His Time Is Short--Yet Still He Fights

Scripture: Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. Revelation 12:17

Observation: Revelation 12 pulls back the curtain on a conflict that has raged from before creation between Christ and Satan. Satan rebelled against God but was defeated and cast out so that there was no longer any place for him in heaven. But he lost more than that. He lost his power to accuse believers because when he accuses, we overcome him with the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. So, having lost his battle to overthrow Christ, and having lost his power to successfully accuse Christ’s followers, he furiously makes war on believers—those who obey God and believe Christ. He does this because his time is short. This war, while real, is the desperate act of a losing man.

Application:

1. Satan’s war against me is real.
2. He will lose this war, for we will overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.
3. My only defense against Satan is not tough words or ignoring him, but holding fast to Jesus.

Prayer: God, this war is real and rages even now, though I cannot see it. Give me perception to see Satan’s hand at work. Thank you for reminding me today to retreat behind the blood of the lamb, and of my need to hold to the testimony of Jesus. I proclaim you as the overcomer in my life. Thanks for fighting in my place.

I Don't Know...I Was Blind, but Now I See

Scripture: "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded. He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." "Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don't know," he said…“One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9: 10-12, 25
Observation: I love the simplicity of this testimony. This man formerly known as blind has been healed by Christ. When asked, he tells his story, straight shootin’, no frills or religious lingo involved. When asked follow-up questions that he did not know the answer to, he simply says, “I don’t know.” Later, when others try to embroil him in a theological debate, he simply summarizes, “I was blind but now I see.”
Application: Sometimes I think my job in witnessing is to be prepared for every debate, to anticipate every question. But the power of the story comes in its transformation. “I was X; now I am Y.” This man’s story resonates centuries later because he:

1. Told what happened to him,
2. Admitted he did not know everything, and
3. Avoided pointless debate by reaffirming the change Jesus brought in his life.

Prayer: Jesus, let me just tell the story. Let me tell what you did, admit when I don’t know the answer, and keep my focus on what you did in my life. Thank you for opening my eyes so I could see you, and help use my story to open the eyes of others.