I had to share a great message that really touched my heart. I am working on a new bible study through Proverbs 31 ministries. It's from the book "An Untroubled Heart, finding faith that is stronger than my fears".
I am the queen of Bible studies! I love starting them, I get excited weeks before they begin, I can't wait to feel refreshed and renewed!!! I get through 2 weeks and I fall behind...my days are overloaded with appointments..I'm tired after work...I get discouraged and then I struggle to catch up. I will say that I DO eventually catch up but during the catch up phase...I feel disappointment in myself and wonder if I should even bother signing up anymore. So where is the refreshed and renewed feeling that I was so excited about????
It comes...just not during the catch up phase....It comes at the end. So if you feel that you shouldn't sign up for Bible studies because you aren't sure if you can finish them.....Do it! You WILL be glad in the end!
OK sorry for the rant there...:-) So I started this new Bible study a few weeks ago and boy do I need this one right now! I'm separated, have an ill child that is home bound, working a lot, dealing with home issues with mold, seriously I could go on and on.. I would like to say that I'm some mighty wonder woman that never cracks under pressure but that would a complete lie! I'm human! I'm cracked in more pieces than Humpty Dumpty! :-) But with me...I can be put back together again.....I want to share this awesome message in my Bible Study! I hope it blesses you in whatever you are going through the way it has blessed me!
During our journey through life, we will encounter the Enemy on our path from time to time. He can show up in different forms such as trials, fears, broken relationships, discouragement, failures, and temptations. yet our Lord has provided a way for us to stand guard against the Devil's tactics. "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7) You and I can guard against the Devil by remembering that Christ conquered him on the cross. Satan no longer holds us in bondage to fear. When apprehensions come, our faith falters. We stand guard against the Devil remembering God's words are true. "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5.)
Resisting the enemy is another way to guard ourselves. While he still has the power to tempt us, we can experience victory. As we submit to God and believe His truth instead of doubting it, the Devil will flee. Finally, we must "put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes". (Eph 6:11). When we dress ourselves each day in God's armor, it acts as a hedge of protection that keeps the Enemy from showing up on our path and burdening us with hardships.
Good stuff! We know the Enemy is on a constant mission to break us down...we need to stand firm and know that God is much bigger, greater, and stronger than the Devil! The battle has already been won for us!
