Isn't it odd that
this is June 12, 2007, and the last article I wrote was on December 31, 2006!?
Actually I have a few others that are incomplete ... for shame on me! Where
did I go? Well, I think the devil took me on a little sabbatical (unwarranted,
uninspired vacation). It is my opinion that he's been whispering in my ears
about my articles, causing doubt, which is his specialty as we see in his
temptations in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3) at the dawn of time as we know
it. I've been wondering if I should write, are my writings accurate, are
they inspired of God ... or are they of my own understanding and belief ...
perhaps not as much of God as I'd like to think!?
If you don't believe satan is real
&/or he's able to do such a thing, especially not to a *real Christian*,
here's scripture from the book of Job to back it up, and confirmation from
the Apostle Peter!
Job 1:7
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And
the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD,
and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down
in it.
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Job 2:2
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And
the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the
LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and
down in it.
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1 Pet 5:8-10
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1Pe
5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions
are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal
glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,
stablish, strengthen, settle [you].
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I'd be willing to bet many of us Christians
are susceptible to this kind of deception (doubt), after all, it's been going
on since our ealiest ancestors, Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden. If
you haven't read the Book of Job YOU SHOULD for much is revealed about satan
and how he operates & deceives can be found there, as well as the third
chapter of the Book of Genesis, which lists not only his deception but also
the result mankind has had to endure and suffer since believing that first
lie! I'm not really sure how this all started for me, I mean for this most
current sabbatical, but it was convincing enough that I've strayed from writing
to you until now.
But God is faithful and He loves me
and over these nearly six months he's be talking to me and *countering* all
that satan has put in my heart & mind through his doubting whispers.
The Lord has specifically shown me the experiences of others in which they
claim to have been to Heaven &/or Hell, very sobbering to say the least.
Now, I can choose not to believe their experiences, I'm sure satan would
very much like me not to believe them. If he can remain *hidden* to mankind
then we would likewise not know and understand the alternative destiny (hell)
for all those who are not saved through Jesus Christ. Here's a link to one
site that lists much on the subject of Heaven & Hell, and I'll likely
do an article on each topic soon. I have watched/listened and read every
link on the subject of Heaven & Hell and am wowwed by the experiences
documented there ...
So, without getting into the gory details
of my sabbatical, quite frankly I can't clearly recall them at this time
to document them, perhaps that's best for now ... I would like to remind
you as the Lord reminds me that we must work for Him and spread the gospel
of truth, whatever the level of our own personal understanding and as long
as we back it up with scripture. Be careful and on the watch for sabbaticals
not of the Lord. For satan's sole goal is to rob you of your eternal salvation
by causing you to first doubt and then stray from your Lord & Savior.
It is not so important that we know everything but that we work diligently
to understand God and His ways, and as important ... His calling for each
of us. Right now, it appears to me that writing these articles for you IS
my calling. I hope I do you, and the Lord, justice!