Tag: Satan

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Satan Is Your Enemy

I’ve learned that in life, some people are peace-stealers. They feel it’s their calling to aggravate you, try to make you look bad, and tell you what you can or can’t do. They’ll try to bait you into an argument to get you upset, annoyed and frustrated. But don’t take the bait! Nothing is worth losing your peace over. They may think they’re getting the best of you, but in the end, God can use that to take you higher.

When people come against you, choose to keep your peace. Choose to forgive. Pray for that person because that’s how you disarm the enemy against you. Scripture says your battle isn’t against flesh and blood. In other words, that person isn’t your enemy; the accuser satan, is your enemy. He’s trying to bring division and get you upset.

Today, when you choose to keep peace, when you keep walking in love and keep a smile on your face, you are overcoming his tactics. That’s how you win. Choose peace today, choose to walk in love, and choose the victory God has prepared for you!

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:28, NIV).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for giving me Your peace and strength today. Father, I choose to hold my peace and bless those who come against me. I choose to walk in love and forgiveness so that I can honour You. God, help me not to be a peace stealer in the lives of others, in Jesus’ name! Amen.

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Satan Attacks

Sometimes I sit back and think that these attacks from the enemy never stop. With the more we do kingdom work for God, the more we seem to be his target practice. Jesus said, “Simon, listen to me! Satan has demanded the right to test each one of you, as a farmer does when he separates wheat from the husks. But Simon, I have prayed that your faith will be strong. And when you have come back to me, help the others” (Luke 22:31-32 CEV).
We often face the most severe attack when we’re living out God’s plan for our lives – when we are in His will. When we’re determined to make a difference in the world for His glory, to advance His kingdom, we’ll most likely face more intense attacks from Satan, as he doesn’t want us to be doing kingdom work. But we need to remember God is in control. He has given us ‘all authority in heaven and on earth’. So when we’re feeling under attack, from addiction to sexual sin and everything in between, we shouldn’t give up. When we’re going through tough times, remember we serve a tough God, who is setting us up for a massive blessing and testimony of God’s goodness.
Today, just like in Luke 22, ‘Jesus was allowing you… to experience a trial so that you can encourage your brothers’. He knows that the church, and the world, need to see and hear real stories of His power. So our difficulties may be preparing us to encourage others who are struggling and heartbroken. Open your mouth, testify not only to your brothers but to your enemies. Remember what Joseph said to his brothers: ‘You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good’. Since God loves us and is in control of our lives, good things will come from the difficulties we’re going through right now.
‘Satan has demanded the right to test each one of you.’ (Luke 22:31 CEV).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I receive Your authority today over all evil, sickness and demonic forces, based upon Your Word. Thank You for exposing the enemy’s plans to me. I bless You God, for loving me and equipping me for the battle ahead. I receive Your armour today, and will stand behind You as You fight for me. God, please remove my defeatist mindset, as I claim victory today. In Jesus’ name! Amen.
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Have You Ever Been Visited By The Devil?

Has the devil ever visited you? Well, he visited Jesus, and there are some things we can learn from the encounter between Jesus and the devil.

Scripture says three times the devil tried to disguise a temptation as something good. Turning stones to bread would have sounded good to someone who had just fasted for 40 days. Satan also used Scripture, trying to twist its meaning to tempt Jesus, but He stood firm, drawing strength from God’s Word to resist the devil.

Then Satan tried to dazzle Jesus with an offer to give him all the power and authority he deserved. But Jesus turned to the Scriptures again, showing us that God’s Word is far stronger than Satan – and any temptations he can throw at us.

Today we learn, because the devil tempted Jesus, and Jesus was truly human. Jesus truly understands what it is like to struggle as we do. Jesus did not sin. Because Jesus did not sin, we know that He is truly God and powerful enough to save us. The Bible says, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one [Jesus] who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet he did not sin.”. This should give us hope that through Christ we can be victors over sin.

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (Matthew 4:1).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for giving me advice in your Word that I need to resist the devil. Father, when I fall, thank you for providing the power that is forever strong enough to save and restore me. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

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Overcoming Sin And Temptation

Sin, Happiness, and Breaking Out of Spiritual Boredom

Just as pollution demoralises the planet today, sin devastated the Garden of Eden. Through man’s disobedience, sin gained a foothold in God’s garden and turned it into a garbage dump.

Adam and Eve had always enjoyed protection in the garden, they fell for the serpent’s deception and exposed themselves to danger. In the middle of the garden, God had placed a special tree called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and He had instructed Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit of this tree.

When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, their disobedience infected all of humanity with the virus of sin. But Jesus’ perfect obedience led Him to the cross, making it possible for His followers to receive forgiveness of sin.

Remember temptation always brings a choice. It is an opportunity either to come under God’s authority and have victory or to go our own way and suffer defeat. Alone we are helpless victims, but with the Lord we are more than conquerors. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus, the perfect God-man, obeyed the Father fully. Satan got the upper hand in the first garden. But in the second garden, Jesus submitted to His Father’s will, guaranteeing Satan’s defeat and giving us victory over sin.

Today, if you are not walking in the power of the one who defeated sin, then sin is defeating you. But just as one tree of temptation held sway over Adam, through the tree (cross) of Calvary, Jesus defeated death and gave all who call on His name hope.

“[T]he Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:9) 

 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, help me recognize and resist the enemy’s schemes. Father, give me strength to emerge victorious from times of temptation. God teach me to resist the devil so that he may flee from me in the Christ’s name. Amen.

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Wisdom Wednesday’s Lets talk about the ‘F’ word.

Forgiveness “is” an act or process of healing, reframing, letting go, and moving on from an offense or negative experience. It can be one of the most difficult things we are commanded to do. It requires us to trust God completely with the future of our lives in a way that restores, reconciles, where necessary, and regains trust.

Let’s dispel some myths about forgiveness…

1. Forgiveness is not forgetting.

2. Forgiving does not mean you no longer feel the pain of their offense. 3. Forgiving doesn’t mean you cease longing for justice.

4. Forgiveness does not mean you make it easy for the offender to hurt you again.

5. Forgiveness is rarely a one-time event. We are called by God to forgive. When we do, it can lead to deeper levels of intimacy and vulnerability in our relationships.

The fact is Satan gains ground in our lives when we don’t forgive. So maybe it’s time that we regain ground by choosing to forgive?

– Pastor Sophia Peart

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The Battle for the Mind 

10 Scriptures That Remind Us We Are Showered in Grace

In my book “Transforming Your Mind In 30 Days,” I allude to the fact, that there is a battle going on for control of your mind. Heaven and earth intersect there, and both spheres influence your thinking. God created us with the capacity to experience the foretastes of heaven, but we must somehow shut out the world and focus on His presence in order to experience it. 

The world has a downward pull on our thoughts. Media bombards us with greed, lust, and cynicism. We must pray for protection and discernment over our minds. We must stay in continual communication with God as we walk through the wastelands of this world. 

We must refuse to worry because this will weigh us down and block awareness of His presence. We must remain on guard, stay alert and recognize the battle being waged against our minds as we look forward to an eternity free of strife-free living reserved for us in heaven. 

Paul reminds us that the mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. John says do not love the world or anything in the world because the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 

Today how are you doing in your battle for your mind? Who is winning …? the way of the world (satan) or the way of heaven (God)? Electronic communications, the media, and the grip of Satan on the world around us makes this a fierce battle and even more difficult for those not grounded in the Word of God. It is daily. It is constant, but for those of us who have professed Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we know God will win in the end in the battle for our minds. Hallelujah! 

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. “ Romans 12:2 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh my God of Comfort, I am seeking tranquillity for my mind. As I pray and meditate upon Your Word, my mind often drifts to my to-do lists and needs. I pause now from my day. I breathe out a deep sigh from within my soul and ask, will You please quiet my negative thoughts? Help me remember all Your goodness to me. Deliver me from anxiety and the battle that rages for control of my mind. In Christ’s name Amen. 

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How To Overcome Evil 

The Devil Does Not Shoot BlanksThe Devil Does Not Shoot Blanks

If you live in this world, you will experience evil. Therefore, we should expect it and be prepared to deal with it. You may ask how should we respond to evil? 

Pray against it. In Matthew 6:13 the Lord’s prayer says. “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Our human pride often makes us think we can deal with evil on our own. We cannot! If we try, we will fail. We must pray to our God and ask for deliverance. 

Speak God’s word at it. In Matthew 4:1-11 we see Jesus’ response to evil. Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. How did He respond? He quoted Scripture. Imagine being face to face with Satan, the author of evil. Jesus shows us the utmost importance of knowing God’s Word and being able to speak it in the face of evil! 

Expose it.  Ephesians 5:11 says “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Our current culture teaches complete tolerance. We are expected to accept and tolerate any behaviour, even if the behaviour directly violates God’s Word. While we are expected, as Christians, to respond to sin with a certain level of grace and love, evil should in no way, under any circumstance be tolerated. It should be EXPOSED! We should take no part in it. 

Hate it. Romans 12:9 tells us “Let love be genuine. Hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Our culture has turned evil into entertainment. We pay money to see evil unfold on the big screen. We make time to sit in our own homes and watch evil on the television and we find ourselves numb to the actual presence of evil when we see it on the news or right before our very eyes. Saints, we must recognize evil and hate it. 

Let God handle It. Ephesians 6:12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood…” Wars are waged to fight against evil nations and their leaders. We also have punishments in place to deal with evil people. We should be thankful for the laws of our land and the protection provided by law enforcement, but we must also remember our responsibility as individuals are to give it to God, we cannot fight in this war for the battle isn’t ours it’s God’s. 

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I praise you for your love and faithfulness towards me. Father, I praise you for being a perfect, holy, trustworthy God that is bigger than all the evil I will experience on earth. Lord, I ask that you give me eyes to see when evil is before me, a heart to hate evil and the desire to flee from its presence. God, deliver me from evil and draw me close to you. In Christ’s name. Amen. 

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Overcoming Anger 

Anger is an easy subject to discuss because we’ve all been there. Anger can start with a minor irritation that makes us mad. But sometimes it is a serious offence that leads to anger. Either way, the question is, which direction will you let your anger take you? 

In scripture, Jonah was a man who knew something about being angry. He ran from God in disobedience, but the Lord saved him out of the belly of a whale and gave him a second chance. He took that chance and went to tell the people of Nineveh that their sin was going to bring the wrath of God. They listened, repented, and God “changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened”. But instead of being thankful for the lives that were saved, Jonah was angry! He wanted judgment brought on others, although he was just saved. “The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” 

Today, satan would like nothing more than for you to be eaten up with resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness until you find yourself in a place where you can’t escape. Remember Satan drives us but God guides us. Choose the one you want leading you. 

“I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart…” – Ezekiel 11:19 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, please take my stony, stubborn heart and turn it into a tender, responsive heart that seeks You and your will above all else. Father, forgive me of any bitterness I harbour help me to find release and peace in you alone. God, I thank you for your grace, mercy, and the work you are doing in my life. In Christ’s Name, Amen 

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I AM FREE!

If you’ve done things wrong (and we all have), the forgiveness that comes from God through the blood of Jesus can lift the guilt and shame, and take the weight from your shoulders. The key to God’s forgiveness is knowing and accepting that Christ gave His life to pay the price for the things you’ve done wrong. There is no sin that God cannot forgive. God’s forgiveness is made complete by asking Christ into your life, and surrendering your life to Him. Remember your sin doesn’t take away your purpose or calling.

Today, God is speaking to your heart and drawing you to Himself. He doesn’t want you to perish. God wants to give you life. He wants you to pass from death to life. He wants to take you out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness and bring you into God’s Kingdom. The way He does that is by saying to you, ‘your sins are forgiven.’ Can you imagine what it’s like to have all your sins forgiven? To have the load taken off of your back and to be set free? Accept it today and experience God’s freedom.

Gods Promises
Claim them today;
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 


Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I believe that You are the Son of God. I believe that You are the only Saviour promised to me who will give me eternal life. God, I want to be set free from my sin. I don’t want to be a slave to sin any longer. Take away my guilt and shame today, cover me with Your blood, break the devil’s hold on me and remove the curse. Give me the faith to believe it is done. Christ, I receive You as my Lord and Saviour. I want to be Your child, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
On Fri, 30 Jul 2021 at 08:19, rayofhope 4u <rayofhope4u@hotmail.com> wrote:
I AM FREE!

If you’ve done things wrong (and we all have), the forgiveness that comes from God through the blood of Jesus can lift the guilt, shame and take the weight from your shoulders. The key to God’s forgiveness is knowing and accepting that Christ gave His life to pay the price for the things you’ve done wrong. There is no sin that God cannot forgive. God’s forgiveness is made complete by asking Christ into your life and surrendering your life to Him. Remember your sin doesn’t take away your purpose or calling.

Today, God is speaking to your heart and drawing you to Himself. He doesn’t want you to perish. God wants to give you life. He wants you to pass from death to life. He wants to take you out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness and bring you into God’s Kingdom. The way He does that is by saying to you, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Can you imagine what it’s like to have all your sins forgiven? To have the load taken off of your back and to be set free? Accept it today and experience God’s freedom.

Gods Promises
Claim them today;
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I believe that you are the Son of God. I believe that you are the only Savior, promised to me who will give me eternal life. God, I want to be set free from my sin. I don’t want to be a slave to sin any longer. Take away my guilt and shame today, cover me with your blood, break the devils hold on me and remove the curse. Give me the faith to believe it is done. Christ, I receive You as my Lord and saviour. I want to be your child in Christ’ name Amen.

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Don’t Let Go Of Hope

Ray of Hope

A week ago today, satan thought he had won. Christ was in the grave, the disciple’s were hiding, and many followers of Christ had quit. It’s the same today, during our trials and hopeless situations he wants us to give up and quit so he can have the victory in our lives. But, just like Christ we can overcome him through the almighty power of God!  

Today, remember we still have resurrection miracle working power, which always confuses the enemy. Christ’s power today is the same yesterday, today and forever. No matter what weapon the enemy may throw at you, it cannot penetrate the blood defence that Christ has put around you! Guard your hope, your joy and your victory in Christ, because they are God-given blessings that He wants you to enjoy each day. Hallelujah! 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for hope, resurrection power and the blood defence of Calvary. Father, please do not allow the enemy to overcome me. Help me to guard my joy, my hope and my victories in Christ, which are gifts from You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.  

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BE A CHANGE-MAKER

Matthew 11:11-12 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist, yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. (NIV)

When I was young, I could never understand that passage of Scripture. To me, it was so unlike the Spirit of the Lord. How could a God of love and peace allow this to happen? Forcefulness sounded so like the kingdom of darkness. But praise the Lord, for He is always faithful to show you the truth if you ask Him. So, why then is it, that this Scripture is there?

It all boils down to passion! You see if you are passionate about something there is nothing on this earth that will stop you from getting the thing you think about. The desire and the drive are so strong that oftentimes you will go without food and water in order to get it. It’s time to get hungry for the Lord and get your fight back and make a change.

Why do you not have the things you’re believing God for? Why is it that your life is not at the place you want it to be? Are you passionate about a change? Are you passionate to see your circumstances change? Or are you listening to the lie of Satan telling you, you need to sit and wait for your turn and accept everything that is given to you? Your turn is now! You don’t have to accept defeat because you are an overcomer. You were ordained to do great things. So, get up and make a change!

Joh 2:13-17 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

Jesus was very passionate about the temple, and that passion drove Him to drive out the unclean things in His Father’s house. The Lord may have passed by that temple before; but today, the Lord had enough of their foolishness. He was the Change Maker, and He caused things to change.

Well, isn’t time you allow your passion to rise and cause a change to happen in your life? I want you to get passionate today and let that passion drive you. Allow the Lord to work in you and for you so that you can become a new creation in Him and let all these things standing in your way be blown away by the power of the Holy Spirit. By faith take back everything the enemy has stolen from you. It’s time to be a change-maker for the Lord.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

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Don’t Engage with the Enemy’s Lies

Wrestling with Doubt and Disbelief

When that guy cat-calls you just to get a reaction, what do you do? You ignore him and keep walking.

When that bully pushes all of your buttons just to make you mad, what do you do? you tune them out and move on.

When somebody tries to convince you of something you know 100% isn’t true, you don’t even give it a second thought before you dismiss the argument.

So why don’t we use this tactic against the father of all lies, a.k.a the enemy that is out to destroy your life? Just don’t engage. As soon as you do, he wins. He is cunning, crafty, and manipulative, and he’s only after your heart. He wants to crush it and mutate it and trample it underfoot until there’s nothing left for God to use.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” John 10:10a

I know this isn’t easy. Trust me, I’m a thinker. Overthinking is my second nature, if not my first nature. I have to think through everything, especially when faced with a conflict. If somebody challenges my opinion, my first reaction is to analyze the entire argument…

What are they saying?
Do I agree or disagree? Why?
What do I think?
How does that compare to what they think?
What is true?
What evidence affirms/denies my argument?
Is there any way there is truth in both arguments?
Why do they think what they think?
Why do I think what I think?

And it goes on …

and on …

and on.

I think you get the idea. By the way, all of that overthinking happens in about 2 seconds. It’s an intense self-interrogation until I think my way into a solution that makes sense to me, so I can feel at peace with what I believe and move on.

Sometimes this is a really useful skill, but the enemy knows exactly how to use it for my deepest undoing. The problem with using the “overthinking tactic” against Satan is that he doesn’t care about logic. His goal is not to convince me that his argument makes more sense. In fact, he doesn’t even care about what he says. He doesn’t even believe the lies himself.

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder.”

James 2:19

Satan knows God. He knows scripture. He knows what the truth is, and his goal is to keep you as far away from it as possible. He knows the power that God’s word can have in your life and that terrifies him. He will say whatever it takes to get you to question God and doubt His goodness, and the moment you try to reason with him, you’ve fallen into his trap.

I say all of this because I fall into the trap far too often. The devil uses people near and dear to me to convince me of his lies because he knows it works with almost 100% accuracy. Because their opinion matters so much to me, I will over-analyze their every word and body language to my own demise. Something they say – or don’t say – pricks one of my insecurities (unbeknownst to that person), and the trap has been set. Suddenly, I’m hit with an avalanche of thoughts like these:

“They just don’t care enough about you to ask about your day.”

“You’re stupid for thinking ______ would happen.”

“You’re too dramatic, emotional, etc.”

“It’s your fault that you can’t handle this feeling.”

The first step is to recognize the lie. Now, to do this, you have to know the Truth. No, that’s not a typo. I meant Truth with a capital “T” because you have to know God’s Word, and His word is Truth. Once you start to bury His word in your heart, and begin to recognize his voice, you can more easily discern truth from lies.

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

 Deuteronomy 6:6-7

But it doesn’t stop there! That’s where I made my mistake. I thought, “If I recognize the lie, it will become invalid and it won’t sting anymore.”

False.

Satan is more crafty than that, and he was already one step ahead of me. See, he recognized how I use my interrogation process to reconcile a contradicting thought, so he used it against me. He used it to blur the lines between lie and Truth. So he takes me down this rabbit hole to confuse me and muddle the words of God until I feel so lost, confused, and heartbroken that I can’t even remember what lie got the whole thing started to begin with. He knows how I look for the middle ground to make sense of things, but there is no middle ground between what the devil says and what God says.

So no, it CANNOT end with recognizing the lie. You have to take the next step and make the choice not to engage with the lie. Now, if you’re a thinker like me, this will be hard. Like really, really hard. But you have to choose to look the other way. Change your posture to look toward your loving, protective, jealous, Heavenly Father. Tell the enemy you don’t have time for his games. Don’t try to argue with him and tell him why his lie is a lie and why God’s Truth wins, because he already knows it, and he doesn’t care. He’ll just twist everything around until you find yourself lost in a muddy mess of nothing that makes any sense whatsoever.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:18

To sum it up…

  1. Study Truth, that is, the Word of God.
  2. Recognize the lie, which is not the Word of God.
  3. Don’t Engage. Choose to meditate on and dwell in the Word of God.

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Joshua 1:8

This is not something that my genius, overthinking brain came up with one day. This is something that the Holy Spirit whispered to me, and by God’s grace alone, I heard it. I was on the brink of yet another panic attack and fearful of going back down that dark road. I was on the brink of forming another unsuccessful argument for why the lie was a lie and trying to figure out a way to outsmart the devil this time, and the Holy Spirit simply said, “don’t engage with the lie.” Of course I tried to overthink and analyze again, but He didn’t relent. He just kept telling me, “Don’t engage with the lie. It’s not worth it. Just keep looking at Me. Lean on the love of your Father instead of your own knowledge for once.” Hey, that sounds familiar, right?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

So go ahead. Give the enemy the cold shoulder. Hit him with the silent treatment. Then you will taste freedom. Remember the second half of John 10:10…

“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10b

Go live in the abundant life Christ bought for you. The enemy’s lies are not worth your time, precious child of God.

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Let’s Pray Differently

7 Heroes of Faith and the Power of Prayer in Their Lives

Lately, I’ve found myself constantly praying for God to change my situations.

As if he doesn’t realize how messed up the world is. How broken we are. How chaotic 2020 has felt. I ask Him to change the circumstances surrounding me as if He’s just sitting up in heaven watching Netflix completely unaware of what’s happening in this world He created. As if He’s forgotten about us down here. But He hasn’t. He knows what’s happening. Nothing that happens in this world happens without his consent. He’s allowing it to continue to happen because He’s not done doing what He’s planning to do with it. Are you following?

Now let’s turn to the Old Testament superstar of struggle… Job. His story is unique in that we get a little glimpse at the dialogue between God and Satan. Satan and his angels come to God and get this… he had to ask God’s permission to mess with Job’s life. God literally gave His consent for the enemy to do whatever he wanted with everything Job had, but with an important condition: “…but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” (Job 1:12b)

For those of you that aren’t familiar with the story, Satan proceeded to take away everything Job had including all of his livestock and fields, his wife and children, and even his health. He left Job broke and alone, but through all of Job’s struggles and heartache, God was never worried because He still held Job’s life. God’s protection was on him the whole time.

So now that we’ve seen God’s side of it, let’s look at Job’s perspective. How did he respond? Well Satan’s plan here was to get Job to curse the name of God, but Job wouldn’t do it. Even after everything was taken from him and his three friends blamed him for his misfortune and gave him a bunch of bad advice, Job still praised God. His faith was not shaken. He prayed things like this:

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” – Job 23:10

and this…

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” – Job 42:2

Even when he had nothing, Job still held on to the faith that God would use all of those awful circumstances to refine him like gold. He still acknowledged God’s power and honored Him. I want to pray like Job.

Instead of praying for God to change my circumstances, I want to pray that God will never stop using my circumstances to change me. I challenge you to do the same. Instead of praying for God to “fix” things so they can go back to our broken version of “normal,” let’s ask Him to keep shaking things up until they’re better, new, and more reflective of His kingdom.

“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven…'” – Matthew 6:9-10 (emphasis mine)

Let’s ask Him to change our hearts in the face of uncertainty rather than asking Him to make COVID-19 go away. Let’s ask Him to cover our family with peace in the face of loss rather than blaming him for taking our loved one away. Let’s ask Him to change the hearts of those corrupted by power and authority instead of acting in violence in response to offense. Let’s ask for the coming of His glorious kingdom rather than asking for a perfect life in our own little bubble.

Because here’s the thing: circumstances will always change and more often than not, they will be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and difficult. So let’s stop complaining and wishing for an easier life.

Sooner or later, you’ll have to respond, and it’s how we respond that matters. It’s how God is using it to make us look more like Him that matters. It’s how it fits in to the bigger picture of the redemption of God’s creation that matters.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” – Thessalonians 5:16-18

So, let’s not get swept up in trying to pray away our problems. Let’s take up a different stance, and pray through them, because that allows God to change us, grow us, and mold us to better reflect His glory.

Remember, nothing in this world happens without God’s consent. Your bad day didn’t sneak past His radar while He was enjoying His morning coffee. He allows our circumstances to be difficult because He wants us to be a little uncomfortable, because that’s when we turn to Him and lean on Him so He can remind us of His power and glory. So let’s embrace whatever circumstance we find ourselves in and commit to seeking out the Lord and His goodness. Because no matter how broken we are, He is always good.

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How can I teach my children to resist temptation?

How can I teach my children to resist temptation?

It seemed to Eve a small matter to eat of the forbidden tree, the fruit was pleasant to the eye and to the taste desirable to make one wise. But what terrible results!

It was not a small matter to forfeit allegiance to God. It opened the floodgates of sin to our world. Oh, the amount of evil which can come from one false step in life! Our eye must not be fixed on earth, but upward to Heaven. We must pass through dangers and difficulties, making advance at every step, gaining victories in every conflict, still rising higher and higher our standard of Christianity. As you do this the earth’s attractions will sink out of sight and the heavenly landscape opens with clearness and beauty. You will see the crown, the white robe, the harp, the palm branch of victory and immortality will be within your reach.

If we lose everything else, we should keep conscience pure and sensitive. When asked to go where there is the least danger of offending God, doing that which you cannot do with a pure conscience, do not fear or hesitate. Look the enemy of God firmly in the face and say, “No; I will not imperil my soul for any worldly attraction. I love and fear God. I will not venture to dishonor or disobey Him for the riches of the world or the love and favor of a host of worldly relatives. I love Jesus who died for me. He has bought me. I am the purchase of His blood. I will be true to His claims, and my example shall never be an excuse for any to turn from the straight path of duty. I will not be the servant of Satan and of sin. My life shall be such as to leave a bright track heavenward.”

The time has come when every Christian must stand or fall according to his own merits. A few righteous acts, a few good impulses, may be presented to the mind as evidences of righteousness, but God requires the our whole heart. He will accept no divided affections. The whole being must be given to Him or He will not receive the offering.

We must now be learning the lessons of faith if we would stand in that time of trouble which is coming upon all the world to try them who dwell upon the face of the earth. We must have the courage of heroes and the faith of martyrs.

10 Ways To Resist The Devil

God gives us specific guidance to counteract the devil and his influence.

1. Be Ruled by the Word.

2. Beware of Grieving the Holy Spirit.

3. Labor for Wisdom.

4. Resist the First Stirring of Temptation.

5. Labor to Be Filled With the Spirit.

6. Keep Humble.

7. Be Constantly on Guard.

8. Continue Communing With God.

9. Do Not Engage Satan In Your Own Strength.

10. Pray Constantly.

A Prayer to Guard Your Heart  
Lord God, Captain of my heart, Satan knows if I follow Your Greatest Commandment — to love You with all my heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37) — he is powerless over me. Guard my heart, Lord Jesus, so that it beats for You alone. Don’t let me grow complacent toward You or be lured to love anyone or anything more than You. Remove the idols from my heart so that You alone command my allegiance and utmost affections Help me to love and forgive others as You have forgiven me so the enemy can get no foothold through hate or bitterness on my part. Cultivate in my heart Your love that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7, NASB). Finally, Lord, set my heart on things above, not on earthly things. Help me to remember that You died for me and my life is now hidden which Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-2). Increase my longing for heaven so this world holds no power over me.   

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A Letter to YOU from the Devil

A Letter to YOU from the Devil

I am working.


I do not care, and although people tend to depict me as an ugly two horned beast and a fork tail, this is false.

The truth is whoever knows the bible knows very well that I can still appear as an angel of light.

Actually, I go to church more often than many and feel particularly happy when I come across Christians who neglect to pray or read the Bible on a regular basis.

It is in this that I am filled with joy and even applaud.

This is because the less you pray and read the Bible, the more control I can exert over you.

My greatest joy is when at the moment of preaching, many are talking, distracted on the their mobile phones or to concerned with their appearance.

My greatest sadness is when I see the church singing. I turned against God along time ago, because I wanting to be his equal. As a result I was expelled from heaven and lost all my privileges and so I have made this earth my home.


Today in the church, *music is what I hate most*.
Therefore *I have set a spirit of pride and prostitution for the musicians*, (Ezekiel 28: 12,13,14,15).

*My end is near*. That is why in recent times I am working hard to bring crowds with me to hell.

My mission is to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).

I attract crowds with songs, dances, parties, alcoholic drinks, drugs, social networks, soap operas, movies, fame, fashion, lust, money, sexual pleasures etc.

I like to see women exposing there bodies to arouse the sensuality of men.

Many go to church with tight pants and short skirts.

I’m not afraid to reveal my secrets. I know very well that even when all this is said, there will be no improvement in you.

The things that make me angry in the church are: *fasting, prayers, intercession, and offerings*.

When I want someone not to go to church, I put thoughts like:

‘You are tired’, you are not fit to go to church … Then do not go!

‘The services are long and tiring’, do not go !!!

‘Rest, enjoy the TV!’

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‘It is all God’s fault’

'It is all God's fault'

‘It’s all Gods fault’It’s amazing how quickly even Christians blame God when things go wrong in our lives, even the question ‘Why me God’ points an accusing finger at our Father in heaven.

It’s been part of our old nature since Adam turned on God and blamed him for ‘the woman he gave him’ as being the one who caused the problem of sin. Eve learned the ‘blame game’ all too quickly and pointed to the serpent the real perpetrator.

At least Eve got it right, the only troublemaker; the one who always blames God, the one who is the accuser of the brethren is that old serpent Satan.

                    So being part of Adams race I too would have to blame God”¦

Its Gods fault that I am saved for he give me ‘the faith to believe in the grace that saved me’ Ephesians 2:8

Its Gods fault that I am ‘blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places’ Ephesians 1:3 instead of being cursed with a curse

Its Gods fault that I am healed for ‘Jesus himself took my infirmities and carried my sicknesses and by his stripes I am already healed’ Matthew 8:17 1st Peter 2:24

Its Gods fault that I am righteous for ‘Jesus himself became sin with my sin so that I would be the righteousness of God in him’ 2 Corinthians 5:21

God’s to blame for if he had left me alone I could have been in hell instead of heading for heaven

God’s to blame for giving me’ life more abundant’ John 10:10

God’s to blame for giving me ‘joy unspeakable and full of glory’ 1st Peter 1:8

God’s to blame for giving me ‘peace that passes all understanding’ Philippians 4:7

Its Gods fault that I am forgiven for he has promised that if I ‘confess my sin he is faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness’ 1st John 1:9

Its Gods fault that’ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ Philippians 4:13

Its Gods fault that I am ‘delivered from the power of darkness and have been translated into the kingdom of his dear Son’ Colossians 1:13

It’s God’s fault that I ‘have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins’ Colossians 1:14

God’s to blame for ‘blotting out the handwriting of laws that was against me, which was contrary to me and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross’ Colossians 2:14

God’s to blame for ‘baptising me in the Holy Ghost and power’  Acts 1:8

God’s to blame for ‘sending his Son who came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief’ 1st Timothy 1:15

God’s to blame for ‘every good and every precious gift that comes down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning’ James 1:17

Its Gods fault that I have ‘all things pertaining to life and to godliness according to his divine power’ 2Peter 1:3

Its Gods fault that I have been ‘given exceeding great and precious promises; that by these I might be a partaker of the divine nature’ 2Peter 1:4

Its Gods fault that I am prospering and am in perfect soundness of health even as my soul prospers’ 3rd John 2

Its Gods fault that I am not poor for in Christ, ‘the wealth of the sinner is laid up for me’ Proverbs 13:22 because ‘he became poor that I might be rich’ 2 Corinthians 8:9

God’s to blame for ‘he daily loads me with benefits’ Psalm 68:19

God’s to blame for he ‘has made me a little lower than the angels, and has given me dominion over the works of his hands; he has put all things under my feet’ Psalm 8:4-6

God’s to blame that I am not condemned for in Christ ‘there is now therefore no condemnation to those who walk after the spirit and not after the flesh’ Romans 8:1

God’s to blame that I am not fearful for ‘God did not give me a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind’ 2 Timothy 1:7

Its Gods fault that I am free for ‘he that the Son sets free is free indeed’ John 8:36

Its Gods fault that all my needs are met, for he has ‘provided all my need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus’ Philippians 4:19

Its Gods fault that I do not suffer from afflictions for ‘the Lord has delivered me out of them all’ Psalm 34:19

Its Gods fault that I am not stuck in ‘a horrible pit in miry clay for he brought me up and set my feet upon a rock and established my ways’ Psalm 40:2

Its Gods fault that I am not poor for in Christ, ‘the wealth of the sinner is laid up for me’ Proverbs 13:22 because ‘he became poor that I might be rich’ 2 Corinthians 8:9

God’s to blame that I am not lost for Christ ‘came to seek and to save me when I was lost’ Luke 19:10 ‘he is ‘my Good Shepherd who gave his life for me’ John 10:11

God’s to blame that I am not orphaned because in Christ, ‘I am adopted whereby I can call God my Abba, Daddy, Father’ Romans 8:15

Gods to blame that I am not depressed for my ‘God has given me the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (depression)’ Isaiah 61:3‘

Gods to blame that I am not weak for ‘through Christ I can do all things for he strengthens me’ Philippians 4:13

Its Gods fault that I am not guilty before God for in Christ I live ‘justified by faith’ Romans 3:28, ‘justified by his grace’

Its Gods fault that I am not afraid of dying for Christ is my resurrection and my life’ John 11:25

Its Gods fault that I am not fearful of judgement for the Lord he is ‘my righteous judge’ 2 Timothy 4:8 the’ judge of the living and the dead’ Acts 10:42

Its Gods fault that I have eternal life and this life is n his Son’ 1st John 5:11

I may be of Adams seed; I may well have his desire to blame God and others when things go wrong but because I am born again of incorruptible seed in Christ 1st Peter 1:23 I now find it impossible to truly blame God for bad things because he is a good God.

When we turn and blame God or others for our dilemmas, can it be that our speech comes with the hissing sound of a serpent? ‘The accuser of the brethren who has been cast down’ Revelation 12:10

What spirit then would drive us to accuse God of sending evil things such as sickness and disease or poverty? ‘God cannot be tempted with evil neither does he tempt any man’ James 1:13

‘Do not err, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:16-17

Jesus himself set the record straight when he said; ‘If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11

God hasn’t changed; he is still a good God who only gives good gifts and does good things for his children.

So by all means accuse God but at least accuse him of good things for which he truly is to blame”¦

Ps I am sure as you read the scriptures you will find a thousand reasons to blame God, search well and when you find them give him thanks for his goodness; it will change your life”¦

 

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