I don’t want to just be an average Christian. I was never meant to live half-way. Living luke-warm is not only dangerous, but also boring. Being bored isn’t just a lack of excitement, it’s a lack of purpose. I want to live with purpose in every step.

You know, when life throws its tantrums, I don’t want to just get by. I want to thrive. We have a real enemy. He is the devil. Did you know that a lot of people don’t believe that there is a real devil? He is against God, and against His people. He accuses us to God, and God to us, day and night. The word “Satan” literally means “adversary“. So by his very name, he is against us. Do you know what’s funny though? He can’t stop Jesus, and if we believe that we are the body of Christ, he can’t stop us either.

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans‬ ‭8:31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭15:57‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I’ve had one heck of a week. A friend of mine and I are going on a missions trip to South Africa, and we are raising money by selling baked goods at our church. So, we had to make them this past week. Now, I’m normally very strong in my resolve to do what I have to do without complaining, but this week was another story. We started on Monday without much problems. It was fun, it was different, and we got a good start. Then the enemy used another close friend to get to my mind. Here’s something to remember, if he can’t get you directly, he’ll get you through someone close to you. From that day on, it spiraled downward. I started to complain about baking. I was angry at both of these friends. I was scared that they would be mad at me. I was mostly scared. I kept having thoughts against them.

The devil does NOT want us to go on this trip. He definitely does not want us to go on this trip. During our Friday night “Holy Spirit night” God broke in and spoke the truth to me, and by Sunday, all of the lies were broken, and we raised a substantial amount of money towards our trip. Thank you Jesus!

Here’s something that God spoke to me about staying in a place of being free in my mind. He said, “Lee, after things go well for a while, you start expecting something to go wrong. Listen to Me, it never has to. I am always good, and I live inside of you.” What He was telling me was that since He is good and lives inside of me, my inner world can always be good. I have to defend myself from lies.

“The best defense is a good offense”

-Bill Johnson

So how do you defend yourself? Truthfully, going after the devil and rebuking Him is not the best way. Because then you start thinking that it’s the “onslaught” of the devil. And really, the Bible says it’s the “wiles” or “schemes” of the devil. What’s his number one way of entrance in your life? Getting you to believe lies.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians‬ ‭6:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”” John‬ ‭8:32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The Bible is so so important. We need the truth of God’s word to penetrate our hearts and minds. We need it to become who we are. Walking in truth and standing on it will sustain us. Listen to me my friends, we never have to experience anything bad on the inside. Our internal world can always be good. God told me so, and the word says the same thing.

“We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” I John‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I hope this encouraged you! Have a wonderful day, and be blessed in Jesus name!