Declares, "be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about lie a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world".
I felt that each one of you reading this needs to read more of encouraging words as well as scriptures. When we understand godly principles it will help us live a victorious lifestyle that will ultimately affect how successful we are at resisting the devil. When we compromise our integrity, we are making a declaration that minimizes our spiritual authority. What does Satan do..day and night, he studies whop he can ensnare. In 1 Peter 5:8,9 he identifies "him" as a "roaring lion" to communicate to us that "he" is strong, cruel, destructive, and a pursuer of souls. We can't take "him" lightly and think that we can fool "him". We're to be sober and vigilant, meaning not to be careless, but suspicious of constant danger from the adversary. All necessary virtues at all times.
Usually the first dart that the enemy attacks you with is deception. Then "he" tries to get you to compromise in some area in your life. The final result of these 2 areas, deception and compromise, will be feeling oppressed. If we continue living in this state of deception, we'll wind up in bondage. Living for that deception. Don't you think we should ask ourselves each day, "What way is the devil trying to deceive me today?" If you feel you have compromised in an area and have any feeling of oppression, you need to question where you were first deceived. These are darts that are penetrating the mind! We must renew our minds with the cleansing Word of God, this helps discern between truth and deception.
So the word tells us that the enemy walks about seeking whom he wants to devour, right? His whole being or ways, whatever, is to devour and destroy souls, right? So what is the most preferred target...our faith!! If "he" can weaken our faith, and even destroy it, "he" knows that we will be be able to please God. What does it say in the word, "without faith, its impossible to please Him" Hebrews 11:6. Each day we decide whether or not to please the Lord. Our choices affect our testimony, and also lets the enemy know where you stand with Jesus.
Seek the Lord in prayer..declare His promises over your life and your family..God has a specific purpose for you in His Kingdom. We are chosen vessels that He wants to use. All we have to do is yield to Him today...I felt from everyone that has been hurting that this needed to be said. God Bless all of you that needs a word today and take it for yourself.
Donna
12 comments:
Donna,
Thanks! Good post and advice.
Plant Lady
P.S. I'll talk to you again later.
Plant Lady
Donna,
I never think of asking myself "what way is the devil trying to deceive me today?" I mean I pray to God when I am frustrated with life and I ask him for clarity but trying to examine what the evil one is "up to" is a really different way to approach situations.
I teach 3rd/4th grade Sunday School and we studied this verse a while back. The picture of the lion just "creeping around" looking for something to devour and comparing it to the devil "creeping around" us looking for opportunities really hit home with the kids (and me too)
Thanks Donna for your insight--God is using you for his work!
Kim
Thank you Kim, I have asked for God to use me. I remember before Keith Green died he wrote a song that said, don't let me seek my own crown. I never want to seek my own crown I want the Lord to speak thru me and use me!
When I was going thru hard times other people did that and it would just move my heart, I am so glad that the Lord is doing that for me. Praise God! I hope others come on to my post so that we can share with each other also.
I'm also glad Plant Lady that you read this and I also pray that God speaks to you also. Lets pray for each other, and remember "where two or more are gathered there I am in the mist"..
God Bless
Donna
Thank you! May God's perfect purpose
be fulfilled in your life. Amen
Donna,
Thank God for using you to convey just what I need to hear! Even though I've always known of God, I am just starting to know Him. It was only by His grace and blessings of allowing me to hear him speak through someone else, that I am developing my relationship with Him. This has increased my faith without me even realizing it. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2007, I never said why me or thought that I was going to die. I asked God to please allow me to raise my son and take care of my mother. In going through my healing process, God has truly shown me His love, mercy and just how powerful He really is. Satan has really tried to take hold of my husband. His attitude and actions were horrible; even before I was diagnosed. I have found the power of prayer to be awesome. I am new at this and finding my way. I have started to see little changes. God is good all the time. Now, I just have to learn to memorize scripture, so that whenever I need a helping hand, I can recite God's word. Thank you for listening.
Hey peachytnt-ny
First, Praise God that you are going to sites and Bible Studies that are a healing for you..for every aspect of your being..Praise God for just being a new christian..isn't it fabulous when you listen or read something that just speaks to you..it's like Jesus led you to this word and it was exactly what you needed, Amen!
I will listen every time you need an ear. He had you in His arms when you were going through the breast cancer and He has your husband..the enemy will not take him because we are all praying :)
Remember one thing..you were planned for God's pleasure. The first and primary purpose of your life is bringing pleasure to God. Worship is a form of pleasure. Like a diamond, which is multifaceted, so is worship, it is a lifestyle. So when you are reading the word, be in constant worship with Him. It doesn't have to be out loud..but when you worship and read you will push that devil away!!!
Ephesians 6:10-13 Memorize this if you haven't already.."finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" Amen!
We are Gods army..when we worship and pray and read we are instructing the enemy to FLEE!! You will the Lord great pleasure and you will bring your husband to the place where he needs to be. Feel free, as I tell everyone, to post all the time...
oh one more thing..I grew up in Brooklyn, until HS, Bay Ridge, my Dad was a Pastor of Salem Gospel Tabernacle on 54th and 4th back in the 70's. I truly miss Bklyn :)
God Bless
Donna
Lovely post. Thanks for sharing your heart. There's so much nugget in this post. I'm glad you've boldly invite people to read it.
Followed you from fivedesigns.
I mean, ljgolf823.blogspot.com.
By the way, love that dress you made. How do keep so thin with five children? I want a flat stomach like yours. I have this "muffin top" (according to Lysa Terkeurst from Proverbs 31 Ministries). No, she didn't say I have it, she just call this type of flab "muffin top". And, I'm not even 40 yet. But, hey, I do have six children. You can't top that.
Hi Donna
thanks for the invitation to visit you on your blog. It is exciting to be used by God. What amazes me is that the Lord continues to work through us even when we are in those dry desert times.
I also grew up in Bay Ridge.
Be Blessed
Debrah
Mrs. Proverbs
I read your site..you are a Pastors wife..I am a Pastors daughter. Thank you so much for your encouragement and I sure hope you continue to post all the time too. I feel so much that God is using me for little "nuggets" and sometimes I wake late and I have to write them. Tonight I feel like I have something for that one special person, it's just waiting to come out. I just walked in so I have to meditate first and then post, I know God will use whatever words I have for someone. Praise God! Thanks again.
Debrah
Thank you too for writing back. I know it's always hard to remember to post back so if I have a word I will say it on Rachel's if it is for someone. Please come back because I will be posting late tonight. I grew up on 91st st between ridge blvd and 3rd ave and I also grew up with Scott Baio's cousin, Jimmy. I miss it :(
See you all later..until then God Bless
Donna
Donna,
This is a wonderful post. Just what I needed to hear. Thanks for your prayers and for having such a willing heart to let God work thru you and this blog to encourage the rest of us. Please know that I (and probably everyone else reading your blog) is/are praying for you too. You seem to me like a big sister. I'm having quite a stressful day today. That's why I'm here now. Boy, I'm so glad I checked out your blog! I am like Kim. I never really thought about "what way is the devil trying to deceive me today." That makes me think that instead of crying out to God in complete desperation all of my fears just relax and calmly ask him help me discern what the devil is trying to do to me and trust him to lead me. You're great Donna. God Bless You and your family. Have a great weekend.
Dana
Dana
God is using me so much that the enemy is attacking me to the point of exhaustion! I cannot give up though..and that is why I need everyones prayers right now! When we give words of encouragement and feel like we are being used..the "thing" cannot handle it. he was so used to me being lukewarm in the past couple of months..i don't think he can handle the change that God has done in my life and my surroundings. I thank you for your words and ask you to help me now. I was supposed to be a counselor tonight but I was so distraught that I gave up and couldn't do it..Did the enemy win? No because I had another exciting word to give to all of you and praise God I heard it too.
Please continue to post as you always do and keep me in your prayers that I don't quit my job nor get fired..my boss has such mood swings I'm a little nervous..but as I said, "God is in control and if He is, who can be against us!! Amen
God Bless Dana
Love Donna
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