Don't Let Satan Win

Divide and conquer. Divide and conquer. That has been Satan's tactic down through the ages. Wherever there is confusion, disillusionment, conflict, Satan is there to make things worse than they need to be.
Recently, in the church where I attend, decisions were made that have mystified many in the congregation. Rumors and misinformation have spread quickly. Many have been hurt and many are considering leaving our church. Satan must be dancing with glee (if the Devil can feel joy). This is the perfect opportunity for Satan and his minions to split the church.
We are in the process of calling a new minister. Satan must be very afraid that the church might start growing again. He will use every bit of dissatisfaction and every piece of bitterness to worm his way into the hearts and minds of our members.
I Peter 5:6-9 warns us, ^"And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you. Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering"
Don't let Satan devour you. Don't let this trial become a tool in the Devil's workshop. Stand firm in your faith. Pray for guidance. Pray for wisdom. Pray for peace. Don't let Satan win. 

Building Character in Hard Times

It is easy to follow Christ and focus on His Presence when everything is going well. But what happens when tough times come your way? Although your world may be shaken to the core, Jesus still offers Peace, Light and Joy. If we can take our eyes off our troubles long enough to see God at work in our lives, we will find that the hard times ... times when we need the most help ... are when our faith is strengthen and our trust can grow.
When we face trails and temptations, we can find comfort in such scriptures as Matthew 11:28-29, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Sometimes we need correction. Sometimes we're headed in the wrong direction. Yet Jesus always provides a way out. Keep Him at the center of your life and everything else will fall into place. Who else can offer such a promise?
Don't give up when the going gets tough. Hebrews 10:35-36 warns us, "Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised." 
If you face hard decisions or life seems particularly difficult today, keep your focus on Jesus: bathe in His Peace. Be glad that He is offering you the opportunity to build character and develop greater faith in the hard times.

Grasp Jesus' Hand and Let Go of the Rest

My devotional, Jesus Calling, contained this interesting thought today: "The only thing you can grasp without damaging your soul is My (i.e. Jesus') hand." Holding onto worry and fear will only damage your spirit. When you 'let go and let God,' you find that He will fill your mind and spirit with contentment. The mind controlled by Christ's Spirit is full of Life and Peace.
Romans 8:6 says, "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." You can have as much of Christ's peace as you want, as you make thousands of correct choices today. Decided to trust Him instead of worrying. You will never run out of things to worry about until you place your mind under God's control. He will replace the worry with joy and the fear with courage and the weakness with strength.
Rely on the words of Psalm 46:1-2, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;" Now that is faith ... to have no fear even when the earth starts shaking and mountains tremble and fall.
Let go of the things that weigh you down and grasp the hand of Jesus. He will never fail you. Just believe.

Riding the Big Waves with Jesus

Does it sometimes seem that you will get caught in the undertow of a big wave? Do you feel like a tiny speck in a huge ocean of trouble? Do mammoth waves of doubt, financial ruin, broken relationships, poor health ... even waves of worry about the violence and turmoil in the world around you ... threaten to suck you under?
There is an answer: keep you eyes focused on Jesus and he will save you from the crashing surf. He will still the waters, just as He did for his disciples on Lake Galilee as told in Mark 4 37-41. Now, as then, Jesus speaks and the water becomes calm. Jesus says, "Be still," and the waves recede.
And again, in Matthew 14: 25-33, we have the story of Peter walking on the water to meet Jesus. Jesus invites Peter out onto the water where He is walking toward the boat. Verses 29 says, "And He said, 'Come!' And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus." What happens next? Peter takes his focus off Jesus and starts to worry about the wind and the waves. Verses 30-31 continue," ... he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?' "
He asks you the same: why do you doubt? Jesus is the ruler of this world ... nothing is beyond his command. When you keep your eyes on Jesus, no wave is too big to handle. But even when you feel like you're beginning to sink, if you cry out to Jesus "Save me!" he's not going to let you drown.
Jesus doesn't promise smooth seas all the time. We all have troubles, we all have doubts. Yet, what a thrill, when you look to Jesus and you're able to ride those big waves. Instead of wiping out, you can know God's peace. Philippians 4:7: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."