Deep Creek Java Devotion July 28, 2010
A Tale of Two Fish
Scripture Reading:
James 4:7 (HCSB) Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.
Devotion & Meditation:
Lucifer is an angler or in lay terms, a fisherman. Now he doesn’t just fish in Galilee, but in Deep Creek, Oakland, USA and everywhere. He baits a hook for you or me, and uses a lure that is certain to attract us. He’s a good fisherman, too. He’s been at it for a long time, fishing for the hearts and lives of men since Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden. He knows our hideouts and haunts–he knows the areas in which we are vulnerable, and he is crafty enough to hide the hook from us until it is too late. I do know a little about fishing. Enough to know that when they Lord called me to be a fisher of men, I don’t catch anything except souls for the kingdom. I love to fish and have a great time, but for me it is about being with friends or family. Good fisherman study fish. They know their tendencies, their habitat, their favorite lures. But even so, some fish still elude him.
Have you ever wondered how a bass gets to weigh six, seven, or eight pounds? They’ve studied the fisherman like he’s studied them. They know his best tricks, and they are not quick to pounce on a lure. They suspect the hook—and they’re usually right. Once we take the Devil’s bait and the hook is set, we’re caught. The trick to evading the fisherman is to steer clear of the lures. We can be sure he knows just how to tempt us, but we also have within us the power to overcome temptation if we will only use it. Jesus Christ gives us strength to resist the devil…and when we do, he will flee. I hope these words today are used by you as powerful as they are used by me today. The Devil continues to wear at my armor, but I continue to cling to the Cross and follow both steps in the verse: (1) submit to God, (2) Resist the Devil. I cannot accomplish step 2 without first applying step 1. Lord bless you today, friend!
Keep the Son in your eyes,
Dr. Ben J. Lahay
Phil 1:21
Categories: Church News, Devotional, Pastor's Blog baptist church, Bible, boating, deep creek, Deep Creek Lake, dr lahay, dunk, Easter, Easter Sunday Schedule, Easter Sunrise Services, Family, garrett county, Jesus, McHenry, Oakland, Proverbs, rentals, Ski, Southern, Southern Baptists, Swanton, the lake, traditional, vacations, Western Maryland, Worship