James 4: 7-8
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Who would think that these 3 sentences could have such a huge impact on our lives both physically and spiritually if we just slowed down long enough to bask in the message it brings forth. So often we think that we are resisting the devil, but in reality we are sitting back and letting him have fun in our lives. Resisting the devil is easier said that done. We must get on our faces before GOD all through the day. Once we truly begin to keep God first in our lives, the devil will see he is losing the battle and will just try harder. It is at this point when many of us give up and feel as if God was near to us that he would step in and help. He did though.. He gave us instructions through James 4: 7-8 telling us how to defeat satan. Too often we give satan too much credit. Everything that goes wrong in our lives is not satan. Ofen we are as big of a threat to ourselves as satan is. When we are not faihfully giving or whole heart to worship God, then we are just opening the doors wide open and begging for all sorts of unwanted attention.
It is truly sad to think that due to our lack of attention to detail that souls are not only lost, but end up blaming God for their troubles. Romans 10:11 says "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." Don't wait until your heart is troubled to go to God. He is there willing and waiting to take you in His arms at all times... He is faithful and will be there with you through the good and the bad. Just because Christ is with us does not mean that we will have an easy free ride and no troubles will come our way. It means that when God is with us, we will have the strength to defeat all else that comes our way.
Psalm 56:9 says " When I cry unto You, then shall my enemies turn back: this I know, for God is for me."
Psalm 138:7 says "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me."
My friends, He is waiting. It will be a glorious day when we are gathered together to rejoice in everlasting love with our Father in heaven. Take the hand that is stretched out before you while you have the opportunity. For I assure you that you will not want to be on the receiving end of the wrath of God that is to come. Our time is short.... let us not take it for grant. Take His hand... always praise and thank Him and continue to magnify His name... be faithful to Him all the days of your life ( yes that means even in the bad days).... and remember when the world has you thinking that you are worthless and do not do anything right... or if it has you feeling like an outcast, just remember that God is with us! 2 Thes 3:3 says "For the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil." Let us remember to be faithful to Him and to remember the declaration of Psalm 118:17 "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord." Let us remember to go out and share with others what God has done for us. Do not be prideful or shamed to testify to the magnifant works of the Lord. What a Mighty God we serve!! Serve Him proudly and openly. Remember 2 Timothy 3:12 "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." WAS hard as it is, we must embrace the persecution in whatever form it may come. 2 Corinthians 4:9 says" Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed."
The promises of God are wonderful. 1 Peter 4:16 "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" reminds us take what the world means for evil and turn it into the glory meant for God. We must always look at the brighter side of things. There is hope in every situation.
I will close with Matthew 4:17 as it speaks for itself..."Repent: For the kingdom of heaven is at hand." I pray that you do not let it pass you by; put your pride behind you, repent daily and live to magnify His name, regrdless of the situation, for your reward will be glorious when Christ returns. Put satan where he belongs.. behind thee!! What the world has to offer today is not worth the treasure that God has in store for us. I pray that you will follow your heart, keeping it open and willing to share with others at all times! Let your faith be a blinding and contagious light to all those around you!
In Jesus Name- Amen
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