The Arms Dealer

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood…

Ephesians 6:12

The two Generals met at the middle of the battlefield to discuss the terms of a peace treaty. Unbeknownst to them, an arms dealer lay hidden in the bushes, rifle at hand, ready to make sure peace did not prevail.

As the Generals were about to shake hands the arms dealer took aim at an unsuspecting infantryman and squeezed the trigger. Assuming the other side had fired the shot, the man standing next to him opened fire on the opposition. The battlefield erupted in gunfire, both sides believing the other had violated the cease fire agreement. They had no way of knowing they had been used as pawns in a chess match. Sneaking away under the cover of gunfire and foliage, the arms dealer retreated to safety.

The war would last four years and claim the lives of more than ten thousand men and women. During that time the arms dealer sold more than three hundred thousand weapons to both sides, making millions. His plan had worked perfectly: get the soldiers to fight amongst themselves for as long as he could. He couldn’t have cared less about casualties, or the lives of countless families that were destroyed. All he cared about was making money…any way he could.

†

By means of deception, Satan gets us to fight amongst ourselves, carrying out his schemes of destruction. Instead of waging war against the unseen manipulator, we are lured into fighting an opponent who appears to be our antagonist, never realizing we’ve become tools in the hands of a cunning and vicious enemy, an enemy who wants to sow discord in our families, at our workplace, and especially in the Church. He will manipulate anyone, in any situation, to achieve his goal of chaos and destruction.

Paul tells us that by recognizing this ploy as an attack from the enemy, and refusing to take part, we can demolish the devil’s schemes.

Next time, before lashing out, look for the ‘arms dealer’, then take up the Sword of Truth, the Word of God, and engage the real enemy.

Prayer

“Show me when the enemy is scheming against me, Holy Spirit. And help me recognize the ‘arms dealers’ Satan sends my way so I can take appropriate action. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”   

Choose Wisely

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…

Joshua 24:15

Jane was tired of always having to be sure she made the right choice. How can I possibly hope to do the right thing every time?!

Talking to a friend about her plight, she asked, “There’s so much that appears to be okay on the surface, yet once you peel away the outer layer it’s not what it seems. How do you keep from making the wrong choices, Connie?”

Connie smiled, “I don’t.”

Seeing Jane’s amazement she qualified her statement, “It’s not that I don’t try to make the right decision; I do, but we all make mistakes. I’m no different than you.”

Jane posed an incomplete question, “So…?”

Sensing the direction Jane was heading she asked, “Do you mean, how do I know if I’m doing the right thing?” Getting a nod she formed her response carefully, “First, I ask God for His thoughts on the matter when time allows. He always gives me good advice. Split-second decisions I trust to the Holy Spirit’s ability to give me discernment; if it doesn’t feel right, I don’t do it. But here’s my litmus test: Ultimately, God gives me the right to choose for myself, so I ask, ‘How will what I do affect my relationship with Jesus?’ and immediately I am faced with the truth. It’s the best spiritual barometer I’ve ever encountered.”

†

God gave us free will for a reason. He knows what perfect love is. He understands it cannot be forced upon anyone; we must choose to love. For this reason He did not create automatons with their receivers transfixed to an exclusive frequency; we have options.

And the choices we make will determine whether we experience joy or sorrow.

When Joshua wrote today’s text he meant exactly what he said, It’s our choice.

Bringing our will under control is our responsibility. That is why it’s called choosing.

Our will…Our choice. God will not intervene. Choose wisely.

Prayer

“LORD, rid me of myself; I belong to You. I want to obey You alone. Show me what is right when I’m confused and encourage me as I bring my will under control by submitting to Yours. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

36 Hours

The tongue has the power of life and death…

Proverbs 18:21

Greg was frustrated with his physician’s apparent insensitivity to his chronic health issues. Motivated by the discomfort he’d been experiencing for over two months he said, “I wish he could experience what I've been going through for just 36 hours, Lord! Then, maybe he’d have a little empathy!”

Seeking distraction, Greg decided to mow the lawn and get in a quick work out. With the two tasks complete, he headed for the shower. As he rinsed his hair some water got in his ear. Greg shook his head to clear it. The results of that little act were devastating! Immediately he became disoriented, unable to stand without support. His eyesight diminished and his breathing became labored. He struggled to rinse off; getting dried and into his clothes left him completely exhausted. His symptoms worsened with each passing moment, and by the time he reached the living room he believed he was having a stroke.

Stumbling to the phone, he called his wife. When she and her sister (an LPN) arrived, Greg was sitting on the couch, sweating profusely, unable to raise his arms or legs. His face was getting numb on the right side, and his speech was slurred. They dialed 911.

Three hours later, the ER Doctor diagnosed Greg: “You've had a severe vestibular inner-ear event. It is a disorder that can strike the nervous system as well, for unknown reasons, causing multiple symptoms. A cascading effect from pressure in your inner ear affected your Vagus nerve, which in turn began shutting down parts of your nervous system.”

Greg was released, yet experienced diminished symptoms until he awakened on Sunday morning. It was then he realized the event lasted about 36 hours. Greg heard God say, “Your words carry power. Be careful with them.”

†

Did God give Satan permission to show Greg the error of his ways? One thing is for sure, whether the enemy asked or not, God allowed it to happen.

Greg spoke out of frustration, and perhaps he had good reason, yet his words were not without effect. Everything we say aloud can be heard by Satan and his minions, and whether we believe it or not they act on that knowledge. Even in our deepest frustration, to ask God to inflict misery on another is foolish.

Our words can be soothing and edifying. Or, they can bring devastation on a scale we have not yet imagined.

Prayer

“Help me be conscious of what I say. Lord. Make me aware of the power of spoken words. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Concentrated Cleansing

Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined!

Isaiah 6:5

Meghan was in court for her third DUI in less than two years. She had previously attended drunk-driver’s school, spent a weekend in jail, and lost her driver’s license for six months. The vehicle she might now lose already had a yellow license plate—Ohio’s way of notifying other drivers there was a convicted DUI offender on the road with them—and now faced a possible ten year license suspension with a maximum one year jail sentence.

“How does your client wish to plead, counselor?” the judge asked.

“No contest, Your Honor,” the young woman answered. “But if it pleases the Court,” she petitioned, “my client wishes to say a few words.”

Receiving an affirmative nod from the judge, Meghan stood, and spoke just above a whisper, “I am truly sorry for my actions, Your Honor. What I’ve done is not only illegal…it was wrong…and though I deserve the full penalty sentencing will allow, I ask the Court for leniency. Whatever you decide I will accept. Thank you for this opportunity to speak.” She continued standing, awaiting her sentence.

When asked by the judge, “Have you learned your lesson?” Meghan could only reply, “I hope so, Your Honor. But having thought the last time was the last time, I don’t know.”

Meghan was given the maximum sentence allowed by law.

†

What an image of how sin destroys our lives and what we can expect when our recurring sinful behavior catches up with us. When Satan finds the crack in our armor he exploits it with the fervency of what he is: a demon possessed, and destroys with pin-point accuracy.

We, like Isaiah, must be convicted in our hearts of the destructive nature of sin in our lives, and the effect it has on those who love us. Until that happens we will continue this cycle of insanity where we continue doing the same thing, expecting different results.

When true understanding comes we will cry out for cleansing. We too, must ask God to bring the coals of His concentrated cleansing.

Prayer

“I find no rest from this sin, Lord. And I admit that I’ve held on to it by my own choosing. Right now I submit myself to Your concentrated cleansing. Please burn this sin from my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Burnt Bridges

A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor.

Proverbs 11:12

Rich and Mahlon were pranksters. They loved nothing more than setting up elaborate schemes to surprise people. The problem was they had never seen a need to set boundaries. And because of the lengths they went to to pull off their elaborate plans many people ended up more than a little surprised.

Being targeted by these two never ended well for the object of their intentions. As a result, people tired of their childish behavior. Eventually Rich and Mahlon managed to alienate everyone who knew them.

Unfortunately, their escapades had not gone unnoticed by their employer, and one day both men were called to the plant foreman’s office. The plant owner no longer wanted them on the payroll as they represented an insurance risk, so he had told the plant foreman to terminate them.

Unable to secure employment anywhere in the small town, they were forced to seek work in the neighboring towns. Every business where they applied took their applications but the two men never received a call-back; their reputations had preceded them. No one was willing to hire the troublemakers.

Out of money, and no place to work, they pulled stakes and headed for the Metro area in hopes of landing a job. News filtered back of how they had ended up homeless for a time before finding gainful employment. Sadly, further news reached their hometown that once re-employed the two men rekindled their destructive antics.

†

The troublemakers of the world see themselves as entertainers. However, they are their own audience. When our actions are based in self-satisfying behavior, with total disregard for the feelings or welfare others, coupled with no sense of remorse, we will burn our bridges behind us.

Proverbs warns that this kind of behavior will end badly for those who carelessly revile their neighbor. In time their habits of misguided adventure will backfire, ruining any hope of a productive and rewarding life.

Treating people with contempt will not win friends. If we wish to be treated with consideration and kindness we must do likewise at every opportunity.

Prayer

“Lord, help me be kind and considerate of others. Not only because I wish to be treated the same, but because it’s the right thing to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Death Is a Comma,

We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For…what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

The widow smiled warmly as each guest passed by and paid their respects. In return, they embraced her with a tender hug and heart-felt condolences. She and her husband had been generous with their time; their home had always been open. They humbly practiced hospitality.

The guests gathered in small groups, reminiscing and reliving fond memories of times spent with this couple. They lingered, keeping the memories alive.

Near the end of calling hours the widow asked if the guests would mind having a seat so she could address them. They willingly complied.

“I thank you for your outpouring of love and support. Don and I have been blessed by knowing each of you.” Hankies were pulled from purses and back pockets alike as she continued, “You have shared our lives, and we are richer for it. Today is not a day of mourning but a celebration of Don’s transition from his temporal bondage,” she touched the body in the casket, indicating Don’s mortal body, “and into the unfathomable eternity Jesus promises all who call on His Name!

“I will be reunited with Don in just awhile. You see,” her smiled broadened in advance of her next statement; “Death is not a period. It is a comma! So don’t weep for me. Instead, embrace the One Who saves us from our sin.”

†

We are here but for a short while, and then gone from this life. Yet that is not the end, but merely a transition to our eternal home. The choice we make here will determine our eternal destination.

For Christians, the moment of death is followed by a forever of great rewards. We will be healed of our suffering, and released from life’s struggles in the presence of the One Who gave His life for our sin!

For those who reject Jesus’, their last breath here will be followed by unending turmoil as they realize the error of their indifference.

The unseen is forever. Choose as if your life depends on it; because it does.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, help me fix my eyes on the unseen glory of eternity. May my last breath on earth be followed by my first breath in Heaven. Amen.”

Betrayal

Jesus would not entrust himself to them…for he knew what was in man.

John 2.23

Ben and Kurt were childhood friends. There friendship had stood the test of sixteen years of disagreements and reconciliations; until the day Kurt betrayed Ben’s trust when he learned Ben liked Melodie Wilson.

Ben confided to Kurt that he would like to date Melodie and asked Kurt if he would test the waters for him, so to speak. He prefaced this favor with the condition that Kurt not talk to her directly. Instead, he asked Kurt to talk to her friends to see if Melodie had ever mentioned him in conversation; and more importantly, if she liked him.

Teenage boys are likely to discard every other relationship in lieu of their first love. And that’s exactly what happened, because Kurt himself was smitten by Melodie. In the blink of an eye Ben got kicked to the curb. Kurt began spreading rumors about Ben amongst Melodie’s friends. He even lied to Melodie, telling her that Ben only wanted to get her into bed. He, on the other hand, declared his honorable intentions.

In the end, neither won her heart.

Sadly, Ben and Kurt went their separate ways, a life-long relationship abandoned because Kurt’s impetuous heart wanted what it wanted, and Ben couldn’t find it in his heart to forgive the pain of betrayal.

†

In all trust there is the possibility of betrayal. Once betrayed, the heart rejects immediate forgiveness. Instead, it becomes wary of everyone and everything. If left unforgiven the rift will widen, and a spirit of cynicism will plant seeds of doubt until they grow into a lifestyle of suspicion, that influences every thought.

Nothing and no one is exempt from its vile destruction. The heart will protect itself at all costs; you will never get close enough to hurt me again! In a doubt-ridden mind, trust and forgiveness are not open for discussion.

Jesus, knowing what is within man, is never cynical. He perfectly understands our nature, and what He can do for us. He openly invites us to trust in Him without the possibility of betrayal or abandonment.

Prayer

“I’ve been wounded many times, Lord Jesus. And sometimes it’s even been by friends. But I come today, trusting You to bring healing instead of betrayal or abandonment. Amen.”