A Sign Among Us - Chapter 3 - Distract and Diminish

Can satan undo what God has done in our lives? No, he does however want to distract and diminish the work of God.

We cannot let satan take advantage of us. How could he do that? He knows we have accepted Christ as our Savior. He knows we have a desire to instruct our families in the ways of the Lord. He knows we have a desire to properly train our children. The enemy also knows God has an awesome plan for each one of us. Keep in mind satan cannot undo what God has done. '...for we are not to be ignorant of his devices.' We need to be aware of the games he plays. What games does he play?

Satan wants to distract us in our community, at home and among our extended family and also at Church. I do hope I can share with you some of the knowledge that has helped me grow. I will be sharing areas that I am sure we will always struggle with to some degree.

Not Me Lord

Why am I supposed to write this? Is it for someone else? Is it for one person to read? Is it for me? I don't know. I do know that it is for us to do what the Lord asks and for Him to produce the results.

Lord you asked me to record this. Someone needs to read this and I am trusting you to get it in the hands of those you intended it for.

How Does Your Neighbor See You?

Satan wants to ruin our testimony in the community. With our friends, co-workers and neighbors. Satan is not into blessings he is into bondage. He wants us to be in bondage. He wants the past to hold us back. I once heard a message entitled 'If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?' That message from Pastor Duke was a wake-up call for me.

When ever I feel insecure or feel like I am not able to do something asked of me I remember, 'I once was lost, but now am found.' I used to be broken and I am now fixed. In addition to asking the Lord for help, I also think of this story at times...

If Something is in Need of Repair ...

This man was walking around with his left hand rigid. As if his elbow was locked at a ninety-degree angle. He was asked, 'What is wrong with your arm?'
He kindly responded, 'Nothing.'
Some time went by and he was asked again, 'Are you sure nothing is wrong with your are?'
'Nope, my arm is just fine,' he said.
'Has your arm always been like that?'
'Nope.'
At this point the new friend was very confused, 'Can you elaborate?'
'A few years ago I broke it,' he finally explained.
It started to make sense, but the friend was still confused. 'Did you go to a Doctor?'
'Nope.'
'Did you have insurance?' Was the question.
'Yep, I had insurance, I just never got it looked at. It hurt for a while. Then the pain went away. Now it is locked in this position.' He went on, 'I can drive just fine, I can eat just fine, and I can even dress myself. My arm isn't hurting anyone and I am totally fine with it like this.'

What's my point? When I think of that story, I think of us in association with others. 'I ain't ever been good at talking to people about god.' Just like the man with the broken arm, something was wrong and it needed to be taken care of. Not just adapted to. 'I ain't ever been good at that witnessing thing either.' But you know what I had to get that fixed too.

What is a witness - someone who saw something happen, then tells others. 'You know what I just saw happen in my life with my wife... You know what just happened to my children and myself... You know what just happened to me at work...' Then give glory to the Lord - we are planting seeds. Satan wants me to be timid about praying with my son in a restaurant. What about you? Do not let satan distract or diminish our testimonies in the community.

How Do They See You At Home?

Satan wants to ruin our testimonies at home. This includes our extended family. Satan tries to make us less effective husbands; he wants to try to make us less effective parents. Remember, Satan wants to distract and diminish the work of God. He knows he cannot undo it! Amen. So because he can't undo it he will try to distract the issue.

As for me personally, satan tries to convince me of things like... 'Jeff, did you just hear what Becky said? She is challenging you, are you going to tolerate that? Who are you to correct your child for not doing what you told him, you don't do what God tells you to do. Look at you, you hypocrite, you just prayed at the alter to re-dedicate yourself as a better father and here you go fighting in the car ride in the way home from church. 'What are we to do?

'For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but power, and of love, and of a sound mind.' II Timothy 1:7. Realize this, pray with an honest heart, and be forgiven. 'Lord I know you didn't give me this fear...'

One night when the children and I were praying this came out. We gave thanks, we asked forgiveness for our sins, we prayed for others, and we prayed for ourselves. At the end of the prayers Autumn, at that time 7 years old, was crying. When I asked what is wrong she had all she could do to say, 'Grandma and Grandpa Starks are going to hell, and I don't want them to.' What could I say, 'I'm sorry Autumn, Daddy's only been saved as long as you've been on this planet, someone else has to talk to them about Jesus.' No, I had to say, 'I promise you Autumn, I will speak to them about Jesus.'

One Wednesday evening, when we closed the service Pastor asked if anyone had loved ones who were not yet saved. Everyone in the room raised their hand. He then asked us to think of that person as we prayed. My head was rattling off name after name, and it saddened me. I believe we are more alike than we are different - wouldn't you agree?

Just Swing

I played baseball for four years when I was eight, nine, ten and eleven. I was the worst kid on the team, without a doubt. There was a rule, every player had to play two innings and bat once. I never played more than two innings. I never batted more than once those first three years. When I did play those two inning I played right field. Without fail, before I took the field coach would tell me, 'If the ball is hit to you the Center-fielder is going to get it, you back him up - got it.'

That went on for three years. This is a true story. The last game of my third year, last inning, only one out left, and I'm up to bat. Ball one, ball two, ball three, the coach called time out and spoke to me, the same coach who said, 'if the ball is hit to you let the Center-fielder take it.' Now, this time said, 'This next ball is going to be slow, and right down the middle, you can do it, just swing.' I did just that; and I hit the ball for the first time and got on base. I was so excited, my parents were so excited. We lost the game when the next batter got to the plate, but that didn't matter, I had just got done playing the best game of my life.

Then my fourth and last year things were different. The confidence I had from that one hit carried through. For three years, I was telling myself, 'Don't miss, don't miss, and don't miss.' From this point on, 'You can do it, you can do it, and you can do it.'

What's the moral of the story - You can do it, I can do it! Just swing. Do not let Satan distract or diminish our testimony with our loved ones.

Satan wants to ruin our testimonies at church. Friends we've known for some time and people who walk through the doors of your church for the first time.


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