Based on “When the Heat Gets Turned Up” by Pastor Dean Corns;
8/28-29/10, Message #DC133; Daily Devotional #4 - “Be Prepared”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): It’s been said, “Hindsight is 20/20,” meaning, after you see the outcome of a situation, the actions you should have taken are obvious. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10) Satan wants to turn up the heat on and in your life. He wants you to stumble, and he wants you to fall, and most of all he wants you to turn away from Christ. Christ however, wants you to have life. When Satan turns up the heat in your life, will you be prepared?
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): If there were something that offered some foresight, allowing you to know what to do before you enter that time when the heat is being turned up in your life, what a blessing it would be! The Word of God is that valuable blessing. Before temptation shows up, knowing ahead of time how to handle it, and what you’re going to do, is critical. How do you get prepared? How do you prevent Satan from outwitting you? How do you stay a step ahead of his schemes? By knowing the Word and meditating on what it says (Joshua 1:8), by hiding it in your heart (Psalm 119:11), and then asking and trusting the Holy Spirit to bring it to mind at the right time (John 14:26).
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:11-18)
Cultivating (Additional Reading): 2 Timothy 3:16-17
GH
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.