La Muerte No Tiene Aguijon! (Ooo... Spanish!)

        I realize that my last entry was brief (for me), but sometimes it is difficult to put into words all the things floating around in my head. I am terribly excited about the prospects of my and BJ’s new job opportunity, and a bit nervous about the housing issue. We have to move by the end of the month (14 days!!!!!!) and really have no clue as to where we are going to be. Our dilemma is two-fold: money and location. We obviously need to be able to afford wherever we live, but not really knowing the regular cash flow of this new job (it is commission) it is difficult to budget and plan for affordable rent. Location plays a factor in that we really want to be near the current plant work while also being in a location that we may plant ourselves. Problem is, we still don’t know where that will be since we feel called to a unique marketplace-style ministry. It looks for now that renting a house is out of the picture due to the high deposit most houses require. After all is said and done, with first month’s rent, deposit, utilities deposits, and moving costs, we are looking at almost $3000 to move into a house… we don’t have that. Apartments and townhouses don’t require a large deposit and a number of utilities are included. Boring stuff, but it is what’s going on in my head. We are excited, though and feel we have a better picture now.
        This morning I read a really good chapter in Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. Piper was writing about Satan. I know! Piper, mister God-centered is writing about Satan? Well, it was more about the glory of Christ in not removing Satan, but allowing Him to remain in the picture. Sounds crazy huh? I mean if it were up to many of us we would want Old Red tossed in the lake of fire right now so we could have an easier life without all the confusion, affliction, and temptation. After all, wouldn’t people stand up and cheer if the enemy was vanquished in such a public and visible way? But would life be easier? After all, isn’t sin a part of our condition? Do we need Satan to tempt us in order for us to fall into sinful thoughts or actions? Now, I’m not one of those tambourine-shaking, banner waving charismaniacs who spend more time trying to find Satan than fulfilling the gospel, but I fully recognize the power and presence of Satan and his angels. So why not obliterate them altogether? Is it because Jesus is restrained from doing so? Not at all! Scripture is filled with examples of Jesus’ power over Satan and his demons. So what is it? Well, most people won’t like this… it is because Jesus is made greater with Satan in the world. Huh? Simply put, we appreciate the light more when it is contrasted with darkness. Oversimplification, I know, but close enough for you to get the gist of it. How about this: Jesus’ beauty and worth shines brighter when people renounce the allure and promises of Satan and take pleasure in the glories of Christ. Beauty shines brighter in the presence of lesser beauty; light seems lighter in the presence of darkness; goodness seems greater in the presence of evil; and truth seems glorious in the presence of falsehood.
I hear a lot of people (even preachers) talk about how they look forward to the day when Satan will be defeated. Hello! He HAS been defeated. Cast out? No. Defeated? Yes. How? Because Jesus took death away from him (Hebrews 2:14). Satan’s main weapons were guilt and condemnation. Jesus took these. Death has lost its sting! (1 Cor. 15:55-56) Without sin and law (Colossians 2) to condemn, accuse, and oppress us, Satan is defeated. Piper says, “He is disarmed. Christ has triumphed over him, not by putting him out of existence, but by letting him live and watch while millions of saints find forgiveness for their sins and turn their backs on Satan because of the greater glory of the grace of Christ.”
        Satan is not happy about what we are doing in the Four Corners area. We have essentially begun church without even “trying.” This past Sunday we had more visitors and are already running out of room. What was intended to be a study to unify our core group in vision and purpose has turned into a weekly worship gathering. Who knows what will happen this week. A number of people will be absent, but I feel our numbers will still be up. Not because of our efforts, but because of the work of the Holy Spirit. Satan is working hard to deliver messages of error to the hearts and minds of the saints, and messages of guilt and condemnation to the hearts and minds of those whom God is drawing to Himself. We must be diligent in prayer and in our desire to treasure Christ over all things. Lord help us defend against the enemy’s attacks by surrounding ourselves with truth, Your truth. Keep your vision always before us so we may never falter. Do not let us get distracted by enticing offers and semblances of simplicity and comfort. I pray we all hold fast to the task at hand and not let go in an effort to grasp something “better.” Keep us, Father and protect us from error and falsehood; and continue to draw your people to our midst so that we may show them the love and compassion that You have shown us.