Manna for Your Morning

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. — 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) How do we escape the hidden traps of the enemy? By being aware and alert to his wicked schemes. We must also know God’s Word and rely on His great wisdom and mighty power in every area of our lives. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11 NKJV). This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels (Ephesians 6:12 MSG).

  Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God. — Daniel 6:23 (NKJV) Daniel was thrown into the lions den for worshiping God. Because Daniel believed in his God, God sent His angel and shut the lions mouths, so they did not hurt him (Daniel 6:22). Our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). But our God has already given us the victory over him. Only believe. God rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions (Daniel 6:27 NLT).

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. — Genesis 50:20 (NIV) Our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). However, no weapon formed against us shall prosper. What the enemy intends for our harm, God will cause all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28). So fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12) and God will use your testimony to touch the lives of others.

“...Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” — Deuteronomy 20:3-4 (NIV) Every day we are engaged in a battle because our adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. We need to stay alert and of sober mind (1 Peter 5:8). The Message Bible says, the Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. John 10:10 says, the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. But praise God, Jesus came that we may have life and have it to the full!

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. — 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV) Stay clearheaded and alert so that you don’t end up in the snare of the enemy. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping (1 Peter 5:8, The Message). Resist him, standing strong in your faith. James 4:7 instructs us to submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Our God is greater! Amen.

Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, — Ezra 4:1-2 (NKJV) When the people of Judah and Benjamin refused to let their enemies "help" them build the temple of God, they tried to discourage them. They attempted to frustrate their purposes and then they sent accusations against them to the king. When we are in the process of doing something for God, we can expect our adversary to show up. We must stay alert and be of sober mind, because our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).