Six sneaky lies ...

“pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matt 9:38).

The Devil is Winning

If you look at the news, it appears that Satan and his demons are winning because the majority of the people in the world have not repented and trusted in Christ. Since He is the only way to be saved (Acts 4:12), and there are so many other false religions and those who don’t believe, it looks like God has failed, but wait a minute! God never promised eternal life for all. Jesus said many are called but few are chosen, and many will believe they are saved at His return, but these same many will be turned away (Matt 7:21-23), so yes, most appear to be headed to hell, but God wins. Just read Revelation 21 and 22.

You’re Unworthy

The Devil apparently has a “day job” where it’s his job to accuse the brothers and sister before God (Rev 12:10), and you know what, he’s right! We’re guilty…but not condemned. That’s because Jesus paid for our sins and we are now justified before God, so God has already said, “Not guilty. Case dismissed.” Sorry Satan, but let me read this to you about our standing before God: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2nd Cor 5:21). Satan, you’re right; we’re not worthy…our worthiness is not our own; it is imputed by Christ.

It’s just a little sin

What sin is there that the Bible ever calls little? None is the answer. All sin is an offense against God and it would only take one little sin to send anyone to hell, but for those who have trusted in Christ, all sins have been cleansed (1st John 1:9), but to think about doing something just because it’s not a “big deal,” is to be deceived by sin. Yes, we can be deceived by the sin that so easily entangles us, and think it’s only a small thing, but our hearts are too wicked and deceiving for us to make that judgment (Jer 17:9). No sin is little. Yes, some are more serious, but that doesn’t give us permission to only sin the less serious ones. Don’t believe that lie from the enemy.

We Don’t Need the Church

I have heard from Christians who don’t believe we need the church anymore, but let me ask them this question; can you as one person sustain a children’s ministry; continue a prison ministry; help a homeless group; serve in a nursing home ministry; evangelize the city, and serve the poor in our community, all as one person? No one person can do all of these things by themselves, so this is why Jesus commands His church to feed the hungry, give the thirsty a drink, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, go to the sick and visit those in prison (Matt 25:35-40). The lie that we don’t need the church today hurts the church today by taking away laborers who can enter the harvest, and why Jesus said, “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matt 9:38). The church is a people of God; not a steel and concrete, but they do need a place to meet with steel and concrete.

Conclusion

If we can learn to recognize the voice of the Devil, then we can realize that every word he and his demons say is a lie, because he’s the father of lies (John 8:44). In fact, the only time you can believe the Devil is when he says he’s a liar. If you stay connected to the Word of God, you’ll be more able to discern Satan’s lies and know when to turn a deaf ear to him, especially knowing he’s a liar, and has been one from the beginning (Gen 3).

May God richly bless you,

Pastor Jack Wellman

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Prayer of Self-Acceptance

Dear Lord,

Help me to understand who I am.

May I realize that many times I have Peter’s mouth – when what I really need is to have Your heart.

Let me accept both my weaknesses and strengths, recognizing that You can take me, where I am weak, and make me strong…and where I am strong You can use these God-given abilities for the purpose You have for my life.

Don’t let me ever think I am so capable, I will never fall…and don’t let my failures loom as stumbling blocks, keeping me from being everything You intend for me to be.

I pray that the guilt I feel will not push me down into the pit of denial but will push me toward Your hand that lifts.

Like Peter, may I declare that through Your power, all things that are suited and needed in my life will be accomplished by my knowledge of You and Your glory and excellence.”

Dorothy Valcárcel