My God is BIGGER than THAT!

Liar. Evil one. Father of Lies. Tempter. Thief. Accuser. Beast. Deceiver. Adversary. Enemy. Murderer. Lawless One. Ruler of Demons. Wicked One.

All of the above are names are those of someone who we are warned about by using a lion as a comparison (and FYI--the above list doesn't even compare to how many names the devil has in the Bible--I counted at least 40 and I know there are more).

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Temptation---It is all something have to overcome. But, YOU CAN! God is stronger!

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Wilson taught a lesson in June 2009 of 7 Stages of Temptation. What great advice! I keep it right in the front of my journal so it is there for me to refer back to whenever I need it!

1. Overconfidence (Mark 14:27-31) We are most vulnerable where we consider ourselves the strongest (Prov 11:2; 16:18)

2. Prayerlessness (Mark 14:32-38) Prayer is a powerful defense because it is a declaration of dependence upon God, renounces fleshly pride and self-suffering, and sets our eyes upon God!

3. Misguided zeal (Mark 14:43-47) What motivates you spiritually?

4. Distance (Mark 14:50, 54a) Feeling unappreciated, some think prayers are unanswered or God has let us down.

5. Fellowship with the world (Mark 14:66-70) Make sure you choose your friends wisely (1 Cor 15:33) because wrong associations WILL cause you grief!

6. Pleasure (Mark 14:71-72)

7. Bitter Denial (Mark 14:72)

Don't get caught up in it...because the Devil is powerful...look again at all those descriptions. But you know what...GOD IS BIGGER THAN THAT!!

James 1:12-16 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin; when it is full-grown , brings forth death. Do not be deceived my beloved brethren.

When the world throws us to the lions....

Daniel--a brave man who stood for what he believed in.

I love the story of Daniel and the lion's den. A man who continued to pray to God even though he wasn't supposed to. A law that cannot be changed. Capital punishment is given by being thrown into the lion's den, but our Almighty God protected him. (Daniel 6)

It is hard for me to understand how Christians were persecuted in the days of the early establishment of the church or even in some parts of the world today. I have never had to deal with that...but what I have faced:

• betrayal
• hurt
• slander
• gossip

And others I am sure you can relate with...

So, here are some things you need to remember when the world throws you to the lions (these are some points I learned through Wilson Adams--thanks Wilson!)

1. We must be what we've always been.

2. We must do what we've always done.

3. We must trust whom we have always trusted.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For he Himself has said, " will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Guess Who...Encounters with Lions

Here is a little challenge for you. I am going to describe some scenarios/people in which a lion was killed. Try to guess who I am talking about.

Guess Who Scenario #1

A young lion came roaring against this person, but the Spirit of the Lord enabled him to tear it apart like a young goat with nothing in his hands. After going to visit with a girl, he came back to see the carcass of it and a swarm of bees and honey inhabited it. He took it out and began eating it sharing it with his parents...but he told them nothing about it. That began a riddle "out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet" in which he challenged people to figure it out for thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing.

Guess Who Scenario #2

A lamb was in the mouth of a lion and this person caught the lion by its beard, struck and killed it. He also was delivered from the paw of a bear. He put on armor right after this conversation in which he is telling the lion story, but couldn't walk in them so he took them off (this one might be a little easier).

Guess Who Scenario #3

He was the son of Jehoiada the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel who had done many deeds. He killed two lion-like heroes of Moab and had also gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day.

And the answers are.....

#1 SAMSON (see Numbers Chapter 14)

#2 DAVID (see 1 Samuel 17)

#3 BENAIAH (see 2 Samuel 23:20)

Added Bonus for you to read:

The above are stories of people killing the lion, but below I also listed instances in which a lion took the life of someone.

Disobedient prophet (1 Kings 13:24-28)

Unnamed person (1 Kings 20:36)

You don't have to be a rocket scientist--A look at the Lion

(a white lion at the Cincinnati zoo)

I absolutely love that God's word paints beautiful mind pictures for us (might be the writing teacher in me). He created it so that it would be applicable to EVERYONE, even years later. What is the saying...You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out...The writers were inspired by God to make it where everyone can understand God's word, not just some.

One of my favorite chapters is James 3 about the tongue. A bit for a horse's mouth, a rudder for a ship, a fire, taming animals but not the tongue, a spring, a fig tree. 12 verses are FULL of comparisons to the tongue that we can easily relate to.

That brings us to the lion. I know that I mentioned yesterday that a lion was mentioned over 130 times. Another resource told me it was 157. Now, I haven't gone and counted every single one, but now that I am studying this, I can believe it. Let's look at the vivid descriptions used only with the example of the lion. (go look at yesterday's post if you haven't already for a run down on facts of a lion)

It is the KING OF BEASTS

• Micah 5:8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, who if he passes through, both treads down and tears in pieces.

It's FIERCENESS

• Job 4:10 The roaring of the lion, the voice of a fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions are broken (a lion's roar can be heard up to 5 miles from where the pride is stationed)
• Job 28:8 The proud lions have not trodden it, nor has the fierce lion passed over it.
• Psalms 7:2 (a prayer for deliverance from Enemies) Les they tear me like a lion, rending me in pieces while there is none to deliver.
• Proverbs 22:13 The lazy man says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!" (pretty funny that a lazy man is compared here considering a lion sleeps or rests 16 to 20 hours during the day)
• Jeremiah 2:15 The young lions roared at him and growled; they made his land waste; his cities are burned without inhabitant
• Jeremiah 49:19 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the floodplain of the Jordan.......

Living in a PRIDE

• Job 4:11 The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered (sometimes men of other "prides" will come and attack the males and take over a pride--sometimes killing the cubs to start over)

It's STRENGTH

• Proverbs 30:30 A lion, which is mighty among beasts and does not turn away from any (if you look at 29 you will see there are 3 things majestic inn pace, 4 in a stately walk--lion, greyhound, male goat, and a king whose troops are with him)
• Isaiah 38:13 I have considered until morning-like a lion, so he breaks all my bones; from day until night you make an end of me.
• Joel 1:6 For a nation has come up against My land, strong and without number; His teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the fangs of a fierce lion.
  

It's instincts

• Psalm 10:9 -10 He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; he lies in wait to catch the poor; He catches the poor when he draws him into his net, so he crouches, he lies low, that the helpless may fall b y his strength.
• Psalm 17:12 AS a lion is eager to tear his pray, and like a young lion lurking in secret places.
• Lamentations 3:10-12 He has been to me a bear lying in wait, like a lion in ambush. He has turned aside my ways and torn me into pieces; he has made me desolate. He has bent His bow and set me up as a target for the arrow (couldn't not share the rest of the verses--again, wonderful example of a VIVID description)
• Amos 3:4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey?
• Nahum 2:12 The Lion tore in pieces enough for his cubs, killed for his lionesses, filled his caves with prey, and his dens with flesh.

The LAIR of...

• Jeremiah 4:7 The lion has come up from his thicket....
• Jeremiah 25:38 He has left His lair like the lion; for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the Oppressor, and because of His fierce anger.
  

A lion---fierce, king of the beasts, it's movements, it's strength, it's instincts. Amazing detail that God has provided for us to be able to understand his Word.

It is applicable to you, me, and even that rocket scientist!

A Lion---One of God's fascinating creations

It hit me last week that I don't marvel in God's creation. One of my struggles is praising Him. I catch myself praying all the time for needs or wants, but not thanking him or giving Him glory like I should. So, I am going to work on changing that. Why don't we look at some of his handiworks? I went to a ladies' weekend back in April and several women the first night took an animal and gave thoughts on it. We will begin with one that blew me away.....

A lion---It is a symbol of courage and power. They live in prides (made up of about 15 individuals-5 to 10 females with their young and 2 to 3 males). Their color tends to be yellow, but can possess different tones due to their habitats (deeper depending on vegetation or lighter if in a hotter, arrid climate).
A fact some of you might relate with...they are LAZY! Sleeping or resting occurs at least 16 to 20 hours per day with the rest spent hunting, eating, or protecting territory.....Females do about 85 to 90 percent of the hunting. The lion's pride play well together except when it comes to eating. Each man is out for itself when food is involved. Usually the men eat first, then the women, followed by the cubs.
Together Everyone Achieves More is their motto of catching prey. The pride works together to overtake animals such as wildebeests, buffalos, small elephants, zebras, rhinos, hippos, and giraffes which can provide meals for days. Other's added to the diet include mice, lizards, turtles, warthogs, antelopes, and even crocodiles.
They are SCAVENGES! They take over prey killed by hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards. This provides food for over half of their diet!

This week we are going to examine God's word and what he has to say about lions (which I might add is said to have been mentioned over 130 times). I am intrigued by the images God has created for us by use of the description of this animal.

And even the Pill Bugs (Rollie Pollies)

Facts About Pill Bugs

(something I know will make you sleep better tonight)

Amazing Fact #1: Pill Bugs (or you might know them as rollie pollies) are the ONLY crustacean to live their entire life on land. They are known for their armor like shell and the ability to roll into a ball.

Amazing Fact #2: They are only about 3/4" and oval in shape.

Amazing Fact #3: Have 7 pairs of legs, antennae, and no wings.

Amazing Fact #4: Vegetarians mostly dieting on rotted vegetation such as vegetables.

Amazing Fact #5: They live in wet locations and are found most of the time under damp objects or organic garbage. If they enter a building, most of the time they will die because of drying up.

Today I went on a nature hike with Jackson at a park here in Murfreesboro. They have a program called "Wild Things" in which they focus on some animal from nature. Today's was a snail (which, did you know they travel at 22 to 23 inches per hour???), so after the lesson we went on a search for them. And where do you find them most of the time? UNDER ROCKS! We picked up every rock on the trail that wasn't covered in poison ivy only to find absolutely no snails. But under every single one of them, we found a ton of rollie-pollies.

Which, brings me to my thoughts tonight.....

God--Our rock, our sustainer. He is there to protect us just like a rock helps to protect the pill bugs. Did you notice Fact #5? They have to survive under damp objects, because if not, they will dry up.

2 Samuel 22:47 The Lord Lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation!

Psalm 31:3 For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me.

Matthew 7:24 Go ahead...start singing the song....you know you want to

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Me, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

Is God your rock? Is he your fortress just like the pill bugs?

Training Schedule-Psalm 1

Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly. Nor stands in the path of sinners, not sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.

I have recently picked up running again. I have never been a long distant runner, but I am actually really enjoying myself. I had a goal to run 3 miles, and how was I going to obtain that?
Only by a training schedule. I ran in intervals of walking/running for weeks, then onto just running, then onto running for longer periods of time, until I was able to achieve running 3 miles. If I didn't stick to my training schedule, would I have been able to do that? No!

How is your "training schedule" going in your walk with God? The only way to obtain our prize (heaven) or our goal (to be Christ-like) is to dig into his Word and be plugged-in with your prayer life.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doc tine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
Are you equipped for the race?

Psalm 1:3
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

I don't have much of a green thumb. In fact, the flowers that Jackson (my 2 year old son) and I planted yesterday are probably going to wilt up and die...but, a verse that constantly sticks with me is Ephesians 3:20.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.
I don't have to have a green thumb to have God work through me. I have to be connected. And when I am connected, he can use me as a tool. So I ask again, How is your prayer life? How is your personal study going?

Psalm 1: 4-6
The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Ungodly.... Would you like that word to be used to describe you? So, how can you earn your crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8)? How about study....how about being connected to God through prayer?
For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. (1 Thessalonians 4:7). Holiness...achieve it.

Formulate your training schedule. Get going on your race. There is absolutely NO time to waste!