From Jim McGuiggan... I SAW SATAN FALL

I SAW SATAN FALL

LUKE 10:3, 17-24
3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 
22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. 
23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 
24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 
   
  I don’t know who you are or where you’ve been or what you’ve done but the Supper that we believers will share this day is a participation in Christ and he will welcome you as he welcomes us. If you’re seeking something higher, something brighter and hope-filled, a life with adventure and honorable war we can commend to you our Lord Jesus. For though we’re often well aware of our sinfulness and our failures we know whom we have believed and are persuaded that he is able to keep what we’ve committed unto him against a coming glorious day!
  
   To you who believe in the face of great trouble that you can’t avoid let me adapt something from Walsh, Boyens & Jackson. The day may come when our courage may fail and we forsake our friends and break the bonds of fellowship but it will not be THIS day! News may come from medical reports of rampaging disease that would drive lesser men and women to grovel in fear but they will not be THIS People for we will this day have Suppered with the Living Christ who conquered the grave.
     
A day may come when we will suffer losses in a great moral struggle and a weariness may come that will tempt us to give up the fight. But it will not be THIS day for we will this day have called on the name of the One who laughed as he saw the Satan fall from heaven like a lightning flash at the presence of his trusting and empowered People.
   
  A day may come when the colossal strength of entrenched evil like some gigantic tsunami will thunder against our world and the earth may tremble and threaten to collapse beneath our feet—a day when faith is driven from us and despair of ever winning this war will frighten us into the unbelief that comes from weariness but it will not be THIS day for this day we will have eaten of the body and drunk of the blood of the ever-living Lord and fed by these, in his name and by his power we will have committed ourselves once more to engage these powers until we dance on their graves.
    
 Within of us may be unholy hungers that devour our strength, a strutting pride that tells us that we have pretty well arrived, ahead of us may be days of weariness, of strength spent with no visible gain. If those days come they will not be like THIS day, for this is the day that the Lord has made, this is the day when the Stone the builders rejected was made the head of the corner and the foundation stone, this is THE LORD’S DAY, this is the day when life defeated death.
  
   The thrill of this day will slip away in the midst of other day-by-day responsibilities, when sameness suggests emptiness but this day is the chief of days, the day that sets the tone for all other days. This day is the day that led and leads to other days—days when disciples come back from fighting beasts of many kinds, back with eyes shining and faces aglow with heavenly triumph and joy to say to the Lord: “IN YOUR NAME satanic and demonic powers tremble and grovel at our feet!” This is the day that leads Him to say, “Yes, do rejoice in that but rejoice in this—such victories mark you out as those whose names are written in heaven as God’s approved servants and beloved children.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

by Eric Lyons, M.Min. ... Non-Religion, America, and Apologetics

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=1603

Non-Religion, America, and Apologetics

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

My dad was born in 1935 on a farm in southwest Missouri. My mother was born in 1940 in southern Alabama. Neither has any recollection of ever having conversations with atheists or agnostics. Practically all their acquaintances were theists who considered themselves Christians.
Religious researcher and statistician Flavil Yeakley mentioned in his most recent book, Why They Left, that in 1950 “we could assume that most of the people around us already believed in God, in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and in the Bible as the Word of God. They already understood that people are lost in sin and in need of salvation” (2012, p. 29). According to George Gallup, Jr. and Michael Lindsey, in 1947, 89% of Americans identified themselves as Christian Protestants or Catholics (1999, p. 7). Considering this is in addition to the millions of other “religious” Americans (e.g., Jews, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, etc.), it is safe to say that the percentage of non-religious Americans (including atheists, agnostics, and skeptics) was minuscule.
Although, thankfully, the majority of Americans still believe in God (see Miller, 2012), the upward trend of non-religion in America is quite disturbing. In 1990, 8.2% of Americans claimed to be non-religious, most notably agnostics, skeptics, and atheists (Kosmin, 1991). In 2001, that number had jumped to 14.1% (Kosmin, et al., 2001). By 2008 it reached 15% (Kosmin and Keysar, 2009). According to USA Today’s religion reporter, Cathy Lynn Grossman, aggregated surveys by the Pew Research Center indicated that the percentage of non-religious Americans has now reached 19% of the American population (2012). [NOTE: The percentage of non-religious individuals would be even higher were it not for the many millions of Catholic Hispanics who have migrated to the United States over the past two decades.]
The percentage of non-religious Americans only 60 years ago was hardly noticeable. By 1990, nearly one in every 12 Americans claimed no religion. Today, it appears that nearly one in five Americans claims no affiliation with Christianity or any other religion, while one in every three Americans claims that religion is not an important part of their daily lives (Newport, 2009). Sadly, the number of skeptics, agnostics, atheists, etc. has risen drastically in only the last few decades, while the number of Americans claiming Jesus Christ as Lord of their daily lives has continued to decrease gradually.
The likelihood of you crossing paths with an atheist, agnostic, or skeptic at some point in the next few months is pretty high. The odds of your children, grandchildren, nephews or nieces running into atheistic professors or skeptical students in high school or college are very high (considering many public schools and universities are breeding grounds for non-religious Americans). More than ever, Christians need to equip themselves with the tools to help them “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Those of us at Apologetics Press hope that you will consider equipping your friends and family members with soul-saving, life-enriching materials. Why not order for your younger children or grandchildren a subscription to Discovery, A.P.’s monthly children’s magazine on Scripture and science? Why not consider arming your teens with Truth Be Told: Exposing the Myth of Evolution? Why not purchase multiple copies of A Christian’s Guide to Refuting Modern Atheism and give them away to college students who may very well be struggling for the first time in their lives with knowing how to defend their belief in the one true God of the Bible? At the very least, why not send your friends or family members a link to the A.P. site, where they can obtain thousands of pages of free electronic Christian evidence material.
Never in the history of the United States has there been a greater need for Christians to study Christian evidences. It is imperative that we teach our young people, not merely proof texts about God’s plan of salvation, but the evidence for God Himself, as well as proofs for the inspiration of the Bible and the deity of Christ.
Are you armed and ready for spiritual warfare? Are you prepared to answer the accusations levied against New Testament Christianity (cf. 1 Peter 3:15)? Are you preparing yourself and others to assist some of the millions of non-religious Americans whom, by the grace of God, you will have an opportunity to talk to about the Creator and Savior of the world (Colossians 1:16; John 4:42; 1 John 4:14)?

REFERENCES

Gallup, George Jr. and Michael Lindsay (1999), Surveying the Religious Landscape: Trends in U.S. Beliefs (Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing).
Grossman, Cathy Lynn (2012), “Survey Finds 19% Without Religious Affiliation,” USA Today, July 20, http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-07-19/no-religion-affiliation/56344976/1.
Kosmin, Barry (1991), The National Survey of Religious Identification.
Kosmin, Barry, Egon Mayer, and Ariela Keysar (2001), American Religious Identification Survey.
Kosmin, Barry and Ariela Keysar (2009), American Religious Identification Survey.
Miller, Jeff (2012), “Literal Creationists Holding Their Ground in the Polls,” Apologetics Press, http://www.apologeticspress.org/APPubPage.aspx?pub=1&issue=1093&article=2040.
Newport, Frank (2009), “State of the States: Importance of Religion,” Gallup, http://www.gallup.com/poll/114022/state-states-importance-religion.aspx.
Yeakley, Flavil (2012), Why They Left: Listening to Those Who Have Left Churches of Christ (Nashville, TN: Gospel Advocate).

From Mark Copeland... The Conversion Of Apollos (Acts 18:24-28)

                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                 The Conversion Of Apollos (18:24-28)

INTRODUCTION

1. When Paul left Ephesus on his second missionary...
   a. Aquila and Priscilla stayed behind - Ac 18:18-19
   b. They hosted a church in their home - cf. 1Co 16:19

2. Aquila and Priscilla were responsible for converting Apollos...
   a. A man with great talent and zeal before his conversion
   b. Who served the Lord greatly, especially in Corinth

[The conversion of Apollos offers an important lesson or two on how we
might be more effective in our own evangelistic efforts today.  Let's
first consider what we know about...]

I. APOLLOS, THE PROSPECT

   A. HIS BACKGROUND...
      1. He was a Jew - Ac 18:24
      2. Born at Alexandria - Ac 18:24
         a. Capital of Egypt from 330 B.C.
         b. Founded by Alexander the Great
         c. An outstanding Greek cultural and academic center
         d. Contained the finest library in the ancient world
         e. The Jewish population numbered in the hundreds of thousands
         f. It became the most important center of Judaism outside of
            Jerusalem
         g. Jewish rabbis gathered in Alexandria to produce the 
            Septuagint (LXX)
         -- Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
      3. Well educated, "an eloquent man" - Ac 18:24
         a. Grk., logios, learned, skilled, eloquent - ESV Study Bible 
         b. Pertaining to one who has learned a great deal of the
            intellectual heritage of a culture--'learned, cultured.' 
            - Louw Nida

   B. HIS ABILITIES...
      1. Mighty (powerful, competent) in the Scriptures (Old Testament) 
         - Ac 18:24
      2. Instructed in the way of the Lord (Jesus) - Ac 18:25
      3. Fervent in spirit; lit., "to boil in the spirit", an idiom for
         enthusiasm - Louw Nida
      4. Taught accurately the way of the Lord (Jesus) - Ac 18:25
      5. Though he knew only the baptism of John - Ac 18:25
         a. His knowledge of Jesus was limited
         b. Perhaps knowing only John's witness to Jesus as the Messiah
         c. Likely unaware of Jesus' commission involving baptism - cf.
            Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16 
         d. Similar to those "disciples" in Ephesus whose knowledge was
            also deficient - Ac 19:1-5

[With such knowledge, eloquence, and enthusiasm, Apollos began to speak
boldly in the synagogue at Ephesus (Ac 18:26).  Listening to him were
two people, husband and wife...]

II. AQUILA AND PRISCILLA, THE TEACHERS

   A. THEIR BACKGROUND...
      1. Husband and wife, Jews expelled from Rome - Ac 18:1-2
      2. With whom Paul stayed in Corinth, working together as tentmakers
         - Ac 18:3
      3. Traveled with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus, and stayed there
         - Ac 18:18-19
      4. Hosted a church in their home in Ephesus - 1Co 16:19
      5. At some point risked their lives for Paul - Ro 16:3-4
      6. Later in Rome, hosting a church in their house - Ro 16:3-5
      7. Mentioned in Paul's last epistle, shortly before his death, back
         in Ephesus - 2Ti 4:19
 
   B. THEIR METHOD...
      1. They attended the synagogue - Ac 18:26
         a. As Jews, they would have that privilege
         b. Perhaps like Paul, they utilized it as an evangelistic
            opportunity - Ac 17:1-4
      2. They heard Apollos speak - Ac 18:26
         a. I believe we can fairly infer that they listened respectfully
         b. Like the Bereans, who with fair-mindedness listened to Paul
            - Ac 17:11
      3. They took him aside - Ac 18:26
         a. Talking to him privately, conducive to constructive dialogue
         b. Like Paul, their goal was to reason and persuade - Ac 17:1-4;
            18:4
      4. They explained to Apollos the way of God more accurately - Ac 18:26
         a. Implying that his knowledge was somewhat accurate
         b. They sought to build on what he already knew, with truth he 
            did not know

[Aquila and Priscilla were successful in leading Apollos to a more
accurate understanding of the way of God.  With that understanding, the
highly educated, fervent Jew from Alexandria became...]

III. APOLLOS, THE MINISTER

   A. HIS SUCCESS AT CORINTH...
      1. Endorsed by brethren at Ephesus, he went to Corinth - Ac 18:27
      2. He greatly helped those who believed through grace - Ac 18:27
      3. Apollos "vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the
         Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ." - Ac 18:28; cf. Ac 17:3
      4. As Paul wrote, "I planted, Apollos watered..." - 1Co 3:5-6
 
   B. THE PROBLEM AT CORINTH...
      1. Division because of "preacher-itis" involved Apollos - 1Co 1:10-12
      2. Paul diagnosed such "preacher-itis" as carnality - 1Co 3:4
      3. In no way did Paul impugn Apollos with causing the problem
         a. Apollos was a minister and co-worker through whom the Lord 
            worked - 1Co 3:5-9
         b. Paul included Apollos and Cephas (Peter) as serving the 
            church - 1Co 3:21-23
         c. Paul included himself with Apollos as examples in whom not to
            boast - 1Co 4:6
         d. He wanted Apollos to go to Corinth, but Apollos was unwilling
            at the time - 1Co 16:12
      4. Those who identified themselves with Apollos may have been 
         swayed by his eloquence

CONCLUSION

1. Paul later mentioned Apollos in his epistle to Titus... - Tit 3:13
   a. Together with Zenas, a lawyer
   b. Asking Titus to send them on, lacking nothing
   c. Some think Zenas and Apollos may have been the bearers of the
      epistle to Titus
   d. Luther and others suggested Apollos as the author of Hebrews, but 
      no one knows

2. What is known is the successful conversion of Apollos, by Aquila and
   Priscilla...
   a. Whose methodology is worthy of imitation in evangelism
   b. Acknowledging the faith and understanding of those we try to teach
   c. Building on their faith as we seek to teach them "the way of God 
      more accurately"
   d. Doing so privately when possible, as friends not adversaries

Have you explained to others the way of God more accurately?  Are you
willing to let others explain to you the way of God more accurately? 
We can all learn from "The Conversion Of Apollos"...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2013

From Gary... Over-thinking life

Long ago, I remember learning about a triangle of needs by Maslow, but today things are different- or are they?  Consider his heirarchy...

Different, aren't they???  But I wonder, was does the Bible say about this? and then I remembered these to passages...







Philippians, Chapter 4 (NASB)
Php 4:9  The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Php 4:10  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
Php 4:11  Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Php 4:12  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
Php 4:13  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Php 4:14  Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
Php 4:15  You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;
Php 4:16  for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
Php 4:17  Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
Php 4:18  But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
Php 4:19  And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.


1 Timothy, Chapter 6 (NASB)
1Ti 6:6  But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
1Ti 6:7  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
1Ti 6:8  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
1Ti 6:9  But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

For the Christian, there is really no triangle of priorities; just a circle.  In it would be the following: LOVE GOD- and do what you like!!!  Enough said!!!!