The Power of Prayer

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES The Power of Prayer   CURRENT TV SERIES Angels

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.   Ephesians 6:11 There was a time in my life years ago when I neither thought much about the devil nor did I talk much about him either. Now, certainly one mistake many people make today is that they are obsessed with the demonic. But perhaps a greater mistake is to ignore the reality of Satan’s existence. So often today, the media portrays Satan as a cartoon or a joke.  Perhaps even yesterday you saw children trick or treating in ghoulish costumes. But let me tell you something… the devil is no joke. He’s not a comical caricature. But rather he is a real and evil being who is committed to overthrowing of the Kingdom of God and persecuting every believer. When you choose to be a follower of Jesus Christ, you’re going to face the devil in battle because God has called every Christian to fight on the spiritual battlefield. Yet, I’m concerned that many Christians are more interested in playing on the playground than fighting on the battleground. They’re AWOL and unengaged in spiritual warfare! But God has called all Christians to fight not only defensively, but offensively in this age-old struggle. So as you live the Christian life, never forget that you have a mortal enemy who wants to take you out of the game. But most importantly, remember that you have a much more powerful ally who fights for you at every turn! THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLEGROUND. SO DON’T BE IGNORANT OF SATAN’S SCHEMES AND REMEMBER THAT GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE! Seeking the Living among the Dead by Dr. Paul Chappell “And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?” Luke 24:4–5 One of the most remarkable geographical features of the Holy Land is the Dead Sea. The lake is the lowest spot on the land surface of the planet, at some fourteen hundred feet below sea level. The salt and mineral content of the water is so high that almost nothing lives in it, and visitors are cautioned against swallowing even a mouthful of the water because of the danger of serious illness that can result. Though the Dead Sea is a source of chemicals used in makeup, health care, and commercial applications, it is not the place to go to look for living things. The only source of true and lasting life is God, and yet many people, including some Christians, seek life in the things of the world rather than turning to Him. This search is always doomed to failure, because what they are looking for simply does not exist where they are looking. The world simply has nothing to offer that is lasting and meaningful. At best it only offers temporary pleasure and enjoyment that by its very nature is fleeting. In contrast, Jesus offers a life that overflows and cannot be taken away. As Jesus Himself said in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” If we are seeking life, we must look to the only source where it can be found. This is one of the great lessons of the resurrection—that in Jesus alone we have the hope and promise of everlasting life. Today’s Growth Principle:  The only way to find and enjoy abundant life is to seek the presence of the Lord.