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The Devotional Diva - Smoke and Mirrors
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The Devotional Diva - Smoke and Mirrors
By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“…the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” II Cor. 4:4 (NAS95)
I feel compelled to share something with you. Prior to attending my home church on Sunday mornings, I like to listen to Dr. Mac Brunson, who pastors First Baptist Church of Jacksonville.
One morning Pastor Brunson turned the pulpit over to a special guest, Evangelist Junior Hill. However before I go on, I pose a question. Have you ever seen David Copperfield?
Okay, I know this appears to have nothing to do with today’s devotional and it certainly doesn’t sound super spiritual, but have you? I have. It was a great show. Bob, Stephanie and I went many years ago in Panama City. The tricks Copperfield performed thrilled us and kept us guessing as to how he did it! The event took place amidst a commotion of smoke, mirrors, music and various props and pageantry. Overall, for us, it was good entertainment.
A few months ago, I had a party and we hired a magician to amaze and entertain us. Everyone loved it. Without a doubt, our magic friend (and Copperfield) performs by tricks or illusions. It all boils down to gimmick – as they possess no “power” to do the things they do. It’s all in fun and we went into this type of entertainment with our eyes wide open.
Walking through life with our eyes wide open is a good thing. It’s healthy and promotes discernment, especially when our eyes are open on Christ. Except what about people who walk with their eyes wide shut? (No reference intended on the movie by the same title, which I do not endorse).
Let’s go back to Junior Hill and First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. Brother Hill started his message by reading II Corinthians 4: 3-4. In verse 4, we’re told that the god of this world (o.k. Satan) has blinded unbelieving people so they can’t see the truth of the gospel. In other words, Satan loves people to walk around with their eyes wide shut!
How does he accomplish this? He does it with smoke and mirrors. Brother Hill indicated the word “blinded” in this verse carries the meaning of being enveloped in smoke. In other words, old slewfoot uses smokescreens!
Satan uses smokescreens to blind people to the glory of God. Okay, I made up the part about the mirrors. But think about it. What is the purpose of a smokescreen? It is most often used with the intent of deceit and trickery.
I listened to this man of God preach and my mind raced as he described the smokescreens Satan would use in that very service. The smokescreens designed to keep someone from accepting Christ or requesting baptism. If you could get a copy of the service, I’d recommend it. It was an amazing message, no smoke – no mirrors.
Let me ask you another question. Do you know anyone who might be living with their eyes wide shut, blinded by the devil’s smoke? In the context of the verse at hand, how can God use us to be a fresh breeze of righteousness and dispel a smokescreen from the eyes of an unbeliever?
Since the Word of God is God-breathed, maybe we just need to open our mouths and exhale Christ. Just a thought.
Now, don’t think for a minute Satan reserves all his smoke and mirrors for the lost. No, no my beloveds, he’ll use them on us too! If we are honest, we’ll admit to falling prey to a few puffs of smoke from time to time.
So what is a body to do? We can start by having a willingness to share the air of truth with others. Don’t despair if little cloud movement occurs, you be the breeze and trust God for the wind.
Next, we can stop and identify the screens of smoke in our own life. What doubts, discouragement, disillusionments and destructive thoughts are in your life. Never forget that by the power of the Word of God, you can blow them away!
So what’s it going to be, eyes wide open or eyes wide shut?
I see blue skies ahead!
Barbara
Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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