God's Exchange Policy

September 5, 2010

~Denise Grant

"To all who mourn in Israel he will give: Beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness..."

Isaiah 61:3

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When one of my favorite clothing stores had a sale recently, I rushed to take advantage of the bargains. If you're a woman, you will agree, there are times we find it difficult to contain our excitement at the mere mention of the words, "clearance" or "sale". Even one of my personal favorites, "50% off", is no match to one men and women both embrace, "free".

The shoes were really cute. They came in both black and brown. I knew they would go perfectly with so much in my closet. Why would I not buy both pair, right?

The navy jacket seemed like such an incredible bargain. Even before I took it off the rack, I mentally pictured four or five outfits I owned, in which the jacket would coordinate well with.

However, this particular navy was such the wrong color of navy, I found nothing it would match. Oh, and the shoes, well, -I learned a valuable life lesson that day. Just because you try on one pair of shoes and they fit, does not mean the same style - even in the same size - will fit identically!

There was no other option. I knew the two must be returned. So there I stood in line. Not just any 'ol line mind you - but the kind I like to call, an "eternity" line. I'm sure you're aware of the type - they stretch for what seems like an eternity. The minutes ticked by and before I knew it, twenty minutes had passed with the line not budging much at all. While I waited, I pondered if the store would accept a return on a clearance item. As I finally approached the return desk, I suddenly realized the receipt was in my other purse! If the store did accept my return, would they do so without a receipt? Oh, I failed to mention, one of the bargains that day was a new purse. I can't begin to explain my obsession with handbags - so I won't start - just know it was half price and one I did not resist.

God willingly and lovingly accepts our returns - no receipt needed, simply a desire to follow Him. "Let me tell you how happy God has made me! For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and draped about me the robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels." Isaiah 63:10.

God's exhange policy - as recorded in Isaiah, is somewhat like my recent seems-too-good-to-be-true experience. He offers; no standing in line. No hassles. Satisfaction guaranteed. And the best part of all - it is absolutely, 100% F-R-E-E !!

We must all wear robes of righteousness if we are to enter God's Kingdom. Christ has provided these garments for everyone, but each person must choose to put it on in order to enter eternal life.
For the ashes of our pasts, He offers a beautiful future.

We've grown accustomed to dark, depressing clothes, but He points us to a dressing room where a new outfit awaits: a garment of praise - light, radiant, and one that fit perfectly. It's designed by the Master Designer Himself; made totally and completely in His image. With Him, you will never wish a return, the colors will match perfectly and the fit - oh the fit - nothing is more tailored made for you, than Jesus.

Won't you try Him on today?

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Lord Jesus,

What an exchange You offer us; our dirty, rotten and grimey sins for a life of glory, honor and praise. We are all sinners and once saved, become completely redeemed by Your grace. Lord, help me wear Your garment of praise every day so that people see You in me in everything I say, do and think. Clothe me with Your goodness today Father. Thank You for accepting my ruined existence and lovingly exchanging it for eternal life with You. In Jesus name, Amen !

The Great Deceiver

The Great Deceiver

September 1, 2010

~Denise Grant

"For you are the children of your father the devil and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and a hater of truth - - there is not an iota of truth in him. When he lies, it is perfectly normal; for he is the father of liars." John 8:44 TLB

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Satan is a fallen angel. He is real - not symbolic, as some people would like to believe - and is constantly fighting against those who follow and obey God (that's you and me). His temptations are very real, and he is always trying to get us to do things his way or ours rather than God's way.

Jesus had a mission on earth - to die for our sins and give us the opportunity to have eternal life. If Jesus would have given in to Satan's temptations, His mission would have been lost. When temptations seem especially strong, or when you think they can be rationalized, consider whether Satan may be trying to block God's purposes for your life.

The devil lies. In fact, he doesn't even know how to speak the truth. There's not one iota of truth that lies within him - not from the beginning - not now - not ever.

Even though we, as Christians are aware of that fact, we still find ourselves, listening to the evil words taped to the skirt-tail of his evil plans. Oh, we don't mean to - It just seems his lies pop into our minds for no apparent reason. He's notorious for sliding critical cries or hurtful hurls into the minds of others - even other Christians - and in turn, they speak them out for us to hear. When we listen taking what we hear to heart, our enemy rejoices in his success. Should we listen long enough to his deceptive garbage, then there's a pretty good chance, we'll even start to believe it - creating serious problems for ourselves.

Satan often tempts you when you are most vulnerable; when you are tired, lonely, weighing big decisions or faced with uncertainty. He also likes to tempt us through our strengths, especially where we are susceptible to pride. Just as he tempted Eve in the garden, he tempted Jesus - but unlike Eve, Jesus never sinned!

Let's take a look at what Jesus did when tempted by Satan and follow the example I believe He set for us. He used three crucial areas from where to tempt Jesus:

Physical desire: After fasting in the wilderness, Satan tempted Jesus three times; "For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. Then Satan tempted him to get food by changing stones into loaves of bread. 'It will prove you are the Son of God,.'" - Matthew 4:1-3. But Jesus told him, "NO! For the Scriptures tell us that bread won't feed men's souls; obedience to every word of God is what we need." - Matthew 4:4. Did you read what Jesus said? He said, "No!". We should always say, "No", to Satan.

Pride: Again Satan tempted Jesus by prodding Him to jump off the roof of a Temple, "Jump off and prove you are the Son of God, for the Scriptures declare, 'God will send his angels to keep you from harm, they will prevent you from smashing on the rocks below.'" - Matthew 4:5-6. Jesus then retorted, "It also says not to put the Lord your God to a foolish test!" - Matthew 4:7.

Possessions and Power: Then again, Satan took Jesus to the peak of a high mountain offering to give Him all the nations of the world (as if they were his to give in the first place - NOT!), "I'll give it all to you, if you will only kneel and worship me." - Matthew 4:8-9.

Satan offers you and I the same world by trying to entice us to sin with materialism and power. When you find yourself craving something the world offers - be assured it doesn't come from God, but a winsome wile from the wicked one. No matter how glorious, perfect, right and good Satan's words and plans may seem, they will always be downright lies and never be meant for our good. In fact, as the master deceiver, his schemes are only designed to bring us torment, pain and anguish.

So every time Satan whispers in your ear, be prepared to shove Scripture back in his face. In other words, back talk the devil! Jesus did and we would do good to be more like Him: "Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him, "The Scriptures say, 'Worship only the Lord God. Obey only him.'" - Matthew 4:10 The Bible says, "Then Satan went away, and the angels came and cared for Jesus." - Matthew 4:11.

Many Christians, even after accepting Christ as their Savior, are unaware the devil can still attack their minds with negative or, as my pastor, Dr. Keith E. Carroll, likes to calls it "stinkin' thinkin'". After all, it's his nature to lie. Truth or honesty are attributes he can never possess. You do not stand alone in your spiritual battle. Satan deceives everyone. He is wicked and fierce - hateful and unkind. He came to kill, steal and destroy, but Jesus came that we might have and enjoy our lives abundantly -(John 10:10). By making ourselves more conscious of spiritual weapons the Lord has made available to us, and learn how to use them, we can gain victory and break the strongholds the devil has built into our minds.

My friend, Jesus CHOSE to die on the cross, suffering tremendous pain for you, just so we can withstand the enemy of this world. As you develop a closer relationship with God, you will learn how to equip yourself with the necessary skills and through dedication to prayer, you can win the raging battle for your mind. When negative, mean, or ugly thoughts surface in your head, stop them with this thought: "Jesus would not talk that way, and would not be this critical or judgmental, so these thoughts and feelings are simply the devil fighting for control of my mind.I refuse to let him win." Strengthen your mind's armor to fight the great deceiver. With every battle's victory, the next gets easier.

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Heavenly Father,

I thank You for giving me the weapons I need to defeat the lies of the devil. Help me to always make right use of them. Thank You Jesus, for being my friend and for being with me through every one of my difficulties and life struggles. Help me always learn to recognize the evil lies of the enemy. In Your precious name, Amen.