“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. “ Romans 8:28

Thought

Bad stuff happens in life. Satan has a part to play in the bad stuff. Our own sins and their consequences also play a part. The rebellion against God and the spiritual weakness in those we love bring hurtful things into our life. Sometimes, God even disciplines us to awaken us out of lethargy or to correct some sinful problem in our lives. Yet in all these things, we have an incredible promise: If we love God and are seeking to honor his call in our lives, our Father in heaven will work out all of the things going on in our life for our good.

Prayer

Father, I appreciate your promise to work out all things in my life, both good and bad, for my good. I ask, dear Father, for faith to believe this promise is true during painful and difficult times. I ask for patience, O God, to hang on to my convictions when trying times persist. I believe your promise, dear LORD, and look forward to what you will eventually make of me when you are finished with your work. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used with permission

You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on https://www.verseoftheday.com

FURTHER READING

Just How Bad Could it Get?

God Works Things Out for Our Good

Where is God When I Hurt?

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The post Bad Stuff Happens appeared first on Thoughts About God.

In the game of life there are two courts. God’s court and Satan’s court. God wants us in his court playing by his rules. Unfortunately there are many who are in Satan’s court trying to play by God’s rules and more unfortunately there are those in God’s court who want to try and play by both sets of rules.

We have a choice, although born in Satan’s court we can enter God’s court. To enter his court we must surrender the ‘old’‘ self to Jesus and enter through his gate, the free gift of salvation, (our justification). Then we need to become the ‘new’ self by learning and applying the rules of the new game, getting rid of the old and putting on the new, (our sanctification).

And by the way, there are no bleachers in the game of life. We are in one court or the other. We need to ask ourselves, whose court am I in and whose rules am I playing by?

My prayer for you this week

“Creator God, Thank-you for your admonition, your wisdom and your promise. Your ‘Word,’ telling us that if we are to come after Jesus, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him. For if we want to save our life we must lose it, and when we lose our life for Jesus we will find it. Your ‘wisdom’ in asking, what good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? And your ‘promise’, that the Son of Man is going to come in Your glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. Amen and amen.” Matthew 16:24-28

Have a great week

by Alec Niemi
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Satan’s Strategy

He is Out to Destroy You

Surrounded by God’s Protection

The post Two Courts appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”  1 Corinthians 7:5

Recently we acquired a new puppy. She is cute as a button and full of energy. Puppies are fun, but come untrained, so these past few months we have been training her. She has her own dog crate, where she goes for the night and whenever we are gone or she needs to stay out of trouble.

The problem has been getting her into the cage. When she knows it is time she is hard to catch. Sometimes I wish I had an old-fashioned dog catchers net. But then we figured a better way by putting a treat in the crate so she would go in. We could then shut the door behind her. Now she knows a treat will be there and even when she is far away and we say “kennel up” she will run to it.

Satan is much like that. He baits the trap with goodies for us to follow and sooner or later the door shuts behind us. He uses all types of things…. People, money, power, etc. It is like baiting the mousetrap with cheese.

At some point, we have all fallen into the snares of evil. Oh, the bait looks so good. Surely the world won’t label the traps from Satan, but the Bible will. Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 6:9,

“But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.”

Satan’s three greatest temptations are flesh, tempting God and discontentment. Jesus said, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.”

Discontentment is a clear pathway for Satan to capture and place you under his command. We live in a world where billions are spent on advertising each year and the main goal is to make you unsatisfied with what you have. Easy credit, keeping up with your next door neighbor and the like are all used by the devil to lead you into destruction and once you get there, he slams the door behind you.

If you are not content, you want to own the whole world, all what is in the world, you are on your way to falling into Satan worship. Whenever you are tempted by good things or bad, ask what Jesus would do.

Temptation is mentioned thirty four times in the Bible and similar words many more. Whenever you are tempted, turn first to the Bible for guidance. It will save you many a heartache.

By John Grant
Used by Permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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• God’s Help during Temptation
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• Temptation

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The post The Trap appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Lock your door and don’t go out alone!” Most of us will have gotten this advice from some caring person, a person that is concerned about our safety. God is concerned about our safety and gives some clear advice about the dangers around us.

First, God make it clear there is an enemy that wants to rob us of what he wants to give us. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” -John 10:10

The thief, the devil attacks when we are in the most vulnerable, exposed and in difficult circumstances. God warns us, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
– 1 Peter 5:8

One of Satan’s strategy to devour our souls is to send untrue thoughts into our minds, the thoughts, “flaming dart” are sent to discourage us, to move us to despair and darkness of the soul. The devil, the father of lies (John 8:44), is a professional liar and will lie about the most tender things in our soul. God’s wisdom, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one...”
–Ephesians 6:16

The tactic God gives for safety is to run to him. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” –James 4:7 We can run to many things to escape despair. The evil one wants us to run to things that will make it easier for him to “steal, kill and destroy” not to God.

Are you safe?

Prayer: Father, I come to you today for safety in the battle. I seek your protection; I have been foolish to attempt to face the spiritual forces around me alone. I will by faith trust what you say is true to defeat the lies of Satan. Thank you that I am safe with you. Amen

By Mike Woodard
Used by Permission
www.thelife.com/dailydevotions

Are you seeking the safety that can be found in the power of Jesus?  He defeated Satan when he rose from the grave.  You can know him personally by surrendering to him, accepting that He is who He says he is and inviting Him into your life.  This is a sample suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

It starts now! Learn his promises and claim them against the powers of darkness.

FURTHER READING

• Resist the Enemy
• The Attack
• Breaking Chains

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The post Safety appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9

It came like a thief in the night, totally unexpected or unimaginable. It happened on September 11, an odd coincidence since that’s the number (911) that we call for emergencies. We all remember where we were when it happened and stayed glued to the television throughout the day. Planes struck both World Trade Center buildings, hit the Pentagon and a fourth attack was thwarted by passengers on board.

Three weeks later, as the buildings were still smoldering and ash still falling, my wife and I headed to South Manhattan armed with Bible pamphlets which we handed out on the streets, ashes falling on our heads. People reached for what we had, as they were hungry for the Word in a time of crisis. It is amazing how desired the Bible becomes in times of crisis.

Satan attacks in various ways, usually striking like a snake. The adversary is aware of who you are. He knows of your divine heritage and seeks to limit your earthly and heavenly potential by using the three Ds: Deception, Distraction and Discouragement. He infiltrates the world with his lies, and even believers can be deceived. He’s always ready to interject his ideas into our minds and lead us astray by convincing us that there will be no consequences for sin. If we believe his lies and disobey our heavenly Father, we will suffer His loving discipline.

Spiritual warfare is real, and we all will one time(s) or another be one of Satan’s targets. Like the Boy Scout oath we need to be prepared. Spiritual warfare is best confronted with spiritual preparedness, so to be prepared we need to immerse ourselves daily in the Bible, prayer and spiritual fellowship.

Whenever you choose less than God’s best or to forego God’s prescribed plans, you always put yourself in a vulnerable position. Whenever you choose to go your own way and not follow God’s plan with God’s people, you put yourself in a weakened position. When we settle for less than God’s best or His will, we set ourselves up for attack from the enemy. We should put on Jesus and make no provisions for the flesh. Romans 13:14

So, the next time you are confronted by a bully boastful devilish serpentine enemy, call out to God. Pray for the Spirit’s empowerment. Lead in the Spirit. Maybe even ask for some holy anger to drive you on. And when victory is won, give glory to God.

by  John Grant
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Attacks of Satan

When Satan Hinders You

Attacks of the Enemy

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The post The Attack appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Wherefore we would have come unto you … but Satan hindered us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:18 (KJV)

Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience that Satan hinders us. From all points of the compass, all along the line of battle, in front and behind, at the dawn of day and in the midnight hour, Satan hinders us. If we toil in the field, he seeks to break the plow. If we build a wall, he labors to cast down the stones. If we serve God in suffering or in conflict, everywhere Satan hinders us.

He hinders us when we are first coming to Jesus Christ. Everyone experiences fierce conflicts with Satan when we first look to the cross and live. When we are saved, Satan endeavors to hinder the completeness of our personal character. You may be congratulating yourself, thinking “I have until now walked consistently and no one can challenge my integrity.” Beware of boasting, for your virtue will yet be tested. Satan will direct his efforts against that virtue for which you have become proud.

If you continue as a firm believer, your faith will soon be attacked. If you have been meek as Moses, expect to be tempted to speak unadvisedly with your lips. The birds will peck at your ripest fruit, and the wild boar will bludgeon his tusks against your choicest vines.

Satan is sure to hinder us when we are earnest in prayer. He attacks our persistence, and weakens our faith in order that, if possible, we may miss out on God’s blessing. Satan is vigilant in obstructing Christian effort. There was never a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition. As soon as Ezra and Nehemiah begin to labor, Sanballat and Tobiah are stirred up to hinder them.

We should not be alarmed when Satan hinders us. It is a proof that we are on the Lord’s side and are doing the Lord’s work. In His strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary.

Question: How have you been under spiritual attack lately? What resources has God provided to prevail against such attack?

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon.
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2011.
Used by permission

Further Reading

•  Pressing Your Reset Button

•  Guiltless is God’s Eyes

•  Salvation Explained

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