Tag Archives: Essential 100

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Defeating Demons

Essential 100—Read:
Mark 5:1-30

“When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him…When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!’ For Jesus had said to him, ‘Come out of this man, you impure spirit!’” ~Mark 5:1,6-8

It’s amazing to me that we acknowledge the existence of demons in Jesus’ day, and perhaps we are open to the possibility that they are “alive and well” in some remote places in the third world, but we pretty much act like they are extinct in the good old US of A in our day.

George Barna, a Christian researcher and pollster, once asked people to respond to this statement in a national survey:  “Satan, is not a living being, but is a symbol of evil.” Among those who claimed to be born again, 32% agreed strongly, 11% agreed somewhat and 5% didn’t know. So of the total number responding, 48% either agreed that Satan is only symbolic or weren’t sure!

His findings would suggest that around fifty percent of believers reading this blog, in spite of what the Bible clearly teaches, think of the devil as a boogie-man from a spiritual fairy tale, not a real being bent on destroying you.

Here is the Biblical reality: Satan and his demonic legions are indeed, alive and well on Planet Earth.  Satan is the enemy of God, he opposes every good work, and because he can’t do anything to God, he chooses to attack what is precious to God: You and me.

We’re in a war, friend, and it is high time we wake up, wise up, armor up, and “man up” to the devil and his demonic hordes. Rather than acting like demons don’t exist, how about we start taking a stand where we discern their influence, and begin to kick their sorry tails the heck out of Dodge—just like Jesus did wherever he encountered them.

You might say, “I’d rather not…I don’t think I want to personally take on the Prince of Darkness, thank you very much!” Listen, you were created to be actively involved in the ultimate conflict between good and evil, between the forces of God and Satan. you were made for this conflict, born again for the battle. That is who you are!  And your spiritual identity not only demands that you take sides in this fight, it ensures you will be victorious. You have the both the authority and the power—given by Jesus himself. In Mark 16:9, the very first sign Jesus said would follow those who believe: “In my name they will drive out demons…”  So why not join the fight you were guaranteed to win!

So if you are interested, here is what can you do to engage in the defeat of demons:

Recognize that Jesus promised you as a true believer authority over the power of Satan and his demons.

Ask for an understanding heart as to what it means to operate in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 4:14-19)

Declare war against Satanic darkness wherever it exists and you discern it in your world and begin to take the offensive. (Luke 4:14-19)

Take authority—enter Satan’s place of stronghold and opposition to disarm him through the power of the Holy Spirit, with the weapon of prayer (Acts 6:4; Ephesians 6:18) by the authority of the Name and Word of Jesus (Luke 11:20-22, Acts 16:16-18, Ephesians 6:17) and plunder the devil’s possessions, delivering those who have been captured by him (trophies) and returning them (spoils of war) to the Lord. (Luke 11:22)

Now I know that sounds like a lot, and you may not be battle ready—yet.  But you can be.  So pray, learn and get ready.  At some point, you can take God’s authority to execute God’s will in God’s power! And the great news is, your victory is guaranteed, because you are actually battling in the victory Christ has already won.

I like a fight I know I’ll win!  Don’t you?

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight. ~C.S. Lewis

Reflect and Apply: Take some time to reflect on the following verses and pray over the accompanying steps for being battle-ready: One—ask for discernment to recognize the spiritual nature of this war. (Ephesians 6:12) Two—live an upright and committed life before God. (Romans 12:1-2) Three—ask for faith to oppose the enemy effectively and specifically. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) Four—proclaim the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 6:15; Acts 1:8) Five—challenge Satanic opposition through the power of the name of Jesus (Acts 16:16-18), the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), pray in the Spirit (Acts 6:4; Ephesians 6:18), and fasting (Matthew 6:16). Six—pray for and desire the manifestation of the Holy Spirit through gifts of healings, tongues, miracles, signs and wonders. (I Corinthians 12:7-11; Acts 4:29-31) And seven—begin to take God’s authority and execute His will in His power! (Matthew 16:18-19)

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Fruit Inspectors

Essential 100—Read:
Matthew 6:5-7:29

“You will know them by their fruits.” ~Matthew 7:16

My father used to say, “The Bible says we’re not supposed to judge, but it doesn’t say we shouldn’t be inspecting the fruit.” That’s pretty sage advice in light of what Jesus taught.

The world likes to quote Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” That verse has been used like a sledgehammer against Christians who take a moral stand on just about any issue in our culture today. But Jesus never intended his words to intimidate believers into moral silence. We have been called to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), compelling people to a higher way while avoiding the sin of self-righteousness and judgmentalism that truly is a turn off to everyone—sinners, saints and even God himself.

When Jesus spoke against judging in Matthew 7:1-8, he was specifically taking a stand against what had become the national pastime in Israel—evaluating people’s spirituality by their outward observance of the minutiae of the law and their acts of religious piety. That’s why Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 that there will be those who stand before God claiming good deeds as their meal ticket to eternal life, but will be refused entrance. Good deeds won’t get you to God—only grace will.

So how do we know who is good with God and who is not? How do we know we are secure in our salvation? Easy! Just inspect the fruit being produced from one’s life:

  • Is there the fruit of repentance? John the Baptist called attention to that in Matthew 3:8. This is the first fruit of a God-honoring life.
  • Is there the fruit that comes from abiding in Christ? Jesus addressed this in John 15, saying that when a believer is fundamentally connected to him, the True Vine, there will be much fruit.
  • Is there the fruit of souls that a believer has led to Jesus? Paul speaks of this in Romans 15:14-29.
  • Is there the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—that Galatians 5:22-23 says should characterize every believer?
  • Is there the fruit of the light that consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth? Paul addressed this in Ephesians 5:9?
  • Is there the fruit of praise that glorifies God through Jesus Christ to which we are called in Hebrews 13:14-16?

For sure we must avoid the spiritual pitfall of becoming judgmental. Nothing destroys Kingdom life and hinders Kingdom influence quite like that. But we can inspect the fruit…and we should.

And a good place to start is by looking at your own!

 “Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works.”   ~Martin Luther

Reflect and Apply: When you are tempted to judge others, here is a simple prayer that you would do well to first offer up:  “O Holy Spirit, I offer my life to you today. Work the work of God in me so that I will bear much of your fruit!”

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Tempted

Essential 100—Read:
Matthew 3:13-17, 4:1-17

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God…’” ~Matthew 4:1-3

Isn’t it interesting—profound, really—that Satan knew who Jesus was, that he was God the Son, yet tempted him anyway?

Satan once resided as Lucifer, chief of all the angels, in the presence of the Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. So when Jesus became the incarnate Son of God, Satan knew perfectly well of his divine nature. Rather than backing off, however, Satan unleashed a torrent of enticements designed to derail the plan of God and get Jesus off his game.  And if the very Son of God would have to endure an onslaught of Satanic temptations, so will you.

It is also of interest that Satan didn’t tempt Jesus with obvious evil.  Three times he attempted to entice Jesus to sin with subtle, sane, and spiritual sounding goodies. The devil is the master of subtlety. He didn’t come to Jesus dressed in a red suit and pointed tail, pitchfork in hand, luring Jesus to commit murder or to steal a bag full of money.  No, this temptation was to gain what seemed good by sacrificing what was best.

It is highly likely that the temptations you will face today will be subtle as well.  Satan’s stock-in-trade is deception, which is what makes temptation so effective.  Jesus called him “the father of lies”, and he’s gotten pretty good at it over the millennia.  So in particular, watch out for the enticements that will be just slightly off center from God’s will.  Don’t accept good at the expense of God’s best.

In one sense, the temptations that will hit you today will be perfectly sane.  Jesus had fasted for forty days and was at the limit of what a human body could endure.  He was hungry, and Satan simply suggested that Jesus use his God-prerogatives to satisfy a physical necessity.

Jesus was called to be the Messiah of the Jews.  What better way to jumpstart his ministry than by hang-gliding from the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem—without a hang-glider.  What a great way to show off his God-powers and impress the people he was called to lead.

Ultimately, Jesus was called to be the Lord and Savior of the world.  Why not fast-track that plan by allowing Satan to hand deliver all the nations of the world to him in an instant.  No fuss, no muss.

The problem was, each of these temptations called for Jesus to depend on himself to get his needs met rather than trusting in God’s provision, timing and plan.  That is perhaps the most foundational and most common sin of all—to trust in anything or anyone other than God to get your needs and wants met.

It is likely that you will be hit with temptation in the same way today.  It will be subtle.  It will seem sane.  And probably, it will sound pretty spiritual as well—remember, each temptation Satan dangled before Jesus was prefaced with Scripture.

So be on guard today—sin is crouching at your door.  But it is not inevitable that you will succumb to it.  Jesus didn’t—which means that you don’t have to either.  Jesus knew the Word and will of God better than Satan, and so do you.  That’s one of the blessings of reading and praying the Scripture each day, as you are doing.

Likewise, since Jesus overcame his battle with temptation, he stands at the ready to help you in your battle.  So just ask him for his help—he is more than willing to come alongside you.  Hebrews 2:17-18 teaches us,

“For this reason Jesus had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

So when sin comes knocking at your door today, just send Jesus to answer it! 

“My temptations have been my Masters in Divinity.”  ~Martin Luther

Reflect and Apply: John Quincy Adams said, “Every temptation is an opportunity of our getting nearer to God.”  If you are facing a strong temptation, leverage it to draw near to God.  Here is a prayer you might consider offering: “Father in heaven, your name is holy.  May your kingdom come and your will be done in my life today, just as it is in heaven.  Provide what I need. Forgive all my sins—and strengthen me with your grace to forgive those who disappoint me. And steer me away from temptation, and from the Evil One, so that at the end of this day, through my life, all of the glory will be turned back to you.”

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Who Caused Jesus To Suffer?

Essential 100—Read:
Isaiah 51:1-53:12

“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” ~Isaiah 53:4-6

So who really caused Jesus to suffer and die? Several years ago, after the release of the movie, The Passion of the Christ, Newsweek magazine made this question their cover story—a question that stirred quite a lot of debate, and antagonism.

Did the Jews kill Jesus? Well, in the historical context, the Jewish religious leaders conspired to kill Jesus. Out of jealousy, they plotted to kill Jesus from the very beginning of his ministry right up until they carried it out. Matthew 26:3-4 says,

“Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him.”

And similar indictments are repeated throughout the Gospels at various different times. The Jewish leaders bear responsibility for his death.

But the Biblical record also shows that the Romans were complicit in Christ’s death. The Jewish leaders didn’t want to dirty their hands in this, so they manipulated Pilate, who also, tried to wash his hands of the matter, but couldn’t. John 18:31-32 tells us,

“Pilate said, ‘Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.’ ‘But we have no right to execute anyone,’ the Jews objected. This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.”

The truth of the matter is, the Jews plotted and the Romans carried out the death of Jesus. They were both complicit. And to suggest anything else is to re-write history. You can do that, but the truth remains the truth.

But let’s be clear about something: If Jesus had been born in Paris, Phnom Penh, Pretoria or Portland, it would have been the people in those places who caused the Messiah to suffer and die. Why? Because in reality, it wasn’t the Jews or the Romans, it was the sin of mankind—our sin—that put him on the cross. The Bible is clear that we’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and that the wages of our sin is death. And it took Jesus, the perfect, sinless God-man to pay the cost of our sins to deliver us from eternal death. I Peter 3:18 says,

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

But in a way that defies human reason and explanation, the truth is that God was responsible for Jesus’ death. Peter said in Acts 2:23, “Jesus was handed over to you by God’s set purposes and foreknowledge, and you, with the help of evil men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” Further, Isaiah 53:10 points out,

“It was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer… the Lord makes his life a guilt offering.”

The message of the cross is that we all put Jesus there…it was our sin. And out of the great kindness and love of God, he sent his Son to pay the cost for us all. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Who killed Jesus? I did! Who was responsible? It was ordained in the eternal counsels of a foreknowing God. Who did it? Jesus said, “I lay down my life, and I take it up again.” He did it because he loved you and me!

When you consider the cross and realize the awful price that Jesus paid, out of love, to bring us life, how can we not want to give him our very best, our very lives, in return?

Who made Jesus suffer and die? Lots of people—including me. But I’m so glad he was willingly pierced for my transgressions and crushed for my iniquities; that the punishment that brought me peace was upon him. Why? Because it is by his wounds I am healed—now and for all eternity!

“Even Christ pleased not Himself…. As man He ever moved for God. As God He ever moved for man.” ~Geoffrey T. Bull

Reflect and Apply: Read Isaiah 53:1-12 reflectively—and pause to give thanks for such great love.

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The Test of Love

Essential 100—Read:
Proverbs 16:1-18:24

“He who covers an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends…A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” ~Proverbs 17:9

“A friend loves at all times!”  There is a very complex and profound meaning in the Hebrew language for the word “all” in that sentence.  Are you ready for this?  It means…well…all. As in, all the time…always…morning, noon and night…24/7. Not sometimes, but all the time! That is when true love is active.  It never takes a day off, never goes on a break, never needs a time out, doesn’t take naps. It is always on!

That is especially true when the object of one’s love is not so lovable. For sure, we would agree that love sticks with people through thick and thin, but thin has to include those times when the people we love have done things that cause the relationship to otherwise be on thin ice. Yes, through thick, and especially in thin. That is the real test of love.

And the truest test of real love comes when the loved one offends. That is when true love chooses to cover the offense. Not ignore it–that is what we call avoidance or denial, which is never healthy for any relationship. Covering the offense doesn’t negate the appropriateness of confrontation or setting boundaries or expecting corrective action. No, love that covers an offense fully recognizes the pain, disrespect, selfishness and betrayal of the offender and chooses to pay the cost of the offense by absorbing it, forgiving it, and moving ahead without diminishing the love for the guilty one at all.  It’s kind of like Jesus did for us on the cross, wouldn’t you say? By the way, that is exactly what Ephesians 4:32 calls us to do,

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

How did God forgive you? Rather than ignoring or avoiding your sin, he looked your repugnant sinfulness right in the eye and said, “my Son will take care of that!  He’ll pay the penalty price in full.  It’s on him!” He forgave you freely, fully, and forever removed the transgression from your account and wiped it from his memory bank. That is what it means to cover an offense—and that is the truest test of love there is.

If you want your love to be a real love, then it is to that kind of loving you are called. It won’t be easy; in fact it will be the hardest thing you will be called to do. But being the kind of Christ-follower you are, you are up to it! And that’s a good thing since you are likely going to be called upon to exercise that kind of covering love sooner than you think.

“All the fruits of the Spirit which we are to lay weight upon as evidential of grace, are summed up in Christian love; because this is the sum of all grace. And the only way, therefore, in which any can know their good estate, is by discerning the exercises of this divine love in their hearts; for without love…[we] are nothing.”  ~Jonathan Edwards

Reflect and Apply: Since your love is likely to be tested soon, take a moment to proactively pray for the Holy Spirit’s help to offer an immediate response of covering love to your loved one when the offense comes your way.

 

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The Unquenchable Brightness of Being

Essential 100—Read:
Proverbs 1:1-4:27

“The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine.” ~Proverbs 4:18 (The Message)

“A candle loses nothing of its light when lighting another,” according to the Lebanese-born poet, Kahlil Gibran.  So it is with right-living people, says Solomon. As they walk in the ways of God, their wisdom rubs off on those around them. And the more they rub off, the shinier they get.

Have you ever been around a person like that?  They just seem to glow brighter as they get older. You just love to be around them, no matter how old they get. Even when their physical body creaks and groans under the weight of age, you just know that being near them means you are going to catch some of the brightness of their being. And the more light they give off, the more unquenchable that light grows.

I’ve been around people whose wisdom seems to grow shinier with use, and those whose lives only grow duller with age. Of course, there are a lot of life-factors involved in who we turn out to be and how we run the final lap of our lives, but ending with an ever-increasing brightness of being requires walking hand-in-hand with Wisdom along the way.

King Solomon said, “Dear friend, take my advice; it will add years to your life.” (Proverbs 4:10, Message)  My suspicion is that he was referring not so much to the length of one’s years, but the brightness of one’s life. Now I’ll leave the timing of my demise up to God, but between now and that fateful day, I’m going to edge a little closer to the Source of Wisdom because I’d rather die young and bright than old and dull.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away”

Reflect and Apply: Chances are you know an older person who just seems to shine brighter with age.  Take them out to lunch—or bring them their favorite meal if they can’t get out.  Spend some time with them and ask them to share with you their top five life lessons.  Make sure you thank them, and most of all, enfold their wisdom into your own character.

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That’s All I Want!

Essential 100
Psalm 23:1-6

“The Lord is my shepherd.” ~Psalm 23:1

Psalm 22 foretells the cross of Christ and Psalm 24 speaks of a time when Messiah rules the earth in justice and righteousness. This strategic placement of Psalm 23, universally, the most beloved of all the psalms, is fitting since it’s between Christ’s cross and Christ’s second coming, between our salvation and heaven, that we find ourselves facing life in all its rawness: The ups and downs, the victories and defeats, the joys and sorrows, the life and death that make up the human condition.

Even though the pastoral setting and shepherd-sheep analogy are foreign to our modern culture, there is just something about this Shepherd’s Psalm that resonates in our core. That’s because we are pretty much like sheep—dense, directionless and defenseless—and we cannot do life without the Good Shepherd. You need a shepherd…so do I.

I am not sure where this came from, but I suspect you will be blessed by it as I was.

The Lord is my Shepherd—That’s Relationship!

I shall not want—That’s Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures—That’s Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters—That’s Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul—That’s Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness—That’s Guidance!

For His name sake—That’s Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death—That’s Testing!

I will fear no evil—That’s Protection!

For Thou art with me—That’s Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me—That’s Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies—That’s Hope!

Thou anointest my head with oil—That’s Consecration!

My cup runneth over—That’s Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life—That’s Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord—That’s Security!

Forever—That’s Eternity!

If you are experiencing major upheaval in your life—a home in turmoil, a relationship on the rocks, a job not working out, a personal humiliation, an inconsolable sorrow, the cumulative effect of heartache and disappointment has shaken your confidence and filled you with doubt, fear and despair—then trying reading and absorbing Psalm 23. David wrote it just for you. Just grasping his first line will transform your life:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”  

Robert Ketchum told of a Sunday School teacher who asked her class if any of them could quote the entire Twenty-Third Psalm. A little girl came forward, made a little bow, and said: “The Lord is my shepherd, that’s all I want.” She then curtsied and sat down. Now she may have overlooked a few verses, but I think she captured the key to enjoying the benefits of this psalm. Psalm 23 is a pattern of thinking, and if it saturates your mind, it will lead you to new way of living which will counterbalance the raw reality of life with hope, faith and trust, causing you to be utterly content in the Shepherd’s care.

Yeah, the Lord is my shepherd—and that’s all I want. I believe that about covers it!

“All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired.”  ~Martin Luther

Reflect and Apply: Each day this week, morning, noon and night, read through Psalm 23.  It won’t take you long, but the benefits to you will be immense.