NO GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN IN HEAVEN!

NOTE:  My blog posts may become infrequent (as they have in the past month) as we enter in to a very busy time of year for us.  I will, however, make a blog post when I have opportunity.  I plan to resume blogging on a regular basis at the start of the new years.  Thanks!

The United States recently come out of a government shut down. While not unprecedented, it has been a while since the U.S. government had shut down.  This was the result of a budget dispute between both major parties.  While this government shut down did not literally shut down the entire government  it did shut down nearly 20% percent of it.  This shut down had a ripple affect on an already weak economy.  Many social services were affected resulting in government offices being closed.  Many employees deemed "non-essential" were sent home until the government budget dispute was resolved. Because of this, phone calls went unanswered, meetings were cancelled and programs were halted.

The resolution came around two weeks later and was a temporary resolution, at that.  There is no guarantee this won't happen again early next year when the agreed upon temporary budget runs out. 

I was thinking while all this was going on just how grateful I am that there is never a government shut down in heaven!  There never has been and there never will be!  Praise God!  As believers, we can rest assured when we pray, God hears!  Jesus remains at the Father's right hand making intercession for us - pleading our case!  There was no disruption of service.  Heaven's economy still thrives!   

It's exciting to think about what awaits us when we pass from this life.  I like how the Salvation Army looks at it when a believer passes from this life.  They believe (as do I) that person has been promoted to heaven!  Wow!  You talk about a promotion!  That's enough to get you excited!  And to think there has never been an interruption in heaven's economy.  Like the old song says, "Heaven's sounding sweeter all the time."

Until next time....enjoy the journey!

Ray

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RESIST THE DEVIL

Scripture Reading - James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We, as believers, are called upon not only to contend with an evil heart and an evil world, but also with evil spirits. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. These adversaries are banded together under one head – Satan. In speaking of the devil, we must include all his emissaries.

It's important to acknowledge right from the beginning we must be fully submitted to God if we are going to be empowered to make the devil flee from us. It all starts there. Without that, Satan can run all over us. We must fight him in our own power, but rather in God's power.

It's important to know your enemy. It's a mistake to underrate the importance of an enemy

Therefore, let's form a right assessment of our foe. Look at his power – Satan can inflame the mind and the evil desire of the soul. The reality is that while his power is enormous it is limited by the totality of the power of our God! Satan is diligent – Satan is described as continually “walking about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is nobody's dummy. He's extremely diligent If he fails a hundred times, he only tries again. He is filled with malice. Satan envies every human happiness and seeks to undermine it. He can't stand for you to be happy. He's miserable and wants to spread his misery. He is sneaky. Satan is crafty and subtle. He is a hidden assassin rather than an open foe

He rarely attacks head on in the open. He has lots of experience at what he does. Satan has long studied human nature so he is very adept at deceiving mankind

We are called upon to resist rather than fight the devil. We are not to talk with him as a friend or compromise with him, but rather we are to resist him at every turn. We are not to give him a foothold in any way General Orders. Reading 1 Peter 5:8 we can get some instruction on dealing with this enemy. Be sober (sharp, alert) both physically and mentally. Be vigilant (keep awake; never off your guard). Be united – stand shoulder to shoulder with your allies. Weapons have been provide for us to face this enemy. These weapons are tried and true weapons. Of course the first weapon we have is the Word of God. It's important to know God's Word. Even Jesus, when He was tempted of the devil, quoted Scripture to satan. Past experience is a good weapon, as well. When Satan tries to tell you how little God will do for you, remind him how much God has already done for you. Earnest prayer is a very important weapon. I'm talking about the getting on your face and getting serious with God type of praying. Not this mamby pamby stuff that we see today. Allow God to become engaged in the conflict with you. 1 Samuel 17:47 “For the battle is the LORD'S” We also have impenetrable Armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of readiness to spread the Good News, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Put these things in place in your life. We are equipped!

The Word says once we resist him “he will flee from you”. This may not happen at first for there must be real resistance to his power. Keep in mind in this life, the flight is temporary. Satan leaves only to return. Each time we engage Satan and resist him equips us more to stand fast the next time. In the future there will be a final flight. Satan will flee never to return

The Christian life is a life of conflict with Satan. We must endure hardness if we are to be victorious 2 Timothy 2:3 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”. A Christian's life is a blessed one for even in the midst of the conflicts we face there is a rest in God,

Armour up...submit to God...be prepared...stand fast...resist the devil...and he will flee from you!

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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HE TOOK MY SINS AWAY!

Have you ever had a song on your mind or in your heart going over and over for a prolonged period of time?  I can see some of you now shaking your head in an affirmative way.  Well, for the last two weeks I have had a song in my heart.  It's not a song our gospel group sings.  It's an old song I used to hear growing up.  The old gospel song titled "He Took My Sins Away" has been reververating in my spirit for the last two weeks.  It's a song that excites me!  I find myself humming it and even singing the chorus at home, at work even in the car. 

As I look at the words I get even more excited.  Check out the words to this old song:

1)

I came to Jesus, weary, worn, and sad,

He took my sins , He took my sins away

And now His love has made my heart so glad, 

He took my sins away . .

Chorus

He took my sins away , He took my sins away away,

And keeps me singing every day!

I’m so glad He took my sins away,

He took my sins He took my sins away...

2)

The load of sin was more than I could bear.

He took my sins away, He took my sins away . . .

And now on Him I roll my ev’ry care, 

He took my sins away ...

Chorus

3)

No condemnation have I in my heart, 

He took my sins away, He took my sins away. . .

His perfect peace He did to me impart,

He took my sins away ...

Chorus

4)

If you will come to Jesus Christ today,

He’ll take your sins away , He’ll take your sins away ,

And keep you happy in His love each day

He’ll take your sins away ...

Chorus

Now  if that song doesn't make you want to shout your wood must be wet!  You need a touch from God.  You talk about a praise and worship song!  Wow!  This one has it all - the testimony of the believer and hope for the unsaved.

I pray this song, and most importantly, the reality of this song will be your testimony until we see Jesus.

I thought I would put on link on here to this song from You Tube.  If you would like to hear it it just click on this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iP7cEXDyXE 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost this blog.