Understanding Attacks

Read: Numbers 9-10 & 1 Peter 5
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Examine:
The verse prior to this one commands that we cast off all our anxieties on God. Peter immediately balances that verse with this one. We are not to worry. Worry is a form of pride because it is a refusal to trust God with something. That said, we are not taken out of this world and while we are still in this world we have an enemy. He is vicious, he is on the prowl, and he has power that needs to be understood and respected.

Apply:
The subject of spiritual warfare is difficult to process. This morning I am sensing three things that I need to better understand. First, there are three types of pain a believer can experience; suffering, discipline, and attack. Suffering comes with the gig. If I am suffering for Jesus my prayers need to point towards resolve and strength to finish strong. Discipline is promised by God. He disciplines those He loves. My attitude during discipline needs to be submission and learning. Attacks are warfare. When attacks come I have to be engaged in the fight and use the tools available to me.

Second, I have to examine my heart to understand my motives. There are only two motivations in life. I am either looking to advance the kingdom of God or I am wanting to advance mine. If my efforts are intended for personal gain then I have to know that I will never be able to stand firm. The weapons of God are only useful to the mission of God.

Finally, I have to accept that the life of Christ is not about carving out a life of escape here on earth. This is war. Sides have been chosen, armies have been formed, and the fight is raging. God allows me to find seasons of green pastures and still waters in order for me to regain strength, but they are not permanent places. I have a tendency to make green pastures my objective and that is wrong. The objective is always to be effective in the fight.

Pray:
The more I learn the less I know. Father, applying what You have laid on my heart this morning lies beyond my capacity. I am complete dependent on You to supply the sober mind I need in order to apply these lessons to my life. I want to be joyful when You ask me to suffer, submissive when You discipline me, and valiant in taking on attacks. I want my motives to be pure. Help me sell out only for the advancement of Your kingdom. I understand that my mission is to stay engaged in the fight. Train me to be a good solider. I want to stay in the war as long as I can, take as much ground as I am able to take, and retire from this life to hear You say well done.

Abandoning the Past

Read: Numbers & 1 Peter 4

“For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.” 1 Peter 4:3

Examine:

When a believer surrenders control of their life to Christ, God forgives them for their past. This verse is a reminder that as much as God forgives past failures there is an expectation that the past be abandoned by the believer.

Apply:

Dreams are incredible in the power they hold. I had a dream last night about my past and it has left me feeling heavy this morning. This dream last night took me back to a season of my life I wish could be undone. I made a lot of bad choices, hurt a lot of people, and watched many others flush their lives down the toilet. I often look back and wonder why God allowed me to escape and others to perish.

Mornings when I consider my past and the journey that has led me to where I am today I am reminded of couple of things. First, I still have the capacity to be the man I once was. The scriptures say that I am a new creature and I certainly am; but, I am also a man still in the process of refinement. I have to daily choose to die to myself, pick up my cross, and walk after Jesus. The time in my past is sufficient for resisting and running. I need to make sure my time today is spent pursuing Christ.

I am also reminded that I do not need to dwell on my past. Satan understands that where I focus my attention is where I direct my steps. It has become increasingly difficult for him to tempt me with a desire to return to my former lifestyle, so he tries to capture my attention by making me consider it and feel guilty about it. If my attention focuses on it I stop looking at Jesus and become vulnerable to former weaknesses. Guilt is not of God and I need to make sure I learn to rebuke it.

Finally, I am reminded that today is the best time to repair broken relationships. As time passes it becomes increasingly difficult to mend fences and ask for forgiveness. I need to make sure that I live my life with short accounts with people and make a conscious effort to leave relationships well.

Pray:

Father I am not a victim of my dreams. Often their content reflects the hidden desires of my heart and thoughts that are buried in my mind. Last night’s dream opened the door to a room of thoughts I have not yet put behind me. It is hard to know how to deal with past failures. I am asking today that You help me forgive and release the things on my heart today. I do not want to dwell on anything that steals my attention from You. I also pray for Your wisdom and discernment in the choices I make today. Help me be sober minded and not make choices that will leave open doors that will haunt me later in life.