Send Him Running!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US1-R-R9lYQ&list=RDUS1-R-R9lYQ&start_radio=1

Run Devil Run ~ Crowder

 

So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. ~ James 4:7 AMP

 

I love the scene in War Room where Elizabeth, Priscilla Shirer's character, finally "gets it" and starts telling the devil she's not going to allow him to run all over her or her family, anymore. We laugh and cheer at that scene, but do we make a point to put the devil in his place in our own lives?

 

David Crowder sings "Run Devil Run". One of the lines says, "I got something make the devil gonna run. I got something make the devil be gone." James 4:7 gives us a three-step recipe to make that happen.

 

1. Get an adjustment. The chiropractor adjusts my spine, correctly aligning it, so messages can accurately travel from my brain to the rest of my body. When we're out of alignment with God, His messages get skewed, or missed entirely. But when we adjust ourselves into correct alignment under God, through submission, we’re able to correctly receive His messages.

2. Stand up to the devil. 1 John 4:4 says, “Greater is He [God] who is in us than he [Satan] who is in the world.” When we believe this, we’ll never need to cower, remembering we have the victory.

3. Send him running! 1 Peter 5:8 says the devil is looking for someone to devour. On Animal Planet, the lions go after the young or weaker animals in the herd, because they’re easier prey. The same is true with us. While the devil is patient and smart, he's also limited in his resources and would rather overcome easier prey than continue to battle those who are strong in their position in the Lord, (Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 6:10-13).

 

For each of our lives, the devil has the same plan: steal, kill, and destroy. But God has given us the victory and tools to overcome when we (1) submit to God's authority and (2) resist the devil. With Palm Sunday and Easter approaching, take time to thank God for giving you the victory, and then be determined to stand strong in it!

©Heather Potts 2021

Defend the Goal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJB64RmJEDE

Rise Up ~ Skillet

Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. ~ 1 Peter 5:8 AMP

For fall sports, Savannah played soccer. Though she didn't steal the ball or score any goals, she absolutely loved it! As defender of the goal, however, she excelled! Her mantra as goalie: "Nothing's gonna get past me!" And it didn't!

That should be more than a mantra for us, when it comes to standing firm against the enemy. But if we're honest, we can get distracted and that's when the enemy sends his attacks firing at us. Fortunately, Holy Spirit reminds us to be the defender of our lives and families.

The devil, because he studies us, knows our weaknesses. When he strikes with fear, he goes straight for the jugular. Thankfully, Holy Spirit is always watching out for us and brings stories, friends, and scripture to increase our faith, enabling us to stand up to and stare down the enemy, till he flees.

During the holidays, our routines can change, and we can be off our guard, perhaps complacent with our prayer and Bible study time. We need to remember that the devil doesn't take a holiday, but relishes the fact that we might. For him, that's the perfect opportunity to pounce, creating all sorts of mischief, doubt, fear, and panic in our lives. Matthew 6:33 and James 4:7 say to first seek God's Kingdom and His righteousness, and to submit ourselves to God's authority, because doing so gives us the ability to stand firm against the devil's attacks.

As Christmas draws nearer and you're enjoying many fun activities, be sure to not get distracted. Through prayer and Bible study, keep up the defense and tell the devil, "Nothing's gonna to get past me!"

©Heather Potts 2019