| One important factor in how we go through life is | | | | Jesus toldus that we would be persecuted in His |
| ourattitudes. The way we think, whether positively | | | | name. Satan usesother people, circumstances, |
| or negativelywill have a very big affect upon what | | | | situations, whatever he cantake hold of to try and lie |
| happens to us duringthis course of a lifetime. It | | | | to us. But as we grow and maturein Christ, we can |
| determines where we will spendeternity. | | | | stand up to this liar, this thief, thismurderer because |
| As followers of Christ, it's no secret that Satan has | | | | God will sustain all our needs. Hepromises to give us |
| set out todestoy our walk into the kingdom of | | | | the grace to keep going throughwhatever is thrown |
| heaven. Just as he waspersuasive enough to bring | | | | at us. God created us in His image. Thisis not so much |
| one third of God's angels withhim when he fell from | | | | a physical image but a spiritual one. God is |
| heaven to roam this earth as a lionseeking to devour | | | | Spirit and His attributes are love, peace, joy, |
| his innocent prey. His mission is to lie sothat he may | | | | contentment,faithfullness and patience. This is the |
| kill, steal and destroy our souls. His intent isjust as | | | | image He wants us tohave. When we attain these |
| strong today. He is determined to round up as | | | | attributes, we can't help but behappy no matter |
| manyof us here on earth as he can so that we will | | | | what comes our way. God promises tonever leave |
| follow him tohis final resting place, in the lake of fire | | | | us nor forsake us. What a comfort this is. |
| otherwise known ashell. | | | | We become children of God, through adoption and |
| "His tail swept (across the sky) and dragged down 1 | | | | are thenheirs to a royal priesthood (1 Pt. 2:9) God |
| 3 of thestars and flung them to the earth. And the | | | | sets us above andapart from the rest of the world |
| dragon stationedhimself in front of the woman who | | | | as we know it. He sanctifiesus, which means He calls |
| was about to bedelivered, so that he might devour | | | | us His own and Satan can't claimus. He also justifies |
| her child as soon as shebrought it forth." Rev. 12:4 | | | | us which is to say it's "Just as if" wehad never sinned. |
| (Amplified) | | | | We are now covered in the holy blood of |
| It's just like Satan to set himself up in front of one | | | | Jesus who died to save us. |
| who isabout to be delivered and set free. Once we | | | | In becoming stronger in who we are in Christ, we |
| are delivered hebecomes even angrier and tries | | | | can thenlearn to discern when what we hear is from |
| harder to devour us. Jesussaid he is the father of lies. | | | | God or not. Onegood rule of thumb is if you feel an |
| Remember how it all started inthe garden when he | | | | urgency to do something,it's probably a lie. God is |
| suduced Eve and lied to her about thatdarned ol' | | | | patient and He wants us to wait on |
| apple? He is crafty and good at what he does. | | | | Him. Now if it's an urgent call to prayer, then it's from |
| But, God is mightier in power and we already know | | | | God. |
| how thestory ends! Satan loses. | | | | Don't jump on anything without first seeking God and |
| He works on us through lies which come from all | | | | gettingconfirmation. |
| differentkinds of sources. He instills fears and doubts | | | | "Seek ye first the kingdom of God in all it's |
| in us whichnaturally lead to negative thinking. He | | | | righteousnessand all else will be given you." Matt. 6:33 |
| knows this kind ofmind set will cause us to fall away | | | | (Amplified) |
| from our heavenly Father. | | | | Another sure fire way to fight this enemy is to |
| When we have these fears and doubts we can't | | | | constantly give |
| hear Godproperly. Also in fear and doubt, God can't | | | | God praise and glory because where there is praise, |
| hear us either. | | | | Satancan't stay. And when we do come under |
| This fear and doubt will cancel out the ability to hear | | | | attack, it's importantto know about the full armor of |
| fromthe Holy Spirit. Instead we hear another voice | | | | God in which to fight back. |
| that condonesour sinning and we accept it. This | | | | You can find all these in Ephes. 6:10-20. All but the |
| promotes our owndemise as we make the wrong | | | | swordare weapons of defense, but the sword which |
| decisions in going ahead of | | | | is God's Wordis offense. You can use God's Word to |
| God. As a result our wrong choices will always bring | | | | demand the enemyto get behind thee. He has to |
| aboutguilt, sadness, pain, great emptiness. In other | | | | bow down in the name of |
| words wehave created for ourselves a hell right here | | | | Jesus and the best thing to remember is that we |
| on earth! Thesad thing is that this is when we look | | | | were giventhat power and authority by Jesus |
| for God to help us. | | | | Himself. We can stand upstrong and straight in attack |
| Remember, God doesn't have to finish anything that | | | | and say, "Satan...I am NOTimpressed!" |
| Hedidn't start. | | | | The way we choose to handle temptations makes all |
| But, as God is a good God, He will lift us up | | | | thedifference in the world. Yes, life can be what you |
| fromcondemnation when we honestly come to Him | | | | make of it,and to be able to laugh in the face of |
| and accept | | | | adversity will alwaysbring about the right |
| His Son Jesus Christ. He knows as humans we | | | | consequences. Ask yourself, are youwilling to allow |
| arevulnerable to this attack and that is why He gives | | | | Satan to steal your joy or will you stand on |
| us theminds of Christ to fight back when we | | | | God's promises? It's up to you. |
| become saved. Thisnew way of thinking allows us to | | | | God knows the end from the beginning, so we can |
| see that glass as half full. | | | | trust Himwith everything in between. |
| Our attitudes become positive ones and then God | | | | If you are stressed out, uncertain and confused, then |
| can startmoving in our lives. | | | | knowthat this is not from God as He doesn't author |
| As a result, no matter how hard Satan tries to | | | | confusion inanyone's life. He can give to you a life of |
| offset this wayof thinking, we will experience a life | | | | contentment whenyou invite Christ to lead you. Give |
| of heaven here on earth. | | | | it to Him, that's what Hedied for. Don't let it be in |
| This is not to say it will all be a pleasant journey. | | | | vain. |