Something I got to thinking about on my way home from a friend's house last night, Satan is like the biggest Mob Boss there is.
Okay, hang with me here....
In all the stories about The Mob, gangs, the Mafia etc that you hear...usually out of Hollywood, there is a Boss and his henchmen. If anyone within the organization steps out of line or tries to defy the Boss the henchmen are sent to "take care" of them. With this attitude of fear it pretty much ensures that most of the people within the organization won't get any ideas about challenging the establishment because they are afraid of the Boss. However, as we all know there usually is that one person who steps out and says what they really think/feel. Sometimes they manage to convince others to come along and rebel with them while others they have to run and hide because they now have a giant target on their back.
The biggest "mob" we have is The World. When we live by its rules and standards, keep our heads down and don't make waves the "Boss" is happy and generally won't send his henchmen after us. However, once we step out and say "I belong to Jesus" the worldly boss gets angry. He doesn't like Jesus, in fact, there is no one in all of the creation he loathes more, so when we claim Jesus, the Boss is going to send every henchman he has after us to dissuade us. The Henchmen of Fear, Doubt, Depression, Discouragement, Indulgence, Lust, Pride, Adultery...he's got a whole bunch of them. Anyone of them that he can use to exploit our weaknesses he's going to do it. And the bolder you become about your faith the more he's going to send.
Now this seems a little unsettling...but wait...here's the good part. We've got Jesus. Jesus has all the power and authority over the Evil One's henchmen. By calling out to Jesus and saying "I trust you, help me," the henches have to run away. They can't stand to be anywhere near Jesus or His light.
So when the henchmen are coming after you think of it as an honor! The Mob Boss wouldn't waste his time or henches on someone who wasn't a threat to him. Call out to Jesus, He'll be there the moment you call. And He will give you His strength and peace to stand up against the attacks of the Evil One.
Final Thoughts: I hope this encourages you today, don't be afraid to step out in faith and be salt and light to the people around you. The henchmen may seem threatening but if you belong to Jesus, there's nothing they can do to you that He won't pull you through. Something that came to me the other day while I was praying:
Okay, hang with me here....
In all the stories about The Mob, gangs, the Mafia etc that you hear...usually out of Hollywood, there is a Boss and his henchmen. If anyone within the organization steps out of line or tries to defy the Boss the henchmen are sent to "take care" of them. With this attitude of fear it pretty much ensures that most of the people within the organization won't get any ideas about challenging the establishment because they are afraid of the Boss. However, as we all know there usually is that one person who steps out and says what they really think/feel. Sometimes they manage to convince others to come along and rebel with them while others they have to run and hide because they now have a giant target on their back.
The biggest "mob" we have is The World. When we live by its rules and standards, keep our heads down and don't make waves the "Boss" is happy and generally won't send his henchmen after us. However, once we step out and say "I belong to Jesus" the worldly boss gets angry. He doesn't like Jesus, in fact, there is no one in all of the creation he loathes more, so when we claim Jesus, the Boss is going to send every henchman he has after us to dissuade us. The Henchmen of Fear, Doubt, Depression, Discouragement, Indulgence, Lust, Pride, Adultery...he's got a whole bunch of them. Anyone of them that he can use to exploit our weaknesses he's going to do it. And the bolder you become about your faith the more he's going to send.
Now this seems a little unsettling...but wait...here's the good part. We've got Jesus. Jesus has all the power and authority over the Evil One's henchmen. By calling out to Jesus and saying "I trust you, help me," the henches have to run away. They can't stand to be anywhere near Jesus or His light.
So when the henchmen are coming after you think of it as an honor! The Mob Boss wouldn't waste his time or henches on someone who wasn't a threat to him. Call out to Jesus, He'll be there the moment you call. And He will give you His strength and peace to stand up against the attacks of the Evil One.
Final Thoughts: I hope this encourages you today, don't be afraid to step out in faith and be salt and light to the people around you. The henchmen may seem threatening but if you belong to Jesus, there's nothing they can do to you that He won't pull you through. Something that came to me the other day while I was praying:
Nothing is going to happen to me that God doesn't allow and if He allows it, He's going to give me everything I need to get through it.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source]; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world. 4 Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind
1 John 4:1-4 (AMP)
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
John 10: 10 (AMP)
casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. 8 Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]
1 Peter 5:7-9 (AMP)
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
James 4:7-10 (MSG)
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