Tag Archive for: Ephesians

Satan’s Playbook

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Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you… (James 4:7-8)

Let’s take a look at Satan’s playbook.  Let’s get a closer look at the tactics he uses in our lives.

Recently, there has been an email circulating with an image of Satan addressing a worldwide convention of demons.  There are basically 12 tactics that he gives to the demons.  He explains that the demons will have victory over Christians, if they can simply get Christians to do the following 12 things.

1.  Keep them busy with nonessentials.

2.  Tempt them to spend, spend, spend.  Encourage their debt!

3.  Get them to work long hours to maintain their empty lifestyles.

4.  Discourage them from spending family time, for when homes disintegrate there’s no refuge from work.

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Strength through Scripture ~ Part 1

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For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

This last week I received an email that broke my heart.  I heard from someone who is really going through a tough time.  I know that she is not the only one.  I’ve come across quite a few people this last week who are hurting, angry at circumstances, and broken.  I’ve learned that I can’t change circumstances.  I can’t make things better.  But I know the One who can provide strength through these difficult times.

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God’s Grace

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In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s GRACE that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.  And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ. (Ephesians 1:7-9)

It’s a New Year!  May you forget your failures from this last year and allow God’s grace to guide you forward!  May you receive “the unmerited favor of God”.  Yes, this is His abundant grace!  The grace He pours so freely on you!  Enjoy every ounce of His grace this year!

Wrestling Match

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For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)

In the last few weeks, I have received a few questions regarding the above verse so I think it’s time to explore what this verse means for our lives.  What is this struggle that we face in life?  And how do we fight against it?

1.  Find Strength in God

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”  ~Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)

This passage of Scripture is Paul’s final instruction to the church in Ephesus.  The church in Ephesus was pretty messed up.  They were doing all kinds of things that were ungodly.  Paul knew that they would not be ready for the day of battle, if he did not prepare them because their minds were preoccupied by ungodly matters.  So Paul let’s them know it’s time to take a stand in God’s strength.  Our strength for the daily battles that ensue us come from the Lord alone, He is the one who has the power to fight all that we face.  His power is sufficient to win every spiritual battle against the enemy.  Remember what the Lord said to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

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I Wish

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And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know the love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.(Ephesians 3:17-19)

My wish for you today is that you understand the tremendous depth of God’s love for you and in this understanding may you live it out in ways that leave people wondering what you’ve got!   My prayer for you is that in understanding God’s love, you will find it’s okay to admit your shortcomings and know through your weakness God’s strength will me made perfect in you.  Here is the verse to remind you of exactly that…

“…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

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