The Enemy is on the Prowl

What is happening in your life?
What is happening the the lives of the people around you?

Remember when Jesus landed on the beach in Gentile territory at the foot of a cemetery on the hill? The violent, attacking monster (remember last Sunday's sermon) controlled by evil, ran down to steal, kill and destroy new victims pulling up on his shore.

Chances are you're going through a struggle emotionally or physically—either yourself, your spouse, someone in your family, or one of your close friends. 

Chances are you are going through a relational difficulty with a friend. neighbor, co-worker or a family member.

Chances are the conflicts occurring in your occupation have reached such an intense level, you're ready to say, "I don't even know if Christianity works anymore."   

Chances are good that more marriages are in conflict in these stressful days than in days past. Chances are you've got troubles in your family—more than usual. Perhaps one of your children is in open rebellion. If they're not there yet, it's just because they're not old enough. It's only a matter of time.

Chances are very good that a grandchild or a great-grandchild is very sick right now.

Why?
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith,because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:8-9

Jesus wants to remind us that we have an enemy. We are in a war.
It's all part of the enemy's strategy.
Our adversary hates harmony in the family.
The devil hates strong minds, secure wills, and stable bodies.
The enemy hates anything and everything that is from God; all things good, right, healthy, beautiful and brilliant.

One of the life benefits of participating in athletics is that you need to know your opponent. The military calls in "gathering intelligence." God says, "Be sober minded."

We need to know how our enemy operates, what is his purpose, where is his base of operations, what are his tactics. "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him."

More importantly, we need to know our Advocate, our Defender, our Rescuer, our King! We need to know who we are in Christ, how Christ operates in our lives, where Christ is, what is His purpose, how He has defeated the enemy, and how He defeats the enemy in our lives daily. "Standing firm in the faith."

Remember to lean on each other. "Because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kinds of sufferings."

Let's be prepared for the battle.
Let's call on Jesus every hour.
Let's lean on each other.

Battling together in Christ,
Pastor Chris