Under the influnce (2)

Day 3

Memory Verse

James 4:7 NIV

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Intro

Welcome to todays devotion called Under the Influence. It is a reality that we have an enemy who hates God and His people. He wants more than anything to destroy all that He loves and that includes the people of God. We all will experience spiritual war against the enemy but we don’t have to fear him. Because we can find victory in Jesus.

Pause

I enter Prayer by taking a moment to pause….. to breathe deeply and meditate on God's truth, allowing it to travel through my mind, will and emotions. As I slowly inhale…. I refocus on the goodness and faithfulness of God and….. exhale….. I release anxieties, worries and fears that have already entered this day. (pause)

As I steal my mind I pray James 4:7 for the Lord is the spirit (that lives in me), and wherever the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (pause)

Reflect: Have you ever played the game Rampage? In the game, players control a trio of humans who turn into creatures. The whole objective is to destroy as much of the city as you possible can. In a lot of ways this is exactly what the enemy wants to do and that is to destroy anything that has to do with God and His people. John 10:10 reveals Satan main objective. And that is he wants wants to steal, kill and destroy. John 10 Shares two analogies concerning Jesus ministry though a topic many of his listeners were familiar with and that is shepherding. The purpose of a thief, so far as the flock is concerned, is only to wreak havoc; the robber causes mayhem for his own selfish gain. In the same way Satan want to cause mayhem in our lives. The devil only wants to hurt us and cause our downfall.

Satan is truly a thief. As a thief Satan attempts to steal our joy. And he often enjoys using unrealistic world standards such as having the ‘’right” job or having the right appearance. When we Striving after the ideals of the world it leave us exhausted, empty, and discouraged. This is the exact state Satan wants the people of God to be in.

Satan also wants to kill and destroy us. The enemy will do anything to separate us from a relationship with God . Satan likes to cast doughts about Jesus. He wants us to believe that there is no God, Satan want us to question the depth of God’s love, That God doesn’t want to forgive us, That God won’t hear our prayers. These are all false and lies form the enemy in an attempt to destroy our faith in God.

Satan make every effort to prevent non-believers from coming to know Jesus. The enemy knows that he will soon be cast into the lake of fire and he want to take as many as he can with him to a ultimate destruction which is death and separation from God.

Satan is the exact opposite of Jesus. The Lord is only light, perfection, and love. Jesus desires to give us an abundant life. He came to Earth to offer salvation and to reconcile us with God. Through his teachings, miracles, and sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus demonstrated his love and desire for us to experience a life filled with purpose, joy, and fulfillment. He promises to provide for our needs, guide us in wisdom, and grant us eternal life. By following His teachings and surrendering our lives to him, we can receive the abundant life that he offers.

Living the abundant life that Jesus provides is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith. To fully embrace this life, it is important to prioritize a deep personal relationship with Jesus . This can be through regular prayer, studying the Bible, and participating in fellowship with other believers. Additionally, living a life of gratitude and contentment, while striving to serve others selflessly, is key to experiencing the abundant blessings that Jesus promises. By aligning our thoughts, actions, and priorities with God's will, we can truly live a life of abundance and fulfillment in Christ.

Ask God where in my life have I allowed Satan to steal my joy or destroy my Faith in God.

Ask God to help you live out the abundant life He has provided for us in His death and resurrection.

Yield Thanks you Lord for the abundant life you provided through your death and resurrection. Today I know that Satan’s plan for my life and that is to steal, Kill and destroy. Help me to live in the abundant life you have given me and give me eyes to see when I have allowed the thief to steal my Joy, or try to destroy my Faith in you.