Smile!

Smile!

We're only 18 days into the new year and already the enemy is busy. Without going into too much personal detail I will just reference the following two scriptures:

"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]." John 10:10 (AMP)

"But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house." Proverbs 6:31 (KJV)

Here's my point. The devil doesn't want you to smile. He wants to keep you in bondage to the natural. He wants you to stay angry, bitter, and upset because he knows negative emotions will shift your attention and focus away from God. If our focus isn't on God then it becomes hard to walk in our purpose.

This is where an understanding of identity comes into play. When you understand who you are in Christ, nothing the enemy says or does will be strong enough to push you away from God (See Romans 8:38-39). We must be persistent and make sure we are rooted deeply in Christ. 

When people lie on us, steal from us, or hurt us in other ways, it can be really tempting to act out in the flesh (natural). However, we must remember that there is a supernatural part to us that we must tap into. God promised that the enemy will have to return whatever he stole from us. Therefore, we must rely on Grace and avoid self-effort. 

Let me be more blunt. Just because it feels like the enemy may have gotten one up on us, it doesn't mean that we have to engage in the same tactics to get back at them. Revenge is not our goal. We're not out to hurt someone just because they hurt us. We ought to be led by the spirit. We are ambassadors for Christ and we must maintain the mindset of Christ.

I hope this message encourages you just as much as it does me. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of our position in Christ. The enemy hates to see us rejoice in times of trouble. This means we must smile! Smile in the face of your enemy. If you feel under attack in any situation, check with God first. God will order your steps. He will show you how to respond in all situations. 

Remember, no matter what happens, God loves you.  

God bless you all.

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Lyrical Tempest 

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