What did I have on my mind as I went to sleep on the brink of 2017? Why, dragons and serpents of course! Thanks to my good friend Chief Eisley’s preaching last night. It was an awesome sermon! And spot on for what I needed in this season of life. Chief opened his sermon with the illustration of early exploration and map makers who wrote on the maps of unchartered territories “For all we know there could be dragons and serpents there.” Now, I’m sure it was worded differently so don’t hold me to the grammaticism of the day. The point of the illustration that I went to sleep with being on my mind and awoke this morning with it as well was, 2017 may have dragons and serpents in it, if I believe the words of ye old dragon himself, Satan!
Satan loves to booger me up with unchartered territories by laying it on thick about what might possibly be in my future.
Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughs of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Those are the words of God, so why is it that the words of Satan so often seem so much weightier in my life? Because I listen. It’s as simple as that. God did not say there were dragons in those waters any more than He said there are dragons in my future, but Satan planted that seed and I wrote it on my map in the unchartered territories of 2017 and when I got up this morning I began to think… oh my stars. What if this and that happens?! And away went my imagination with all minds of horrific possibilities and problematic issues that may or may not happen and rather than living in the victory of Christ, I’m living with dragons and serpents.
Well played Satan, but I’m taking back my boat.
Chief’s three points to ponder last night were:
- Contentment – Wanting what you have.
- Companionship – We are never alone, and
- Confidence – “He hath said….”
Jeremiah 29:11 wasn’t Chief’s scripture. He was actually in Hebrews 13:5-8
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
That’s good stuff to take into 2017. It’s not unchartered territory it’s tried, true and proven territory. When Satan points to the dragon, just point to the Savior… He’ll shut up for a while any way.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! From the Jesus Chick. I’m praying there are no dragons and serpents in our waters that lie ahead, just smooth sailing!
