FROM OUR PASTOR
Shelby Smith
What to Do When the Devil Shows Up
Realize he will show up. He may show up in your marriage. He may show up at your work place. He may show up in church - he did in the new testament church! He may show up in your personal life - he showed up when Peter thought he was invincible - Luke 22:31-34.
Don't be surprised when Satan does show up. He showed up when God first made this world "good" - Gen 3:1-7. He showed up when Job was faithfully serving God - Job 1:6-22. He showed up when Jesus was about to begin His ministry - Matthew 4:1-11
When the devil shows up realize what he wants to do. He wants to steal your joy. He wants you to doubt who you are. He tempted Jesus by saying, "if you are the Son of God, command". Don't let Satan steal your joy. You don't have to "command" anything to prove who we are. You are a blessed child of God because God says it. We are the church of the living God, the Body of Christ, and Jesus Himself says "I will build My church!" We need to live by "every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" Matthew 4:4
Satan wants to confuse you. He wants you to doubt whether God is in control. Satan told Jesus, "if you are the Son of God throw yourself down" Matthew 4:6 We need to respond like Jesus did that we will not react because of what Satan says or does. We don't have to do anything radical like "throwing ourselves off a cliff" to show our trust in God. We do not have to do anything to prove is in control. GOD is already in control and He has promised to take care of us. That settles it. Let your mind and your heart rest in that! God will take care of you! Keep your heart trusting in Jesus and you will experience His perfect peace.
Satan's end game is to take God out of our lives. Satan told Jesus, in Matthew 4:9 "if you fall down and worship me" I will give you the world. Don't be deceived. Satan is a liar. He has nothing to give. If you must fall down, then fall down at the feet of Jesus.
Casting all your anxiety upon HIM, because HE cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will make your ways straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. 1 John 5:4
