A More Opportune Time
After losing the battle to tempt Christ into sin, the Devil departs “until a opportune time” (Luke 4:13)
An “Opportune Time” – That is what the Enemy of our soul is soliciting from us as he “prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8)
Here’s 5 “opportune times” when Satan is most likely to strike:
1…During periods of strength and success – “But when Uzziah became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and was unfaithful to the Lord… (2 Chronicles 26:16)
2... When we choose to live by the wrong priorities – David, while at the pinnacle of his career got in trouble with Bathsheba because he was lounging when he should have been fighting (2 Samuel 11)
3…When we decide to go against godly counsel – Jehoshaphat, who for years had followed God in an exemplary fashion, chose to discount a prophet’s warning not to go to war. It cost him his life (2 Chronicles 18)
4…When we, in our pride, think that we are capable of winning over “evil stratagems” – “Put the full armor of God… to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11,13)
5…During times of stress and fatigue – Elijah hit a devastating low after his victorious but intense encounter with the 450 prophets of Baal, and after traveling a demanding days journey (1 Kings 18:37-19:4)
QUESTION: What steps do we need to take now to insure we are not the next “opportune ‘ victim?
Reverend Calvin Wyatt /email: /calvincosmo30@gmail.com /calvincosmo@facebook.com.
After losing the battle to tempt Christ into sin, the Devil departs “until a opportune time” (Luke 4:13)
An “Opportune Time” – That is what the Enemy of our soul is soliciting from us as he “prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8)
Here’s 5 “opportune times” when Satan is most likely to strike:
1…During periods of strength and success – “But when Uzziah became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and was unfaithful to the Lord… (2 Chronicles 26:16)
2... When we choose to live by the wrong priorities – David, while at the pinnacle of his career got in trouble with Bathsheba because he was lounging when he should have been fighting (2 Samuel 11)
3…When we decide to go against godly counsel – Jehoshaphat, who for years had followed God in an exemplary fashion, chose to discount a prophet’s warning not to go to war. It cost him his life (2 Chronicles 18)
4…When we, in our pride, think that we are capable of winning over “evil stratagems” – “Put the full armor of God… to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11,13)
5…During times of stress and fatigue – Elijah hit a devastating low after his victorious but intense encounter with the 450 prophets of Baal, and after traveling a demanding days journey (1 Kings 18:37-19:4)
QUESTION: What steps do we need to take now to insure we are not the next “opportune ‘ victim?
Reverend Calvin Wyatt /email: /calvincosmo30@gmail.com /calvincosmo@facebook.com.
EMP0WERMENT
MEDITATION ON THE LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, I cannot say “Our” … if my faith has no room for other people and their needs.
Lord, I cannot say “Father” … if I fail to resemble You in the way I live my daily life.
Lord, I cannot say “Who art in Heaven” … if my attention is focused only on earthly things.
Lord, I cannot say “Hallowed be Thy name” … if I who are called by Your name - am not holy.
Lord, I cannot say “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done” … if I fail to acknowledge Your sovereignty in my life.
Lord, I cannot say “On earth as it is in Heaven” … unless I am truly ready to serve you here and now.
Lord, I cannot say “Give us this day our daily bread” … without considering the needs of those less fortunate and how I can help.
Lord, I cannot say “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” … if I harbor a grudge against my brother or sister.
Lord, I cannot say “Lead us not into temptation” … if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I will be tempted.
Lord, I cannot say “Deliver us from evil” … if I am not prepared to take a stand against injustice in my society.
Lord, I cannot say “Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and Glory” … if I do not submit to Christ as King, if I fail to trust You to act in my life, or if in pride I seek my own glory.
Lord, I cannot say “Amen” … unless I can honestly say, “Come what may – this is my prayer”
(Adapted from “Lamplighter”, Speedway Christian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana)
A Clarion Call:
If you have not yet received the Lord Jesus into your life, or you once received Him but backslid, make yourself available of this opportunity and pray this prayer: There is no degree of sin the Lord cannot blot out. Do not postpone, for tomorrow may be too late.
Father I come before you as a sinner (Romans 3:23)
I sincerely repent of my sins (Acts 3:19)
I believe that Jesus died and was resurrected to grant me salvation
(John 3:16)
Today, as I receive Him into my heart by faith, grant me grace,
not to go back to my old sinful ways (Proverbs 28:13)
Thank you Lord for saving me.
