SATAN’S KINGDOM [DEVOTION OF THE WEEK ~ SUNDAY 26 MAY 2013 TO SATURDAY 1 JUNE 2013]

NOTICE: The following article is written by the author itself and not by me, I am not trying to violate their copyright. I will give some information on them. One of my favorite theologians, John Calvin, died on this date, 27 May 1564. He would have been 504 years old if he was alive today. In loving memory of him, I will post this devotion of the week from him, as many theologians warned us about Satan.

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ARTICLE TITLE: Satan’s Kingdom

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SATAN'S KINGDOM

     Satan is presently called the "god of this world" in II Corinthians 4:4.  Jesus referred to Satan's Kingdom in Matthew 12:26 when He said, "And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?"  This world and this world's kingdoms are under the domain of Satan.  When Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan, "...the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  And the devil said unto him, 'All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.  If thou wilt worship me all shalt be thine.' (Luke 4:5-7)."  Was this a bona fide offer?  Could Satan offer all this world's kingdoms to Jesus Christ?  The answer is yes!

     One day Jesus Christ will take away the kingdoms of this world from Satan and they will become His.  The book of Revelation tells us, "...The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15)."  But, presently, Satan has control.

     Satan is known by many different names in the Bible.  Some of Satan's names are:

(1) Satan     II Corinthians 2:11
(2) the tempter     Matthew 4:3
(3) the devil     Matthew 4:5
(4) the enemy     Matthew 13:25,39
(5) the wicked one     Matthew 13:38
(6) the dragon     Revelation 12:9
(7) the old serpent     Revelation 12:9
(8) that crooked serpent     Isaiah 27:1
(9) the accuser     Revelation 12:10
(10) the piercing serpent     Isaiah 27:1
(11) the deceiver     Revelation 12:9
(12) the adversary     I Peter 5:8
(13) the liar     John 8:44
(14) the father of lies     John 8:44
(15) the murderer     John 8:44
(16) the oppressor     Isaiah 14:4
(17) the day-star     Isaiah 14:12
(18) Lucifer     Isaiah 14:2
(19) the son of the morning     Isaiah 14:12
(20) the one that laid low the nations     Isaiah 14:12
(21) leviathan     Isaiah 27:1
(22) the dragon that is in the sea     Isaiah 27:1
(23) the anointed cherub     Ezekiel 28:14
(24) Beelzebub     Matthew 12:24
(25) Belial (which means "wickedness"     II Corinthians 6:15
(26) Apollyon (Greek for "destroyer")     Revelation 9:11
(27) Abaddon (Hebrew for "destruction")     Revelation 9:11
(28) angel of the bottomless pit     Revelation 9:11
(29) the prince of the world     John 14:30
(30) the prince of the power of the air     Ephesians 2:2
(31) the prince of the demons     Matthew 12:24
(32) the god of this world     II Corinthians 4:4
(33) an angel of light     II Corinthians 11:14
(34) the strong man     Luke 11:21
(35) the thief     John 10:10
(36) the wolf     John 10:12
(37) the roaring lion     I Peter 5:8
(38) the spoiler     Isaiah 16:4
(39) the extortioner     Isaiah 16:4

Each of the above names describes something of Satan's character.

     Satan often makes himself appear so laughable and absurd that people do not fear him.  Or he persuades them that he does not exist so that people are incapable of resisting his assaults.  Satan appears as "an angel of light" according to II Corinthians 11:14.  He often appears as having the truth and deceives many.

     Satan's primary objective is to prevent people from understanding the gospel message so that they might be saved.  "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them (I Corinthians 4:4)."  Satan often blinds the lost by giving them a heavenly way to go to hell.  In other words religion is Satan's substitute for the gospel.

     Jesus Christ's major objective is to reach a lost world with the gospel.  "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:17)."  And again in Luke 19:10 we read, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

     Satan's major objective is to prevent people from becoming saved.  One objection given by the lost more than any other to the true gospel is that "It is too simple!"  Satan uses that very objection to cause people to not believe the gospel.  Notice II Corinthians 11:3, "But I fear, lest by any means as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."  The message of salvation is not based on human works or merit but on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, least any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8,9)."  Therefore, the true message is simple.  God has done all the hard part.  Our part is simply to receive Jesus Christ by faith!

Satan is a counterfeiter!  He has his imitations:

(1) false Christ, the Antichrist     Revelation 13:2
(2) synagogues (his church)     Revelation 2:9
(3) doctrine     I Timothy 4:1
(4) mysteries (the depth of Satan)     Revelation 2:24
(5) throne     Revelation 13:2
(6) kingdom     Luke 4:6
(7) power     Revelation 13:2
(8) worshippers     Revelation 13:4
(9) diabolical trinity     Revelation 16:13
(10) angels     Revelation 12:7
(11) ministers     II Corinthians 11:15
(12) miracles     II Thessalonians 2:9
(13) sons          John 8:44
(14) sacrifices     I Corinthians 10:20
(15) communion     I Corinthians 10:20
(16) table     I Corinthians 10:21
(17) Satan's cup*     II Corinthians 10:21
(18) glory          Jude 8,9
(19) armies     Isaiah 24:21
(20) gospel     Galatians 1:6-9
(21) spirit     II Corinthians 11:4
     …and more.

     Satan counterfeits the gospel by offering people religion instead of salvation.  All religions are based on man's works for salvation, whereas God's salvation is based solely on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The word "religion" comes from two Latin words "re" and "ligio" which mean to do something of self to bind back to God.  Religions are therefore man's efforts to bind himself back to God.  God says in the Bible that it is impossible for man of his own efforts to bind himself to God.  Satan delights himself in blinding man into thinking that he could earn eternal life through his works.  God's plan of salvation is the exact opposite of religion.  Notice Romans 4:5, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him (Jesus Christ) that justifieth the ungodly (human race), his faith is counted for righteousness."

     The person who wholly trusts Jesus Christ as his only hope for heaven will be saved.  All others will perish.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16)."

Satan's kingdom truly is this world and Jesus Christ came to save (rescue) us from it.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN CALVIN [QUOTE OF THE FORTNIGHT ~ SUNDAY 19 MAY 2013 TO SATURDAY 1 JUNE 2013]

              One of my favorite theologians, John Calvin, died on this date, 27 May 1564. He would have been 504 years old if he was alive today. In loving memory of him, I will post the Christian Quote of the Week from him. 

John Calvin

QUOTE: Without knowledge of self, there is no knowledge of God
Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But as these are connected together by many ties, it is not easy to determine which of the two precedes and gives birth to the other. [Book I Ch. 1 "The Knowledge of God and of Ourselves Mutually Connected - Nature of this Connection" as translated by Henry Beveridge.]

AUTHOR: John Calvin (French: Jean Calvin, born Jehan Cauvin: 10 July 1509 – 27 May 1564) was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism. Originally trained as a humanist lawyer, he broke from the Roman Catholic Church around 1530. After religious tensions provoked a violent uprising against Protestants in France, Calvin fled to Basel, Switzerland, where he published the first edition of his seminal work The Institutes of the Christian Religion in 1536. In that year, Calvin was recruited by William Farel to help reform the church in Geneva. The city council resisted the implementation of Calvin and Farel's ideas, and both men were expelled. At the invitation of Martin Bucer, Calvin proceeded to Strasbourg, where he became the minister of a church of French refugees. He continued to support the reform movement in Geneva, and was eventually invited back to lead its church. Following his return, Calvin introduced new forms of church government and liturgy, despite the opposition of several powerful families in the city who tried to curb his authority. During this time, the trial of Michael Servetus was extended by libertines in an attempt to harass Calvin. However, since Servetus was also condemned and wanted by the Inquisition, outside pressure from all over Europe forced the trial to continue. Following an influx of supportive refugees and new elections to the city council, Calvin's opponents were forced out. Calvin spent his final years promoting the Reformation both in Geneva and throughout Europe. Calvin was a tireless polemic and apologetic writer who generated much controversy. He also exchanged cordial and supportive letters with many reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon and Heinrich Bullinger. In addition to the Institutes, he wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible, as well as theological treatises and confessional documents. He regularly preached sermons throughout the week in Geneva. Calvin was influenced by the Augustinian tradition, which led him to expound the doctrine of predestination and the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation of the human soul from death and eternal damnation. Calvin's writing and preachings provided the seeds for the branch of theology that bears his name. The Reformed and Presbyterian churches, which look to Calvin as a chief expositor of their beliefs, have spread throughout the world.

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK [SUNDAY 26 MAY 2013 TO SATURDAY 1 JUNE 2013]

Romans 12 verse 1 to 2 (NKJV):

1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT ME! [DEVOTION OF THE WEEK ~ SUNDAY 19 MAY 2013 TO SATURDAY 25 MAY 2013]

NOTICE: The following article is written by the author itself and not by me, I am not trying to violate their copyright. I will give some information on them.

PAGE TITLE: CBN Daily Devotional

ARTICLE TITLE: What God says about me!

DATE: N.A

AUTHOR: Jenny the Jewel

URL: http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/Devotions/JennyTheJewel.aspx

I was born with Down syndrome over 30 years ago. This makes some things very difficult for me. When I was younger, I spent a lot of time asking God, Why did you make me with Down Syndrome? Why can’t I be normal like other people? 

I told Him all the time that I didn’t like having Down syndrome. I kept thinking that if only I didn’t have Down syndrome I would be happy. I thought that somehow God made a mistake when He made me. My Mom and Dad always told me they loved me so deeply, and that they could not love me anymore, but somehow down deep in my heart I always wondered if they would love me more if I didn’t have Down Syndrome.  

When I was in high school, the kids on the school bus were very mean to me. They laughed at me, and mocked me and they called me all kinds of bad names, and told me that even my parents couldn’t love me. That hurt me so deeply!   

When I got off the school bus in the afternoon, I would be crying. My Mom met me at the door, and we would talk and pray every day. She told me that people used to say bad things about Jesus and call Him names too, so He understood exactly how I felt.  

She told me that real truth is only found in God’s Word, and not in what other people say about you. She told me that if I could find anywhere in the Bible where God calls me bad names, or said I was a mistake; she would pay me $5,000. I spent a lot of time reading in the Bible to find out what God said about me. All the Scriptures I found said just the opposite, so I never did get the $5,000!  

Some of my favorite Scriptures are: Psalm 139:14 where God says,“I am fearfully and wonderfully made." God tells me in Psalm 17, "I am the apple of His eye." In Deuteronomy 7:6, God tells me that I am "His treasured possession."  In Philippians 4:8, God tells me to think about whatever is "true, noble, right, pure, and lovely."  I like to think about the truth that God tells me and spend my time thinking about what God says is true. The last Scripture I want to share is Psalm 119:114, “You are my refuge and my shield. I have put my hope in your Word.”  My confidence and hope is in God. I know now that instead of being a mistake, I am the Lord’s treasured possession.  

I like to memorize Scripture and fill my mind with the truth of who God says I am. This understanding has made all the difference in my life. Now I recognize that God has a plan for my life, and He created me just the way I am for His special purpose. I may still have Down syndrome, but now instead of saying “if only” I didn’t have Down syndrome, I say, “So what, I will glorify God just the way He made me." I know He loves me and cares for me with His whole heart.  

The Lord showed me that I am not a mistake, but I am a precious gift…His treasured possession. We have a choice to believe and fill our minds with God’s truth, which will change our hearts, or listen to what other people say and be sad.  It is a choice we must each make.  In Exodus 4:10, Moses tells God that he can’t do what God told him to do because he was slow of speech and tongue. In verse 11, the Lord said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go. I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”  He made me just the way He made me for just the special purpose I was created for. There is special work He has for me to do that can only be done by me, just the way He created me.  

If I spend my time wishing I was different, I will never get around to doing those things God wants me to do. Sometimes Satan tries to put thoughts into my head and tell me that I am no good and stuff like that. That’s when I remember the Scripture in John 10:10 that says, “The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it to the fullest.” 

When Satan tries to put lies into my head, I beat him over the head with the truth of God. I do it over and over again as long as I have to. I know God  has given me special gifts and talents, and my desire is to use them for His glory. I say it often and I mean it…I love my life!  

God does not make any mistakes, and that’s the truth… no matter what we sometime may think. As Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding." Jesus is my best friend, and I love Him with all my heart, and I am fully His.There is nothing more important in my life than pleasing Him, spending time loving Him and reading His Word, talking to Him, and sharing His love with other people. His joy fills my heart!  

If your heart is sad because you wish God had made you different, read in His Word the truth of what He says about you, believe it, and let Him change your heart. Nothing is impossible with God. He certainly did change my heart.

Lord, I pray for each person, that you will fill their heart with Your truth of who they really are and how much you love them. AMEN!