Rendering the Enemy Powerless

Rendering the Enemy Powerless LYSA TERKEURST “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Peter warns believers, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy isn’t just looking to distract you, or tempt you, or pull you slightly off course. He’s looking to devour you. But we must remember something crucial. The devil is vicious, but he’s not victorious. And you, my friend, have everything you need to defeat him. We don’t have to lie shaking in our beds with a death grip on the covers, feeling powerless and deathly afraid. A closer look at 1 Peter 5:8-9 shows us how we can actually come out on the other side of these moments with the enemy tested and true. Peter first tells us we must be “sober-minded” and “watchful.” This reminder to be sober-minded, or self-controlled, shows up three separate times in this letter. (1 Peter 1:13, 4:7 and 5:8) The specific reason given in 1 Peter 4:7 is that “the end of all things is at hand.”Satan knows the end is fast approaching. He is a defeated foe who has already suffered a fatal blow. But before he falls, he’ll try to make as many last kills as possible. With everything he’s got left, he’s coming after us. This is why we must be ever watchful. Next, Peter instructs us in 1 Peter 5:9a to “resist him [the devil].” It is the same reminder we find in Ephesians 6:11 and James 4:7. We cannot remain passive in this fight. We must actively resist the devil by standing firm in our faith. And we find the power to stand firm in our faith when we put on the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-20) Finally, Peter encourages us with the knowledge that “the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:9b, ESV). We aren’t alone in this battle. Instead, we are knit together as a body of believers both by our shared love for Christ and our shared suffering for Him. Obviously, most of us don’t have lions regularly brush by our homes, but we do have daily brushes with the enemy. And just like the lion’s power over me that night stopped the minute the guards showed up, Satan is rendered powerless the moment we tap into the power of God’s Word like we’re doing today. Yes, truth is the perfect protection against our enemy. Let’s remember this. Receive this. Use this. Practice this. Live this. Father God, I’m so thankful You haven’t left us defenseless. Your promises are always a perfect match for our problems. And our problem-instigator, the devil — the one Scripture says roams around like a lion — is no match for Your promises. Your promises don’t tame the lion; they shame the lion back to hell. They shut his mouth. Turn his roar into a whimper. And make him run when we choose to live by Your Word and Your ways. Guide us, equip us and infuse us with holy confidence as we stand firm today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. TRUTH FOR TODAY: James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (NIV)

God Honors Our Commitment to Him

God Honors Our Commitment to Him

By Dr. Charles Stanley

Daniel 1

Daniel and his friends faced the same dilemma we do--how to live a holy life in a godless culture. At one time, our society readily accepted Christian values and standards, but that era is quickly passing. Our challenge today is to live under God's authority while remaining in submission to the law of the land. At times we are forced to choose between the two, but if we'll seek the Lord's guidance before marching defiantly forward, He may open an alternative approach for us.

Had Daniel bluntly declared, "I won't eat this food!" he wouldn't have lasted long, and we wouldn't have the book of Daniel in the Bible. But the Lord gave him the wisdom to humbly seek permission from the person who was in a position of authority over him. God honored his commitment and provided a way for him to live righteously in a pagan world.

We tend to hold up Daniel and his three friends as extraordinary people who lived amazing lives. But have you ever wondered what the Lord could do in the life of an ordinary person like you? The determining factor is not the greatness of the individual but, rather, his commitment to a God who can do remarkable things in a life fully devoted to Him. That's the kind of people our Lord is looking for.

Although we don't know all that God could do in our lives if we'd radically commit ourselves to Him, the thought of missing out on His plans should be enough to motivate us to obey. You don't want to arrive in heaven and discover you forfeited blessings because you weren't fully devoted to Him.

Words of Jesus Warn Us to Stay Alert in this World

Words of Jesus Warn Us to Stay Alert in this World
By Debbie McDaniel

Reading through Mark chapter 13 again late last night, have read it over and over this past year, and it's seeming more real now. In it, Jesus reminds us that when we see certain signs that indicate we are in, or are entering into the end times, we don't have to be alarmed.

Because He's told us ahead of time what to expect, we know from His word, "such things must happen, but the end is still to come." Mark 13:7

He reminds us that we will know these are prophetic words coming to pass when we hear of "wars and rumors of wars," when we see certain events unfolding, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." Mark 13:7-8

And also, in this one chapter where Jesus is telling us of all that's to come, signs of the end times, He says this over and over, 7 different times throughout these verses...

He warns us to stay aware.

His words are true are they are for now, right now, in this day and time, and throughout all future days until he comes again. May we be faithful, wise to listen, and may He help us to apply them to life:

- "Watch out that no one deceives you..." v. 5
- "You must be on your guard..." v. 9
- "So be on your guard, I have told you everything ahead of time." v. 23
- "Be on guard!" v. 33
- "Be alert!" v. 33
- "Therefore, keep watch..." v. 35
- "If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!" v. 36

As believers, we have hope in Christ, we know beyond a doubt He is at work in this world and He will come again.

Let's keep working while it is still day...

Praying for His mercy through the storms and floods, through the earthquakes, through the fires, may God draw many to Himself in these days. And may we be found living as light in a world that needs His great peace.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Many around us may be feeling worried and fearful in these days. Choose to trust and believe that God is working in our world, even behind the scenes where we can’t fully see. Ask Him for His Presence of peace to fill your life today, ask for His help in staying aware and alert.  Pray that God will help us all, as believers, to be a light to others who need His hope in dark times.