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Prayers leading to Christmas – 11
O Lord God, bless me with salvation and mercy. Forgive me for all my sins and make me pure. I accept the salvation, which comes from your Son Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Give me the grace, to never neglect my salvation, but work it out with fear and trembling, as per your Holy Word. I say with all my heart that, blessed is Jesus Christ who comes in the name of the Lord. Save me from all deception and all deceivers that come to tempt me to be faithless about my salvation. Give me the grace to resist all that doesn’t help with my salvation. I ask this in the name of Jesus the Saviour of the World. Amen.
Prayers leading to Christmas – 9
O Lord God, be with me all of my days. Let your presence be always around me. Cause your Holy Spirit, to ever dwell in me, and lead me to the things of Christ Jesus. In all times, let your truth be with me, as I meditate upon your Holy Word. Take away all my worldly pleasures and worldly sorrows that may distract me, from being vigilant for second coming of your Son Jesus. I ask this, in your Holy Name. Amen.
Prayers leading to Christmas – 8
O Lord God, help me to understand the signs of the return of your Son Jesus Christ. Those who recognised his first coming benefited greatly when they did believe. Let me too continue to believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ and not be discouraged by evil in this generation. Help me to discern well so that I don’t get enticed by false Messiah’s and false Christ’s before the coming of Christ Jesus. Let me be vigilant about my salvation each day so that I receive your Son Jesus in a worthy manner. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen
Seek the Lord and his strength in Christ Jesus (Bible verses)
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered..(Psalm 105:4-5)
I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob,‘Seek me in vain.’ I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right.(Isaiah 45:19)
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.(Isaiah 55:6-7)
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.(Psalm 145:18)
The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(Proverbs 15:29)
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”(John 3:1-2)
Jesus said; “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.”(John 14:11)
Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus,delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (Acts 2:22-24)
Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:29-32)
For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.(Hebrews 2:2-4)
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:23)
Jesus said; Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 3:19-22)
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What did Jesus say about Satan?
Jesus had a lot to say about Satan. It’s strange that in some Christian circles the preachers and the congregations don’t want to hear about Satan nor his wicked plans when Jesus himself was highly critical of the eternally condemned liar. I find it odd and tragic in equal measure that certain people want to speak that Jesus is victorious but don’t want to mention whom he was victorious against. This brings to my mind the words of 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
Some people want a ‘customized’ gospel as per their own hearts desires and they find preachers who are willing to ‘tweak’ the gospel for them. By reading 2 Timothy 4:3-4 we are already forewarned about this and must accept the entire teachings of the Bible and not just bits and pieces of it. About such deceived people, may the good Lord Jesus open their eyes before its too late for them. Amen.
Now here’s what Jesus said about Satan. I’ll put a (sub) header or explanation about the context for each of his words about Satan for the sake of clarity. Read on:
On the Jews rejecting Jesus as Messiah but still claiming eternal security by being descendants of Abraham.
John 8:4 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Jesus compares Satan to a murdering thief.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Jesus explained the parable of the sower (Matthew 13: 1-23) and compared Satan to the seed eating birds.
Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
Jesus explained the parable of the weeds (Matthew 13: 24-29 and 36-43) and called Satan as the enemy.
He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
When Peter advised Jesus against the will of God.
Matthew 16:23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
When the disciples were amazed that they could cast off demons in Jesus’ name.
Luke 10:17-20 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus spoke to Simon Peter on how Satan wanted to claim Simon Peter for eternity but Jesus prayed against it.
Luke 22:31-33 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
Jesus clarified that he doesn’t need Satan’s nor his henchman Beelzebub’s assistance to cast out demons.
Matthew 12:22-27 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub,by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
Jesus mentioned that the lake of fire at the Final Judgement (Matthew 25:31-46) has been prepared for Satan and his angels and unbelievers too share in it.
Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
By reading this, I hope and pray that you don’t take the great deceiver of the world ie the Devil lightly and instead trust Jesus forever. May the the light of Christ always shine in your life. Amen.
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