"When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came."
-- Luke 4:14 (NLT)
What a fun couple of days I have been having. Since Monday I have been on hyperdrive writing my book. (My book is a novel that will create awareness and inspire compassion in our country to fight against human trafficking in our own homeland and abroad.) What an incredible journey as I pray through all this. I really believe this story is inspired by God. I wasn't really looking to try and write a book. Gracious, it it a lot of dedication. BUT, I truly believe God wants to use this for HIS Glory. So, if I get to be a part of that, well, then I am honored to do so.
On Monday I wrote about 15 pages, and I was stoked! So excited! The next day, I think I was under attack. I didn't sleep well, I felt discouraged. I felt inadequate as a mother. I think the devil's default attack is to accuse my role as a mother, because he knows how precious my son is to me. Anyway, after some tears on Tuesday, I acknowledged it for what it was... Just the dumb devil making lousy remarks and shooting below the belt.
So this morning I was reading Luke 4 and saw how the Devil tempted Jesus. He tempted issues of provision, promotion, and protection. All things I must trust in God for as well. But the part that stood out to me today was the verse listed above. Jesus was triumphant. He worshipped God first. He trusted God's provision and timing rather than taking it into his own hands.
But then it said in verse 13...
"When the devil has finished tempting Jesus, he left until the next opportunity came."
Funny how Jesus had been victorious in that moment, but the Devil didn't give up for good. He would still be watching and waiting for an opportunity to tempt and accuse Jesus. If the Devil didn't take a vacation when Jesus was walking the earth, my guess is that he probably won't for me either.
I don't have any reason to fear. I know that the God IN me is bigger and stronger than the devil around me. So, no need for fear... just awareness. The devil is looking for opportunities. He looks for a day when our guard is down, or we are discouraged. He also looks for a day when we try to be independent, or do things in our own strength. He looks for days when we step out in faith, and attempt new things for the Glory of God. He wants to distract us or discourage us from obedience, because he knows that our obedience to God will bear fruit, create intimacy with our Savior, and deepen our faith and trust in God. The devil would rather we stay shallow, selfish, worrisome, and fearful, without any fruit in our lives.
SO, be ready. Understand that when God is stretching your faith, or calling you to incredibly brave things... the devil is poised and ready. When you are ready to forgive someone, or speak wisdom into someone's life, or reach out to someone new, the devil watching. When you are ready to give generously and sacrificially, the devil is watching. When you are ready to step out of a life of guilt or depression, he is watching. But have NO fear!
"Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God and he will come close to you." James 4:7-8 (NLT)
Resist the devil! Call him out! Kick him out of your home and your family life. Don't give him even a place to stay in your heart. You tell him, "Jesus has taken up residence here- so there is no room for you!"
I feel so much more free today since reading God's Word and knowing that with God, victory is within reach!
Love to you all!
Truth be Told,
Tiffany
Showing posts with label James. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James. Show all posts
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Hide-N-Seek
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8
Today I had a great moment with my son. He is nearly three years old, and he loves to play games (constantly!), so today we decided to play a bit of Hide-n-Seek a few minutes before his nap time. He always loves to count and have me hide. So, I had such fun as I peeked around corners and watched my little boy search for me. I never hid in hard spots... just behind the bathroom door or behind the couch. Of course the funny thing is that his plan for finding me is always to call my name as loud as possible. Not piercing my ears, but loud enough that everyone in the house could hear. So I would smile as I peek around the door and see my little guy searching for me and calling my name. And every time he called for me, I just had to answer, I couldn't stay silent. Even if I gave a little quiet answer so that it atleast gave him a direction to look in.
When he found me I would jump out and squeal and he would cheer and laugh and we would have a big hug. His shock, and awe, and joy in finding me was too much fun, and I couldn't stop playing.
The funny thing I appreciated was that every time he started a new search, he always looked for me in the last place he found me... and I was never there. I could spy on him and watch him check the same places, hoping I would be in the first place he looked. As I was hiding behind the door in my dark craft room... I smiled as I watched Noah search in the bathroom for me which was the last place he found me... and I had this moment with God. I felt like my eyes were opened a bit. How often do I do that? I search for God in the same places I have found him before. NOW, don't confuse... I DON'T think that God hides from us, but I do think there are times when we seek Him, times when He leads us in new directions, and times when He surprises us. I felt the heart of God sharing that His surprises will not be expected, we may not find a deeper revelation of HIM in the places we had before.
>> Does that mean routines are bad? Absolutely not. Spiritual Disciplines are a MUST, and such discipline as we press in to God is a good, good thing, and He always rewards our faithfulness.
BUT, I think that we can mistake God's unchanging nature to be boring or totally predictable... and I don't think that's the case at all. How many burning bushes (with Moses) have you seen? I've only heard or one story like that. OR, how many times did God part the Red Sea (with Moses), or burn a soaking wet sacrifice (with Elijah) to prove himself? Can God do these things again? Sure. But what if God has a Special surprise just for YOU!?
I am certain that God smiles when we seek Him. I am confident that His heart jumps when He hears His precious children calling His name. And, no, He is not hiding from you. He very well could be right in front of you, but in the midst of things you didn't expect.
SO, call out for him. Seek your Savior, Jesus. He delights in those moments. I bet He will surprise you. Relish those sweet moments when he pops around the corner and we can jump and squeal and cheer. Those are great moments!
Love Tiffany
Today I had a great moment with my son. He is nearly three years old, and he loves to play games (constantly!), so today we decided to play a bit of Hide-n-Seek a few minutes before his nap time. He always loves to count and have me hide. So, I had such fun as I peeked around corners and watched my little boy search for me. I never hid in hard spots... just behind the bathroom door or behind the couch. Of course the funny thing is that his plan for finding me is always to call my name as loud as possible. Not piercing my ears, but loud enough that everyone in the house could hear. So I would smile as I peek around the door and see my little guy searching for me and calling my name. And every time he called for me, I just had to answer, I couldn't stay silent. Even if I gave a little quiet answer so that it atleast gave him a direction to look in.
When he found me I would jump out and squeal and he would cheer and laugh and we would have a big hug. His shock, and awe, and joy in finding me was too much fun, and I couldn't stop playing.
The funny thing I appreciated was that every time he started a new search, he always looked for me in the last place he found me... and I was never there. I could spy on him and watch him check the same places, hoping I would be in the first place he looked. As I was hiding behind the door in my dark craft room... I smiled as I watched Noah search in the bathroom for me which was the last place he found me... and I had this moment with God. I felt like my eyes were opened a bit. How often do I do that? I search for God in the same places I have found him before. NOW, don't confuse... I DON'T think that God hides from us, but I do think there are times when we seek Him, times when He leads us in new directions, and times when He surprises us. I felt the heart of God sharing that His surprises will not be expected, we may not find a deeper revelation of HIM in the places we had before.
>> Does that mean routines are bad? Absolutely not. Spiritual Disciplines are a MUST, and such discipline as we press in to God is a good, good thing, and He always rewards our faithfulness.
BUT, I think that we can mistake God's unchanging nature to be boring or totally predictable... and I don't think that's the case at all. How many burning bushes (with Moses) have you seen? I've only heard or one story like that. OR, how many times did God part the Red Sea (with Moses), or burn a soaking wet sacrifice (with Elijah) to prove himself? Can God do these things again? Sure. But what if God has a Special surprise just for YOU!?
I am certain that God smiles when we seek Him. I am confident that His heart jumps when He hears His precious children calling His name. And, no, He is not hiding from you. He very well could be right in front of you, but in the midst of things you didn't expect.
SO, call out for him. Seek your Savior, Jesus. He delights in those moments. I bet He will surprise you. Relish those sweet moments when he pops around the corner and we can jump and squeal and cheer. Those are great moments!
Love Tiffany
