RESIST BIG BIRD

RESIST BIG BIRD
Monday, January 3, 2022 by Leona Choy

Allow me to refer to Satan as the “Pseudo Big Bird” in this short message. He thinks he is a big shot and acts like one. He does have limited control over Planet Earth for a season. Whatever influence Satan and his demon angels exercise is restricted by God's ultimate sovereignty.

I don't want to focus an undeserved spotlight on the devil. He is a messenger of darkness, although he was described as an angel of light in Heaven before his rebellion. Nevertheless, we need to know the extent of his powers according to the Scriptures.

The devil, our adversary, is referred to as the “prince of the power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2 and the “god of this world” in 2 Corinthians 4:4. Other translations describe him as “the ruler of the evil powers that are above the earth, in the domain of the air, of this present world, over the lower heavens, with power over things of the air, ruler of the spiritual powers in space.” But he is not a lawful prince! He is this world's god, not ours.

Jesus did not contradict or correct the devil when he bragged about his own powers during our Lord's temptation in the wilderness. His offer was legitimate. One translation describes him this way: “Satan is the commander of the powers in the unseen world, the dark ruler of the earthly realm who fills the atmosphere with his authority.” Nevertheless, Satan is a defeated, fallen angel whom God kicked out of Heaven with all those willing to follow his infernal insurrection against God. Remember, he is not divine or omnipotent.

(Seriously, don't miss looking up 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12 for a disclosure of the actions of this False Big Bird who is deluding us, deceiving us with lies right now in our current perilous times—and how God is going to put an end to him. The devil loves masks and blindfolds and earplugs.)

Big Bird Satan's power is over everyone who refuses to obey God, who does not respond to the truth of God. That doesn't include us who belong totally to the Lord. Satan “energizes the sons of disobedience,” but we are energized by the Holy Spirit within us. No contest! “You are from God, little children, and have conquered them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4)

The apostle Peter in 1 Peter 5:8 doesn't hesitate to warn us that our adversary the devil is “incessantly, always about, working against you, fiercely hungry as a lion, prowling about, stalking you, sneaking around, poised to pounce, hoping to catch you.” (in other translations)

I want to tell you what our ole' Big Bird tried to do to me in the first days of this new year. It's related to Luke 8:5, Jesus' parable of the sower and seed. As soon as good seed was sown, the “fowls of the air, the birds from the sky, from the heavens, that were flying around” swooped down and “gobbled it up, devoured it, ate it all.” People had “walked on it, stepped on it, trampled on it as it lay exposed.”

On New Year's Day, I thanked the Lord for an almost normal energy day after suffering the debilitating symptoms of Covid, the pseudovirus, or whatever it really is. I thought I might finally be over the extreme fatigue and lack of energy. I wanted to get on with the Father's business in my cheerleader calling. Well, I woke up at 3 am unable to sleep for the rest of the night, impressed to pray instead for many people who had asked for my prayers, or whose needs I sensed, or who were praying for my recovery. All-day long the Lord gave me a supernatural infusion of Holy Spirit Adrenalin, and I accomplished what He had whispered to me in the night hours. The seed He asked me to plant was sown. I ran and was not weary, walked and did not faint, rejoicing with new strength and setting new goals to press on to serve God this year, if He provided breath and stamina, and opportunities.

The second day of January dawned. In contrast to the day before, I felt overwhelmed with discouragement and depression, and hopelessness. Weakness returned and with it some of the virus symptoms. I felt disheartened about my failing, weary, ancient, rag-tag “earth suit”—back to square one with “feeble knees and hands hanging down.” I thought I’d have to revert to how most people must feel who make it into their 97th year—if God has blessed them with longevity. Thank God, by the end of my miserable day, I shook myself into spiritual reality to see into the unseen and discern that this was an onslaught of deception from Big Bird the liar and his flock of prowling underlings. They were clearly out to devour the good seed sown yesterday and tried their best to “cancel me” again. I can't let them fool me!

I refuse to be Big Bird's victim. As a child of God, I am given the assurance that all I need to do is “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee [fly away] from you” (James 4:7). I know that the seed God gave me to plant and pray will remain and be brought to harvest to glorify God, thirty-fold, sixty-fold, or a hundredfold. I know what my mandate is—I am called to keep seeding and planting whether I am weak or strong, young or old, ill or in health, through ups or downs, in season and out of season. The Lord expects me and enables me to be “steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” This is not retirement time. The return of Jesus Christ is so near and the Bride must be ready.

I encourage the rest of you children of God, whatever your age or condition or circumstances, who have made good resolves for the new year, but are suddenly attacked by Fake Big Bird with his favorite tool—discouragement. Do you feel like giving up? Perhaps other people have tried to dissuade you by trampling your good seed underfoot or casting doubt on your ability to press on higher this year. RESIST Pseudo Big Bird and his flock of groupies! “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce” (James 4:7 MSG). Let's rejoice in the presence of the Lord who never leaves us or forsakes us whatever our feelings. Victory is ours. His grace is sufficient for us!

“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does!” (MSG 1 Peter 5:8-11)

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Comments

Linda Ann Fumea From FL At 1/5/2022 7:26:27 AM

It is certainly nice when BB is leaving us alone. But then I wonder, am I being effective for the Kingdom? BB can actually be a blessing, if he is around causing problems then I know the Lord is at work. When we are active for the Lord, the enemy will always be around. Defeated but he keeps trying

Reply by: Leona Choy

Amen! Dive-bombing to gobble up the good seed of gospel witness so it doesn't have the chance to sprout. BB knows this is his last round before Jesus comes to give him his due. We can expect his frenzied, last ditch assaults. As you say, the Lord will turn it around to be a blessing to assure us we are on the right track.

Dan & Pat Christ - 2 From Kempton PA 19529 At 1/4/2022 7:06:17 PM

Thank you once again for allowing God to keep us on the alert! I'm currently reading a bio on Elisabeth Elliot titled Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by author Ellen Vaughn. Time and again EE was kept on the alert. Thanks for being revived friend!!!!

Reply by: Leona Choy

I read that book too. Ed said Laura might like to read it so when I connect in person with them again I'll give it to her. You do know that she and I were classmates at Wheaton so many of our experiences there we were in common. Jim was there too.

Noreen From Round Hill At 1/4/2022 10:59:56 AM

Leona, I wonder if you have any idea how much good you do?! I needed this encouraging word so much. Big Bird showed up unexpectedly yesterday (naturally!), and, while I recognized his modus operandi, I still allowed him to ruin my day! Thanks for your timely wisdom. Please keep me in your prayers.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Steal, kill, and destroy is BB's MO and covers what he plans for us when he sees a crack in our armor. We are often vulnerable at the very point of our strength or at the time and place we least expect him. Sneaky. RECOGNIZE AND RESIST as quickly as we can. I'm praying for whatever might be giving you anxiety today.

Sheryl From Winchester, VA At 1/4/2022 8:51:22 AM

What a reminder of who our real enemy is! As a recipient of your prayers that morning, I can tell you I am more than grateful for your intercession. Sometimes in the midst of our chaos, we forget how the enemy works, but God awakens a faithful prayer warrior to watch out for our souls. Thank you.

Reply by: Leona Choy

I popped in the mail for you a couple of encouraging books of mine for the newly single-again. I hope they will prove meaningful to help you bridge the time to adjust to your new normal and press on for the loving plan the Lord still has for your life.

Lee From Fairfax At 1/4/2022 5:30:32 AM

Great testimony! I too have these back-to-back days of Spiritual light and energy, sowing seeds and being blessed, only to be followed by days of darkness and depletion. But God gets the victory! As we continue to sow in tears we will reap with songs of joy. Praising God for your cheerleading ????

Reply by: Leona Choy

I don't doubt that Pseudo Big Bird takes his infernal pleasure in pecking at you, Lee, since he couldn't prevent you from obeying God's leading to enter the doors to sow seeds in Cuba during the time they were open. Nor to stop you from settling into a business career at home.Keep on steadfastly obeying God's leading and you will be blessed.

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