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

Always Be Joyful

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

Run Devil Run ~ CROWDER

Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful! ~ Philippians 4:4 NIRV

I was so delighted to see the photo of Savannah's baptism pop up in my Google memories from last year. It was a good day. Savannah had been asking to be baptized for a while. When the opportunity presented itself, Savannah met with church leadership and they agreed she was ready. For her baptism, Savannah could have a family member help to baptize her. She picked me. I was so honored to be part of her special moment!

These days feel so far from that moment in time, where everything seemed perfect. Now, when the world is in constant chaos, it can seem hard to find reasons to celebrate. But as Philippians 4:4 reminds us, because we belong to the Lord, we can always be full of joy.

Often times, people—myself included—confuse joy with happiness. Happiness is based on happenings: external events that happen to us. Whereas joy is something that happens within us, because of our relationship with Jesus. Pastor and author Rick Warren said joy is "the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation."

Every day, we can choose peace and joy. Or we can join the world's chaos and agree with everything that's wrong. Today, take a moment to practice joy. Spend some time praising God for what He has done, is doing, and will do in and through your life. Make the decision to be joyful, always.

©Heather Potts 2020