The devil would rather do anything than comes against someone who’s bold and courageous because he’s a coward himself. In fact, ever since Jesus came up out of that grave, Satan’s heart has melted within him at the sound of that Name in the mouth of one who has faith in it.
PRAYER - "Prayers on Deposit"
It is good to beat Satan to the draw. Get a jump on him by praying ahead of the problem. It doesn't take a lot of spiritual savvy to realize that trouble will certainly come in certain areas of our lives. If you see trouble coming, pray now. Head it off by making your case to God now. Jesus diverted a major catastrophe in Peter's life by praying in advance.
Luke 22:32 - "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
PRINCIPALS -"Lot"
God instructed Abraham to get "out of thy country, and from thy kindred." Why did his nephew, Lot, go with him? Lot's father died in Ur. Perhaps Abraham felt responsible for him. But Lot's herdsmen strove with Abraham's. Abraham eventually had to separate. Their collective herds were too large for the land. Abraham had to go to war to protect Lot when Sodom was attacked. Then Lot's wife was destroyed, and his daughters committed incest. Maybe Abraham should never have taken Lot with him.
Genesis 12:4 - "So Abram departed, ...and Lot went with him."
PRINCIPLES - "The Only Potentate"
A king is said to be sovereign, autonomous, controlled by no one. Truthfully, no earthly king is sovereign so long as Almighty God is in His heaven. There is only one Sovereign Potentate and that is the Lord God Himself. He can be seen incarnate in the body of His human son, Jesus Christ. Is this true? Jesus said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and earth."
1 Timothy 6:15 - "Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords."
PROPHECIES - "God Speaks to Isaac"
Technically, God's promise would never have to be repeated to be valid. God keeps His word. But God chose to deliver the Abrahamic covenant first-hand and personally to Isaac. God has no grandchildren. He is Father to every generation, including yours and mine. His word speaks freshly to us today.
Genesis 26:24 - "And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.
Keep Quiet
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
– Proverbs 29:11
One of the things that you and I as believers must learn if we want to be faithful followers in the kingdom of God is how to keep our mouths shut. Very few of us have mastered that skill.
When we get our backs up about something, we think we have to let everyone know about it. “I’m just going to give them a piece of my mind,” we say.
Don’t make that mistake. No one wants or needs a piece of your mind—and if you give it to them, you’ll only end up alienating people and bringing harm to yourself. Learn, instead, to keep quiet.
This especially applies in the area of spiritual insight. When the Holy Ghost gives you discernment about a situation, don’t go spreading it all over town. If you do, you’ll come to the place where the Lord can’t trust you with revelation and insight into things and situations.
I’ve seen that happen. I’ve known intercessors who have received revelations about someone’s weaknesses or needs. They have been given insight into the problem in someone’s life, so they could pray for that person. But, instead of keeping that information between themselves and God in prayer, they told others about it. As a result, they lost their effectiveness as intercessors.
Don’t let that happen to you. Develop the quiet art of the wise man, and the devil will find it increasingly difficult to harm your prayer life and ministry to others.
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