2023-07-04
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
2023-07-03
2 Korintiërs 4:8 NLV
Satan kan jou enige tyd, enige plek aanval. As jy hom wil verslaan, is hier ‘n paar beproefde Bybelse beginsels wat jy moet volg:
1) Bewaak jou gedagtes. Jy sal nooit verslaan word solank as wat jy in jou gedagtes oorwinnend is nie; dis die geboorteplek van alles wat jy doen. Satan weet dit en hy sal jou gedagtes so deurmekaar probeer maak dat jy nie op dit wat belangrik is, sal kan konsentreer nie. Moenie hom toelaat om dit te doen nie. Jesaja het gesê: ‘U bewaar elkeen wat op U vertrou in vrede, die mense wie se gedagtes op U gerig is’ (Jesaja 26:3 NLV).
2) Wees lief vir mense, maar vertrou op God. Lewe volgens hierdie Skrifgedeelte: ‘Dit is beter om by die Here te skuil as om staat te maak op mense’ (Psalm 118:8 NLV). Wanneer die Duiwel jou wil seermaak, sal hy dikwels ‘n persoon gebruik om dit te doen. Jou ‘vyand’ is enigiemand wat probeer om God se wil in jou lewe in die wiele te ry, identifiseer dus sulke mense en vermy hulle. God het ons nooit opdrag gegee om mense te vertrou nie; Hy het ons opdrag gegee om mense lief te hê – en Hom te vertrou. Verstaan die verskil, want jou oorwinning hang daarvan af.
3) Moenie tou opgooi nie. Jesus het gesê: ‘…Enigiemand wat ‘n hand aan die ploeg slaan en dan terugkyk, is nie geskik vir die koningsheerskappy van God nie’ (Lukas 9:62 NLV). Jou drome en doelwitte is enige geveg, enige prys en enige wagtydperk werd. Jou geloof is wat Satan verslaan. Onthou jy vir Josef? Elke dag van teëspoed was net nog ‘n tree na die troon toe. Hou dus aan stap en glo, want daar is oorwinning wat op jou wag!
Sielskos: Jer 18-21; Matt 23:13-22; Ps 98; Spr 14:34
2 Corinthians 4:8 TLB
Satan can attack you anytime, anywhere. If you want to defeat him, here are some tried and true biblical principles you need to follow:
(1) Guard your mind. You will never be defeated as long as you’re victorious in your mind; that’s the birthplace of everything you do. Satan knows that, and he will try to get your thoughts so scattered you won’t be able to concentrate on what’s important. Don’t let him do it. Get back into focus. Isaiah said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3 KJV).
(2) Love people, but trust God. Live by the Scripture: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8 KJV). When the Devil wants to hurt you, he will often use a person to do it. Your “enemy” is anyone who attempts to thwart the will of God in your life, so identify such people and avoid them. God never commanded us to trust people; He commanded us to love people – and trust Him. Understand the difference, for your victory depends on it.
(3) Never give up. Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 NIV). Your dreams and goals are worth any fight, any price, and any waiting period. Your faith is what defeats Satan. Remember Joseph? Every day of adversity was just another stepping-stone toward the throne. So, keep walking and believing, for there is victory ahead!
Soul food: Jer 18-21; Matt 23:13-22; Ps 98; Prov 14:34
2023-07-02
1 John 5:4 KJV
Adversity is often the Enemy’s attempt to rob you of the next season of God’s blessing in your life. If you’re under attack today, you need to do these three things:
(1) Rise up and fight back. You will be tempted to withdraw or become timid and passive, especially if you have been hurt. Don’t do it. A wounded animal just invites attack. Satan loves shy, fearful types, but real fighters intimidate him. So, be bold and claim the promise, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 KJV).
(2) Use all your weapons. The Bible says, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world… they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV). Prayer is a weapon – use it daily. And join in prayer with others. One person alone can’t multiply faith; increase begins when two people get together (See Matthew 18:19). Make sure you know the intercessors in your life, because they have influence with God. Scripture is also a weapon, so use it. “Take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 KJV). Find out what God’s Word says about your situation, and then use it like a sword to cut the Enemy’s head off.
(3) Try to see the big picture. Few things are ever as they first appear, so look beyond the moment and see if something good is being birthed in you. After adversity comes blessing and favour, so get your eyes back on the big picture. Paul, who suffered relentless attack, said, “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outlasts them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV). Bottom line: Today you can win.
Soul food: Josh 6:1-25; Luke 7:36-50
1 Johannes 5:4 NLV
Teëspoed is dikwels die Vyand se poging om die volgende seisoen van God se seën in jou lewe te steel. As jy vandag aangeval word, moet jy die volgende drie dinge doen:
1) Staan op en veg terug. Jy sal in die versoeking kom om jouself te onttrek en bedees en passief te word, veral as jy seergekry het. Moet dit egter nie doen nie. Satan is mal oor skaam, vreesbevange tipes, maar regte vegters intimideer hom. Wees dus dapper en eis die volgende belofte op: ‘…Weerstaan die duiwel en hy sal van julle af wegvlug’ (Jakobus 4:7 NLV).
2) Gebruik al jou wapens. Die Bybel sê: ‘Die wapens van ons stryd is nie mensgemaak nie, maar die kragtige gevegstoerusting van God wat vestings kan vernietig…’ (2 Korintiërs 10:4 NLV). Gebed is ‘n wapen – gebruik dit daagliks. Bid saam met ander mense. Maak seker jy ken die voorbidders in jou lewe, want hulle het invloed by God. Die Skrif is ook ‘n wapen, gebruik dit dus. ‘Gebruik… as swaard, die Gees, dit is God se woord’ (Efesiërs 6:17 NLV). Vind uit wat God se Woord oor jou situasie sê en gebruik dit dan as swaard om die Vyand se kop af te kap.
3) Probeer om die groter prentjie te sien. Min dinge is ooit soos dit aanvanklik lyk, kyk dus verby die oomblik en kyk of iets goeds in jou gebore word. Na teëspoed kom seën en guns, vestig dus jou oë dus op die groter prentjie. Paulus, wat onder meedoënlose aanvalle gely het, het gesê: ‘Ons swaarkry op die oomblik is gering en tydelik, maar dit bewerk vir ons ‘n heerlikheid wat alles verreweg oortref en vir altyd vas sal staan’ (2 Korintiërs 4:17 NLV). Jy kan vandag wen.
Sielskos: Jos 6:1-25; Luke 7:36-50
