All throughout our lives and others in this world, we are tempted by the enemy, no matter if we are Christians. The devil hates that we are on God’s side, and therefore tries to bring us down every day of our lives. He doesn’t want us to find joy, but to take as many people as he can with him down to hell one day. And the sad thing is, is that most people are not hearing God’s call for their lives, but are instead following the lusts of their flesh and what the world can offer them. So it is that Satan has these people in the palms of his hands. They are not safe but are on the path of destruction, which leads to hellfire and damnation in death. Surely, only an awakening of their souls to the Lord, our God, will change any course in their lives. This is because the enemy already has them and to break them free would take a miracle from God. Praises to the Lord God, however, that he is much stronger than anyone else, including the devil. All it takes are people that humble themselves before God, and He is able to make Himself known to them. This is when His presence is felt and the Holy Spirit is breathed into their souls. Because God heard their cries and their confessions, there is no more guilt or shame lingering in their hearts, for He has washed all these emotions away and filled them with gladness. There is now forgiveness and much peace to be had. How great is our God and His mercy? Wow, our God who saves us from our sins is so good!
To those that have repented and been given newness of life in Christ Jesus, their walk is much different now. Because the armor of God is in their lives, the tempter will have to try much harder to bring them down. It is because the Lord is their strength and their strong tower. Surely, it will take a lot to bring down the elect of God, who have chosen to live their lives fully for Christ. Thankfully we have a good shepherd in Jesus Christ, our Lord, who is also our protector. Allow Him to fight your battles with you, and you will find strength. As he watches over us, He also scatters the wolves, that they may not take a hold of our lives and lead us astray. Sure, this life will have its heartaches and trials along with it, but God will bear us up in these times. He will make these situations much more tolerable, while ushering in His peace that will sustain us. Those that walk in their faith know this to be true, as do I, for Jesus said, 1“come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) I know this may be hard to believe for some, but it is true, my friends. This life is so much better when we simply come unto Jesus and rest in His love. Then, everything else makes sense and we are able to endure in the faith, even until the end of time.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that more people will come unto You and find strength in Your presence. They may be weak now because of temptation, but all this has no match to Your protection that You will give them. Because You are our rock and our strong tower, we can do all things in Your great Name. Even mountains can be moved, because You are victorious in all things. Addiction has no match to Your power. All this bondage, because of sin, is cast out in Your mighty Name, Jesus. We are able to find rest for our souls, because You are able to win the battle of sin that is raging within us. The payment has already been made for sin on the cross, and we give You thanks. So we come to You now with all our cares and burdens at Your feet, Jesus. Hear our cries and have mercy for souls. We are sorry for our sins and confess that we need You, Lord. You are the only person that can save us from a life of sin, and who can tear all the filth from our lips and our hearts. We give it all to You, Lord. You know what is wrong with our lives and how it can be mended. So take us now and breathe new life into us. Give us a new heart, that we may walk in Your light and serve You, our Lord and our God, whom we love. Give us new desires, that we may not only love You, but our neighbors also. I pray that our intentions will be for those that are in need, and for every lost soul in this world. Give us boldness to pray with them, witness to them, feed them, clothe them, and to care for them as You care for us. I love You, Lord. I live this life to follow You, Jesus. Wherever this life takes me, You will be my light, for I believe in You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Matthew 11 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.