Dreams, Lions and the Power of His Name

       Even as a young child my dreams have always seemed vivid and imaginative.  One of the weirdest involved everything in the world being made of stretched elephant skin… enough said.  Anyway, most of my bad dreams involved high stress and fear, but only one that I remember involved a human looking person that was chasing me.  In the dream I was exhausted, unable to keep going so I turned and loudly said, “In the name of Jesus, go away!” and he did.  I woke up right after amazed at how God had shown me the power in the name of Jesus.  There is no greater name.

Therefore God has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of heavenly ones, and of earthly ones, and of ones under the earth; Php. 2:9,10

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us through Your name.  Lk. 10:17

       There is another being who preys on us, and that is our enemy, also the enemy of our Lord.  Be not afraid, for Christ has the victory, but we must be obedient to what God says if we are to survive the threats of this ‘beast’.  In one well known passage, he is said to be like a roaring lion.

Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour; whom firmly resist in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions in the world are being completed in your brotherhood.  1Pt. 5:8,9  

(*for word definitions)

       Think about these facts in context of the Christian life.  The lion signifies strength as it has concentrated power in all its muscles.  It cares little for the number of its foes, or the weapons with which they are armed.  A lion often attacks those who are alone or away from the flock.  He stalks and is patient with his prey.  His claws are not critical as the weight of its blow is sufficient to kill.

       The lion can roar up to 114 decibels and it emanates power (pain begins at 125db).  On a still quiet night, the sound can reach 7 to 8km away.  The roar establishes his presence, his territory and communicates to others.  He stoops his head to roar which causes the sound to roll like thunder and reverberate, thus it can be heard at great distances without giving away its location thereby allowing it to better ensnare its prey. 

       So all of this is to say, take care, be vigilant for the devil seeks to destroy us and he’ll use any tools he can: relationships, the world, power, jobs, human nature, electronics, pride, lust, greed, addictions, desires, etc.  But we don’t have to fear because “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1Jh. 4:4) and we CAN firmly resist him because of what Jesus did for us: at the cross, with His resurrection and by sending His Spirit to dwell with us (Rm. 8:11).  For at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, and even the demons are subject to us through His name. 

 

JESUS!!!

Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Jm. 4:7

Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Ep. 6:10

* 

sensible-nepho- sober, calm in spirit, circumspect

vigilant- gregoreuo- to watch, take heed, give strict attention to, be cautious

adversary-antidikos- opponent, enemy

walks about- peripateo- to walk, progress, make use of opportunities

devour- katapino- to drink or swallow down, destroy

firmly- atereos- strong, immovable, rigid, steadfast

resist- antihistemi- set one’s self against, to withstand, resist, oppose

afflictions- pathema- that which one suffers, misfortune, calamity, evil

world- kosmos- world, universe, human family

being completed- epiteleo- accomplish, execute, complete, to appoint to, impose upon

On the Road

Pictures are not mine- I was enjoying the views too much to photograph!

       Wish all of you could be here.  As I type, we are traveling through northern Canada where the lakes are plentiful, the trees stand tall over colourful rocky ledges and the sky is blue with clouds only along the horizon. God's creation left somewhat untouched.  Of course, I have developed a slight annoyance towards the little piles of rocks built up like they are Inuksuits or something.  They kind of mar the pristine smooth bumpiness of the rocky ledges.  Putting that aside, this is a great journey.

       Right now I am looking at several little islands in a lake, each with a house and I have to wonder how they managed to buy such beautiful pieces of creation.  Anyway, we are no where near wifi, so I don't even know when I'll be able to post this, but hopefully sometime through the day, probably late.  Funny how things don't often work out the way we plan, but I have learned that enjoyment can be found in the unexpected.

       It is interesting how traveling distances by car from one place to another mimics our journey as humans.  Every town or area seems to have a personality all of its own.  There are some places that seem so boring to drive through (sorry Saskatchewan!), others that evoke glorious thoughts of Heaven, but each place is distinctive in one way or another.  Ah, the simple beauty of a farm on a hill with cattle grazing in the fields.  It's all here.  With that in mind, I have some thoughts about our personal journeys. 

The pace.

       Have you ever considered the varying traffic patterns on a trip?  Sometimes traffic is heavy or frustrating with inconsiderate drivers or a hectic pace as when going through cities, or a light flow like in the outlying towns.  My personal favourite is the country drive with little or no traffic but us...  Of course, no matter where we are there are numerous areas under construction along the way.  That's not anyone's favourite.  Then, occasionally we're the only car on the road and we get wondering if we're still headed in the right direction.  Life in the twenty first century is nothing but fast paced, so fast we forget to take pleasure in ‘the scenery’ along the way, stopping to take in fresh sites and enjoy the food.

Behold that which I have seen. it is good and right for one to eat and to drink, and to see good in all his labor that he labors under the sun all the days of his life, which God gives him; for it is his portion.  Ec. 5:18

And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.  Gen. 1:31

It's all about how you look at it.

       One time on a trip with my Mom to Texas, we headed to Big Bend National Park.  Of course it was a long ride that day and Mom was tired but she hated the area.  To her, it was dry ugliness and to me it was distinctive beauty.  We were two people seeing the same environment but with different eyes.  I find beauty in different types of terrain, but my Mom's idea of beauty is specific terrain.  Neither is wrong, but it certainly didn't lend to her enjoying any part of that journey.  I think she lost out on a lot that day.

To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose* under the heavens: Ec. 3:1 (*Note: purpose- H2656- chefets- delight or pleasure)

A choice to enjoy.

       Many years ago Albert and I noticed campgrounds had changed.  People were not enjoying the outdoors as much, but you could see tvs going in campers and hear video games being played.  We wondered, 'why bother camping?'  Driving excursions are much the same these days: texting, video games, dvds, internet surfing over cell phones and perhaps even some reading.  We've forgotten how to enjoy or participate in the journey we have to take getting from one place to another.  We either want it done fast (fly in) or waste the time away in pursuits we think are more fun, but later find out they were the waste.

Charge the rich in this world that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, He offering to us richly all things to enjoy, 1Tm. 6:17

Getting to the destination.

       When times get tough it seems like we just want to get to our destination (Heaven) now, without the hassles and troubles of continuing on the journey.  I've been there.  I go there often when I see or hear about the pain and suffering of so many people.  Yes, there is a lot of ‘ugliness’ in this world, but there is also great beauty and humans rising above our base natures in acts of greatness even in the midst of the mess.  So I think life is a trip worth staying on, enjoying the journey as much as possible within God’s will right up until the day He takes us home.  Being present body, mind and spirit in every moment… no longer allowing the enemy to steal any part of the journey which the Lord God Almighty has set before us. 

The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  Jh. 10:10

Hello Everyone,

       This is the first chance I've been able to get online in a couple days.  Hubby and I are on vacation and do not have internet availability.  If I get into town again to post, I will do so, but otherwise, I will return (God willing) to regular posts Aug. 18.

Be blessed.  May God's face shine upon you and His presence be ever in your life.

   Vicky