Good VS Evil

Lately I have been reading the Book of Revelations. My spark was ignited at small group a few weeks ago when we got on a discussion of it. It was brought up during the chapter based on Lukewarm Christians and then again on Serving Leftovers to God. I'd never read it before just had heard some things about it. But it got me interested. I've only read parts and my friend Brandy was reading the Left Behind series, so I borrowed that from her and now I am reading that. It's interesting. In CBS (Community Bible Study) we are studying Deuteronomy which is pretty much Abraham telling the Isrealites that they MUST obey God and His commandments and statues OR there will literally be Hell to pay. He talks about the good that will come from obeying and the punishment that will come from not. So, with these 2 things in my head and it has really made me start thinking of what will really happen at the end of the world. And yes, I do think there will be an end and for those who aren't Christ followers.............I mean REAL Christ followers, they will regret their decision. I know this is not a normal post for me. I DO prefer the warm and fuzzy New Testament with Jesus and all the love. But there is a price to pay for not believing. You may not like this post and think it's "mean", but it is what I believe. So, it made me start wondering why someone would not believe and to me, it all came down to the Devil winning those people over. Yup, I said it. However you want to picture the Devil, I see him as evil. I don't know if he is red with horns or whatever.....and the truth is I don't care what he looks like. But I do know the forms he can take: he can be sneaky and worm his way in slowly or he can jump in you all at once and take over. He loves to see people be mean to each other, talk trash and gossip, beat each other, kill each other, become addicted to drugs, alcohol, etc. He loves seeing Christ followers stumble- it gives him hope he can eventually take them over. I never thought much about him before. We don't discuss him at church that much cause it would give him "coverage" if you know what I mean. He would love the spotlight, even if it was negative, cause it's still attention. It hit me today when I was at the Y working out, the Today show was on and it was discussing a book coming out that had to do with children who are nothing like their parents, both good and bad ways. One was the Columbine boys who killed all those people. A part in the book that really got my attention was the mom of one of those boys who did the killing. She said when she found out it WAS her son doing the shooting, she prayed that he would be killed before anyone else got hurt. And it hit me, that maybe she saw Satan was working in her son and she wanted him out in one way or another. I've noticed on FaceBook (especially with the Presidential Election) all the nasty things said about each other. I know people are passionate, but I have seen some truly ugly posts. The devil LOVES that those people wrote that. I'm sure he is smiling when people use a tool like Face Book to be ugly and mean to each other. And I am guilty of it sometimes too. I am not innocent. No one is. I use to think only extreme Christians talked Fire and Brimstone. Maybe I've become one. And ya know what, I'm proud of it if I have. Yes, I am a God and Jesus and Holy Spirit FREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I know where I'm going when it's all over. This world is full of idols we worship instead of Christ. Our money-that is hard to let go of. We feel secure with it. The more the better. But let me give you a little earfull here- it's ain't going with you when you leave this place. And none of the stuff you have is either. Now, I am surely guilty of it-materialism. I drive a nice big car, I live in a nice house, my family wants for nothing. I have lots of things that I have purchased over the years that I thought would make me happy. Thought it would make me complete. But it never did. I bought and bought most of my life but never felt full. I still fight it. And sometimes I lose, but lately I win (God wins) more and more. So, I feel the devil or evil or whatever you want to call it tugging on me all the time: when I want to buy something I do not need, sitting around with friends and gossip or people bashing comes up, my mouth (which has always been an extreme challenge for me), etc. I know the Devil loves it when I screw up. But in my heart I know Jesus Christ is MY Lord and Savior, and though I stumble and fight it everyday, I am saved. My children are saved (if you know the Book of Revalations you understand this part about children). Many people call themselves Christians, but they don't act it. They may go to church or may not.....but you can't tell they are Christians in their everyday actions. And I agree with Chan (Crazy Love author)...........I don't think God will be welcoming them into heaven on Judgement Day. Anyone can SAY anything, but if you do not live it.........it doesn't count. We are saved by grace, but it is in the Bible that you have to live it too. If you say you are a Christ Follower but do not truly strive for that life, it's not real. It's just something coming out of your mouth. Actions speak louder than words.