Answer Staff Comlumnist

(John 10:10)  The thief comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; but Jesus says that I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

How many Las Vegas Saints remember The Flip Wilson Show?  This show was a comedy and music sensation from 1970 to 1974.  You remember: we couldn’t wait until Flip Wilson made his weekly appearance to give us side-splitting laughter at characters like the sassy Geraldine Jones and showboating Rev. Leroy Jenkins.
 
It was during those days that we were introduced to the catch phrases ‘What you see is what you get’ and the ever popular ‘THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!’  Yes, and in 2010, ‘the Devil made me do it,’ or our most updated phrase ‘Satan is busy,’ has unfortunately become our excuse for ungodly behavior and irresponsible choices in our day-to-day living.  While it is true that the adversary is running rampant, much of the stuff in our lives is not an attack of Satan! (Amen.)
 
Children of God, we have been bought with a price and we are covered by the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, we have been given minds to think with and to make right decisions.  But if we tell the truth, too often, we do just the opposite expecting a ‘spiritual bailout’ without consequences. 

For instance that speeding ticket was not an attack of the enemy—you were probably driving over the speed limit.  Whether intentional or by error take responsibility for it and be more alert while driving.
 
When the utilities get disconnected, don’t give Satan that much place in your life by calling it a satanic attack— JUST PAY THE BILL (or make arrangements if necessary).

The #1 employment complaint is that people need to be on time to work. If on probation for being late to work or school, it is not the enemy—just set the alarm clock, go to bed a little earlier and give thanks that you have a job to go to! (Amen.) Young readers, school is your job—don’t miss receiving the gift of a quality education.

Remember that much of what we go through is not the e-n-e-m-y; but the i-n-n-e-r me.   No matter how super saved we are or how many days we spend in church, all of us fall short every day of one thing or another, and only through the power of prayer and practiced discipline will we be able to tap into the abundance living with Christ. 

Until next time, let’s remember Romans 8:37-38: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus!” (Hallelujah.)

…And now, let the church roll on!