Assassin

I have been thinking a lot about the lengths, the schemes that the Satan will go to in order to get us confused and off track. I want to start out by saying I am not an expert on this subject or any other for that matter, but what I do know is that there is a real enemy.  If you have been a Christian any length of time you have probably heard the sentiment, "God has a plan for you".  This is very true.  You were created ON purpose, WITH a purpose and FOR a purpose. He does have a plan that he has specifically designed for each of us that will be a great joy in our life.  (Check out my earlier post called "Longing to Calling").  In the last 5 years I have become painfully aware of an undesirable truth and that is that Satan has a plan for us too.  Take a look at these verses: 

The thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy, I have come so that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10   ---  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

I have always believed that there was an enemy but I never really realized the seriousness of how evil the enemy is and how much he hates me.  All the little sins that I struggled with I just passed off with a "that's life and it doesn't matter that much" attitude.  When really it was Satan at work all along.  When you seek to grow in God, Satan is your adversary.  We need to think of Satan as an assassin and he has his sights set on us.  The worst thing that Satan can do to us is separate us from God because he knows that our life apart from God is death.   He is subtle and leads us off track little bits at a time.  Next thing you know, we are far away from God and going down a road we never thought that we would be on.  Here's what I want to do:  Turn the tables on Satan!  The Bible says that all things work together for my good. (Romans 8:28)  Let's use the tactics he intends for harm, for our good; as a stepping stone that will ultimately bring us closer to God.  This thinking goes way back to Joseph in the book of Genesis.  In fact Joseph said those exact words to his enemies, his own brothers, who conspired against him.  He said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.."  That's what we can say to Satan.   Every morning, I want the enemy to be like......"not her again, she resists in every way!"  I don't want to assist Satan in leading me astray, I want to resist him.  I want to say to him every time I feel tempted, "you intend to harm me, but God intends good for me....oh and by the way Satan, don't forget you lose."

Some final rambling thoughts:

• Be a student of your Bible -- The word of God is our very best weapon to fight the schemes of Satan.  Learn some verses, it's not that hard.  Satan hates God's word.  Jesus used the word of God when he was tempted and so should we. 
• Know your weaknesses -- Know what your weaknesses are because you can be sure that Satan already knows them are and will use them against you every time. 
• Learn who is speaking to you -- We all have trouble sometimes figuring out if something is from God or Satan.  To begin to know the difference, get to know God by reading the Bible and praying.  Anyone can know about God, but we need to KNOW Him.  You cannot hear from God if you do not know him.  Also, when God is speaking to you, it will always line up with his word and lead you to Him.    

He Gives Beauty for Ashes

Isaiah 61:1-3 

Do you have anything in your life that has went up in flames?  Something that you tried at and failed?  Or your broken heart lies in ruins.  There are so many things that we could fail at and so many things that can break our heart make us feel captive like these verses in Isaiah are saying.  You probably already have a list running in your mind of things that have happened in your life; either by your own choices or something that you feel has been done unfairly to you.  In my own life I struggle to move beyond the ashes to the beauty that God wants to give me.  I kind of sit around in the "self pity pouty party" like Pastor Derek Amsler spoke about on Sept 22 in his message series: Scarecrow In A Melon Patch.  I am so busy dwelling and holding onto my past and where I have been and every thing that I have done wrong that I totally miss this one important truth!!  Here it is: Realize that what God has planned for our future is already better than where we've been.

Philippians 3:13-14 -- Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We all have been down a rough road or two, but God has something better for you, when in your faith you step out and trust Him to lead you to it.  All of the things that you have been through are things that God can use and wants to use to help the people around you. You (and me) are His greatest tools.

• Be positive!!  It begins with a choice.  Sometimes a choice we have to make several times a day.  Choose to live for God and to be positive. Find people that can encourage you and point you toward God.  Eliminate negativity and the self pity pouty poor me party.
• Take small steps toward God.  Everyday do something to draw closer to Him. 
• Let go of the death grip on the dead things in your life!!  If something in your life is dead (like the past), don't die with it.  Don't continue to let it drag you down.  Take that thought captive and cut it off, move forward believing that God has something better for you. 

If you and I would let go of the ashes.... there is beauty.

Cross references:

1. Philippians 3:13 : Lk 9:62
2. Philippians 3:14 : Heb 6:1
3. Philippians 3:14 : 1Co 9:24
4. Philippians 3:14 : S Ro 8:28