Corona Devo 1511

The sounds of my washing machine and clock-chimes were drowned-out by the (first) slow and (then) hurried and frantic cries of some red-tailed hawks in our backyard airspace this morning.  

The screeches had drawn my audible attention, but my eyes provided the rest of the story.  There were a couple hawks prowling around the treetops and calling out, but one big guy had landed atop a squirrel's nest in the tallest tree, looking for someone to devour.  

He was perched.  

He was poised.

He was about to snatch a squirrel's life.

...Not today, Mr. Redtail. 

I love birds very much, but I have also enjoyed watching that squirrel family hop branches and skitter across frozen ground all winter.  I couldn't just watch a hawk steal, kill and destroy one or more of them.

I opened the back door and cupped my hands slightly to produce a couple deep, loud claps, which were enough to cause the ominous hawk to take flight.

~~~

Have you seen the terrain that pre-teens and teens must traverse these days?  The enemy (Satan) is creative and relentless as he circles, prowls, and looks for someone to devour.

But the reach of Satan doesn't stop with the young...all of us feel sin and evil swooping around our head and heart at times.  And there are (absolutely) dark moments in our lives when it feels like Satan has landed atop our nest and is about to devour us.

...Not today, satan. 

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (9) Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  (10) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  ~I Peter 5:8-10

Today's substance-abuse, self-harm and suicide rates tell a silent story that no social media channel or gender/sexuality "advocates" will speak about out loud.

Yes--the hawk of Satan is screeching and swooping and is standing bullishly on-top-of some  lives/minds/and hearts. 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  ~John 10:10

But there is a Savior who clapped His hands at the cross of Calvary.   Deep, loud, and life-saving, Christ gave His life to save ours, and the devil has no power over our God.  Satan must (and will) take flight when the light of Christ shines. 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  ~John 1:5  

~~~

As God's Sons and Daughters, it is our responsibility and privilege to shine His light, love, truth and hope with others.  

We can't just watch the world/media/apathy/wokeness steal, kill and destroy them.

I realize that we can't save the entire world, but can we introduce one person, (one lost sheep) to the Loving Shepherd today?  Once we come to know Jesus, no one will snatch us out of His hand.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (28) I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (29) My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  ~John 10:27-29

~~~

We had a Jesus-outreach this week at our high school.

We opened the back door and cupped our hands slightly to produce a couple deep, loud claps, which (we believe and pray) were enough to cause the hawk-of-sin/Satan to take flight and be removed from atop some lives and hearts.

Somewhere in between:

• Student-leaders willing to share their faith in public school
• Donations of time and food from generous Believers
• A talk and testimony from the amazing (Softball Olympic Gold Medalist) Leah Amico 
• And the spinning of a game wheel...

                        ...at least two "squirrels" were saved from the clutches of Hell's hawk.

Two of the over-eighty students present accepted Christ into their hearts for the first time, and these are souls that will never be snatched from God's hand. 

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (11) As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”...  (13) for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  ~Romans 10:9-11, 13  

Satan is certainly perched.  

He is definitely poised.

He absolutely seeks to snatch life.

...Not today.  May our attention and hearts be turned to those who are helpless and lost.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect... ~I Peters 3:15

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com