Message for September 30, 2012 from Pastor Jerry

“Be sober, be vigilant’  because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”  I Peter 5:8

    Are you really aware of the fact that satan is seeking a way to take advantage of you and hurt you?  He tries to entice us to give him an opportunity to negotiate a deal with us.  He tells us what great things we can have and all it costs us is just one sin.  In exchange for our gift of cooperation he offers us a “dream come true.”  “Neither give place to the devil.”  Eph. 4:27  This verse of scripture is also translated, “Nor give the devil an opportunity.”

    Think of this line.  “Boy, do I have an opportunity for you!”  Cooperate and you will score big.   My phone rang Saturday morning and when I answered a voice informed me that I had won $1.5 million and a new white Mercedes Benz car.  He was so excited to inform me of my good fortune and asked how I felt to win that much money.  This is where dreams or common sense vies for the will.  It sounded so real and exciting on one hand and like a scam on the other.  In real give aways there is no cost to the winner.  This prize must be retained by “joining” their group for $1500.  When I said no, the caller hung up on me.  Did I lose $1.5 million or did I save $1500?  I gained nothing but I lost nothing.  Had I paid $1500, I would have lost it.   Dealing with the devil is the same way.  No matter what he promises in return for your investment, you will get nothing back and will lose what you have invested.

    Your good name, money, reputation, and peace are some of the things the devil will steal from you if you let him.  Remember, like the caller on my phone, the devil is like a lion and never tells the truth.  If you cut a deal with him, you will have to give up something valuable and will get nothing in return.  

    You can’t deal with the devil so don’t give him an opportunity to begin with.

 

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