Over/Under-Estimations

I'm a big fan of the Simpsons. There is something about the show that has kept me hooked all these years. Even with my love for Family Guy I still hold a place in my heart for that yellow Family. I remember way back in the day whenever Bart did anything wrong he would say "The Devil made me do it!" I picked up the line whenever I got in trouble myself. As I've gotten older I stopped saying it but it seems a lot of others still do.

"The Devil is trying to steal my glory! The Devil is keeping me out of school! The Devil is turning everybody against me! The Devil is jacking up my weave, girl!" Seriously I've heard it all. Though I do believe he is crafty I sometimes think we give him far more credit than he deserves. Wait! Hear me out. I did an entry not to long ago about my love of Storms. Sometimes when we are in these storms or maybe even a time of transition we like to blame it on the Devil. Remember people some storms are sent by God himself. Don't give the Devil credit for something you may be doing to yourself or even a trial God has given you to help you grow. When we constantly blame the Devil we are giving him far more power than he has. And he won't correct you either. You didn't know? The Devil IS a liar! He will take all the credit for any wrongdoings without the bait of an eye.


And on the flip side of that we must also remember he DOES exist. Some people like to think he is dead and gone. Some may believe that he never existed (these people seem to think the same about God). But in the bible it tells us: The enemy will come to kill, steal, and destroy. Don't you dare forget that he IS real and he will be there to remind you of all your failures and past transgressions. He will gloat about all the times he tripped you up himself. And he will try to convince you that after all you've done and been through there is NO way the Lord could still love you. But like I said: The Devil is a liar! With all the tricks he pulls and the damage he has and WILL do we must arm ourselves against him.

Here are some ways we can arm ourselves and renew our minds so that we can recognize his handy work when he does try to throw our lives into a tail spin:


(A) Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and Savior. No relationship is more fulfilling... Trust Me!!

(B) Get a 4.0 in Kneeology: PRAY!! Get down on your knees, bow your head and pray people. Pray for blessings and protection for you and yours, for those you are yet to meet and for all our leaders and their council. Pray for the things you need and want. But most importantly pray in Jesus' name and have faith that God will hear and answer those prayers. Remember: God answers prayers in 3 ways: Yes, Not yet, and No, I've got something better.


(C) Get your daily bread: Read your bible EVERY DAY. Don't just read the word meditate on it. Absorb it like a sponge. Read the stories of Abraham, Joseph, Ester, etc. and learn from their testimony. And don't be afraid to share your own Testimony with others who may need to hear it. You can't have a testimony without being tested.

(D) Fellowship: No Wo/Man can grow in isolation. We need to fellowship with other believers. Strengthen your love and faith in the Lord through your relationship with them. When your faith is strong you make the Devil's job even harder. Go to church, check out a bible study group, get together with other believers and give God the Glory.


(E) The BIGGIE: Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

All of these things are vitally important in our walk with the Lord. I'm sure I missed a few so I encourage you to add some others in your comments. I struggle to do them all and you may too at times. Having a relationship with God doesn't bring perfection! It just recognizes that we can't do it alone. Have faith and keep pushing forward and it will get easier. And remember... The Devil is a Liar!