He set aside [the legal brief against us], nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him....The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

Colossians 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8

He set aside [the legal brief against us], nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him....The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. Colossians 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #42: To Disarm the Rulers and Authorities.  The devotion today right away dispels any thoughts one might have upon reading the title of the devotion.  Piper is not referring to human governments but of "demonic powers that afflict the world."  We are referred to Ephesians 6:12 where the text describes how believers are not battling "flesh and blood," but instead "cosmic powers" and "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  John 12:31 is also highlighted as the text describes "Jesus' last hour of his life" on the cross as He says that "now will the ruler of this world be cast out."  Piper then moves to share that although Satan and his other fallen angels are defeated, Christ allows them to exist until He returns (second coming). Piper shares: "[n]ot that they were put out of existence. We wrestle with them even now. But they are a defeated foe. We know we have the final victory. It is as though a great dragon has had his head cut off and is thrashing about until he bleeds to death. The battle is won. But we must still be careful of the damage he can do."  Peter warns us about how sin continues to exist and how we should be "alert and sober" - see 1 Peter 5:8.  While this is true, Piper wants us to see his main point, where he points to Colossians 2:14 and shares that "if God’s law no longer condemns us, because Christ canceled our debt, then Satan has no grounds to accuse us."  We are referred as well to Revelation 12:10 where the text describes Satan as the accuser and that during the final battle of end times Satan (the accuser) is "thrown down."  Piper shares: "[t]his is the defeat and the disarming of the rulers and authorities."  Piper then concludes the devotion by then pointing to Romans 8:33 and offering encouragement in light how Satan is disarmed: "now in Christ no accusations can stand against God’s people....Neither man nor Satan can make a charge stick. The legal case is closed. Christ is our righteousness. Our accuser is disarmed. If he tries to speak in the court of heaven, shame will cover his face. Oh, how bold and free we should be in this world as we seek to serve Christ and love people!" Amen!  Rejoice!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for willingly going to the cross to defeat sin and death, disarming Satan and his angels.  Yes I know sin exists and it will continue to be a struggle but You give me freedom over the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor eternal life.  My sins are great and they continue...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone.

Revelation 8:2-11:19

Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone. Revelation 9:3-5

I continued with my D-Group's study of Revelation using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide.  For this week, the study looks at Revelation 8:2-11:19, and for today my focus is on Satan and how, although he has much power and influence, he is under God and cannot do anything that God does not allow. God reigns and has providence over all, including Satan.  In Revelation 9:3-5, after the fifth trumpet is blown, we see locusts arise from the abyss.  God gave them power to torment non-believers only and they only had power to torment, not to kill. 

Comment and discuss this power.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for protection from Satan and sin - I know that You have already defeated sin and death and You give me the power to protect myself from temptation and sin - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great - worry, etc. - and it is daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Colossians 2

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Colossians 2:13-15

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on how, although Jesus death on the cross "did not remove Satan from the world, but [it] disarmed him to the extent that the weapon of damnation was stripped from his hand." Piper goes on to say that "[Satan] cannot accuse believers of unforgiven sin. Which is the only accusation that can destroy us. And therefore, he cannot bring us to utter ruin. He can hurt us physically and emotionally — even kill us. He can tempt us and incite others against us. But he cannot destroy us."

Piper then refers us to Hebrews 2:14-15 and 1 Corinthians 15:55 for additional scripture references that support this post. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible and amazing God who is full of grace and compassion for me, and I know You love me, forgive me and sanctify me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of these blessings and the many indescribable ways You bless me.  My sin of worry continues. Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Chapter 18: Pages 241-261

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) and started Part 3 "The Nature and Extent of Providence", moving to Section 3 "Providence Over Satan and Demons" - moving to chapter eighteen "Satan and Demons". 

The core takeaway from Piper in this chapter is that, yes, Satan is powerful, yet God is sovereign over every aspect of Satan's role before Satan is ultimately defeated at the end times.  Piper's discussion, includes scriptural examples of how God is sovereign over earthly rulers (Romans 13:1, Proverbs 21:1, Psalm 2:2-4), over demons and evil spirits (James 2:19, Luke 7:21, Matthew 10:1, Daniel 10:13, Matthew 8:29-32, Mark 1:27), over persecution (1 Peter 3:17, 1 Peter 4:19, Luke 22:3, 31, 52-53, John 10:18, John 7:30), over Satan's life taking power (Deuteronomy 32:39, 1 Samuel 2:6, James 4:13-16), over Satan's hands in natural disasters (John 8:44, Job 1:16-19, 37:11-14), over Satan's sickness causing power (Acts 10:38), over Satan's use of animals and plants, over Satan's temptations to sin (Acts 1:16, 2:23, 1 Thessalonians 3:5), over Satan's mind blowing power (Revelation 20:10, Romans 1:16), and over Satan's spiritual bondage (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

Piper wraps up the chapter with these words: [w]hen God permits Satan to act with that design, God's design in doing so is for his glory and the ultimate good of his people.  We have show before that all God's wise permissions have good designs. They are planned permissions, and all God's plans are good."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You are sovereign over all, including all aspects of Satan's existence.  You have freed me from bondage and given me faith and help grow that faith - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of how You have given me faith and freed me from bondage to sin.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her.

Genesis 20-21

Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. Genesis 20:6

Day 8 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Abraham's deception of Abimelek and the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael.

With his lie to Abimelek that Sarah is his sister, once again Abraham displays what my commentary* indicates as a "tendency toward deception" which represents the "same character flaw [that] will be seen again in his son and grandsons. It simply stands as a warning that even men and women of faith can lapse into great sin".

The commentary* goes on to state that "if there is any encouragement, however, it is in knowing that while there is bad in the best of mankind, there is also good in the worst. As a Canaanite, Abimelek is not a believer in the true God, and undoubtedly engages in common heathen practices. Yet he asserts in his defense to God that he has acted in good conscience, even if he is somehow still guilty in God’s eyes; then he responds to divine rebuke with repentance, generosity, and kindness".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

We should take comfort in knowing how God uses ordinary people such as Abraham and ourselves, as He redeems our sin and uses it for His glory - doing amazing things in the process. 

I am also comforted by John Piper's post on God's providence and sovereignty by both restraining Satan and evil AND prompting good.  He is in control.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and You ARE in control restraining evil and prompting good - You redeem my sin and have saved me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such love and blessings.  I worry and am often very difficult with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to Your Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.