Weekly devotional

1. This week's Quiet Times: June 4-8, 2012
FORCES AT WORK AGAINST US…
MONDAY
“The devil controls the world, has power in the world, and is using that power
effectively. He and his angels use weapons of deception and delusion to
manipulate. And they don’t exist only in theory or theological treatise; they exist
in fact. Even if you have accepted the fact that Satan really exists, you are
unequipped for spiritual combat if you think him practically powerless. Just how
much power does he have? Are any limitations placed on him?” Joe Beam, Seeing
the Unseen. We will examine these questions this week. Perhaps a good place to
start is by examining what happened to Job, since this is a popular reference
point. Read Job 1:6-12. How is Satan described in verse 6? Is he omnipresent
according to verse 7? Why do you think God asks Satan where he has been? Does
Satan have to report to God? Does Satan know God’s mind? Does he know
everything (omniscient)? Does God know Satan’s mind? Consider verses 9-11.
Who else is Satan accusing? What limitations does he have (vs. 12) ? Can he do
anything he wants even though he disobeys the Lord? What do you think God’s
purpose is in letting Satan test Job? Write Romans 8:28 on an index card and
memorize it.
TUESDAY
In your notebook, take a look at the following verses and write down the verbs
associated with Satan’s doings. 1 Chron 21:1 * Luke 13:16 * John 13:2 * John
13:27 * Acts 5:3 * 2 Co 4:4 * Eph 2:2 * 2 Tim 2:26. What do these verses show
about Satan’s powers and abilities? What can Satan do to you? Has he been able
to do any of these things to you? Will he be able to do any of these things to you?
Now look at Job 1:13-19. How did the devil operate in Job’s life to test him? Add
these actions done by Satan to your list of verbs associated with Satan’s doings.
So, is Satan only limited to doing things that will deceive your heart and mind?
How did he discourage Job? Read the following verses: Heb 11:37 * Mt 14:10 *
Acts 12:2 * Mat 24:9 * Job 2:7. What were some of the tools Satan and his angels
have used to persecute and try to destroy God’s people? Can Satan and his
cohorts do these things without any outward miracle taking place? Write 1 Co
10:13 on an index card and memorize it.
WEDNESDAY
Do you know any person well enough to manipulate him or her? Do you know
how to arrange circumstances or situations that will ensure a probable course of
behavior? If a human can do it, how effective do you think an angel can be? Do

2. you think they could make you do something, or simply entice you and convince
you to do it? What’s the difference? Can we blame our mistakes on them or are
we responsible for our own decisions and actions? Consider the following
passage: 1 Tim 4:1-2. What kind of people does Satan and his angels look for to
do their work? What kind of things do these people do to spread the work of the
devil? Do you think it is possible for these people to come to their senses after
being taken captive by the devil? What must be done to accomplish this? (Read 2
Tim 2:25-26) What is the antidote to the devil’s poison? If Satan is able to
manipulate nature and people to accomplish his will, do you think he can
manipulate governments, cultures, and politics to do the same? Perfect case
study…. THE CRUCIFIXION!!! Isn’t that why Jesus said what he said in Luke 23:34?
THURSDAY
As you can see, Satan is pretty capable and able to do many things you probably
weren’t aware of. But isn’t that sly of him? The least we know about him and his
schemes, the better he is able to delude you. I’m sure that even after we finish
these studies he’s going to be mad and he’s going to get bad with the Mary Street
Church of Christ and any other church that continues to seek the face of the Lord.
Just remember that he also has plenty of limitations and even more so if you seek
to put on the armor of God. We mustn’t be ignorant of the devil’s position
because those who have chosen to be ignorant of the devil’s power will also
perish. Read on to find out why: 2 Peter 2:10-12. What do these people despise?
How are these people characterized? What do they slander? Do angels have more
sense than these people? What will be the outcome of these people? Do you
think Satan is included among the beings we must not disrespect or slander? Read
on: Jude 8-10. Is this passage talking about the same kind of people Peter was
talking about? What must your attitude be then concerning angels and even the
devil? What must your reaction to the devil’s schemes be? Write Mnmu fv t 16:23
on an index card and memorize it.
FRIDAY Satan not only uses people, he helps them do what he wants. Satan is
capable of empowering the people he uses to accomplish his will. Read John
13:27. Do you think Satan entered Judas by force? Did Jesus know what had
happened? Who was the devil trying to do as he empowered Judas? Why use one
of Jesus’ disciples? Read 1 Chron 21:1-4. How did Satan influence David to bring
punishment on Israel? What was Satan able to use from David’s position or
personality to accomplish his task? Did David finally realize what he had done (vs.
8)? What does Satan use to empower us? See 1 John 2:16. What happens if you
feed on your selfish desires as opposed to filling yourself with God’s Spirit? See
Romans 8:6-17. Remember, it’s a battle fought in your mind and in your spirit!