In protecting the one sheep while leaving the 99, Jesus provides more security for all 100! He'll also give up His rights to benefit His weaker brothers. We too should turn the other cheek when needed, for the benefit of the Kingdom. And if we are weak in one area, we should not impose our personal restrictions on our stronger brothers, but rather seek spiritual growth and maturity in that area. As Christians, we are continually called to mature in the faith, and to help each other grow.

From His birth, Jesus was willing to be made low for the good of others. Yet when He died, He took His place next to the Father because He was worthy! Like Christ, we gain spiritual strength when we respond with gentleness and lowliness of heart, taking care not to offend our weaker brothers and sisters in matters that may cause them to stumble. This is a sign of spiritual maturity.

Satan's cunning comes from thousands of years of experience pursuing God's people. To protect himself, he knows just how far to go before stopping and moving on to his next victim. When we are persecuted, should we desire to be martyrs? Jesus says no, we should flee persecution! We do not need to stick around and be slaughtered. Our focus should be on continuing to live and share the Word of God with our children and grandchildren! It is our job to pass the baton to the next generation.

Satan pursues us because he wants to destroy us.

But no matter how difficult Satan makes it for us, our God protects us and provides for us, especially in our most desperate moments. What Satan intends for evil, God will use for good.

Sit down with Him, and let Him instruct you!

The extrabiblical letter to Diognetus gives insight into what it meant to be an early Christian. Christians were so different from other groups; they didn't separate themselves culturally: they made deep connections to their communities, but were not attached to the trappings of the culture. Though they did good, they were punished and persecuted, yet they grew in number and slayed dragons. They actively lived in the will of God, in preparation to meet Him!

Satan's days are numbered... on earth, ours are as well. Our time is in God's hands, and we need to be ready for His return! How? In every moment, we are to be faithful and obedient to God.

In today's B-Side, Pastor Josh goes beyond the "milk" of the Word and gets into the "meat" of the Word, more deeply exploring the meaning that can be gleaned from the structure of Revelation 12.

The focal point is verses 7-12: the defeat of Satan...

As we witness to the people God has put in our lives, the dragon, Satan, will oppose us at every turn.

To slay dragons: hold to the truth of the Word, and be willing to lay down our lives!

Today, Pastor Josh examines several interpretations and timelines for the events in Revelation 12. We should not divide over these nonessential points! The takeaway is that Satan is our chief adversary, and lives to slander and accuse God's people. In this chapter, he is thrown out of Heaven for eternity!

In every age, there is darkness, led by that serpent of old, Satan. But there is thunderous joy in the light of Christ!