Tag Archives: Satan

Immanuel, “God With Us”

Posted by joshuajmasters on

nativity2We all know the story of Christmas, but do we grasp its true meaning? We often forget that Christ’s sacrifice did not start at the cross, but when he left his Throne of Glory to enter our world as baby of hope–Immanuel. He saw that his children were lost, scared and alone. He saw the claws of a dragon sinking into the souls of his most beloved creation, and he gave up everything to bring them home and destroy the one who sought to bring us harm. In an 1854 Christmas Eve service Charles Spurgeon said:

“‘Immanuel.’ It is wisdom’s mystery, ‘God with us.’ Sages look at it and wonder. Angels desire to see it… ‘God with us.’ It is Hell’s terror! Satan trembles at the sound of it. His legions fly apace, the black-winged dragon of the Pit quails before it! Let Satan come to you suddenly and do you but whisper that word, ‘God with us’—back he falls—confounded and confused! Satan trembles when he hears that name, ‘God with us.’”

Christmas Eve with the troops in Afghanistan.

Christmas Eve with the troops in Afghanistan.

As we open our gifts and gather with family today, please remember to pray for the troops who are serving far away from their families so we can safely spend Christmas with ours. Pray for the leaders of our nation, and for God to reveal truth within our own hearts. May the God of true freedom bless this nation and the people of Israel; may Immanuel truly be with us in our nation and in our hearts. Please join American Psalms in this Christmas Prayer for America.

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Please see the Condition of Use for this blog.
© Joshua J. Masters and American Psalms, 2012.
Photo Credits:
Nativity Photo by Joshua J Masters
ISAF Photo by U.S. Navy Mass Communications Specialist Petty Officer 1st Class Monica R. Nelson

The Cost of Freedom: A D-Day Remembrance

Posted by joshuajmasters on

Landing on the beaches of Normandy, June 6, 1944

“…The Tide has turned. The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
-General Dwight D. Eisenhower, D-Day order speech.

On the morning of June 6, 1944 more than 160, 000 Allied troops began their attack on Nazi strongholds along the beaches of Normandy, France in World War II.

5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the massive initiative where 9000 Allied troops were either killed or wounded. The cost was great, but it stopped the advance of Nazi Germany and allowed 100,000 troops to begin their advance through Europe, liberating those nations oppressed by the Nazis and eventually defeating Hitler.

Fellow soldiers built this memorial on a secured beach on D-Day

More than 65 years later,
D-Day still represents the greatest example of humanity’s stand against evil. Hitler sought to conquer the earth and annihilate the chosen people of God. He tried to bring about a world government of oppression and false worship; he tried to place himself upon a throne of greatness painted with the blood of God’s saints. But hundreds of thousands of Allied troops called out in one voice, “This evil will not stand,” and as many as 6000 soldiers died at Normandy to push the Nazis back.

Troops help wounded soldiers to safety on D-Day

We have a responsibility to remember the price that was paid to liberate our world. To many of us, D-Day is a thing of history, but all across this nation there are men quietly sitting this morning, remembering the horrific gates of Hell they walked through to protect future generations. These are the men to whom we owe our freedom. As we pray for our troops and remember the fallen, let us also give thanks to the God who delivered us from evil. He has purchased the deed to this earth with the blood of His son, and though Satan will try to destroy God’s people and bring the world into submission again, his power is counterfeit and fleeting. Until that day when he is chained, may God forever remind our hearts of freedom’s cost.

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Please see the Condition of Use for this blog.
© Joshua J. Masters and American Psalms, 2012.
Photo Credits:  U.S. Army Flickr Stream