FBC Screven Student Ministry "A Life Turned Around"
2 Corinthians 5:17
Monday, February 2, 2009
Session 75: The Work of Satan
This week Jerry and Heather have agreed to do our post. They will post as the first comment . You will not get an email, so just check back later and look at the comment section. I hope each of you are having a good week. Billy
Last week we study the origin of Satin. We learned that Lucifer was an angel made by God (Ezekiel 28:14-15), that Lucifer became Satan as a result of his prideful rebellion (Isaiah 14: 12-15), and that Satan goes by many names in the Bible. Each name reveals a lot about his character and conduct, and by exposing his evil character and conduct we understand the need to be careful. Lastly we learned that God is still in control, He has already defeated Satan, and threw God we can stand firm! This week’s lesson is on the work of Satan. So, what’s in a name? A lot, if that name is Satan! In Genesis 7, the serpent told Eve that her eyes would be open like God knowing good and evil. Satan twisted the truth, and Eve looked at the fruit with different eyes. Do we take double looks at sin, entertaining it, making things ok the more we play with them? Telling ourselves that I deserve this and I worked hard for it. Satan is a tempter. In Luke 4, Jesus was tempted by Satan after 40 days in the wilderness. At that point Satan thought Jesus’ weakness was food. Can you imagine the temptation this should have had?! Jesus stood firm in the Word of God. When you’re at your weakest moments in life, what does Satan dangle in front of your face? Can you smell the sweet aroma of that sin? Are you in the Word ready to defeat Satan with the sword of truth? 1Peter 5:8-9 tells us that Satan is prowling around like a roaring lion, I don’t think anyone is willing to stick their head in the month of a lion, or are you? How does Satan show up in our lives daily as Christians, as a Devil, Belial, Apollyon, …… The more I hunger for God, the more Satan is scratching at the door. And I do really well while I’m in the Word of God. But the times that I’m not in the Word daily and on my knees often I mess up big time. I wonder how many times I’ve allow my witness to go south, more than I would like to know I’m sure. But I’m not defeated, Christ has already won the battle and my hope is in The Everlasting! This lesson is what I call getting into the stink of it, it aint pretty but its reality. We must know what were up against and the Bible clearly tells us to be sober and on alert. No Christian is perfected and without sin, if we could work our way to that status there would be no need for Christ and salvation would not be free. We do have hope in Jesus Christ and are not left alone to defend ourselves. Next week our study leads into spiritual warfare.
Good job Heather....so young with so much wisdom, enjoyed reading. Y'all keep the posting coming, gotta phone with internet so I wouldn't have to wait till I could get back on the computer. I really enjoy reading the thoughts and points of everyone. Be back later to post. Joyce
WOW!! Way to go girl. After going to CONCLAVE this past weekend, which was soooooo powerful and enlightening, I realized that I was focused more on non-Christians, rather than my church family. I have been empowered by those who follow and speak God's Word, not just their opinions. Now I am praying that we, as a church family, would empower our youth. And that by studying about Satan at this time is the most perfect timing of Gods'which He had planned. Satan has had his time and now it's time for us to take our youth dept. back from him and to challenge the youth to follow Jesus and not man, who falls when Satan dangles not only temptations but also distractions. I am so excited and can't wait for Billy to have a Youth Committee meeting so that we can all be on the same page. We have youth who will fall away (as Satan planned) after graduation, so the time is NOW to empower our youth. Satan has distracted us but watch out, because I am coming out swinging. Satan cannot force us to rebel against God, but we must not forget that not only is he our adversary, but he is also a slanderer, accuser, and a deceiver. How many times do we ALL let him distract us? I say LET'S GO FORWARD AND NOT LOOK BACK! Thank you Billy for hearing God's call to our youth and asking us to go with you to CONCLAVE!
Stephen says...way to go Heather! Great job! Satan is going to come after all of us even harder now that we are calling each other and our youth out to be bolder and more responsive to Christ. What we need to remember is that Satan can only do what God ALLOWS him to do. That means that God is in control of everything that we go through. Just like with Job, Satan has to have God's permission to touch us, to tempt us, to try us, and the intensity to which he can do each of these things. God has proised us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a plan for our lives, to prosper us not destroy us, to give us a future and a hope. That being said, He will never let Satan have the victory over us if we are being obedient to Him and His Word. To paraphrase Romans 5:3-5 and to quote Nitche, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." The trials God allows us to go through are to strengthen our faith. We can only overcome these trials through God's strength by the Holy Spirit. As Zechariah 4:6 says, "Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says that Lord."
Way to go Heather –you did a great job. I came back from Conclave –inspired and ready to tear the roofs off! Sorry guys you had to be there to get that one. I can already see Satan at work. Last week in our Sunday school class Blake (who did a wonderful job teaching) asked the kids to draw Satan. Of course, we got several really funny drawings of a dragon like creature with a pointed tail and horns and were surprised to get one sketch of an angel. But let me ask you what do you think Satan looks like? 2 Corinthians 11:13 -15 says ‘For such people are false prophets, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself is disguised as an angel of light. So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness”. Maybe Satan has brown hair and brown eyes or blonde hair and blue eyes? Remember that Satan is a deceiver and may not look like what we perceive him to be. So, Satan pretends to be the angel of light – if we are pretending to let the light of Jesus shine through us -- how similar to Satan are we? In the video on Sparks this week we learn that there are many different sides to Ann and that she is deceitful and trying to lead the others away from God and to follow her – remind you of someone. The closer we get to God the more of a challenge we are to Satan because if he can ruin the testimony of a Christian he can hinder our testimony – and our realm of influence – family, students, co-workers, etc. James 4:7 says” But resist the devil and he will flee from you”. We don’t have to give in we have free will to chose who to follow. When I am down I read Psalm 23:5-6 and it inspires me to resist the temptation all around me because all the battles on this earth will be worth fighting to make it to victory lane in heaven.
Psalm 23: 5-6 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”. Crystal
It seems that Satan is busy here at GBCH. Amanda, Stephen, Mike and I have begun to quote Phil.4:19 when we have a fearful thought about our ministry. one We had approx. 10 people layed off yesterday, just on our campus. So when Satan trys to put fear in our hearts we quote, "...my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus". Thank you Jesus!
I’m gonna try to keep my post a lil shorter this week. I know it is gonna sound like some ramblings, but it’s several little tidbits that I have come across that I liked and thought I would share. If you understand them, great; if not, I’m sorry!! 1) Sin is not harmful because it is forbidden, but it is forbidden because it is harmful. 2) We are called to be fruitful - not successful, not productive, not accomplished. Success comes from strength, stress, and human effort. Fruitfulness comes from vulnerability and the admission of our own weakness. 3) If everything is coming your way, you might be in the wrong lane! Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there. 4) For teens, your presence will always mean more than your presents. 5) The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came. 6) We’re important, but not essential; We’re valuable, but not indispensable. We have a part in the play, but we are not the main act. A song to sing, but we are not the featured voice. God is. 7) Trials keep You Strong, Sorrows keep You Human, Failures keeps You Humble, Success keeps You Glowing, But Only God keeps you going! Ok, I didn’t succeed at the shorter part!!! I want each and every one of you to know that I appreciate what you do and your commitment to our youth department. I pray for you and your families, along with our youth department. Billy, thank you for your leadership. Most of all, thank you God for the opportunity to serve. In Christ’s love, Joyce
Lynn Harris once said, that Satan is the second most powerful force in the universe. This is certainly true! It is important that we know about our enemy, lest we should fall victim to him. We alone, are no match, just sitting ducks. Christ in us is the only defense we have. One of Satan’s greatest desires is to tempt us (Christians) into sin. I think of how Christ was tempted by Satan. If the incarnate Christ was tempted, how much more are we? Still, there lies a significant difference in His being tempted, and us being tempted. The difference is in the origin of the temptation. Although Satan is the “Tempter”, he does not bring about all temptation. James 1:14 says that every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed Therefore, not only are we wrong in saying the devil made me do it, but we can’t even say the devil tempted me. It is important that we recognize temptation in itself is not sin. But our reaction to the temptation may result in sin. I’m so glad that I can cling to this truth. Through Jesus Christ we can overcome and conquer temptations, whether from our on lust, or Satan, and experience righteousness and victory.
You guys have had some great comments this week. As always, I’ve been blessed by reading them. Keep up the good work. God Bless.
P.S……..Ms. Paula, your post about the layoffs brought to mind another verse, I often find comfort in…………….. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
My greatest problem is Paul. Not sin, not temptation, not satan. Satan does not have the power to send me or you to hell. My greatest problem is Paul.
"It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out." -The Screwtape Letters. C.S. Lewis
10 comments:
Last week we study the origin of Satin. We learned that Lucifer was an angel made by God (Ezekiel 28:14-15), that Lucifer became Satan as a result of his prideful rebellion (Isaiah 14: 12-15), and that Satan goes by many names in the Bible. Each name reveals a lot about his character and conduct, and by exposing his evil character and conduct we understand the need to be careful. Lastly we learned that God is still in control, He has already defeated Satan, and threw God we can stand firm!
This week’s lesson is on the work of Satan. So, what’s in a name? A lot, if that name is Satan! In Genesis 7, the serpent told Eve that her eyes would be open like God knowing good and evil. Satan twisted the truth, and Eve looked at the fruit with different eyes. Do we take double looks at sin, entertaining it, making things ok the more we play with them? Telling ourselves that I deserve this and I worked hard for it. Satan is a tempter. In Luke 4, Jesus was tempted by Satan after 40 days in the wilderness. At that point Satan thought Jesus’ weakness was food. Can you imagine the temptation this should have had?! Jesus stood firm in the Word of God. When you’re at your weakest moments in life, what does Satan dangle in front of your face? Can you smell the sweet aroma of that sin? Are you in the Word ready to defeat Satan with the sword of truth? 1Peter 5:8-9 tells us that Satan is prowling around like a roaring lion, I don’t think anyone is willing to stick their head in the month of a lion, or are you? How does Satan show up in our lives daily as Christians, as a Devil, Belial, Apollyon, ……
The more I hunger for God, the more Satan is scratching at the door. And I do really well while I’m in the Word of God. But the times that I’m not in the Word daily and on my knees often I mess up big time. I wonder how many times I’ve allow my witness to go south, more than I would like to know I’m sure. But I’m not defeated, Christ has already won the battle and my hope is in The Everlasting!
This lesson is what I call getting into the stink of it, it aint pretty but its reality. We must know what were up against and the Bible clearly tells us to be sober and on alert. No Christian is perfected and without sin, if we could work our way to that status there would be no need for Christ and salvation would not be free. We do have hope in Jesus Christ and are not left alone to defend ourselves. Next week our study leads into spiritual warfare.
Good job Heather....so young with so much wisdom, enjoyed reading. Y'all keep the posting coming, gotta phone with internet so I wouldn't have to wait till I could get back on the computer. I really enjoy reading the thoughts and points of everyone. Be back later to post. Joyce
Man! You women preachers are starting to make me re-think SBC policy.
WOW!! Way to go girl.
After going to CONCLAVE this past weekend, which was soooooo powerful and enlightening, I realized that I was focused more on non-Christians, rather than my church family. I have been empowered by those who follow and speak God's Word, not just their opinions.
Now I am praying that we, as a church family, would empower our youth. And that by studying about Satan at this time is the most perfect timing of Gods'which He had planned.
Satan has had his time and now it's time for us to take our youth dept. back from him and to challenge the youth to follow Jesus and not man, who falls when Satan dangles not only temptations but also distractions.
I am so excited and can't wait for Billy to have a Youth Committee meeting so that we can all be on the same page.
We have youth who will fall away (as Satan planned) after graduation, so the time is NOW to empower our youth.
Satan has distracted us but watch out, because I am coming out swinging.
Satan cannot force us to rebel against God, but we must not forget that not only is he our adversary, but he is also a slanderer, accuser, and a deceiver. How many times do we ALL let him distract us? I say LET'S GO FORWARD AND NOT LOOK BACK!
Thank you Billy for hearing God's call to our youth and asking us to go with you to CONCLAVE!
Stephen says...way to go Heather! Great job! Satan is going to come after all of us even harder now that we are calling each other and our youth out to be bolder and more responsive to Christ. What we need to remember is that Satan can only do what God ALLOWS him to do. That means that God is in control of everything that we go through. Just like with Job, Satan has to have God's permission to touch us, to tempt us, to try us, and the intensity to which he can do each of these things. God has proised us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a plan for our lives, to prosper us not destroy us, to give us a future and a hope. That being said, He will never let Satan have the victory over us if we are being obedient to Him and His Word. To paraphrase Romans 5:3-5 and to quote Nitche, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." The trials God allows us to go through are to strengthen our faith. We can only overcome these trials through God's strength by the Holy Spirit. As Zechariah 4:6 says, "Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says that Lord."
Eternally His,
Stephen Bene'
Way to go Heather –you did a great job.
I came back from Conclave –inspired and ready to tear the roofs off! Sorry guys you had to be there to get that one. I can already see Satan at work. Last week in our Sunday school class Blake (who did a wonderful job teaching) asked the kids to draw Satan. Of course, we got several really funny drawings of a dragon like creature with a pointed tail and horns and were surprised to get one sketch of an angel. But let me ask you what do you think Satan looks like? 2 Corinthians 11:13 -15 says ‘For such people are false prophets, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself is disguised as an angel of light. So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness”. Maybe Satan has brown hair and brown eyes or blonde hair and blue eyes? Remember that Satan is a deceiver and may not look like what we perceive him to be. So, Satan pretends to be the angel of light – if we are pretending to let the light of Jesus shine through us -- how similar to Satan are we? In the video on Sparks this week we learn that there are many different sides to Ann and that she is deceitful and trying to lead the others away from God and to follow her – remind you of someone. The closer we get to God the more of a challenge we are to Satan because if he can ruin the testimony of a Christian he can hinder our testimony – and our realm of influence – family, students, co-workers, etc. James 4:7 says” But resist the devil and he will flee from you”. We don’t have to give in we have free will to chose who to follow. When I am down I read Psalm 23:5-6 and it inspires me to resist the temptation all around me because all the battles on this earth will be worth fighting to make it to victory lane in heaven.
Psalm 23: 5-6 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”.
Crystal
It seems that Satan is busy here at GBCH. Amanda, Stephen, Mike and I have begun to quote Phil.4:19 when we have a fearful thought about our ministry. one We had approx. 10 people layed off yesterday, just on our campus. So when Satan trys to put fear in our hearts we quote, "...my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus". Thank you Jesus!
I’m gonna try to keep my post a lil shorter this week. I know it is gonna sound like some ramblings, but it’s several little tidbits that I have come across that I liked and thought I would share. If you understand them, great; if not, I’m sorry!!
1) Sin is not harmful because it is forbidden, but it is forbidden because it is harmful.
2) We are called to be fruitful - not successful, not productive, not accomplished. Success comes from strength, stress, and human effort. Fruitfulness comes from vulnerability and the admission of our own weakness.
3) If everything is coming your way, you might be in the wrong lane! Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
4) For teens, your presence will always mean more than your presents.
5) The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came.
6) We’re important,
but not essential;
We’re valuable,
but not indispensable.
We have a part in the play,
but we are not the main act.
A song to sing,
but we are not the featured voice.
God is.
7) Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keeps You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps you going!
Ok, I didn’t succeed at the shorter part!!! I want each and every one of you to know that I appreciate what you do and your commitment to our youth department. I pray for you and your families, along with our youth department. Billy, thank you for your leadership. Most of all, thank you God for the opportunity to serve.
In Christ’s love, Joyce
Lynn Harris once said, that Satan is the second most powerful force in the universe. This is certainly true! It is important that we know about our enemy, lest we should fall victim to him. We alone, are no match, just sitting ducks. Christ in us is the only defense we have. One of Satan’s greatest desires is to tempt us (Christians) into sin. I think of how Christ was tempted by Satan. If the incarnate Christ was tempted, how much more are we? Still, there lies a significant difference in His being tempted, and us being tempted. The difference is in the origin of the temptation. Although Satan is the “Tempter”, he does not bring about all temptation. James 1:14 says that every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed Therefore, not only are we wrong in saying the devil made me do it, but we can’t even say the devil tempted me. It is important that we recognize temptation in itself is not sin. But our reaction to the temptation may result in sin. I’m so glad that I can cling to this truth. Through Jesus Christ we can overcome and conquer temptations, whether from our on lust, or Satan, and experience righteousness and victory.
You guys have had some great comments this week. As always, I’ve been blessed by reading them. Keep up the good work. God Bless.
P.S……..Ms. Paula, your post about the layoffs brought to mind another verse, I often find comfort in…………….. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
My greatest problem is Paul. Not sin, not temptation, not satan. Satan does not have the power to send me or you to hell. My greatest problem is Paul.
"It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out."
-The Screwtape Letters. C.S. Lewis
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