Revelation 12: The Woman and the Dragon

The Woman and the Dragon

Revelation 12:1-6 reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend of min last year. He said he didn't read the Bible because there were people eating dragons or dragons eating people. He didn't have a reference as to what chapter or book, but just that people said that it was in the Bible and so he didn't believe it. He was missing the context and he was missing the symbolism. the woman represents Israel, the dragon is Satan and the man-child is Jesus. Jesus, after being born, was going to be eaten (tempted) by Satan, but instead Jesus went to God's throne in Heaven (did what was honorable to God). After Israel (through history) gave "birth" to Jesus he did what God wanted and fulfilled what he was to do rather than what was tempting and earthly.

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Wednesday Wake Up #30

Examine Yourself

In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul tells the church in Corinth to examine and test themselves. He asks them if they know that Christ is in them. Paul also tells them if they test themselves they will know that Christ is in them, unless they are disqualified from the test. Disqualified? That was Paul's way of saying you cannot take a test to see if Christ is in you if you are worldly and not one with Christ. So ask yourself today, am I one with Christ?

How does one then test themselves? One way is through reading the various parables and experiences of Jesus and apply the lessons of learned/taught whether they are temptation (the wilderness), faithfulness (mustard seed and power drained), forgiveness (prodigal son) or the young rich ruler (worldly thinking). If you aren't studying Christ's life and his words, then  how will you know if you are one with Christ? How will you know if the Holy Spirit is leading you? Do you say things like "It's just the way I am and I won't change" even though that something you do is not of God? Read the scripture in the right context and be Spirit led. 

Also, in reading through Ephesians 5:5-7 and also Romans 1:28-32 we see a lists, if you will, of what is not God honoring. Paul calls out the sexually immoral or impure and says that they have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  He also points out that those did not see fit to acknowledge God were given up by God to their own devices. Paul says there unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice, envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness, gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. It is one thing to slip up and make a bad decision. There is grace for that from God upon repentance. But, when you accept sin into your lifestyle, that is not of the Holy Spirit. That is not passing the test of Christ likeness. That sin acceptance disqualifies you from taking that test. Look at what loves is and what is in the fruit (evidence) of the spirit. When you are led by that which is of Christ there will be evidence, likewise the opposite.

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1 Corinthians 10: Temptation and Idolatry

Temptation and Idolatry

Paul wanted to warn the Corinthian Christians against idolatry. He is still on the point of eating food that has been offered to idols. Paul saw that as a temptation and idol worship. Of course it is. If you eat something offered to a god and not God, that is idolatry. The temptation comes from that when the desire is to do that which God would not honor. As natural as you may feel it is, which it may very well be, giving into that is still temptation.We must remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 as rely on that to pull away when we are tempted.

1 Corinthians 10:21 shows us that Paul was trying to keep people from having a dual partnership with demons and with God. You cannot drink from a cup or eat of food offered to demons and still be on God's side. that would not honor God. As much as people might have said "Paul leave us alone, it is not hurting anybody", they would have been sadly mistaken. I hear many people in these days say that certain things are natural or no big deal and "mind your own business", but being that Paul built that church and believers were getting it wrong, he had to say something.

Lastly, 1 Corinthians 10:23 has been used out of context numerous times. I have heard it used to validate someone's sinful behavior while only quoting the "all things are lawful" part while completely ignoring the context of the chapter and of this letter to the Corinthians. It wasn't about "how bad is it" it is about "how good is it." Paul points out "not all things build up" which means not all things that are allowable as your own personal rights as humans are able to build you up as Christians. Our rights under Christ are what matters most.

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Wednesday Wake Up #22

Jesus Faces Temptation

When you read through Matthew 4:1-11, you get to see a time where Jesus experienced temptation in ways that we also experience it. Satan knows what your struggles are. He knows how to tempt you, that is why what you keep doing but have been trying to stop doing hasn't stopped yet. Satan knows when you are weak and vulnerable. Satan knows that when you are with the wrong group of friends, you will be lead away from doing God's will. Satan knows that when you are alone you can hide your sin from others, but you cannot hide it from God. 

Jesus was in the wilderness fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. He was not doing this to lose weight and get that great summer body, it was his way to show honor to god. After that 40 days and 40 nights he was hungry. Satan tempted him to turn rock into bread so that he would not be hungry. Jesus responded by quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3 and said that man should not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Jesus was tempted and went to scripture. Temptation does not come from God. He allows for it to happen so that we can be strengthened by it through the work of the Holy Spirit. 

Satan also tried to tempt Jesus by telling him to throw himself down from the highest poin of the temple. Satan even manipulated scripture (as many still do today) in order to get Jesus to do what he wanted. Jesus again responded with scripture. Finally, Satan tempts Jesus that he can have all of the kingdoms of the world if Jesus worshipped Satan. Jesus again responds with scripture amd tells satan to get away and Satan finally leaves him.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we learn that there is not temptation that happens to us that is not common to man be it sex, money, drugs, lies, power, prestige, popularity and so on. God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can deal with. he will provide a way out because He is faithful. We must decide if we want to take that way out or not. No matter what you are tempted with, know that Jesus was tempted but He knew how to fight. Also know that others are tempted like you and will be tempted like you in the future. We don't have to fight alone. When tempted, call a Christian brother or sister. Go for a walk, but also pray to God. We have to know how to fight. Not on our own power, but with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Wednesday Wake Up #20

Facing Temptation

It's tough out there. Temptation is around every corner. You could just be driving to work and listening to the radio and a song could come on and tempt you to do something that is not easy for you to resist. It happens to me, often. It may not be a song, it might be music, a TV show or a movie. Sometimes it is a just a random thought that pops in my head. Just a thought.What I do with that thought is whether I win the battle over the temptation or I lose. The choice is in my control.

In Proverbs 25:28 it says "A man without self control is like a city broken into and left without walls." To me, that is deep. Imagine that the United States of America had literally no defenses set up. No aircraft carriers in the Pacific or Atlantic Ocean. No Army. No Navy. No Marines. No Air Force. Nothing. NOTHING!!! Do you know how easy it would be for another country to invade us everyday? Well, thankfully we are protected. The government set up years ago (as many governments do) a system of what to do if an invasion attempt was made. They set up defenses far in advance rather than wait until an attack comes. Well, shouldn't we do the same? Our minds must be protected. Our minds must be focused on what is godly. Even if it feels right and natural to us, it doesn't mean that it is (Proverbs 14:12). Check your beliefs against what Scripture says about it. Far in advance, focus on bible verses like the ones highlighted in this paragraph, or check out Romans 6. It outlines how we as Christ followers should be thinking even when in the face of sin and ways that we behaved before we believed in Christ.

Sin pulls us away from God. That plays into what Satan wants. He is not God's friend, but God's enemy. So when it is tempting to cut down someone and curse them out, that plays into Satan's plans for your life. When you are tempted to watch an adult film, or harm your body with drugs, or eat poorly or whatever it is, that pulls you away from being in God's will. What does a life look like when you are out of God's will? Problems, problems and more problems. Relational problems with family and friends. Extreme amounts of stress in trying to deal with everything that is going on. Those things that we did before we were believers need to be dead such as idolatry like your possessions, lust, covetousness, etc (Colossians 3:5-6).

To arm our selves with the army, navy, marines and air force of our spirit and mind, we need to put on the full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). Focusing our minds on what is of God and what is pleasing to Him. We also need to be careful of who we are hanging pout with, I recently reread Proverbs 1:10 which reminded me of a life change I had almost 20 years ago when I was hanging with the wrong crowd. I was hanging with sinners who did not know God and were enticing me to do wrong and I fell for a long time. It took me to be in my 30's before I realized I needed to break away from certain types of people. As I grow in my faith I need to be around those who are Holy Spirit minded and filled and led. 

 
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Friday Focus #10

We Do Not Have to Fall to Temptation

Life is full of temptations. We are tempted to do many things from act out on our aggression, lie on our taxes, cheat on spouses, look at adult oriented imagery, have too much alcohol to drink or over eat. Some of these temptations are so a part of our culture that we have accepted them as part of our life and acceptable. But, it isn't about what is culturally acceptable. Culture changes every so often, but God's Word stays the same. That is the measuring stick by which we live life, not what people think we should do or what we think we should do.

In James 1:13-15 we have to recognize that temptation is not coming from God. God doesn't tempt us He directs us. Satan tempts us by what our desires are. I do not have the temptation to get drunk, but someone else does. Others don't have the temptation to over eat or eat the wrong things, but I do. When we give into temptation is when it turns into sin and when sin is full grown it becomes death. Not physical death, but a spiritual one in that area that can spread to other areas of our lives.

How do you fight against the temptation to go against God's will? Well, after recognizing that you are being tempted you can immediately go to God. Ask God to cover and protect you as you face this temptation (Luke 22:40). You don't have to go at it alone. Not only can you talk to God, but you can also tell another believer. Do you have an older person to confide or a friend that also follows Christ? Tell them what you are struggling with. I would hate to struggle in an area and not be able to open up to another believer (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Two people + God = a three fold chord that is not easily broken.

 Remember too, that whatever you deal with, is something that someone else has already gone through. Someone else has had the same temptations you have already had (1 Corinthians 10:13). God provides a way out and will not let you be tempted past what you can deal with. Follow His path.

Facing Temptation- Open Bible verses

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Luke 17:1-4- Temptation and Forgiveness

Temptation and Forgiveness

Temptation is an issue everyone is going to deal with. Whether the temptation is sexual, financial, or even violent, we all have temptations. One of my biggest temptations is food. I like sweet food. I have had a sweet tooth for a long time and find it very hard to stop. But, my will power isn't strong enough to change that (Philippians 4:13).

In Luke 17:1-2, Jesus shows that it would be better to have a stone around our necks and be thrown into the sea than to cause a child to sin. So, even if we mess up, that stinks, but to cause a child to sin is even greater in God's eyes. Children depend on us to teach them what is right and wrong from God's perspective. If we stray off of God's path and teach a child to fight and resort to violence, is that setting them on the path to being Christ like? What about our words? How do we talk about people we are not fans of? Do we make fun of them and call them names? Kids pick up on things that we don't always think we are teaching them. A parent may not teach a child to drink underage but the parent could have a very liberal system at home that allows for the children to be influenced by the parents usage of alcohol. We have to watch ourselves.

As a matter of fact, the next thing Jesus says in (verses 3-4) is to "pay attention" to ourselves. Not just pay attention to who we are and how we are around children, but also how we are when people come to us and seek forgiveness from us. He tells us that if our brother sins, we rebuke him (expression of sharp disapproval or criticism). And if he repents we forgive him. We cannot hang on to the past hurt and not forgive. If we do that then that is like saying God shouldn't forgive us for our trespasses against Him and no one else should forgive our sins against them. Jesus is speaking about a community here. We are not just individuals with no affect on each other. We are all connected which is part of why we are commanded to love one another.

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Friday Focus #6

Taking Ownership of Our Actions

We have to stop blaming God for where our life is. We have to stop blaming God for how we feel. And we have to stop blaming God for the things that happen to us after we make bad decisions. Ultimately we have to take ownership of our actions. Our actions can be a determining factor as to whether or not we are seeking to be aligned with God or just seeking to please ourselves.

I have had many conversations regarding God and what He would allow in our lives. Such questions circle around topics like why does God allow suffering or evil. The truth is, we live in a broken world full of broken people. It started with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God said in Genesis 2:15-17 that Adam and Eve could eat from any tree except for that tree for surely they would die. So what did Adam and Eve do? They did exactly what they were not supposed to. They were tempted by the serpent (we understand to be Satan or temptation) who in Genesis 3:1-7 questioned what God said and then debunked what God had already commanded.

Isn't that what Satan does to us now? We know what God says based on what is written in scripture. We understand what God says, but when tempted with whatever tempts us, we can fall when we stray away from obedience. We do not always choose to run away from temptation. When we give in to temptations the results can be immediately catastrophic or eventually. I am not writing these things to scare people into obedience but to illustrate how when we do the opposite of what God commands, we fall right into Satan's trap and we are now further away from God.

Remember King David and Bathsheba and how their affair lead to a child out of wedlock and she was married to someone else? In order for David and Bathsheba to try to hide their shame (just like Adam and Eve wearing loincloths after eating the fruit), David tried to have Bathsheba's husband sleep with his wife (had him come home from war early), but Uriah was too drunk and did not so then David set Uriah up to be killed. Do you see how David and Bathsheba's infidelity and disobeying God went from something small and in a worldly sense very "innocent" lead to her husband's death? Even though David eventually married Bathsheba, God was still not happy with what David had done (2nd Samuel 11:27).

Look at is this way, when you do what God says and you are obedient, it doesn't make life perfect, but His will protects us from Satan's temptations and our own selfishness. In Proverbs 14:12 we see how a way that a man/person sees is the right way to them ends up being the track to death (not necessarily physical death- but even spiritual).

When we are tempted to go against God's will, we can either flee from the temptation which leads to only momentary satisfaction or we can seek God's will for our lives on a moment by moment and daily basis which leads to a closer connection to Him. We are not perfect, but God's will for our lives is.

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Matthew 4:7

Matthew 4:7 "Jesus said to him, 'Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" commentary- Jesus was tempted by the devil/tempter. He tried to get Jesus to turn stones into bread during a fast, and to jump off  a temple to have God save him. Jesus's response every time was with scripture in it's proper context to ward of Satan's attempts. Satan even promised to give Jesus kingdoms & glory if he worshiped him. Jesus told Satan to go away & knew to only worship God & God alone. When we are tempted to sin against God we need to know what to say to Satan's temptations.