Beware of enticements!
Verse for Today: Sunday, September 01, 2013
John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Today we come to meet Jesus, the Life Giver. He came to this world to give life to those who have been dead in their sins and iniquities. He raises them up from their dead estate and gives them the power to believe on Him and receive the salvation granted by Him freely. He gives them a new life which is everlasting. It is a life in its fullness of God’s bliss and fills their lives to overflowing. It is a life full of God’s rich spiritual blessings which the newly alive people can enjoy to its full extent. It gives them full satisfaction of their every desire which they receive from Him in the new life that has been bestowed upon them. As they live this new life, the enemy of their souls comes to distract them and lure them to take ungodly detours. These detours are aimed at destroying their peace and joy and killing their divine opportunities and possibilities. The enemy comes to steal their life of contentment away and give them instead a life of dissatisfaction and frustration through the tasteless temporal attractions of the Vanity Fair. The enemy tries to entice us through desire for position, power, prestige, prominence and possessions and destroy our life of faith and peace. He tries to lure all God’s children away from enjoying godly life. Anyone who goes after the enemy’s temptations will soon find that his ways lead to emptiness and tastelessness. Let us beware of the enticements of the enemy and be careful not to listen to his sugar-coated poison which will lead us to destroy our peace, joy and faith.
Dear friend, are you enjoying the life of faith that Jesus has given you? Are you able to experience the fullness of His rich blessings as you walk with Him each day? But remember how the enemy of your soul will put all his efforts at enticing you to take a detour in life and follow his pathway which leads to destruction of all that God has given you in this life. The enemy uses empty promises which are his advertisements for the Vanity Fair of which he is the owner and master strategist. He was successful to lure several people to follow his pathways for temporary and quick success in this world. He enticed many God’s people with seemingly nicest words to the comfort zones of this world with its riches which will soon prove to be empty. He knows that this is the sure way to take away our trust in the Lord and His promises. It is time we read the writings on the walls of history and understand how great men like Solomon lost dearly as they gave the enemy a bit of breathing space in life. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea lost great opportunities to be with Jesus as His followers. Demas was lured away from his ministry with Paul. Prophet Balaam, servant Gehazi and soldier Achan destroyed themselves by believing the lies of this subtle and dangerous enemy. Let us today learn great lessons from the words of Jesus and stay put on His pathway to enjoy His life in its fullness. Let us sink deep in His peace and joy and allow it to soak our spiritual lives. Let us crave to be crucified with Christ. Let the cross of Christ be our banner on which we live to die and die to live for the One who died for us.
John 10:9 – I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.
Thought for Today
Listening to the voice of the Master and following Him will help us to enjoy His life in its rich aroma of divine nature.
Prayer for Today
Dear Lord Jesus: Help me today to shut my senses off to the enticing voice of the enemy and learn to live for You alone. Amen!
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