Friday, October 18, 2013

Daily Encouragement (10/18/13) "A Roaring Liar"

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Friday, October 18, 2013

Pumpkin wagon near Strasburg, PA
Pumpkin Wagon near Strasburg, PA

"A Roaring Liar"

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"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44). "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith" (1 Peter 5:8,9a).

Keith GreenAbout 30 years ago Keith Green penned the thought-provoking words to a song as though they were written by the devil himself. One line from the song, "No One Believes in Me Anymore" goes like this: "I put some truth in every lie, to tickle itching ears."

These words ring Scripturally true and are so easily observed in our age. Merely consider the many lies we are exposed to and the efforts to tickle itching ears. In contrast to this I hear the ancient word of our Lord in a prayer to His Father, "Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17).

Our daily texts may seem a bit unusual to use in bringing a brief word of encouragement.  However the Bible forthrightly acknowledges the existence of our adversary, the devil. The Bible also provides the spiritual strength and needed tools to overcome the scheming plots of our enemy. Martin Luther referred to the devil as "our ancient foe."

In the first daily text this ancient foe is presented as a liar. Jesus is speaking to those who opposed Him, specifically the Pharisees.  His words were very strong and greatly offended the proud Pharisees. In fact the chapter ends with an attempt to stone Jesus.  It was a stark demonstration of the Spirit of Truth and Light opposing the spirit of falsehood and darkness.

Roaring lionIn the second text this ancient foe is presented as a lion. Lions are mentioned frequently in the Bible and lived in the Bible lands. The last one was killed near Megiddo in the thirteenth century according to my Bible dictionary. In the Bible the image of a lion is used both positively and negatively. Positively we read of Christ who is presented as the Lion of Judah seated at the right hand of the Father on the throne! Negatively we picture the lions devouring David's flock of sheep and the den where Daniel spent the night (I believe a peaceful one). 

Peter forthrightly identifies the devil as our enemy. He stands opposed to what the Almighty God of the universe wants for us and began his deceitful craft in the garden.

The phrase, "prowls around like a roaring lion", describes the devil's method. It's interesting that Peter would call our attention to this detail.  If you've ever been to a zoo you can picture this prowling action. It seems the lion walks about in a sly, quiet, haughty and deliberate manner before pouncing on its target.  He's "looking for someone to devour." 

Let's remember this, not with an attitude of terror, but of caution and preparedness. This text and others give us the tools to overcome our enemy: self-control, alertness, resistance, and standing firm in the faith. Join me in overcoming this roaring lion today and be resolute in staying faithful to the Lion of Judah.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, as we live in the Light of Your Word the devil's venomous plots are exposed.  We are not caught by surprise but rather we are filled with Your Spirit which prepares us to be on the offense rather than defense. We walk in truth and confidence as we stand strong on the day of evil. As we wear the full armor You have provided for our protection we can fight against the devil's evil tricks. Our fight is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of this world's darkness and the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. So we pray in the spirit continuously asking for Your help, strength, and guidance. We also pray for our brothers and sisters that together we will stand firm against the enemy of our souls.  Amen.



Today's Suggested Music
and Supplemental Resources

"No One Believes In Me Anymore" (satan's boast)  Video  Keith Green

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"  Video 
Brian Doerksen

"Praise The Lord"  Video  The Imperials "Satan is a liar and he wants to make us think, that we are paupers when he knows himself we're children of the King!"

"We Confess"  Video  Glenn Packiam

"Farther Along"  Video  Josh Garrels

"In My Place"  Video  Michael Bleecker

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
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