“Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan. And Satan answered the LORD, “I have been going back and forth across the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” – Job 1:7 (NLT)

The older I get the more aware I am that Satan is actively roaming this earth. I have no special insight into this matter, or a revelation from God. Perhaps it could be chalked up to life experience, seeing the havoc the enemy wreaks upon humankind. The Accuser spends his time watching, waiting, and pouncing upon anyone whom he can influence to do his evil bidding, or to hold his hands over their ears to keep them from hearing a word from God.

I have come to believe that the warfare we are engaged in is so real, and such a constant in our lives, that we often don’t recognize it due to over familiarity. Those who claim to see devils at every turn are accused of being religious fanatics or fools. Yet, perhaps what we have so easily dismissed as fanaticism is what is the most real. And in our lack of anticipation of Satan’s watchful eye, we have found ourselves standing in his crosshairs, with the unfortunate role of becoming his potential conquest.

As long as this earth continues to turn on its axis, Satan will persist in his work of roaming with a watchful eye on that which he can devour. What we must do, is be ready.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, protect me against the evil one. Make me aware of his schemes.

When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those who are teaching wrong doctrine. Don’t let people waste time in endless speculation over myths and spiritual pedigrees. For these things only cause arguments; they don’t help people live a life of faith in God. – 1 Timothy 1:3-4 (NLT)

There is a great danger in Christian circles today that is becoming more and more prevalent – it is the failure to discern between what is truth and what is error, what is biblical and what is not, what is fact and what is fiction. In a misguided application of religious tolerance, we have not only allowed false doctrine to infiltrate our ranks, but in many ways have welcomed it. From prosperity teaching to false apostles to neo-Gnosticism, we have for too long looked the other way while God’s church has been permeated by false teaching.

Paul’s instruction to Timothy must be heeded and those who are teaching falsely must be stopped in their tracks. And what is false teaching? It is any teaching that takes away from the deity of Jesus Christ, or that elevates self above God, or that views the biblical revelation from God as a myth. It is anything that adds to, or takes away from Scripture.  Anything that contradicts the Bible must be rejected. These are not matters of opinion, but truths that have been clearly revealed to us by God.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, teach me how to boldly reject all that is false and to openly embrace all that is true.

When God saw that they had put a stop to their evil ways, he had mercy on them and didn’t carry out the destruction he had threatened. – Jonah 3:10

Some say that God does not, or cannot change His mind. Yet when the citizens of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, God held back from His plans to destroy them and instead covered them with His mercy and grace. It wasn’t as if God had planned this all along, as He had made it quite clear that Nineveh would be destroyed – no “ifs, ands, or buts about it.”  So why did God change His mind? It was because the behavior of the people of Nineveh had changed. Their change in lifestyle resulted in a change in their destiny. God respects and reacts to the decisions and commitments we make for Him.

The Bible is quite clear in telling us that none of us deserve the mercy of God. We are each personally responsible for rebelling against Him, and we are all deserving of God’s wrath. Yet when we accept the fact that Jesus took the Father’s fury upon Himself and paid the price necessary to alleviate the guilt placed on our accounts, we find ourselves in the fortunate state of experiencing God’s mercy. And while we are expected to change our behavior as a result of our newfound commitment to God, we find that grace was given because of the behavior of another – namely, Jesus Christ. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, and our acceptance of it, God did not and will not “carry out the destruction He had threatened.”

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, thank You for changing Your mind and showing me mercy.

This is probably the best, most succinct, and accurate description of what is wrong with our country that I’ve heard in a long time.