Perilous Times

Remember the scene from the movie Home Alone 2 when the kid is scared in Central Park and flags a taxi?  He says to the taxi driver, “It’s scary out there.”  The scary looking taxi driver turns around and says, “It ain’t all that great in here,” or something like that.

Well... this world we are living in is scary.  And whether you are looking at things on the domestic level (the economy... or politics... etc.) or on the international level (Al Qaeda... nuclear Iran... etc.) it is pretty scary no matter which way your turn.

That is why we find that the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy, written centuries ago, are as current as the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper.

¹BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].
²For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.
³[They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good.
⁴[They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.
⁵For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].
⁶For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate silly and weak-natured and spiritually dwarfed women, loaded down with [the burden of their] sins [and easily] swayed and led away by various evil desires and seductive impulses.
⁷[These weak women will listen to anybody who will teach them]; they are forever inquiring and getting information, but are never able to arrive at a recognition and knowledge of the Truth.

2 Timothy 3:1-7 [AMP]

Perilous times will come in the last days... the days before Christ returns... the days we are living in.  The days that the bum with the sandwich board on the street are talking about.  Yeah... those days.

What Are “Perilous Times?”

The word “perilous” in the original Greek text is the word chalepoi which means fierce, perilous, hard to live in, troublesome, dangerous: harsh, fierce, full of troubles and dangers; times that are hard to bear.

It is not very surprising when we see such characteristics in the people of this world. After all... these people are servants of satan and follow his behavior patterns.

What is surprising, however, is when we see these characteristics popping up within the church.  We cover this phenomenon from a couple angles in our book, Spiritual Fruits or Religious Nuts: but let’s address matters from Jesus’s perspective in the following scripture:

²⁴Another parable He set forth before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
²⁵But while he was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed also darnel (weeds resembling wheat) among the wheat, and went on his way.
²⁶So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the darnel (weeds) appeared also.
²⁷And the servants of the owner came to him and said, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how does it have darnel shoots in it?
²⁸He replied to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Then do you want us to go and weed them out?
²⁹But he said, No, lest in gathering the wild wheat (weeds resembling wheat), you root up the [true] wheat along with it.
³⁰Let them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will say to the reapers, Gather the darnel first and bind it in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my granary.

Matthew 13:24-30 [AMP]

In the above scripture, Jesus tells us that the tares (a plant that looks like wheat) will be allowed to grow along side the wheat until the time of harvest. They may outwardly resemble Christians, but without any spiritual fruit.

On the day of judgment, when all men and women will stand before a righteous
God, we may be surprised to see some people who were prominent in the church being judged.
No doubt, they may be even more surprised about that. 

So let’s do some expository on Paul’s words to Timothy and the members of the
body of Christ, and let us attempt to understand our scripture text and discern exactly what types of behavior
Paul was referring to in these perilous times we are living in:

Men Shall Be Selfish (philautoi)

Do you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself, or do you “look out for number one?”

And he replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

Luke 10:27 [AMP]

God’s very nature is to be gracious... to give.. to show mercy and
loving-kindness to you.  He wants us to do the same.

And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!

Isaiah 30:18 [AMP]

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

John 3:16 [AMP]

If we are to walk after the image of our Heavenly Father, we need to walk after His example of selfless giving, not “get all you can... can all you get... then, sit on the can.”

THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

Ephesians 5:1 [AMP]

Men Shall Be Covetous (philargooroi)

They will be lovers of money more than lovers of God or their brethren.

They would rather spend extravagantly than bring tithes into the house of God. They would rather be gluttons than donate food to the poor. They would rather watch television than hear the gospel.

Some of them will stand in a pulpit and squeeze money out of people who can’t afford it in order to meet their own agenda.  And while they will take, take, take... they never give any of their own away.

In either instance... these covetous people have made material things their god... and we all know that you can’t take it with you.

The world says to love things and use people. We need to love people, and use things to bring glory to our Father.

The members of the early church shared all that they had. Why don’t we?

Men Shall Be Boasters (alazones)

This word was originally used to describe a “quack” doctor who went from town to town, trying to sell “snake oil.”

The phony medicine pushed by these quacks promised to cure a wide range of illnesses. In reality, they did nothing to help people... but may make them sicker or even kill them!

Such individuals claim to have the answers, but they really do not. Their religion is just empty pretending.

Are you an empty pretender? Do you parade about, trying to pass yourself off as something you are not? Does God get the glory or do you pat yourself on the back?

Paul had much that he could have bragged about.

• He was a Pharisees’ Pharisee.
• He was an eloquent speaker.
• God handpicked him.

Despite all of this, Paul counted his credentials as worthless as the feces one flushes down the toilet.  Nothing could possibly compare to the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One)

Philippians 3:8 [AMP]

Men Shall Be Proud (huperəphanoi)

The Greek word means “to show oneself above.” These persons not only think too highly of themselves, they despise others. We see an example of this spirit in Luke, chapter 18:

The Pharisee took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men--extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers--or even like this tax collector here.

Luke 18:11 [AMP]

Have you ever bristled upon encountering a drunkard, a homeless person, or perhaps a prostitute on a street corner? Remember it is only God’s grace that you are not out there.

And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me.

Matthew 25:40 [AMP]

This type of attitude is illustrated in the following selection from our Psalms from the Pen of the Ready Writer volume 1:

Standing on the corner
Under pale moonlight
a little lady stands there
sordid merchandise

Just an hour later
in the shadows dark
another pint of vodka
numbs her wounded heart

Do you not see her?
How can you pass her by?
Where is your compassion?
Can you not hear her cry?

Walking through the front door
of our Sunday church
The little lady comes in
wants to stop the hurt

Laying on the sidewalk
ushers threw her out
‘How dare you show your face here?’
‘Thank you, please stay out!’

How could this happen?
How could it go this way?
What would you do if God
treated you the same way?

He calls us to love and forgive
to heal the wounded sin-sick souls
the church is a holy hospital...
(not a social club)

Standing on the corner
on her way to hell
a little lady stands there
merchandise to sell

What a sad occurrence
What a tragedy...
One question you should ask yourself

What if it was me?

Do you not see her?
How can you pass her by?
Where is your compassion?
Can you not hear her cry?

How could this happen?
How could it go this way?
What would you do if God
treated you the same way?

Men Shall Be Blasphemers (blasphəmoi)

These people speak evil, slanderous, or abusive words against God and/or men.

They are quick with criticism and put-downs.

Some comedians on television joke about growing up in church while reviling God and all that He stands for.

Although you may never have taken God’s name in vain, maybe your behavior has given God’s enemies an occasion to blaspheme. (see 2 Samuel 12 and Romans 2:24).

Any sin in the camp may affect the entire church (see Joshua 7; Joshua 22:20; and 1 Corinthians 10:6).

To quote R.W. Schambach:  “Get rid of your sin before your sin gets rid of you.”

There is even a free downloadable album on that very same topic located here.

Men Shall Be Disobedient to Parents

If you have unsaved parents, keeping your room clean and your chores up to date will win them to Christ a lot faster than nagging them about church or slipping gospel tracts into their sandwiches.

Do you honor your mother and father?

Mouse-over these scriptures:

• Exodus 20:12
• Deuteronomy 5:16
• Matthew 15:4-6
• Ephesians 6:2

Men Shall Be Unthankful (acharistoi)

These ungrateful ones take and take, but never stop to say “thank you.” You should “Count your many blessings... see what God has done.” This brings glory to God and gives you strength in times of trial. David praised God for delivering him from the jaws of the lion and the bear. This, in turn, gave him the confidence and spiritual fortitude to defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 17:36).

Men Shall Be Unholy (anosioi)

They offend all that is holy, not satisfied with simply practicing their wickedness but desiring to drag others into their lifestyles.

Men Shall Be Without Natural Affection (Astorgoi)

The Greek word is the opposite of “to cherish affectionately with family love.” Today, children shoot and kill without a twinge of remorse. Proverbs 12:10 describes these people perfectly... even their “tender mercies” are cruel.

Men Shall Be Trucebreakers (aspondoi)

A trucebreaker cannot agree to or refuses to enter a covenant. They are dishonest and not trustworthy. They reject salvation, since this is a covenant relationship between man and God (see Acts 3:25).

Men Shall Be False Accusers (Diaboloi)

If you speak Spanish, you will recognize the Greek word as meaning, “the Devil.” Satan is a slanderer and a false accuser (see Revelation 12:10). If you accuse your brother or sister in gossip conversation, you are sitting in the devil’s seat.

Men Shall Be Incontinent (akrateis)

This does not refer to a weak bladder, but a lack of spiritual or moral self-control.

A wise man once told me that the purpose of a lock was simply to keep honest men honest.  A dishonest man will break into a locked car or building and will steal.

In Galatians 5:23, self-control (”temperance” in the KJV) is a fruit of the Spirit. If you truly are Christ’s and are filled with His Spirit, then you will not be one such person.

Men Shall Be Fierce (anəmeroi)

These men are “brutal” or “savage.” Like wild beasts, they pounce upon their prey and mercilessly rip it to shreds.

Many people will walk past someone in the sanctuary and mercilessly rip him or her to shreds with their tongue. These people are savage... fierce.

Men Shall Be Despisers Of Those That Are Good (aphilagathoi)

They are opposed to goodness and those who stand for right. They campaign for animal rights but seek to kill unborn children. They bring homosexuals and lesbians into schools, yet protest the idea of the Bible in school.

Men Shall Be Traitors (prodotai)

This is treacherous behavior. Be diligent to lift one another up in prayer. Don’t betray your family in Christ. Stand in the gap for them lest the enemy hinder them.

Men Shall Be Heady

Are you rash, reckless, or hasty? Do you wait on the Lord, doing things decently and in order, or do you disregard leadership and do things your way?

Men Shall Be Highminded (teutphəmenoi)

The Greek word literally means, “conceited.” Are you proud, or lifted up with pride? Do you become blinded with pride?

Men Shall Be Lovers of Pleasure More Than Lovers of God (philədonoi mallon ə philotheoi)

The Greek phrase refers to those who would rather seek their own pleasure than God’s will and purpose. Does evening service interfere with your game? Does prayer meeting interfere with your television watching?

That is not to imply that there is no pleasure in serving God. King David said that he was glad when they said unto him, “let us go into the house of the Lord.” Are you glad about serving God, or do you see your “religious duty” as a ball and chain?

Men Shall Have A Form of Godliness, But Deny the Power Thereof

You may have an outline or a semblance of piety towards God, but your actions show that you have an estrangement with the power (or, Dunamis... dynamite dynamic Holy Ghost power) of God.

You talk a good talk but you don’t walk the right walk. You may sing and shout. Your tearstains may be on the altar. However, are you able to walk holy before the Lord?

Turn Away From Such Men (and Women)

Some of the most charismatic people in our society (politicians, entertainers and false religious leaders) fall into one or more of the categories that Paul describes.

If any of this applies to you, turn away from sin, submit yourself to God and resist the devil, then satan will flee from you (James 4:7). Submit yourself to the cleansing of God’s holy word (John 15:3).

Protect Your Family

In verse 6, Paul tells us that such people sneak (insinuate themselves) into the house / family / property / wealth / goods of others like an insect crawling through a crack in the wall.

Be vigilant to protect your family from those who would lead them away from the path of righteousness.

Are You A WIMP?

These people capture or make captive weak-willed individuals. In verse 6, the KJV reads, “silly women.” However, the context of the Greek suggests that this is not strictly a reference to women, but may also refer to what we would call a “wimp.”

If a man is not fulfilling his role as head of his family, he may be a “weak willed little woman” (see Ephesians 5:33 and 1 Timothy 5:8).

Of course, this verse also applies to women who fail to maintain God’s standards of virtue (i.e., Proverbs 31:10-31 and Titus 2:3-5).

Paul says that these “wimps” are loaded with the consciousness of many sins (failure to hit the mark, committing bad actions or evil deeds; possibly through an error of understanding). They are “Prisoners of War” to satan
and his army of demons.

These people would rather fry their brains on lust-filled soap operas than feed themselves God’s word (see 1 Corinthians 3:2).

They would rather gossip on the telephone than talk about the goodness of Jesus
(see 1 Peter 4:11).

These people are setting themselves up to be “led captive” by the people of these perilous days. Do you want to be satan’s prisoner of war... or do you want to be free?

What Impulses Motivate You?

At the end of verse 6, Paul describes these people as being led away (literally, moved by forces and impulses affecting the mind) with many types of lusts, desire, craving, longing, and desire for that which is forbidden. Harlequin Romance Novels, “Swimsuit Editions” and R-rated movies create such impulses.

Is Your Bible Study Fruitful?

In verse 7, we see these “wimps” constantly increasing their knowledge, yet they are never able to come to the precise and correct knowledge of things that are ethical and divine (the truth of the gospel). They are implacable by virtue of their own ability and resources, their state of mind, and/or their customs.

The seven most dangerous words for church leaders is, “We’ve never done it that way before.” Don’t reject God’s moving because it clashes with tradition. Don’t resist change because you are not willing to accept the truth. Don’t hear sermons Sunday after Sunday without it getting out of your head and into your heart.

Many people have their own agenda for attending church. Some go for social or political reasons. Some go to find a husband or wife. Some go to have their good deeds outweigh their sins. The scriptures describe exactly what benefit they get out of their “religiosity” or “churchianity...”

¹THEREFORE, WHILE the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered [today], let us be afraid [to distrust it], lest any of you should think he has come too late and has come short of [reaching] it.
²For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they united in faith with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe).
³For we who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God) do enter that rest, in accordance with His declaration that those [who did not believe] should not enter when He said, As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest; and this He said although [His] works had been completed and prepared [and waiting for all who would believe] from the foundation of the world.

Hebrews 4:1-3 [AMP]

Be steadfast in prayer and Bible study if you wish to survive these perilous times.

Who Has Power Over You?

A lot of people seem to hold onto this idea of God being the big angry one in the sky, throwing lightning bolts at those who for whatever reason get on His nerves.  And even more troublesome, the assertion that God’s anger is unjust.  Really?

When disasters strike... be they earthquakes, tidal waves, or floods... people simply write these off as “acts of God.”  Further, many simply assume that He is just messing with His children for some capricious reason.  Couldn’t be anything related to mankind’s sins now, could it?

We took note earlier of a comment by actor and activist Sean Penn who stated on the CNN series Larry King Live that God was bullying the people of Haiti when the earthquake struck... and people felt great outrage when Pat Robertson blamed the earthquake on something the people of Haiti had allegedly done.

The simple reality, however, is that Haiti’s (pre-earthquake) woes are completely man-made.  From the exploitation of the island’s wealth in the 1700’s to the acts of genocide during the Parsley Massacre in the early 20^th century to further political and diplomatic abuses... we see the hands of men driven by selfishness and greed.  Substandard building codes created a horrendous devastation in Haiti.  Yet, in Chile where an even more severe earthquake hit, there was less damage (because the infrastructure was better constructed).  Had the people been given better constructed homes and buildings, the devastation would not been nearly as great.

Still... people find it so easy to just blame God whenever things go wrong.

Oh, and for the record... earthquakes are continuing and will continue to strike all over the world.  After all, Jesus told us in Mark 13:7-9 that these are simply labor pains signalling the birth of the new heaven and earth that will replace this demon-infested world that we are living in (see Revelation 21:1-3).

But when the concept of the devil being behind this world’s tragedies is introduced, people simply shrug that off as medieval mythology that has no part in rational thinking.  After all... assuming that God has all power... why doesn’t He just do something about all the bad things that happen?

For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

2^nd Corinthians 4:4 [AMP]

In 2 Corinthians 4:4, we read that satan is the god (small “g”) of this world.  Yes, it is the devil who blinds the minds of people so that they cannot see or even discern the truth.  And Jesus is the truth.

Elsewhere in the scripture, we see further affirmation of this fact. For instance, satan is called the prince of the power of the air in Ephesians 2:2. In John 12:31, he is called the ruler of this world. We could site other scriptures, but you get the point.

The refusal to accept the fact that there is a devil who is intent on fouling everything up was the theme of one of our favorite songs by Keith Green.

Have a listen to the song:



If you are under the reign of the devil... the one who has such authority on this earth... then you are subject to the outcomes of his behavior. And how does the devil behave? Well, I like the way Greg Laurie put it. While God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life... satan hates you and has a horrible plan for your life.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

John 10:10 [AMP]

• He is a thief... he steals whatever he can from you. Your health. Your relationships. Your sanity... whatever he can get his hands on, he will take from you.
  .
• He is a murderer. He will kill you if he can. But even if he can’t get to your life... he will destroy your enjoyment of life... if he can.
  .
• He is a destroyer. He will destroy your career ambitions... your desire to have a happy family... your reputation... whatever he can get is hands on.

So, how does one stop the devil if he is so powerful?

Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are no longer under the power of the devil. The Bible tells us:

Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death--that is, the devil--

Hebrews 2:14 [AMP]

Jesus defeated the devil by His sinless life... by his sacrificial death... and by his victorious rise from the dead. Jesus was tempted by the devil, shortly after His baptism by John.

THEN JESUS, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit

For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted (tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, He was hungry.

Then the devil said to Him, If You are the Son of God, order this stone to turn into a loaf [of bread].

And Jesus replied to him, It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone but by every word and expression of God.

Then the devil took Him up to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the habitable world in a moment of time [in the twinkling of an eye].

And he said to Him, To You I will give all this power and authority and their glory (all their magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, and grace), for it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will.

Therefore if You will do homage to and worship me [just once], it shall all be Yours.

And Jesus replied to him, Get behind Me, Satan! It is written, You shall do homage to and worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.

Luke 4:1-8 [AMP]

Notice in Luke 4:6, satan said that the power and authority of the world has been turned over to him.

When did that happen?

When God created man (see Genesis 1:26), He gave man dominion over everything on this planet. When Adam and Eve sinned by rebelling against God, they in effect turned that dominion over to the devil. It was handed over to satan... but Jesus took it back (see Matthew 28:18 and Revelation 1:17-18).

Those who believe in Jesus are no longer under the rule of Satan (Colossians 1:13). Unbelievers, on the other hand, are caught “in the snare of the devil” (2 Timothy 2:26), and lie in the “power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19), and are in bondage to satan (Ephesians 2:2).

When you accept Jesus as Lord over your life, you receive His righteousness (Romans 5:19-22) which is better than man’s hypocritical self-righteousness... as it is the only thing that will free you from the power and the penalty of sin and release you from the authority of the devil.

According to 1^st Corinthians 1:30:

But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as] our Righteousness [thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin].

1^st Corinthians 1:30 [AMP]

I could never be holier-than-thou... but in Christ, I hold the position that He has won, because I rely on, lean on, and wholly depend on Him. How cool is that?

And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.

Philippians 3:9 [AMP]

The penalty of sin no longer applies to me... not by any work that I have done... but because of the love and mercy of God through Jesus Christ my Lord. Woo hoo!

Hold your mouse over these scriptures to see how you have been (or can be) justified before God by what Christ has done:

• Romans 4:25
• Romans 3:20-25
• Romans 5:1-9

Yes, satan may be the god of this world... but he ain’t got nothing over me. And, if you have accepted the sacrifice that Jesus made on your behalf, you are also free from the devil’s power.

As earthquakes, wars, and other phenomena continue to occur... be encouraged that heaven is just getting that much closer. While that might be terrifying for those in this world, it is reason for rejoicing by those of us who are in Christ.

He No Bother Me

You ever have one of those days when it seems that nothing is going right? I can relate. When we wrote He No Bother Me back in 1994, I saw a multi-million dollar bonus go up in smoke with the job that mysteriously vanished... I saw a relationship disintegrate before we could reach the altar... and almost lost more than that when the brake line on my vehicle mysteriously failed in the middle of heavy traffic.  What was my response to this onslaught of calamity? 

I WROTE A SONG!

Yeah, I know that Earth Wind and Fire said, “When you feel down and out... sing a song.”  However, that is going under the assumption that one actually has a melodious and/or mellifluous singing voice.  I think that the only music that I can sing is country music.  And, even then, I doubt that anyone listening can discern what country the music is from.  Sorry, just a bit of humor.  I digress.  But, seriously folks, the Bible tells us to speak to one another with songs, hymns, and spiritual songs... singing and making music in your heart to the Lord (see Ephesians 5:18-20 and Colossians 3:16). 

We see in the Gospel According to Mark that Jesus spoke to the circumstances around Him... and his words had impact upon the situation.

And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness).

Mark 4:39 (Amplified Bible)

My song was the cumulative application of these scriptures -- and my Bible study group joined me and my electronic keyboard in shoving it right back into the devil’s face.  I was not intent on just ignoring his persecution.  Oh, no.  I wanted to get my spiritual picnic basket out and enjoy a continual feast!

All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].

Proverbs 15:15 (Amplified Bible)

Anxious thoughts and forebodings are the food of the person who worries. And meditating on worry is a type of pride. How so? You don’t want to give it to Jesus... you would rather carry it yourself. It is as if your pacing the floor all night is more effective than laying it before the throne of the Creator of the universe.  The Bible tells me that God never slumbers nor sleeps.  So then, why should both of us stay awake all night?  I am going to sleep well... and then get up and get dressed the spiritual way...

¹¹ Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. ¹² For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

Ephesians 6:11-12 (Amplified Bible)

Now that I am rested... now that I have feasted on God’s word... and now that I am dressed in my armor, I will dwell safely and secure in the secret place of the Most High.

¹ HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. ² I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! ³ For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. ⁴ [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. ⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, ⁶ Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. ⁷ A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. ⁸ Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked. ⁹ Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, ¹⁰ There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent. ¹¹ For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. ¹² They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. ¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot. ¹⁴ Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness--trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. ¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. ¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.

Psalm 91 (Amplified Bible)

I am secure in the knowledge that satan will get what is coming to him...

Then the devil who had led them astray [deceiving and seducing them] was hurled into the fiery lake of burning brimstone, where the beast and false prophet were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (through the ages of the ages).

Revelation 20:10 (Amplified Bible)

And that is why he no bother me...

The devil get this wild idea
but he no bother me
he think he fill my heart with fear
but he no bother me
he try to take all my possessions
but he no bother me
he try to steal my hope of heaven
but he no bother me

i cut the devil down one evening
Upon the blood of Jesus pleading
The word -- God's promises revealing
Say, he no bother me

On the highway, he try to kill me
but i no worry man
i call on Jesus, and He hear me
so, i no worry man
The angels come, and they protect me
so, i no worry man
The Holy Spirit lead and guide me
so, i no worry man

Like Abraham i have a covenant
When storm arrive, i rise above it
i speak the name of Jesus on it
So, he no bother me

The devil don't know when he had it
but he no bother me
'Cause on my Jesus i be braggin'
so, he no bother me
Eternal life, i'm waiting on it
so, he no bother me
the devil gets eternal torment
no more he bother me

Under the wings of Jesus hiding
Stable and fixed, i am abiding
Upon the wind of faith i'm riding

So i suggest you see
Don't you join my enemy
'Cause he go down to the fire sea
where he no bother me

satan will burn
eternally
Hey!
he no bother me!

Satan's Meeting

SATAN’S MEETING

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said,

“We can’t keep Christians from going to church.”

“We can’t keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.”

“We can’t even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Savior.”

“Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.”

“So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don’t have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ...”

“This is what I want you to do,” said the devil:

“Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!”

“How shall we do this?” his demons shouted.

“Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,” he answered.

“Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.”

“Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.”

“Keep them from spending time with their children.”

“As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!”

“Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.”

“Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.” To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.”

“This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.”

“Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.”

“Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.”

“Invade their driving moments with billboards.”

“Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes....”

“Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what’s important, and they’ll become dissatisfied with their wives. ”

“Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.”

“Give them headaches too!”

“If they don’t give their husbands the love they need, they begin to look elsewhere.”

“That will fragment their families quickly!”

“Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.”

“Give them an Easter bunny so they won’t talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.”

“Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.”

“Have them return from their recreation exhausted.”

“Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God’s creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.”

“Keep them busy, busy, busy!”

“And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.”

“Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.”

“Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.”

“It will work!”

“It will work!”

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives. I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes? You be the judge!!!!!

Does ”BUSY” mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan’s Y-oke?