Wednesday, April 24, 2013

When Evil and Terror surround us~~ LOOK UP!

It's pretty unbelievable what has transpired the last week on our television screens, computer monitors, smart phones, tablets and other devices that help us communicate. Tweets and Facebook posts were flying on Monday 4/15 when once again, the United States was touched by the hand of sad and lonely terrorists desperately trying to destroy our way of life.

Two very young men, who were raised in the Boston area and attended school and college in the same area, are accused of killing innocent American's observed an annual American right of passage in Boston - The Boston Marathon. The result: 3 innocent victims, 2 young women, and the youngest was a precious little boy who came to watch his Dad complete the marathon, only to be blown up seconds later, and another police officer who was gunned down in the ensuing manhunt that came, later on in the week.
    
They looked like normal American boys, right? NOT!

Even sadder this time, is the fact that these "home grown" terrorists actually lived among us, went to school with our kids, going to graduation and prom, participating in high school sports and assimilating into American life just like the guy next door. Actually, they were the guy next door, literally :(

Although they were born in a different country, their parents moved them to America, no doubt in search of the American dream and a better life for their kids.

So, of course, the question now is WHY? Why would these young men who were in fact living the American dream and enjoying all the benefits that our society can offer them (one even had a $2,500 scholarship from an area prestigious college they had earned). Why would they seemingly go from normal young men by all accounts of their many friends, and turn to pure Evil.

                                                                     He's very real and he is very crafty.

Well, if you believe the Bible like I do, what the Bible says about the day of Evil is pretty clear.  Ephesians 6: 12 says "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Evil is all around us. Satan and his demons are all around us, reeking havoc in this world. This world, right now is the devil's playground, and we have to watch out because he is out to get all of us. He especially loves to target Christians, but he is after anybody he can get to do his dirty work. We can resist him, but we must be vigilant. 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

It might seem pretty simplistic, but I believe this is exactly what happened to these young men. Satan invaded their minds and convinced them that what they were doing was right in their eyes and maybe in the eyes of some countrymen or other radicals they were seeking approval from. Satan is the great deceiver and he can twist anything around anyway he likes. They were doing it for the greater cause or whatever they believed. It didn't matter that they were sacrificing the lives of innocent young victims who had their whole lives ahead of them. It was pure Evil. And we all know where pure evil comes from  -- there's only one source. SATAN~

The Bible is clear about the end days. "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." 2 Timothy 3:15

Doesn't that sound like the world we live in right now? Unfortunately, I believe it's gonna get worse before it get's better friends because I do believe we are living in the end days. There are just too many signs and prophesies that have occurred.

So, what can we do? How can we be ready? 

We can be saturated in the Word of God Daily. We can love one another and show the love of Christ to a world that is badly hurting. The World is watching us like hawks. We have to be the opposite of all that evil that is around us. Be Strong in the Lord and in His Mighty Power! You can resist the flaming arrows of the evil one. Keep your focus on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your Faith! And most importantly PRAY! Pray for the Lord to turn the hearts of these evil people that want to do us harm. Pray for His hedge of protection around our country and our people. Pray for our President to make Godly decision on our behalf. We can defeat Evil, but we can't do it without the Lord and His Mighty Power! 

                
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:10-17

My verses for today are above in red.

My prayer for today:

Lord Jesus,

There certainly is evil all around us these days. Help us Lord to resist the devil and flee from him. You tell us in Your Word that we can do that, and Lord I just stand I that promise and ask you to put a hedge of protection all around us, especially those fighting our wars around the world. Protect them Lord. Give us all your peace during these trying days.



















I pray,
Amen