2023-07-06
2 Timothy 4:7 KJV
Here are three more things to keep in mind when you’re under attack:
(1) You are not unique. In a letter to persecuted believers, the apostle Peter said, “Be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters… are going through the same kind of suffering you are” (1 Peter 5:9 NLT). We are all on the same battlefield, but the Devil would love to convince you that you’re the only person who has ever experienced anything like this. That’s so you will feel like a failure and cut yourself off from the strength and support that comes from fellowship with other believers. Be wise; don’t let him do that to you.
(2) Remove any hindrances. The apostle John writes, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God” (1 John 3:21 NIV). We all sin – the mistake lies in trying to cover it up, because “whoever conceals their sins does not prosper” (Proverbs 28:13 NIV). If you’re constantly struggling and being defeated, ask God to show you where the trouble spot is, draw on His grace, and deal with it.
(3) Don’t quit. Anybody can begin a marathon, but it takes a champion to finish it. The apostle Paul writes, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV). Every one of us experiences adversity. But it’s those who stay strong to the finish who get the reward. So, pace yourself, and determine to go the distance. Study the lives of people like David, Esther, Deborah, and Paul. Remind yourself that their God is your God, and He has promised to bring you through victoriously.
Soul food: Jer 28-30; Matt 24:15-25; Ps 102:18-28; Prov 15:4-7
2023-07-05
2 Chronicles 32:8 NIV
The new birth creates a battle between your old nature and your new nature, and you must learn how to fight it. For the last handful of days, we have been looking at scriptural strategies for winning. Here are a few more:
(1) Fill your mind with Scripture. David said, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction” (Psalm 119:92 NIV). Your mind is like soil; it will grow any seed you plant, good or bad. When you plant words spoken by God, you’re sowing energy, life, and hope into your spirit. God’s Word is like a vaccination; it strips Satan of his power to infect you with fear and unbelief. The psalmist said, “The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip” (Psalm 37:31 NIV).
(2) Reach out to others. “When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!” (Job 42:10 NLT). Does that sound strange? It may be strange in the kingdom of men, but not in the kingdom of God. You are the solution to somebody else’s problem, and when you reach out to them, God will reach out to you (See Ephesians 6:8). Go ahead, try it.
(3) Remember that seasons change. David said, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NLT). This attack won’t last forever – morning is coming! People change and circumstances change. So, start believing God to change things on your behalf. He promised to do it, and He will.
Soul food: Jer 25-27; Matt 24:1-14; Ps 102:12-17; Prov 15:3
2 Kronieke 32:8 NLV
Die wedergeboorte skep ‘n geveg tussen jou ou en nuwe natuur en jy moet leer hoe om hierdie stryd te veg. Hier is nog ‘n paar Skriftuurlike strategieë om oorwinning te behaal:
1) Vul jou gedagtes met die Skrif. Dawid het gesê: ‘As u gebooie nie vir my vreugde was nie, sou ek gesterf het van ellende’ (Psalm 119:92 NLV). Jou gedagtes is soos grond; dit sal enige saad wat jy plant laat groei, of dit nou goed of sleg is. Wanneer jy woorde wat deur God gespreek is plant, saai jy energie, lewe en hoop in jou gees. God se Woord is soos ‘n inenting, dit verwyder Satan se mag om jou met vrees en ongeloof te infekteer. Die Psalmdigter het gesê: ‘Die gebooie van sy God is in sy hart. Hy sal nie ‘n voet verkeerd sit nie’ (Psalm 37:31 NLV).
2) Reik uit na ander mense. ‘Nadat Job vir sy vriende gebid het, het die Here hom weer voorspoedig gemaak. Trouens, die Here het hom twee keer soveel gegee as wat hy voorheen gehad het’ (Job 42:10 NLV). Klink dit vreemd? Dit mag dalk vreemd in die mens se koninkryk wees, maar nie in God se koninkryk nie. Jy is die oplossing vir iemand anders se probleem en wanneer jy na hulle toe uitreik, sal God na jou toe uitreik (sien Efesiërs 6:8). Probeer dit.
3) Onthou dat seisoene verander. Dawid het gesê: ‘…In die nag vloei die trane, maar in die oggend is daar vreugde’ (Psalm 30:6 NLV). Hierdie aanval sal nie vir ewig duur nie – die oggend is op pad! Mense verander en omstandighede verander. Begin dus om God te glo om dinge namens jou te verander. Hy het beloof om dit te doen en Hy sal.
Sielskos: Jer 25-27; Matt 24:1-14; Ps 102:12-17; Spr 15:3
2023-07-04
Spreuke 24:10 NLV
Die laaste paar dae het ons gesels oor hoe om Satan se aanvalle te hanteer soos hulle voorkom. As jy dus vandag aangeval word, doen die volgende:
1) Wees taai. Die lewe is ‘n reeks gevegte, wat beteken dat dit ook ‘n reeks oorwinnings kan wees. ‘…omdat die Gees wat in julle woon, magtiger is as die gees wat in die wêreld woon’ (1 Johannes 4:4 NLV). Put krag uit God se mag binne-in jou. Hy wil jou graag wys wat Hy vir jou kan doen. “…Onthou dat God die versekering gegee het: ‘Ek sal jou nie los nie. Ek sal jou nie in die steek laat nie.’ Daarom kan ons moed skep en antwoord: ‘Die Here is my hulp. Daarom sal ek nie bang wees nie. Wat kan nietige mensies my aandoen?'” (Hebreërs 13:5-6 NLV). Daar is krag in sy Woord wanneer jy dit spreek, dit glo en daarvolgens optree.
2) Maak op God se wysheid staat. Jesus het gesê: ‘Laat dit swaar op julle harte rus om nie bekommerd te wees oor julle verdediging nie, want Ek sal aan julle die regte woorde en die wysheid gee wat al julle teenstanders nie sal kan opponeer of weerlê nie’ (Lukas 21:14-15 NLV). God het vir jou twee dinge gegee wat altyd werk: jou mond en sy wysheid. Wanneer onverwagte dinge voorval, sal die Heilige Gees opstaan en deur jou praat, wees dus van Hom afhanklik.
3) Vertrou op God om die aanval te stop. Die Bybel sê: ‘Aanskou die werke van die Here wat… oorloë beëindig oor die hele aarde…’ (Psalm 46:9-10 NLV). God is in beheer, Hy is groter as jou probleem en jy is op hierdie einste oomblik in sy gedagtes. Hy het jou trane, jou vrese en jou pyn opgelet – en Hy sal namens jou beweeg.
Sielskos: Jer 22-24; Matt 23:23-39; Ps 102:1-11; Spr 14:35-15:2
Proverbs 24:10 NLT
For the last few days, we have talked about how to handle Satan’s attacks when they come. So, if you’re under attack today, do these:
(1) Be tough. Life is a collection of battles, which means it can also be a collection of victories. “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4 KJV). Reach within and draw on God’s strength. Go ahead; He longs to show you what He can do for you. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV). Did you get that? “He hath said… so that we may boldly say!” There is power in His Word when you speak it, believe it, and act on it.
(2) Depend on God’s wisdom. Jesus said, “Don’t worry… about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply” (Luke 21:14-15 NLT). God has given you two things that always work: your mouth and His wisdom. When unexpected things arise, the Holy Spirit within you will rise to the occasion and speak through you, so start depending on Him.
(3) Trust God to stop the attack. The Bible says, “He causes wars to end throughout the earth” (Psalm 46:9 NLT). God is in control, He is bigger than whatever you’re dealing with, and you’re on His mind this very moment. Your tears, your fears, and your pain have been noticed by Him – and He will move on your behalf.
Soul food: Jer 22-24; Matt 23:23-39; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 14:35-15:2
