Luke 10:19 (NKJV)
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Just because Jesus gave His life as a ransom for sinners and just because Jesus came to reveal God’s love for sinners and brings light to the world and just because we accept Him as Lord and Savior doesn't mean we're going to have that abundant life. Why?
There Is a Thief!
John 10:10 (NKJV)
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
"The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy". The devil is out to destroy us. And in order for us to live abundantly, in order for us to win in every battle the enemy brings our way, there are a few things we have to understand.
First of all, we must know who's responsible for what happens in our life. Some people blame God when things began to fall apart. But God is not out to steal, kill, and destroy us.
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world."
God sent His Son to redeem mankind. And if He "so loved the world" one day, why would He want to blow it apart the next day? We've got to realize that there is a thief—an enemy. His name is Satan. And he doesn't come to do anything else but steal, kill, and destroy. He wants to steal our God-given joy, dreams, and talents. He wants to wipe us out. And he is the one responsible when it seems as if everything is against us.
Attacks Will Come!
We need to understand that attacks will come—and not just when we're doing something wrong. The more we're doing for God, the more Satan will try to attack us. Remember Paul? He was stoned, beaten, and even imprisoned—all while He was following God's will. How about Adam and Eve?
You see, Satan wanted to stop Paul. He wanted to stop Adam and Eve. And he wants to stop us. The enemy hasn't changed over the years. He knows his time is short, and he doesn't want us to follow God's plan for our lives. But when we understand this—when we know that attacks will come—we won't be thrown off course. We'll be able to keep moving forward with God.
Resist the Devil
Last and most important, we must know what to do when we get attacked. The United States spends billions of dollars trying to figure out what to do if there's a natural disaster or if we would get attacked by Russia or Korea. We have plans for all kinds of scenarios.
Sadly, many Christians don't have a single plan for the enemy’s attack. They get eaten up by the devil day after day and do nothing about it. They're struggling, it's as if they're standing in a boxing ring with their hands down, saying, "Devil, just keep punching me. It's OK." But it's not! Look at what Peter says,
1 PETER 5:8–9 (NKJV)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he MAY devour. 9 RESIST HIM, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
If the devil is seeking those who he may devour, then there's a class of people whom he may not devour. As believers, we are part of that class. But when things begin to get difficult, we must remember Who's on the inside, Jesus Christ. So when the devil comes against us, we can boldly stand up and say, "You may not have me or my family! You have no right to us. You have no authority. In the Name of Jesus, you have to leave NOW!"
You see, Jesus has already defeated the devil. And when we stand boldly in Jesus Christ, when we believe in Him, we have the authority to put the devil on the run.
James 4:7 (NLV)
So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil and he will run away from you.
Why? Because he's afraid of the Greater One in us. No matter how many times Satan comes and tries to attack you, don't let him move you. Don't let him destroy your dreams and your destiny. Don't let him steal from you. Stand strong, and immovable, stand on the Word. Stand strong and immovable on the authority that Jesus has given us. When you do, you'll live an abundant life.
FAITH IN ACTION
Drop Those Problems!
The devil can't devour us—unless we let him. And one way we let him is by getting into our fear. Fear gives the devil an opportunity to rule our lives. It puts pressure on us and causes us to do things we might not normally do. If we'll stay focused on Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father, we will come through victorious—no matter how hard the devil hits us! So next time you're tempted to worry or fear, just do what the Word says.
1 Peter 5:7 (Amplified)
Cast all of your cares [all of your anxieties, worries, and concerns—over on your Heavenly Father.]
Every time the devil comes to try and steal, kill, and destroy you—every time he brings a new problem—give it to God as fast as you can. Even if it looks impossible,
Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
This means to throw off our cares and toss them onto God's big shoulders. We do this through prayer. When worries threaten to overwhelm us, we can bring them to God in prayer and leave them there. That means leave it! Many time we say I gave it all to you Lord but we don’t, we want to help God, God don’t need your help He need you to get out of His way. So, next time you cast your cares on God, Let it GO and Let GOD.
God Bless, Israel
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