Tag: enemy

The Struggle

the enemy has taken territory; its time to take it back

Oh my gosh! 21 day prayer journey and I have to say that I am failing at keeping territory the enemy snuck in and stole. That’s right, that thieven enemy entered my territory and managed to take a piece of territory that wasn’t his. How you ask? Well, as much as I hate to admit it, he came at me from the subtle check this out isn’t it the new book in that series you have? approach.

You may or may not remember me mentioning in one of my earlier posts that reading is a weakness for me. I mean put me in a library, leave me food and water and I can easily get lost in the world of books. I have hundreds of books on the bookshelves at home and probably two or three hundred easily on my tablet if not more. Yeah, its that bad. In fact it had gotten to the point I quit purchasing google play cards to keep myself from buying more books. And I had started purchasing google play cards to prevent myself from overspending in our checking account. Yep, bookaholic for sure. So of course after about six or seven months of not buying any books I finally broke down and bought a google card so I could buy a book.

Bought a book and I was fine, read it went on about my business. Started the 21 Day Prayer and there he was, my enemy, leaning against the counter tapping on a book that just so happen to be the next in a series I was reading. I leaned over for a closer look as he slid to the side to allow me a good look at this book I’ve been waiting months to read. Listen, when it comes to Christian romance & suspense, I’m there. Love a good mystery to solve as well.

So my enemy flicked the book open to give me a sample of what was inside. I was hooked. I sat down read the book and when I was finished with it I happened upon two more in a different series that I was reading so of course I just had to have those as well. Needless to say, my prayer time suffered, my devotional time suffered and my blogging suffered as well.

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

He stole my time and I let him do it. Didn’t plan on letting him take it but because I wasn’t diligent with spending my time in the Word he was able to sneak in and take over. He’s cunning, sneaky, and if he can’t get to you by intimidation, he will come at you like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And once he has you, the mask comes off and he’ll be laughing in your face at the chaos he creates.

Psalms 143:10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

May we always make time for the Lord, seeking, searching, praying for His wisdom to guide us on the slippery slope of life. God bless!

Hooked

It doesn’t take much these days to become hooked on games. I checked out some of the more popular games played and wasn’t surprised to find quite a few were fighting type games, sports, and a some fun looking games that upon closer inspection were also fighting games just made to look innocent. The titles alone for some of them make you wonder, why on earth people would even play such a game. Whatever happened to Mario Kart? Whatever game, your children (whether young or older) play or even if you play them yourself, if you aren’t careful you may find yourself hooked. It can consume you to the point where you neglect those around you and even yourself. I should know. I’m hooked on games and I’m not even considered a gamer. My games are mostly puzzle gaming apps that you download to your phone, you know, the ones that aren’t addictive? Right. Keep telling yourself that.

“I can stop anytime I want.” “Just one more level and I’ll quit.” “What’s the harm?” “At least I’m not out running the streets.” Excuses and poor ones at that. But still excuses nonetheless. Do you hear the enemy whispering in your ear? Did you know that a person could end up spending hundreds of dollars on those In-app purchases that come with phone games? (And for the record, no I don’t spend money on the In-app purchases for that very reason.) There’s even a new incentive out there nowadays, look it up and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

The enemy will take something tantalizing to use to lure you away from Christ. Away from studying the Bible, from praying, even from your family. Games are one thing he uses and in this day and age it’s easy enough to use to distract you. If I were your enemy, I would delve into the deepest darkest areas of your life looking for that one thing that could lure you away from the Lord. It could be anything. Temptation comes in many forms. For me eBooks are my weakness, worse than the games on my phone, and the enemy uses it against me every chance he gets. As I write this post, I discovered that I have actually gone five months without purchasing a book. A record for me considering I would buy anywhere from four to eight books a month! Temptation can be something that seems good on the surface but in reality it isn’t. Sound familiar?

James 1:14 says “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”

Matthew 26:41 says “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

It’s no wonder we are given instruction to watch and pray.

Decide today to carve out time for you and your family. Reconnect with each other. More importantly, be sure to take the time to reconnect with God through prayer, reading and planting His word deep in your heart and mind. Talk to Him like He is a friend or even family and not some unreachable person that you can’t talk too. He’s reachable, you need only to seek Him out. God bless!

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