Never Turn Your Back On A Rattle Snake 4/26/2015

Good Morning,

The sun has just come up in my part of the world and the weather looks to be dry today. However it is pretty cold this morning so I am using an insulated mug to keep my Door County Cherry Crème Coffee warm. I couldn't resist the sunrise and decided to write from the patio all bundled up in warm clothes. The fresh air is so rejuvenating today.

I like to watch old classic Western television shows now and then especially in the winter. I can recite several quotes that were written for some of the heroes to proclaim.  One has stuck with me for many years. It was from an old show called Bat Masterson.  In it, Bat had just disarmed a bad guy and had taken his gun away very quickly with a cane he carried. This was done in a fast move and then Bat walked away as he said "I never turn my back on a rattlesnake unless it's fangs are removed".  The fangs were this man's gun.

I always knew that I would fit this into a devotional and today is the day.

Ephesians 6:12

                        

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places

We who love Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior know that there are spiritual battles going on in the world and personally each day. We are in the middle of those battles all the time. Satan uses every tool he can to persecute Christians or to make them stumble in their walk. God clearly warns us of this within Scripture. Even Jesus was tempted by Satan. Yet Jesus disarmed him and Satan had no power to harm him. God has given us that same power and knowledge. Yet too often we don't use it. Instead we tend to walk right into the snake's path hoping that he won't bite. We travel in the land of the evil one and aren't ready to smash it or disarm it.  Now let's look at the rest of this passage.

Ephesians 6:10-18New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Next step! Remember to fight with might, you are armed also.

James 4:7New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 

Memorize Scripture, use it when tempted or battling Satan. Pull the trigger on that loaded gun and let him have it right between the eyes. No need to be bitten and defeated.

 

 

Isaiah 55:11King James Version (KJV)

¹¹ So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

 

 

Have a wonderful day. Don't let the snake ruin it.

 

God bless,

 

Marty