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blitzn

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Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

In his opening address he said, "We can't keep Christians from going to church." "We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth." "We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their savior." "Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken." "So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, but steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ."


"This is what I want you to do", said the devil: "Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!" "How shall we do this?" his demons shouted. "Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow." "Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles." "Keep them from spending time with their children." "As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice." "Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." "To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly." "This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers "Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day." "Invade their driving moments with billboards." "Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes."

"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives." "Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night." "Give them headaches too!" "If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere." "That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas." "Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive." "Have them return from their recreation exhausted." "Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation." "Send them to amusement parks sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead." "Keep them busy, busy, busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences." "Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus." "Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause." "It will work!" "It will work!"

It was quite a plan! The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.


I guess the question is, has the devil been successful at his scheme?

*Author unknown*
 
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mamaneenie

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Wow, I needed to read this today. You are so much talking about my life. Especially the bit about being too busy to spend a quiet time, and sending the wives out to work. (I am not working outside the home, but boy there are days when I want to. My husband works long hours and someone has to run the hosue)
 
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blitzn

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I can't remember where I ran across this little essay, but it really makes a good point. Are we too caught-up in this "life" to think about what really matters? His name is Jesus. Our focus needs to be on Him in all that we say and do, all that we are. The Lord got my attention in a way that has not been and is still not very pleasant to my flesh, but it's for my own good - I know He loves me.

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mamaneenie

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Flipper said:
Of course. :) I guess anything that makes women who work look bad bothers me, but I hate saying even that because then you think I'm a feminist, which I'm not. I guess it's one of those "good point, but..." essays. I'll shut up now.
The only reason I don't go to work is because I have a 2 yo son. We are trying for another baby too. I feel that at this time God wants me to stay at home and put our son before anything else (apart from God of course) I think the first years go by so fast and they are so precious. From what I have heard from women who have gone back to work after having children, they feel torn between their job and their kids.

I don't think you are a feminist because you go to work. If I didn't have my son, I would be at work too.
 
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Peter

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I guess the question is, has the devil been successful at his scheme?
I'm assuming that because of the above question, the convention REALLY took place. I'm unfamiliar with this bit of revealed knowledge. My Bible doesn't seem to have it. Could you please show me where all the things you mentioned were invented by Satan and condemned by God? Thanks.

Peace.

Peter
 
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blitzn

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Peter said:
Six days shall a man work. It's one of the 10 commandments.

Peace.

Peter
Peter, the essay was just designed to give folks some life perspective. I didn't write it, but agree with most of what the author wrote.

Interesting question I just thought about: Aren't the ten commandments laws that were given under the "old convenant" and specifically for Jews of the day (doesn't mean they're invalid though)? Hmmm...Probably should be a theology discussion...:)

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Peter

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The article is presented, in light of the question, as fact. It's not. Being busy is not a sin. One can find great spiritual fulfillment in filling ones day with work. We've been given one day of the week to rest from our work. Walking the fields and forrests is a romantic notion and has no play in reality. Finding God at all times is an act of will. Doing nothing can be a greater sin than being busy.

The article is someones soap box and not scripture. If you find things you agree with, fine. To me it's trite and contrived.

Peace.

Peter
 
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blitzn

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Peter said:
The article is presented, in light of the question, as fact. It's not. Being busy is not a sin. One can find great spiritual fulfillment in filling ones day with work. We've been given one day of the week to rest from our work. Walking the fields and forrests is a romantic notion and has no play in reality. Finding God at all times is an act of will. Doing nothing can be a greater sin than being busy.

The article is someones soap box and not scripture. If you find things you agree with, fine. To me it's trite and contrived.

Peace.

Peter
First of all, the essay is not an article and is not presented as fact. The story is fiction, but the devices/methods that Satan uses in the physical realm (many listed in the essay) are not fiction at all. I shouldn't have to say this, but this story should not be taken literally. I think it could have been better written, but you're missing the entire point the story makes.

The story does not say that being busy or working is a sin; it is speaking to things in excess. You have to be able to read between the lines, so to speak. How would you attampt to explain the ways that Satan uses to pull, deceive, and turn Christians away from God and His place in their lives?

It's obviously not for everyone to understand, but many do. You're entitled to your opinion, no problem.

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Peter

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However, let's explore the other view. What specific ways has God set up to assist us in keeping our minds focused. Through His body and bride, we have the various offices and hours, we have the Psalms ie., prayer), we have corperate worship, we have sacrements, we have icons, etc.

If we focus on the positives, there is no need for a list of the enemy. You spot a fake by knowing the original.

Peace.

Peter
 
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water_ripple

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In light of the article..What I think the message is that one should not be so caught up with the things of this world so that one has no "time" left for God. Some people are so busy with the operations of this earth that they miss what the important things in life are all about, and become slaves to errands that really have nothing to do with Christ.

I understand Peter's point exactly..but the point about some of us being caught up in the whirlwind of today's culture is quite true. That of course designates a choice to be made, and God should not come after all the errands..For if God is put last on the list there is a danger of loosing sight of Him.
 
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