sin | Revelations From The Road

Don’t Feed It!

November 1, 2009 by Bill 1 Comment

Given Septembe 22, 2009

A wise friend of mine gave an illustration of a black dog; a cute puppy that grows into an uncontrolable, big, mean dog. He likened this to sin in our lives. “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:15. The point was that you can control whatever the sin is by not feeding it. You can read about it in a previous post: https://roadrevelations.org/?p=237. However, God gave me another picture of this scenario recently.

Let’s say there’s this little demon that has been harassing you for a long time. He messes things up for you and you can’t seem to get control over it. Finally, however, you get this demon in a cage which gives you control for awhile. But ocasionally, he breaks out and causes you trouble until you can get him back in the cage. Do you have anything in your life that you can identify with this? We all do and some have more control than others.

But here’s the thing God showed me recently which related back to my earlier post. How absurd is it that you’ve got this demon under control in the cage and he’s not bothering you but ever so often, you go and give him some food! And when you feed him, he gets stronger and eventually breaks out of the cage. Anyone would say, “Why in the world are you feeding that thing?” I agree, don’t you? Why do we feed these things? “Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. Ephesians 4:27 (AMP).

As I said in the other posting, “Don’t feed it and it will die.” Any habit, sin, or temptation you struggle with can be taken care of by following this advice. Now, sometime it’s hard to not feed it but remember what Jesus said, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13. Don’t feed it!

Slow Fade

January 16, 2009 by Bill 1 Comment

Given January 11, 2009

Like the song by Casting Crowns, this is usually the way it happens. Change in our lives happens slowly. Bad things slowly sneak up on us, making small, almost secret changes so that we hardly even notice. What we have that’s good, slowly fades and is replaced by something bad. That’s the devil’s strategy; he knows what he’s doing. He not only slowly deceives us into going his way, but he does it while looking good. “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14. He is really into deception.

If the devil showed up at your door as the ugly, red, horned, pointy tailed creature we’ve seen pictured, you’d slam the door in his face and call 911. If you knew who he was, you wouldn’t let him on your property, much less your porch. But he doesn’t show up that way. He comes to you looking pleasant. He comes into your house through your TV, computer, phone, (gossip), or printed material. And, when he gets in, he doesn’t dump his whole load on your at once. He does it slowly and you begin to fade…slowly. The devil’s offer looks real good at first but it’s not worth it. “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23.

A wise friend told me once of a black dog. The little black puppy is so cute, cuddly, and playful. You willingly take him into your house, give him a bed, feed him, and make him part of your family. You don’t even notice it but, as you feed and nourish this little black puppy and keep him around, he grows. Soon you have on your hands a big, mean, uncontrolable black monster who bites and is wrecking your life. It all started innocently and progressed slowly. Devil’s strategy!

Maybe you have some things in your house right now that are potential problems. They began innocently but are growing. Your family or personal peace is slowly fading. Look and see what it is. Ask God and He will reveal what it is. We have the authority in God and the name of Jesus to kick the devil out of our affairs. And, concerning the black dog, no matter how big it is…don’t feed it and it will die!

Use The Time

December 19, 2008 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 23, 2008

We all seem to be pressed for time. Rushing here and there thinking what we “have” to do is so important. And when we’re in a hurry, doesn’t it seem like society is out to get us? It’s almost like a conspiracy; the light changes just before you get there, people slowly turning in front of you, the checkout line you’re in doesn’t seem to be moving, “Your call is really important to us…”. Sound familiar? And, how does all this make you feel when you’re in a hurry? Can you say, “Repent”? Yeah, me too.

But…I’ve found the solution! This blog is all about revelations God has given me. He shows me interesting ways of seeing things but, this time, He used my lovely wife to give me the revelation. When I was griping about having to “waste” time at the traffic light, she told me when that happens to her, she uses the time to pray. Wow, what a good idea! That 60-90 seconds can be put to good use. It’s not wasted time.

It’s amazing! Since that day, every time the light changes, I feel the aggravation coming on…then…I remember what God said through my wife. Use this time to pray. You know, I even found myself today hoping the light would change! Then, found myself smiling because the devil’s plan was thwarted again! “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.“ Hebrews 3:13. All we have is today. Sin is trying to steal our time and distract us from things that are really important. We all have 24 hours each day. Use your time, even minutes you used to think were wasted. Trust me, now, red-light time for me is not wasted!

I Will Heal Their Land

September 24, 2008 by Bill 1 Comment

Given September 20, 2008

“…I will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Does our land need healing? Can politicians and the government heal our land? Is the economy, the war, or health care really the issues? Who is responsible for this mess and who is responsible for cleaning it up? Does God want it cleaned up?

You may have heard of an “If-Then” statement. It says that IF a certain condition happens or is present THEN an expected outcome will occur. The THEN depends on the IF. “IF my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,”. Are we God’s people? Yes, we are! Are we called by His Name? Yes we are! “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful”. 1 Corinthians 1:9. We’re the ones!

To “humble ourselves” means to get off our high political horse, get on our knees, submit to God and pray. As we “pray”, we “seek His face”; and when we earnestly do that, He will show us what our “wicked ways” are. Then we must turn from our allegiance to a political party, a family tradition, or the influence of a slick TV ad and ask God what He would have us do.

“THEN will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Brothers and sisters in Christ, it’s up to us; we are the responsible party. God is listening for and watching His people, ready to act on our behalf. If we, God’s people, will do what we’re called to do, the economy, threats from evil, our health, and everything else will be taken care of!

“If my people….I will”. He promised!

All Fall Down

April 30, 2008 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given February 11, 2008

A momentous occasion happened yesterday; my grandson walked for the first time! It was great, he let go of the table and staggered to his mommy, then to big brother, the to Pawpaw, (me). We all clapped and cheered with every success. He also fell down a lot.

You know, when he fell, we didn’t berate him about it saying things like, “What’s wrong with you? Get up and walk!” or “Dumb baby, can’t you do anything right?” No, we didn’t think anything of it because babies are SUPPOSED to fall when they are first learning to walk. So, why don’t we treat our fellow Christians that way?

The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23“. New Christians are going to fall! Hey, old Christians are going to fall! We shouldn’t treat them like they should be perfect but do as Paul told the Galatians: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. Galatians 6:1“.

New Christians, just like babies, need understanding and a gentle hand wile they’re learning. Many older Christians, however, haven’t progressed much in their “walk” and need the same considerations. “Yea…good try! Now, get up and let’s try it again”.