant voice of a 7 or 8 year old girl with red horns on her head, “Thank you.”
Taken aback, I turned to her and said, “That’s the first time I’ve ever been thanked by Satan.”
“But, I’m a nice Satan,” she answered, oblivious of the impossibility.
Lisa found the exchange a little disturbing, I think. To me, it was a little funny ... at first.
Later, Lisa reminded me of what the little girl had said. And, as I reflected on our encounter with the ‘nice Satan,’ it dawned on me what an extreme contradiction in terms she was: A cute little 8 year old girl: sweet, innocent, full of joy and happiness, but already toying with the idea of being the ugliest, most vicious and hateful of hearts in all creation.
Will she go home and contemplate her choice of costume this season? I hope so.
Will we courteously hold the door open for Satan, and let him walk in and out of our lives, welcomed and unheeded? I hope not, no matter his disguise. Rather, I pray we will be on our guard and have opened-eyes to see through his disguises. I pray we will be prepared to confront him with the Spirit of holiness and truth.
I pray we will slam the door in Satan’s face.
(Tim)
Encouraging Word
I found this verse in my inbox after church and thought it was right on track with all we talked about.
I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.
John 17:15, NLT
Becca
I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.
John 17:15, NLT
Becca
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Extraordinary Life?
One of my girlfriends was recently asked, "what's so extraordinary about your life that you would need a blog?" This question made me look up the word, just so I could answer that question.
The dictionary defines extraordinary as this-1) going beyond what is usual, regular, or customary, and 2) employed for or sent on a special function or service (an ambassador extraordinary).
Hmmm, what a wonderful thought for us all. My life before I truly knew Christ was not worth sharing with others. But the more I have grown to know Him, the more my life has gone beyond usual, regular or customary. It's pretty exciting to also think that we're employed for or sent on a special function for Christ...to go and make disciples of all nations.
What a perfect spot, on a blog, to share the joys of our lives. These joys, at the root, stem from the love of our Savior. He has poured out his life for us all, and I say we pour out this love to others so they may come to know Him too.
Are you an ambassador for Christ? Does your life reflect this joy, this love, this faith that the Lord has bestowed on each of us? I hope so.
Christ is our King. The triune God. A mystery to us all, but a wonderful mystery to seek daily. He dwells in each of us.
I think that is pretty extraordinary!
IHS,
Cammie
The dictionary defines extraordinary as this-1) going beyond what is usual, regular, or customary, and 2) employed for or sent on a special function or service (an ambassador extraordinary).
Hmmm, what a wonderful thought for us all. My life before I truly knew Christ was not worth sharing with others. But the more I have grown to know Him, the more my life has gone beyond usual, regular or customary. It's pretty exciting to also think that we're employed for or sent on a special function for Christ...to go and make disciples of all nations.
What a perfect spot, on a blog, to share the joys of our lives. These joys, at the root, stem from the love of our Savior. He has poured out his life for us all, and I say we pour out this love to others so they may come to know Him too.
Are you an ambassador for Christ? Does your life reflect this joy, this love, this faith that the Lord has bestowed on each of us? I hope so.
Christ is our King. The triune God. A mystery to us all, but a wonderful mystery to seek daily. He dwells in each of us.
I think that is pretty extraordinary!
IHS,
Cammie
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Step into the Ring!
I'm in the middle of reading a fabulous book by Dutch Sheets called Intercessory Prayer. It really spoke to me today. It's been talking about spiritual warfare and how we so often are scared or nervous to verbally fight the battle in prayer, here's a story from it. . . .
"Don't be like the bodybuilder visiting Africa, who was asked by a village chief what he did with all his muscles. The body builder thoguht an exhibition might better serve to explain it, so he proceeded to flex his bulging calves, thighs, biceps and triceps, demonstrating how he performed in competition. After admiring this amazing specimen for a few moments, the chief inquired, "What else do you use them for?"
"That's about it," answered the muscular man.
"That's all you use those huge muscles for?" reiterated the chief.
"Yes."
"What a waste," muttered the chief in disgust. "What a waste."
So many of us are like this body builder. We're strong in the Lord, well equipped to deal with our adversary, but we never use our strength or our weapons. Step into the Ring!"
If we're walking with the Lord, we need not to be afraid to rebuke the enemy when he attacks. Satan and his demons may have power over us, but they do not have authority over us when we're covered by the blood of Jesus. So be bold! Fight against the darkness. Recognize it as attacks of Satan and thwart him. I'm reminded of a song we use to sing with our youth group. "Romans 16:19 says, Be excellent at what is good, be innocent of evil and the God of peace will soon crush Satan, the God of Peace will crush Him underneath your feet." So friends, stomp on the enemy in the name of Jesus!!!!! Step into the Ring!
Love you all,
Jocelyn
"Don't be like the bodybuilder visiting Africa, who was asked by a village chief what he did with all his muscles. The body builder thoguht an exhibition might better serve to explain it, so he proceeded to flex his bulging calves, thighs, biceps and triceps, demonstrating how he performed in competition. After admiring this amazing specimen for a few moments, the chief inquired, "What else do you use them for?"
"That's about it," answered the muscular man.
"That's all you use those huge muscles for?" reiterated the chief.
"Yes."
"What a waste," muttered the chief in disgust. "What a waste."
So many of us are like this body builder. We're strong in the Lord, well equipped to deal with our adversary, but we never use our strength or our weapons. Step into the Ring!"
If we're walking with the Lord, we need not to be afraid to rebuke the enemy when he attacks. Satan and his demons may have power over us, but they do not have authority over us when we're covered by the blood of Jesus. So be bold! Fight against the darkness. Recognize it as attacks of Satan and thwart him. I'm reminded of a song we use to sing with our youth group. "Romans 16:19 says, Be excellent at what is good, be innocent of evil and the God of peace will soon crush Satan, the God of Peace will crush Him underneath your feet." So friends, stomp on the enemy in the name of Jesus!!!!! Step into the Ring!
Love you all,
Jocelyn
Friday, October 19, 2007
1st Sunday November 4, 2007
We are pleased to host the Sandy Youth Christian Marimba Band at Hillside! You won't want to miss this! Please bring extra food to share with our guests. Bring your kids to play along on the marimbas. And bring your hearts ready to celebrate and rejoice with others who belong to the body of Christ! You will be encouraged!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
10:00am
Potluck Breakfast
(Remember to pray about how you can "bring what you have" for the Comer Family on this day.)
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Thank you from the Comer Family
Hillside,
Where do we start? Never in eight years of ministry has anybody been so kind, so generous, so encouraging, and so inspirational. Our hearts were deeply moved by your gifts and your kind words. They were like fresh kindling rekindling the fire for ministry. The enemy tries every single day to extinguish that flame, but God's Spirit and God's people (you!) keep it alive. We're shocked that God would use weak, fragile, needy people like us, but to God be the glory! Great things He has done. So thank you! We so enjoyed the gift certificates! "Date night" was awesome! We ate fresh omlettes every day with the awesome vegetables! The flowers look beautiful and fit our house perfectly! I could go on and on! But most of all thank you for your prayers. We covet them. Please continue to pray! We love you guys and are inspired by your heart for unity in the church. Christ is the head! God bless, The Comers P.S. Jude loves the car!
Where do we start? Never in eight years of ministry has anybody been so kind, so generous, so encouraging, and so inspirational. Our hearts were deeply moved by your gifts and your kind words. They were like fresh kindling rekindling the fire for ministry. The enemy tries every single day to extinguish that flame, but God's Spirit and God's people (you!) keep it alive. We're shocked that God would use weak, fragile, needy people like us, but to God be the glory! Great things He has done. So thank you! We so enjoyed the gift certificates! "Date night" was awesome! We ate fresh omlettes every day with the awesome vegetables! The flowers look beautiful and fit our house perfectly! I could go on and on! But most of all thank you for your prayers. We covet them. Please continue to pray! We love you guys and are inspired by your heart for unity in the church. Christ is the head! God bless, The Comers P.S. Jude loves the car!
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