April 17, 2013 … Wanted: Dead or Alive!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 107

Passage of the Day: Ephesians 6: 12 [NLT] …
12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. 
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 Contextual Study of today’s passage: Ephesians, Chapter 6 [NLT] … Go to this link … 
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Reference Passage #1: Acts 1: 8 : [Does our witness cause Satan to want us “Dead or Alive” as a witness for Christ? ] …[NLT] …  
8 "... But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

 Reference Passage #2: Matthew 5: 14-16 : [When we shine Christ’s light in the world, we become one who is “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Satan. ] …[NLT] …  
14 You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. 15 Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. 

My Journal for Today: Today, in his devotional entry, Os Hillman remembers the wanted posters which were posted in the days of the old west in which the powers that be used to encourage the pursuit of the most dangerous of criminals. Then Hillman poses a question: Does Satan and his posse of fallen angels have a “WANTED – DEAD OR ALIVE!” poster out on you as a Christian?

In other words, do we, as disciples of Christ, pose any threat to Satan’s fallen kingdom here on earth; enough so that the sheriff of hell would want us eliminated? Or viewing our life choices and behaviors, would Satan just let us go on our own because we pose no threat to his pursuits of the lost and for the damaged testimonies of the saved?

Assuming I’m addressing a fellow Christian here, reading with me, God’s promise for all Christians is for us to use the resurrection power that the Lord has placed in each of us (i.e., the enabling grace from His Holy Spirit) to give us the power to shine Christ’s light in the world (see Acts 1:8 and Matt. 5: 14-16 copied above for referenced). And when we truly are LIT UP as witnesses for Christ in the world we become “WANTED – DEAD OR ALIVE!” by Satan. We become threats to his mission to keep the lost headed for hell and the saved headed for the trash heap of wasted Christian power.

So, Hillman asks the following probing questions: ” Is there a "Wanted: Dead or Alive" poster in hell with your name on it? Are you a real danger to hell? Do you cause problems for Satan's legion of demons? Are you pushing back Satan's agenda on planet earth? [And further] … Are the unsaved in danger of receiving salvation through you? Will someone receive healing because you dared to pray for them? Will someone's life be impacted because you chose to reach out to them in your workplace during a difficult time? Will a city be impacted for Jesus Christ because of you?”

Personally, I know that I’m a wanted man, along with my wife; because we lead a ministry [go to this link] to help Christians to be redeemed, restored, and renewed in their relationship with Christ, having formerly been captive to the bondage to habitual sexual sin. Every day I do all I can to show anyone willing to surrender to the re-energizing power of God to walk away in freedom from the throws of all that Satan and his minions would do to damage their testimonies with his hypersexualized super-weapons, like internet pornography. And because of this mission, my picture is no-doubt all over the walls of hell with the label “WANTED – DEAD OR ALIVE!”

I don’t know about you; but if you’re not doing anything in your life to shine the light of Christ into this darkened world, it’s unlikely that Satan has a “WANTED” poster out on you. If you’re not doing anything to threaten his growing kingdom here on earth, he’ll leave you alone, … especially if your life worships him or poses no threat to the kingdom of hell by your witness. But I pray today that all who read here have big “WANTED – DEAD OR ALIVE” posters out on us; and we’re having to pray to God for legions of angels to protect us because we’re shining Christ’s light brightly into the world … EVERY DAY.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, protect those of us who’re shining Your light into Satan’s caves of darkness and desperation; and let our lives shine greatly with Your power and Your message of deliverance. … Amen

Blogger’s PS: I would covet your prayers for this humble servant of God who is WANTED – DEAD OR ALIVE by Satan! And for those who do pray for Battle Plan Ministries, you help us send a light of truth and power into the darkness of Satan’s world. …THANK YOU!!