Blog by Pastor Sharon Kelly
Sometimes we forget there’s a spiritual dimension connected to the life we are called to live. We get so consumed with our day to day life that we can easily forget there’s another very real dimension – that can happen because we can’t see it before our actual eyes.
1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Peter is talking to us – the church.
1. You have an enemy
2. This enemy prowls around ….sneaks, carefully and calculating
3. This enemy wants to devour you
A lion that is hunting is on the lookout for potential prey that is isolated, injured or weak. These individuals are usually found on the edge of the herd. Being planted in church and committed to the local church is vital to our health as a believer. Are you living too close to that edge? Are you hurting, injured or isolating yourself? If so, pay attention & heed these words…
Any one of us are just a couple of dumb decisions a way from making a terrible mistake that could injure, isolate or maim us. The grace and mercy of God is literally our salvation. Living our lives humbly and in submission to God, His Word & the leadership He puts in our lives, helps keep us on a straight path.
Being aware you have an enemy doesn’t mean checking your home under every pillow, chair or corner for demons to jump out at you – there are angels way bigger & stronger than any enemy we could face. This blog is simply to keep us alert – and that we remain alert. Let’s not become drowsy as Christians, but realize we have an enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
We can often find ourselves feeling like people or a person is our enemy – but that’s not the case!
Even though a person may be the one who has wronged you, attacked you, frustrated you – the truth is there are spiritual forces at work & prayer is your best weapon.
So that issue with my spouse, my family, my boss, my college professor, that guy at the store, my workplace – could that be the enemy trying to get me off course? Could it be the enemy trying to cause a train wreck in my life, or trying to get me to lose focus?
So be alert, stay conscious – don’t isolate yourself and be super independent. We need each other to thrive in this God-life. Remember the enemy is roaming around, looking for the one that’s isolated, on the edge, a little weak, one who maybe thinks she knows better…….
Tomorrow when you go to work, or wherever you go, & that boss, co-worker, waitress, store clerk, customer service person starts to rub you the wrong way, or be super negative, or super critical, & you feel yourself about to explode or let them ruin your day – I want to give you a challenge. Ask God to open your eyes to what is really going on. Take a step back if you can, & see with the eyes of your heart & sense with the spirit of God that’s in you, what’s really going on.
1 John 4:4 NIV
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
So when you feel that battle looming, remind yourself there is a weak, defeated enemy giving it his best shot to get you consumed with anything else than being an exceptional employee, spouse, parent, young person, leader, mentor, believer etc.
Having said that – there is a battle, & very often it is raging. So how do we get thought the battle?
James 4:7 NIV
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Submit to God – yield. Not my way God, but yours! We cannot do battle in the spiritual realm without coming under the authority of Jesus. We cannot do this without him – though we often do choose to take matters into our own hands.
How do I resist the devil….because we want him to flee right?
1. Prayer
We’re not meant to do life alone – we need each other! Having good friends who will pray for you make the world of difference. These are the type of friends we need to run to when we are in a tough season. Get some prayer warriors praying with you & for you – people who you know and trust.
Also, are you praying about it your situation as much as you are talking about it? (Good question huh!) Remember to pray about your situation, rather than keep on talking about it to whoever will listen.
2. Your confession
What’s coming out of your mouth about what you are walking through? Is it negativity, confusion, frustration, anger, bitterness, or have you noticed yourself getting critical?
Pick up the Word of God and declare God’s promises over your life! Thank you God that I am your child, greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. Thank you that I am saved – born again, that your grace and mercy are over my life – that I am called and appointed with a purpose that no one else can fulfill.
Thank you God because all my hope is in you! Do whatever it takes to remind yourself that God is on your side & keep speaking those promises (scriptures) over your life & situation!
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
3. Lifelines
All of us need lifelines. As I keep mentioning – we cannot do this life alone & left to our own devices we can get weird real quick. We can become consumed with ourselves.
We need people in our world – “go to” people. People who know us and are committed to our well-being – particularly our spiritual well-being.
When you are facing big challenges & are desperate in any area of your life for breakthrough or answers, it’s so easy to accept the latest fad, trend, weird idea that can often be contrary to scripture & we justify it because it might ease the pain or it’s the quick fix we want right now.
Trials, pressure/stress, & even scary situations, seem so much lighter & doable when you have an encourager or “climbing partner” that speaks life into you.
4. Worship – it’s Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
When you are going through the storm, creating an atmosphere of faith is important – fill your home, your car, your work place with worship music. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes & how just a moment in His presence can make your burden so much lighter.
Remember your enemy is weak. Jesus is greater.