Today's post is what I wrote for our life group discussion this coming Sunday. I thought my readers might enjoy a bit of a different format, and do a Bible study with me. We all use thermometers from time to time, and have thermostats in our homes. I recently read an interesting observation by Corrie ten Boom that we believers are to be thermostats, not just thermometers, and that inspired this Bible study. :o)
Thermometers or Thermostats?
The Scoop
Mouth thermometers are used to take a sick person’s
temperature; mechanical thermometers measure heat or cold indoors and out. Cooking thermometers are used to check meat
for doneness, or make candy.
Anyone can be a thermometer,
metaphorically-speaking. When we read
the newspaper, watch TV news, or listen to radio talk shows, and say “that’s
terrible,” or “that’s wonderful,” we are nothing more than a thermometer. Anyone can see society’s condition,
pontificate on the problem, point out failure, pound the fist, and point the
finger at people and the decay all around us.
But a thermostat can
change a situation. It responds to our
touch to heat or cool a room. In the
same way, we believers were meant to respond to the Holy Spirit’s touch in our
heart and burn with holy zeal to accomplish God’s purposes in the earth. God has given us power and authority to do
just that. A thermostat has a built-in
thermometer, and at a set point, the power kicks in and effects a change in
climate.
The Mission
Christmas is more than gaily wrapped gifts, sparkling
decorations, lots of baked goodies and family get-togethers. With the Advent season upon us, consider the
reason Jesus came to earth in the first place.
I John 3:8 says “. . .the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy
the devil’s work.”
Read Matthew 28:19 – 20
Notes:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Read Mark 16: 15 – 18
Notes:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Read Isaiah 58:6-11
Notes:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Question: How can we “loose the chains of injustice,
untie the cords of the yoke, and set the oppressed free” around us and still
represent Christ’s love? How do we
defeat the devil and impact our world with the Kingdom of Heaven
The Action
1. Do a heart
check. I Peter 5: 6
____________________________________________
2. Identify the
enemy: Ephesians 6:12 ________________________________________
3. Arm yourself for
battle. Ephesians 6:10
___________________________________
4. Resist the devil
and he will flee from you. James
4:7. Remember Jesus’ battle with Satan
in the wilderness. Matthew 4: 4, 7, and 10.
________________________________________________________________________
What does it mean to resist the devil? It’s more than saying “No” to
temptation. It’s more than asking God to
rebuke the devil. It’s more than saying
“Devil, get out, and never come back!”
We must act like thermostats and use the sword of the Word
of God as we contend for what is right.
When we encounter evil, we say, “I’m against this!” and take action to
oppose wickedness in every form.
How? Overcome evil with
good. Example: when Herod had John the Baptist beheaded, (Matthew
14), we see what Jesus did in response to this evil deed. Note verses 13 – 23: Jesus assaulted Satan’s
evil kingdom!
5. Learn how to pray for, and how to pray against.
- Pray against the demonic powers of evil
- Pray for the righteous to be built up through our prayers
- Thank God for those in positions of authority over us
- Pray against Satan’s work in their lives
- Pray for eyes and ears to be opened and for hearts to turn to what is right
Read pages 152 – 153 in Brother Andrew’s book, And God Changed His Mind.
6. Have courage to
speak out against systems of thought that are not in line with God’s Word. Have holy indignation, but don’t get in the
flesh; pray and speak with a tearful heart for the people enslaved by Satan’s
devices and control. Speak the truth in
love.
7. Be a true disciple
of Jesus. Know how He thinks by reading
His Book.
8. Oppose Satan’s
power by using your God-given authority over him.
Luke 10:19
9. Pray in the
Spirit: Ephesians 6:18
10. Remember who you
are! You are a thermostat: be engaged in true climate change!
Copyright © 2012 Elaine Beachy
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