“Knowing Satan’s Schemes”
November 7, 2011
Yesterday we stopped by to visit an Alpaca farm on Elizabethtown Road. The farm has an Open House annually and invites the community to walk around the farm grounds and pet the Alpacas.
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). “So that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
I’ve been attempting some Do It Yourself (DIY) home wiring in my home. It seems the first owner wired the house as DIY and some of the wiring is quite unconventional, so in a process of elimination I am seeking to correct it. It would be helpful to have a wiring diagram or schematic to determine how the house is wired but that isn’t available. So I am getting plenty of exercise running up and down the steps as I turn circuits on and off (with intermittent help from Brooksyne and Ester)!
I am thankful for information that is readily available on the internet when I ask a question but was still mighty flustered early this morning. Brooksyne heard my frustrating tone from a nearby room and came to pray for me. Thankfully the problem I was having was resolved!
The daily text indicates there is a schematic regarding Satan’s schemes. We have the Bible as a guide regarding our ancient foe and his timeless schemes (designs) to wreck. Naturalism has taken a toll in regard to not only belief in God but also belief is Satan.
Satanology is the study of Satan and though such a study should never be our major focus we do well to be aware of his activities. A different way of stating our second daily text is, “we know his schemes”. They’re exposed throughout the Scriptures, both in fact and as revealed in the biblical characters who succumbed to the devil’s wielding power. We are reminded that Satan’s schemes are present in every generation through the historic hymn, “But still our ancient foe doth seek to work his woe.”
We must recognize that Satan is our adversary, seeking whom he may devour. In our first daily text “schemes” translates the Greek word “methodia”, from which we get the English word “method”. From the beginning Satan’s method has been to discredit God and overthrow His plan to redeem the lost.
Satan has a plot for our doom but God has a plan for our triumph. Satan’s plot is summed up by Jesus in John 10:10, “to steal and kill and destroy.” God’s plan is to give abundant life in our journey below and eternal joys when we take up residency in heaven.
Satan’s original plot causing the fall of man (Genesis 3) provides many clues to help us recognize his ongoing schemes and methods. He causes doubts; he distracts; he distorts; he deceives and he brings about utter destruction. We must not be ignorant of his schemes but rather we must daily wear the armor of God (Ephesians 6) so that we can take a bold stand. We must be sober rather than frivolous and we must remain vigilant. Let us do so today so that we do not cringe in fear from our adversary, but instead we know and take a stand against the devil’s schemes.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, though Satan has a sinister and deceitful scheme for my life I will not fear. Your guidance for me in discerning his evil schemes is revealed throughout the entire Bible. Not only do we receive warning through the prophets, the disciples and other people of faith, but we see Jesus as the supreme example of One who resisted the temptations of the evil one. His time of testing in the wilderness and in the garden of Gethsemane reveal that resistance to temptation brings present and future reward. Though Satan wants me so that he can destroy me, You want me so that You can save me, here and now, and for the hereafter. Thank You for the spiritual armor that protects me from the evil one.
Over the next several messages we want to examine some of the methods used by Satan as we seek to not be ignorant of his schemes.
This farm has what seems to be hundreds of Alpacas and there’s more every year. Several years ago we also visited and posted more photos at that time (See here and scroll down for photos.)
Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
“It Is Well With My Soul” Video 4Him I like this version of the classic hymn, It is Well. Perhaps you will as well.
“No One Believes In Me Anymore” Video Keith Green
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