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The events of the past week have changed our country and our lives forever. Rather than dwell on what has happened to our country, I want to talk about what has happened to us individually - and what we can do about it. There is a purpose behind the attacks that occurred on the east coast - but it is not the purpose that we see on the news. Make no mistake - what's behind the attacks is evil, as our president has said. But the evil doesn't stop at Ossama Ben Laden or whoever masterminded the attack - but goes further, to the very foundations of evil and evil's architect: Lucifer. The effect of evil Deceive Compromise Steal Violence Kill Anxiety Destroy Deny Deflect Defraud Lie Sin Tempt Blaspheme Slander Blame Weaken Defeat Fear SATAN Works of Satan: The world-wide and age-long works of Satan are to be traced to one predominant motive. He hates both God and man and does all that in him lies to defeat God's plan of grace and to establish and maintain a kingdom of evil, in the seduction and ruin of mankind. Satan's power consists principally in his ability to deceive. It is interesting and characteristic that according to the Bible Satan is fundamentally a liar and his kingdom is a kingdom founded upon lies and deceit. The doctrine of Satan therefore corresponds in every important particular to the general Biblical emphasis upon truth. "The truth shall make you free" (John 8:32)-this is the way of deliverance from the power of Satan. (from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft) Isa 14:13-14 13 You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." Lucifer, once God's most beautiful creature, the most beautiful of all arch-angels - became filled with pride and rebelled - falling. Since then he has set his mind against God and against anything that God loves. So when we see the terrible things that have happened - the intent is really very simple, keep us from drawing close to God - instead to hate each other, become angry, vindictive - or withdrawn and depressed, or fearful and ineffective. It is right that our country stop this from happening again - that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about your individual reaction. I want to suggest that you use this opportunity to become closer to God than ever before, and as an opportunity to bring others into His peace. Remember - God has an answer to every intent of evil. And eventually, the author of evil himself will be destroyed. Isaiah 14:15 15 But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. 16 Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: "Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, 17 the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?" NIV Rev 20:10 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. NIV John 14:27-31 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 28 "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. NIV |
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