Rhapsody Of Realities, Wednesday 24 August 2022 || Pastor Chris

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES 24 AUGUST 2022 DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: STAND STRONG IN FAITH

Scripture: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).

As a Christian, you ought to look at things from the spiritual perspective, especially when you encounter circumstances that pose some serious challenges to your faith. Are you in a health situation, and you’ve done everything you know and the prognosis is still dim? Or in your finances you’ve applied all the strategies you know, but your situation seems to be worsening, and you’re wondering what next to do? At such times, stand strong in faith.

You have to realize that there’s an adversary who is all out to oppose the Gospel and try to hinder your effectiveness in the things of God. Ephesians 6:10-11 says, “…be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” The wiles of the devil refer to the strategies of the devil. The Apostle Paul, here, wants you to know that there’s an enemy that is lying in wait, strategizing against you and the Church.

But to counter this enemy, he tells you to put on the whole armour of God, why? Because he knows that if you don’t put on the whole armour of God, you can’t face the adversary. The twelfth verse of the same chapter goes on to say, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Something about this “wrestling” that you need to realize is that it’s not just a fight as in physical combat; rather, it’s the adversary trying to sway you from the right path through deception. But with the Word in your mouth and heart, you prevail always against the enemy. James 4:7 says, “…Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Revelation 12:11 shows how to resist him.

It says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” No matter what the enemy throws at you, stand strong in faith and use the all-powerful Name of Jesus to neutralize him. Hallelujah!

PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, I give you thanks for the opportunity to be blessed by your precious Word today. I’m not ignorant of Satan’s devices and refuse to fall prey to them. I declare that Satan and all his cohorts of hell are under my feet, in Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Hebrews 10:35-39; 1 John 5:4; 1 Corinthians 15:58

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Corinthians 9; Psalms 128-134

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Colossians 2:8-15; Jeremiah 9