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| Volume 21 Number 7 July 2019 | Page 15 |
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| Volume 21 Number 7 July 2019 | Page 15 |
Editor's NoteMarilyn LaStrape
Satan is working hard on Saturday so that Sunday will be a “wrap!” In order to make sure that Sunday is a “wrap”—a done deal as far as God is considered—Satan has a plan; make no mistake about it. Perhaps he works his scheming, devious, soul destroying plan harder on Saturday than any other day of the week. It is not by chance that he dogs us constantly but by calculated design. His plan is simple: make sure that the highest and dearest of God’s creation is in hell with him eternally! Consider the following smooth and ever so subtle tactics that Satan uses on Saturdays to make Sundays an extension of our weekends.
Satan uses these temptations and countless others to offer us choices and decisions that seem perfectly harmless and legitimate—not honoring God with our presence and attention in worship on Sunday. He talks to us in ways that make sense. Satan talks to us in ways that appeal to us. He dangles something that we desire and makes it appear to be totally innocent and appropriate— with the best part claiming no consequences, penalties, regrets or costs are necessary. Satan comes to us in ways that are not threatening, not challenging and certainly appear to be free of danger and destruction. With a setup like that from the master manipulator, it leaves nothing open to choose except what we desire.
We must be able to see through this fog of lies and deceit. Our precious Savior Jesus the Christ defined who the devil is in the absolute in John 8:44. Speaking to some of the self-righteous Jews He said, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources [what comes natural to him], for he is a liar and the father of it.” How liberating it would be for all of us if we could with all gravity and sincerity embrace the truths that Jesus spoke in this one verse about our arch enemy! It has been said that the best way to know if the devil is lying is to see if his lips are moving.
You say you are not getting enough rest? The minister may be preaching the truth with all the fervor he can express, but it is useless to those who are sleeping, while Satan is smiling. Worship has an audience of one. How do you worship God in spirit and truth asleep? Take note; Psalm 89:7 reads, “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.”
You say you are totally distracted? We must make the decisions and choices on Saturday that limit the drains on us physically and mentally that would hinder giving God our best on Sunday. Also note Psalm 95:1-3, which says, “Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods.”
You feel like God is getting in your way and you need a day of rest from working that job all week? When this happens, we have completely lost sight of who it is that is giving us these jobs. God gives us six days to do what we feel we must, but the first day belongs to Him because He has said so. Observe Psalm 111:1, which records, “Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.” Consider also Psalm 149:1 as it reads, “Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise in the assembly of the saints.”
You say you must work on Sunday to make a good salary to provide for your family, otherwise you are worse than an unbeliever? The more we get, the more we want. Satan is always dangling something through the numerous and various forms of media to convince us we need one more momentary trinket. Observe1 Timothy 6:9 as it says, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
You let your children stay up too late or you kept them out too late? Realize somebody is always watching us, being influenced by us and following our example. If we have children, especially those still under our roofs, they are the somebodies that are forever watching and listening. We are telling them 24/7 as it were, what and who matters the most! Psalm 96:7-9 records, “Give to the LORD, O families of the people, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him all the earth.”
Do we look forward to Sunday and worship with the saints? A challenge is extended for the upcoming Saturdays for the remainder of the year, or whatever part we may be blessed to live. Start making notes when you get up on Saturday morning of the people, places and things that will be contending for your time. If we are not persistently diligent and deliberate in our choices and decisions, Satan will be right there working as hard as he can to make sure that all Sundays are a “wrap!”