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Daily Attacks
Based on “Spiritual Warfare Happens” by Pastor Balmer; 11/15-16/08,
Message #2465; Daily Devotional #4 - “Daily Attacks”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:1-3)
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Who is your enemy today? When you woke up this morning, what was the first attack? Was it your flesh thinking if only you had 5 more minutes to remain in your nice, warm bed? Was it the world reminding you of the latest fashions, enticing you to spend a few more minutes in front of the mirror? Or could it have even been Satan on the attack, telling you there isn’t enough time to do your devotional this morning and you can do it later? We are constantly being attacked because we are living in the enemies’ camp. However, we don’t live there alone. God has given up many weapons to defeat the onset of constant attacks we face each day. When we are getting ready in the morning, we must remember to put on our armor. I remember a period in my life when I was on the front lines every day, seeing the whites of the enemies’ eyes. Yes, it was tiring and exhausting. However, when I didn’t know what else to do, I just stood, knowing the battle wasn’t mine but the Lord’s (1 Samuel 17:47). It may sound a bit silly, but I remember in my quiet times in the morning pretending to physically put on my full battle armor, for after all, I was going into front line enemy territory. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of the 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 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. (Ephesians 6:13-18) Recently, I have started reading the Psalms as my morning devotional time. Last week I was in Psalm 18 and, since it was a long chapter, I decided to mediate on it the whole week. On Thursday what I read brought me to tears. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. (Psalm 18:16-19) In that moment I realized how personal His Word is and that He rescued me, for no other reason but that He delights in me. I was reminded of my covenant God and the promise He makes to me every day that He will never leave me nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6) What a promise, and what a God we serve!
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): What battles are you facing today? Have you already been attacked? Take a moment and pray. Worship God for what He has already done in your life and request from Him a need or want you are facing right now. Maybe you know of someone else who is going through a battle. Take a moment and pray for them. Allow God to speak to you through His Word and walk in peace today knowing that God always wins.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Psalm 18
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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.
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