Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 31, 2015
I will not speak to you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. John 14:30-31
The prince of this world is alive and well. His methods are fear, intimidation, and deception. He flaunts his pretentious power over a decaying world. He maneuvers around in a spiritual disguise. He wants you to have just enough of Jesus to disappoint you but not too much that you depend on Him. His desire is for partial obedience to the commands of Christ, so that your love for Him is sentimental and shallow. Then when pain and suffering grow in intensity, you will lose confidence in the Lord. He wants your love for the Lord to be conditional on everything being okay, not unconditional regardless of the outcome. Adversity is the adversary’s most intense weapon of distrust. Satan desires to sift your faith through the sands of suffering. He tries to extract your joy in Jesus with jealousy over the good fortune of others and a jaded belief that God is distant and disinterested. He demands you to believe that death is the end and that no good can come out of your grief and loss.
But, followers of Jesus do not have to believe his half-truths. You are free to instantly, willingly, and completely obey God’s commands. This is the evidence of your love for the Lord. Love is where joy gestates. Hate is where anger incubates. Obedience to God makes you an overcomer. There is nothing the devil can demand of you without first going through God. He tries to make you think you are eternally exposed, but you are safely strapped in by eternal security. Christ is in His Father, you are in Christ, and Christ is in you (John 14:20). The prince of this world is powerless to pry you from the Prince of Peace.
The Prince of Peace is large and in charge. He has taken the temptations of the tempter and turned them into His purposes. Jesus uses allurement for power, and converts it into servant leadership. Christ stands greed on its head and transforms it into generosity. The Lord arrests lust and rehabilitates it into unconditional love. The Holy Spirit harbors discernment and direction during the dregs of distractions and distrust. The temptation for resentment and bitterness is trumped by everlasting forgiveness. Jesus is all about calm in the middle of confusion; He is light in the middle of darkness; He is peace in the middle of war; He is joy in the middle of sadness; He is acceptance in the middle of rejection; He is love in the middle of hate.
The Prince of Peace has formed an army of the faithful. Hear His voice, learn of Him, and obey His commands. The enemy is no match for the Master. The enemy tries in vain to recruit those gone AWOL or who have drifted behind enemy lines. Nevertheless, fight the good fight. Rescue the perishing and care for the dying. The battle is not yours, but the Lord’s. You cannot sustain yourself in your own strength; instead, rely on your Savior’s. Do not fall for the tempter’s tactics, for his tricks are no treat. Faithful followers of Jesus trust wholeheartedly, love unconditionally, and obey instantly. Surrender is what we signed up for. The enemy shudders when you surrender to your Savior, and not to him. The unseen war was fought and finished at the cross. The Prince of Peace rules eternally. He is the winner for now and for evermore.
The Bible says, “He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:2).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ name I pray against the prince of this world and trust the Prince of Peace to defeat him.
Application: What lie do I believe from the devil’s deception that I need to replace with Christ’s truth?
Post/Tweet this today: You cannot sustain yourself in your own strength; instead, rely on your Savior’s. #princeofthisworld #WisdomHunters
Worship Resource: 4 minute video- Lauren Daigle: This is Amazing Grace
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This is exactly what I needed to read today! The truth of the word of God is freeing from the deception of the enemy. I am the primary caregiver for my mother who has the onset of dymentia. The liar harasses daily, why did this happen – it doesn’t run in her family, where are your siblings, you should be enjoying your life, and it goes on. Trying to do this in the flesh is impossible, the last thing the enemy wants me to do is call upon the Lord, keeps telling me there is no time to rad the Bible. I fail daily in the service to Jesus, but daily ask for forgiveness and help. Love the timing and clarity of God’s word. Thanks.
Dear Beverly,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to us. We are thankful that you were blessed by this devotional and PRAISE GOD for placing these words in front of you at the time you must needed to read them. HE never ceases to amaze me!
Your sincere and very heartfelt comments really “struck a chord” and I believe there are many in our Wisdom Hunter’s family who needed to read your comments, along with the devotional. Thank you, Beverly, for so clearly stating how the enemy goes after those that are shining God’s Light whether they are caregivers, those being cared for, or any of our brothers and sisters-in-Christ that are serving Him as they serve others.
As Boyd stated in “Prince of this World”, “Jesus is all about calm in the middle of confusion; He is the light in the middle of darkness…He is the joy in the middle of sadness”. Amen and Amen!
Beverly, you are a blessing to your mother, as I am sure she has been to you! As times become more difficult, hold onto His Truth.
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5: 2-4
Sister, you are a gift! We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and we look forward to hearing from you again. Beverly, I want you to know, we have a prayer team at Wisdom Hunters and will pray for you and your Mom. You can reach me gwynne@wisdomhunters.com if you would like. Stay close to the Father during your journey.
Grateful~
Gwynne
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Psalm 51:10-12