“THAT’S THE DEVIL TRYING TO GET YOU OFF YOUR GROOVE”

I rushed to tell my daughter, Ember, after her sister, Julie, told me she was upset. I told her that the devil is very smart and he knows how to get us distracted and unfocused, but we have to be WISE, alert, and know how to deal with frustrations when they come up. I reminded her of an important call we had planned to make about her attending university in New York that day and we must NOT take our eyes off of the prize. Can you believe God got involved in our conversation when Joel Osteen sent this out in his email message for the day:

Today’s Scripture: He said to His disciples, “Offenses will certainly come.” (Luke 17:1, HCSB)

When Offenses Come

Jesus didn’t say that offenses might come to us. He didn’t say that if you’re kind, if you pray and quote the Scriptures, you’ll be exempt from grumpy people and people who cut you off in traffic. He said offenses will certainly come. You will have opportunities on a regular basis to get upset, to argue, to become offended and bitter, and to try to pay people back. That word “offense” comes from a Greek word that means “to bait,” referring to the bait that’s used to lure animals into a trap. When you’re tempted to be offended, when someone is critical, rude, condescending, or says something derogatory to you, RECOGNIZE THAT THE ENEMY IS TRYING TO DECEIVE YOU INTO HIS TRAP (Wink! Wink!). He’s saying, “Come on, get upset. Argue with them and tell them off.” Instead of letting it upset you, say, “No, thanks. I’m not taking the bait. This is just a distraction. I’m going to enjoy this day and keep my peace.”

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You that I can guard my heart and keep it free from all the negative things that try to bait me to let them enter in. I declare that I will not allow offenses to get inside and make me upset and bitter. I declare that I’m not taking the bait, and I’m keeping my peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Got that? Let’s be alert to the devil and his tricks, staying with our eyes fixed on God. In every decision, I want us to looking to Him and what He would have us to do. Rolling with God all the way, baby! Devil, go away!

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