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When we go through trials, it's easy to feel disappointment and many feel like giving up. But as the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians,
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
(Phil. 3:13-14)
Remember when God sent Moses to lead His people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land? It wasn't all easy. First there was the Pharaoh who didn't want to let Israel go in the first place.

He wanted to keep them as slaves. Sounds just like the devil, doesn't it? After God "persuaded" Pharaoh, he finally let them go, and even sent them away with much gold.

But it wasn't over yet. He sent his army to "repossess" them and make them slaves again. Or so he thought...until God intervened again. You see, the devil is always causing trouble, and God is always delivering His people out of their troubles.

Don't Listen to the Devil
What about when you're in trouble, and the devil comes in those quiet moments and tells you "That's just the way it is. Get used to it"?

You can do what I do, and say, "No devil, that's not the way it is, and I'm not going to get used to it, because it is written in 1 John 4:4, " Ye are of God, little children, and overcome them, because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world!"

You know, sometimes you have to get vocal with the devil. He's always causing trouble. He's always out to wreck your marriage, or steal your job, or he will stir people up against you to talk ugly about you.

And for good measure he will break your car, if you still have one after he gets done with you. There's just one nice thing you can say about the devil. One day he will be out of our way forever!

A countless number of my hours are spent praying for people, and I never cease to be amazed how many people are being tormented by the devil in one area of their life or another. It would be safe to say he's an equal opportunity destroyer. He doesn't care if you're black or white, rich or poor, old or young, he hates you and he's out to destroy you.

Only, he doesn't want you to know it's him doing it. He'd rather you think God's doing it to you. That way, the devil doesn't catch the heat for the problems you're going through. Many well meaning preachers have told people that God is punishing them for what they are doing wrong. But that's not the case at all. The devil is even getting people to lie for him and to put the bum rap on God.

Don't Put Up With It!
I seem to notice a particular pattern in my life. When I'm driving somewhere for business, it usually goes ok. But let me be on the way to minister, and the devil is right there to oppose me. He will try to talk me out of it entirely by putting another situation in my face that requires my immediate attention, or failing that, he will try to delay me, or break my vehicle down.

And if that doesn't work he will tell me that the trip will be in vain and no good will come of it, no one will be saved or healed, and I'm wasting my time.

I can't tell you how many times our vehicles have broke down on the way to a ministry engagement, when they never fail any other time. Odd, isn't it?

Well, we have to realize we are not dealing with flesh and blood, but powers, principalities, and rulers of darkness. We Christians are a threat to the kingdom of darkness!

But, don't just put up with the devil's attacks, thinking it's your cross to bear for Jesus. Don't buy that lie. No, Jesus went to the cross for you and He bore all your sins, all your sorrows, and all your sickness and diseases. And He didn't need our help to get the job done. How do I know He bore it all for us?

Jesus said from the cross, "It is finished!" Yes, you will face troubles. Jesus said so. But He also said He would never leave or forsake you.

Your Assignment
So what is your part? Jesus wants you to pick up where He left off. When the devil came spouting his junk, Jesus said "It is written..." and He always put the devil in his place.

And you should too. He cast out devils, healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, raised the dead, preached the Gospel to those in darkness, gave hope to the hopeless, and opened the eyes of the blind, both physically and spiritually.

He left no doubt as to our assignment (Matt. 28:18-20). Yes, the devil will always be there to cause you trouble. That's his job. And that gives you still another opportunity to see what God can do in your behalf. That's His job. So the next time the devil comes giving you trouble, why not turn the tables on him?

Instead of him spoiling your day, spoil his day. How do you do that? Well here's a suggestion. When the devil reminds you of your past failures, you remind him your sins are forgiven, under the blood of Jesus, and remind him of his future in the lake of fire! That will make his day.

We Christians need to spend more time on the offensive, and less time on the defensive. Christ Jesus took care of our defensive needs. He forgave all our sins, and healed all our diseases, according to Psalm 103:2-3. He gave us His name and all the power that goes with it as weapons of warfare so we can go on the offensive against the devil and his kingdom.

Follow after Jesus and walk in His love, and use the power and authority He gave you. The devil knows you have power and authority. He just hopes you will never learn to use it, because once you do, his days of causing you trouble are over. Make it your goal to be the devil's worst nightmare.

Let it be said, you're always causing trouble...to the devil! Keep him so busy dodging your arrows that he doesn't have time to fire any of his own! And you will see your life turn around!

Copyright © Life Healing Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Author Biography

Jerry Baysinger
Web site: Life Healing Ministries
 
Jerry Baysinger was a twenty-one-and-a-half-year civilian employee of Missouri State Highway Patrol and operator of his own successful furniture repair business, when in 1993, he was diagnosed with five melanomas and liver cancer. Given a month to live, he resigned from the Patrol and went home to die.
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