Stand Strong Against the Adversary

1 Corinthians 16:9  "...because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me."

It is true that whenever you do anything for God, the adversary will oppose you. But you must remember that greater is He who is in you than who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

You should not have to spend your life struggling against the devil in order to serve God. Instead of wearing yourself out trying to fight spiritual enemies, you should learn to stand strong in the authority given to you by Jesus. 

The best way to overcome the devil and his demons is simply to stay in God's will by obeying His word and God will work things out according to His diving plan and purpose. 

Stay In Balance

Philippians 4:11-13

" I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content what the circumstances. I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."

Stability is maturity. To grow up in God is to come to the place where we can be content no matter what the situation or circumstances may be because we are rooted and grounded, not in things, but in the Lord. Paul was emotionally and spiritually mature because he knew whatever state he was in would pass. He had learned the secret of facing every situation of life, whether good or bad. 

God wants to bless us and use us as a vessel through which His Holy Spirit can work. But in order for that to happen we must learn how to handle both the good times and the bad. That's why it is to important to remember that whatever comes our way, "This too shall pass." The good times and the bad never last forever, but through Christ we can handle either with joy and stability. 

Worthy of Praise

Psalm 18:1-3. "I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."

 

Hunted and chased like an animal, David had been in terrible distress and danger, but God had preserved his life and rescued him. Because of God's help, David hadn't just survived; he had emerged victorious. So he sings Psalm 18, a psalm of thanksgiving for all God has done and for who he is to David. It is a great song of worship and praise for the Lord's diving intervention in delivering David against all odds from his enemy Saul and for bringing David through his difficulties to a future and hope. 

In singing God's praises, David uses vivid metaphors: "my rock" (stability and security), "my shield" (the one who guards and keeps me safe), "the strength of my salvation", (my source of strength when I'm weak), and "my stronghold", (the place I go for protection). In David's darkest hour the Lord revealed himself in these ways, and He wants to reveal himself in our lives too- right where we are in our victories. Ask Him to reveal himself in whatever you're facing today, and join David in praising the Lord who is truly "worthy of praise"!

 

 

Lord, when I am overwhelmed with difficulties, be my rock- my source of security in an uncertain world. In you along I find protection. You are my stronghold; I need nothing else. Be my strength when I am weak. By my shield of protection from those who would harm me. Be the strength of my salvation when I call on you, and I will ever praise you because you are worthy. 

 

*GOD REVEALS HIMSELF UNFAILINGLY TO THE THOUGHTFUL SEEKER.

Expect Blessing of God

Psalm 27:14 " Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Sometimes we feel discouraged, miserable, and depressed. In those times we need to take a closer look at what's been going on in our minds. Isaiah 26:3 tells us that when we keep our minds on the Lord we will have "perfect and constant peace."

By focusing on the goodness of God and waiting, hoping, and expecting Him to encourage us and fill us with His peace and joy, we can overcome negative thoughts that drag us down. 

Think and speak positively. Begin believing right now that we are about to see God's goodness in our lives. Wait, hope, and expect His blessings to be abundant in our everyday lives!

Praying for you as you wait... even when it's the hardest thing to do.

Where To Go When It Hurts

The Word tells you God is faithful and He will provide a way for you, but He doesn't always show us the way immediately. That is when you must wait...and trust. Waiting on God purifies your faith and builds character in you. You may not like waiting, but God's way is perfect! So be assured God has not forgotten you. Trust Him, and in His time He will reveal His perfect plan for you. While you're waiting, don't forget to enjoy your life. 

1 Samuel 1:9-18

" Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord's temple. In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. And she made a vow, saying, "O Lord Alighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine." 

"Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." 

Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." 

She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast."

What constitutes the most bitter pill you've ever had to swallow? All of us have them. Compared to each other they may seem major, but just as the only minor surgery is one that happens to someone else, the bitterness we feel is never minor. 

Hannah's situation certainly involved no small pain. Childless. Tormented. Alone. A plight many have faced, but company proves small solace for misery. 

Yet Hannah made the right choices about what to do with her bitterness. She "wept much and prayed to the Lord." (v 10) In her prayer, she made 2 almost unimaginable commitments. One was by far the easiest of the pair. She promised no razor would ever be used on his head. This meant the child would be a Nazirite, especially consecrated to the Lord. The other promise was to give him to the Lord for all the days of his life. 

We could accuse her of bargaining with God, who does not bargain, but our God does search the earth for those with a heart toward Him so He can bless them ( 2 Chron. 16:9). Chronicles had not yet been written when Hannah was praying for a son, but somehow she sought in God what David later learned to be true: "The Lord searches every heart and understands every motion behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you" (1 Chron. 28:9). In bitterness she sought her Lord. 

I believe God responded to Hannah's prayer for two reasons. First, HE IS GRACIOUS. He longs to pour His love on us. Second, HE . He KNEW HER HEART. He knew that what she said, she would do.

Hannah demonstrated that she took her vow to God seriously. For three years she would hold and love this child. Then she would fulfill her vow, loving her son even as she gave him to the One who gave him to her. 

I never fail to be moved by this account in Scripture. How deeply this woman wanted a child. How easy to promise anything to get what we want, but Hannah did not voice empty words. Even in her bitterness of soul and great weeping, she made her vow to God with the steadfast determination to fulfill it. 

This made me think of several verses that have been very relevant and alive in my life lately. 

Matthew 6: 25-34 which talks about not worrying. That's always been hard for me because I like to figure everything out and have set plans for everyday of the week, but I tend to worry about certain aspects of those plans. God tells us specifically that the birds don't worry and they are given everything they need- won't that be the same for us since we are more valuable in God's eyes? I think back to the story of Hannah and how she poured her heart out to God and in her tears she asked God specifically what she longed for. This week I have done the same thing several times, and I wondered if it would ever get better; if my prays would ever be answered. But I didn't need to worry in the first place. God has us wait sometimes to strengthen our faith, and I know that's exactly what He was doing in my situation, and Hannah's as well. 

Matthew 7 was also comforting: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." 

**My prayer this week is that we will be lead to the cross, broken, and fully ready to surrender our all to His will and plans for our lives. It's not always easy, but isn't it comforting to know that God's got our best interest at heart? I want my life to be used to further His kingdom; what about you?

Don't Give Up

GALATIONS 6:9  " Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Do you ever feel like giving up? Perhaps you're discouraged about your finances or you're facing problems with  your health, marriage, or your children. Sometimes problems seem so overwhelming that the road ahead seems too steep to climb. 

We all go through these times. I've wanted to give up and quit many times through the years. But when I realized I had nothing interesting to go back to, I determined to keep pressing on. 

Even though continuing to move forward is sometimes painful, it is far better than giving up and sliding backwards. God is doing a good work in you so He can do more for you and through you. So ask Him to fill you with holy determination today and keep moving in the right direction!!!

*From the book by Joyce Meyer ENDING YOUR DAY RIGHT: Devotions for Every  Evening of the Year