A miscarriage. Twins!
Losing a job. A promotion.
Bankruptcy. An unexpected check arrives.
Cancer. Remission.
A divorce. An engagement.
A child backslides. A child goes into rehab.
Life is full of unexpected surprises–some welcomed, some not-so-much.
sunshine, it is imperative that we are prepared and ready for an attack at any moment.
The enemy has been studying us since before we were born–and has assigned angels (fallen angels) to pester, torment, tempt, distract, and lead us astray.
The smallest “in” can steal our joy and disturb our peace causing us to veer from our God-given destiny and divine assignment.
One of the ways we can be prepared is to learn scripture so that we are able to denounce the enemy’s schemes at the onset.
Week 2 of our 26 weeks of scripture memorization is 1 Peter 5:8:
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
This is such a powerful scripture because it reminds us that the enemy is not a red-caped-pitch-fork-carrying-cartoon character.
No, sunshine. He is sneaky and stealth. He knows our every weakness and wants to tear us up–inside and out–using this vice. He wants us to surrender to temptation–food, drugs, sex, idolatry, gossiping, overworking, unbelief, fear, debt, unrest…and this is just beginning.
But when you are alert and controlled–emotionally stable and steady— you recognize his ploys and set your mind to Truth and follow in obedience.
As you go about your week memorizing this scripture, think about where you are tempted the most. Invite God into your prayer time, asking for strength to resist the enemy in those areas of greatest weakness.
With love for a great week, dear sunshine, |
