By Michael E. Brooks

"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:11,12).

The Sunderbans, which lies partly in Bangladesh and partly in India, is the world's largest mangrove swamp. It is a true jungle environment, and contains many of the few remaining wild Bengal tigers. These tigers continue to be extremely dangerous, and every year several woodcutters and fisherman are killed by them. The tigers are protected by law and the jungle people are rarely armed, so are forced to find other means to defend themselves from attack. One means that is effective is to wear masks resembling human faces on the back of the head. The tiger is by nature an ambusher, relying on stealth to creep close to his intended victim before rushing to the kill. If he believes he is being observed by the victim he often will not attempt an attack, thinking the prey will be able to escape. Thus the mask deceives the tiger, making him think he is being watched, and danger is averted.

The Bible reminds us that Satan is a clever and powerful foe, able to attack from any direction and through a variety of means. We must be prepared for all of his wiles. It is not sufficient to simply wear a mask. He is not that easily fooled. But we are to wear the armor that God provides that is truly able to protect us. Faith, peace, truth, and righteousness not only give us warning of Satan's advances, but also help us to repel his attacks. Our sword, the word of God, is the weapon which allows us to do more than just stand him off. With it he is truly and finally defeated.

No one with any wisdom goes into the Sunderbans unprepared to avoid the attack of tigers. In the same way, no one in this world should be unaware of, and unprepared to face, Satan. He is by far the more powerful and dangerous foe. His attack leads not just to physical death but to "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (2 Thes. 1:9). Put on God's armor. Enlist the help of Jesus who "bruised his (Satan's) head" and defeated him for all time. Through him we too are more than conquerors over Satan. We will reign victorious eternally, while Satan perishes in the pit prepared for him and all his followers.

By Michael E. Brooks

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish it?" (Lk. 14:28).

On one trip to Suriname I met a taxi driver who was attending our campaign. He offered to drive me to various appointments and I accepted, assuming that I would pay for the rides. After the first trip I asked what I owed, and he responded, "don't worry about it now, we will settle up after the end of the campaign." Some days later we did "settle up", at what I felt was a very exorbitant rate. Unfortunately any opportunity for negotiating was past, and I felt compelled to accept his terms.

Jesus advises us to arrange terms in advance. Know what you want to do, and assess the costs of your actions in advance. With regard to discipleship, he teaches:

"If any man comes to me, and hates not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" (Lk. 14:26,27).

Following Jesus requires absolute commitment. Too many "would be" disciples make an initial decision to be a Christian, but soon find that the cost is greater than they anticipated. They are like the seed scattered among the thorns in Jesus' parable of the sower (Matt. 13:3-23). The "care of the world" chokes the word and the recipient becomes unfruitful. When it becomes time to "settle up", he is unable or unwilling to pay the price.

The same principle also works when it comes to sin. Satan entices us with promises of pleasure or gain, but does not tell us what our actions will cost us in the long run. We aren't told that the alcohol or drugs that promise us a good time will eventually cost our health, our jobs, our families, and our lives. But millions have realized far too late that that is the true price. Similarly the unethical and ruthless practices that provide profit and prosperity will cost far more than they produce in lost trust, ruined reputations, and broken relationships.

Now when I get in a taxi, anywhere in the world, I first ask, "how much?" If the cost is more than I feel it should be I get out and try another car. I follow the same principle in spiritual matters. Christ is upfront with us, letting us know exactly what he requires. Satan, on the other hand, is deceptive, concealing the final bill until it is too late for us to negotiate and choose whether what we have gained is truly worth the price we pay. Yes, the cost of discipleship is high, but only until we consider the exorbitant cost of not being Jesus' follower. Satan's is the price we can never afford to pay.

By Michael E. Brooks

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7).

Many have observed, "be careful what you ask for, you might receive it." Perhaps the best known illustration of this principle was legendary King Midas, whose wish for the "golden touch" turned into tragedy.

I observed a real life example a few years ago in Nepal's Chitwan National Park. Several groups of tourists made daily excursions into the jungle looking for some of the native plants, birds and animals preserved there. Especially prized were sightings of the endangered one horned Asian rhinoceros. Such sightings were made more easily and with much greater safety from the backs of domesticated elephants, but each day groups also hiked the trails, looking for rhinos.

One morning our group returned from a different activity to find some of the day's hikers in a mood of great excitement. They had seen rhinos! But they had not just seen them; they had actually experienced a mother rhino's charge, when they came upon her and her calf and got too close. To say they got more than they had hoped for is undoubtedly a great understatement. Fortunately there were no injuries, but the situation was one of great danger.

Wishes are often rashly and hastily expressed. We want something, but do not consider all the ramifications of what the gratification of that desire will be. Young couples want a baby, often without really making the commitment to financial responsibility, discipline and the nurture and guidance that the child will definitely require. Young people desire to "grow up", but again without thinking through the responsibilities of adulthood.

This is the beginning of a new year. It is traditionally a time of goal setting and resolution. Have you thought through all your goals, all your hopes for the year? Are you prepared for the responsibilities and consequences which achieving them will entail? Remember, our Lord promises that we will receive that for which we ask him. Setting goals and making resolutions is a good thing, but only if we do so thoughtfully, responsibly, and with the commitment of which the goals are worthy.

by Michael E. Brooks

"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.' …And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men'" (Lk. 2:10,13,14).

When one is traveling in distant places, few things are as welcome as good news from home. No news has ever equaled the "good tidings of great joy" brought that night in Palestine so many years ago. The angels were the first proclaimers of the gospel in what is now known as New Testament times, and their proclamation included the essential elements of the message God had purposed from the very beginning.

The news of Jesus is a message of great joy. There is much misery and sorrow in this world. War, disease, poverty, and death fill our consciousness and shape our lives. Yet we are not doomed to unhappiness. God loves us and desires to redeem us from the evil that has overtaken the world. Christians rejoice, for Christ has come.

The news of Jesus is a universal message. The message of joy is to be for all people. No one is excluded on the basis of race, color, social status, wealth, or age. Christ has come for all. Paul states, "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Rom. 10:13). There are no exceptions.

The news of Jesus is a message of peace. He is the means of reconciliation of man to God, man to man, and man to self. Through Jesus we find "the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding" (Phil. 4:7). In this world of constant war, terrorism, and crime, peace is the goal we all strive for. In Christ we find it.

The news of Jesus is a message of Divine Glory. He is God's act of redemption. Man did not compel him to descend to the earth. Man did not earn God's love. Jesus is the gift of grace, showing God's infinite love, wisdom and justice. Because of the good news of Jesus we praise God and bring eternal glory to his name.

By Michael E. Brooks

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8).

Our team had been in Parimaribo, Suriname for only a day or so when we saw the headlines in the newspaper, "Jaguar escapes from local zoo." Since Parimaribo is not a very large city, some of us were understandably concerned about the possibility of a confrontation with the animal. When we mentioned this to local people, their reaction was a casual dismissal. One said, "Don't worry, it will turn up." In fact it did, inside a house, making a meal of the family dog.

A few years ago I read an interview with a prominent humanist. This agnostic was asked about the possibility of life after death. The response was another casual dismissal. "Let the future take care of itself; if there is life after death we will deal with it then."

Common to both these situations is the undeniable fact that if one waits until the beast "turns up" every advantage is given to the beast. Do you really want to walk into a dark house where a hungry jaguar is waiting? In the same way, if Biblical teaching of eternity, judgment and responsibility is true, then should we wait until we verify that truth after death before we attempt to prepare? We cannot; it will simply be too late.

I am reminded of Peter's description of Satan as a roaming predator. He is real, he is "out there" and he is looking for us. Peter's command is that we be ever watchful and prepared. Don't be taken by surprise. What pertinent and appropriate advice. No human is equipped to take on a lion unprepared or unarmed. We need all the warning we can get. In our confrontations with the "powers of darkness" we are even more overmatched. We must be prepared, and we must have help. The New Testament is filled with exhortations and instructions designed to help us survive such encounters. Some representative verses are:

"Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good" (Rom. 12:9b).

"Abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thes. 5:22).

"Pray that you may not enter into temptation" (Lk. 22:40).

"But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness" (1 Tim. 5:11).

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you" (Phil. 4:8-9).

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).

"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary" (Galatians 6:9).

Preparation to confront Satan is of two kinds. First there is the defensive watch. Don't let him surprise you. Be aware and alert at all times. When he appears, run! Avoid danger, flee from danger, watch for danger. These are sensible and necessary precautions. But they are not all of our preparation.

The second kind of preparation is offensive in nature. It consists of learning and doing God's will and of being continuously busy in good works. In sports there is a truism, "the best defense is a good offense." In Cricket, as long as your team is batting, the other team cannot score. Similarly in soccer, if your team is controlling the ball on the opponent's end of the field, they cannot put it in your net. So it is in spiritual matters. Idleness gives Satan great advantage. No victim is easier to attack that one which is asleep. However, when we are actively involved in doing God's will and in maintaining close relations with him, Satan has no opportunity to harm us. Danger is real, but we can survive and triumph if we remain alert and if we remain in service to Almighty God.