TEXT: 1 Peter 5:8-10
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."
SATAN IS ANGRY
The devil knows his fate is sealed. He has no opportunity to repent and be forgiven. He is angry because of the wonderful position he lost in heaven. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" (Isa 14:12). The devil therefore goes about the earth seeking for souls to devour. You will not be his victim in Jesus name.
SATAN'S MISSION
The mission of Satan was clearly exposed by Jesus in John 10:10a: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..." Satan is depicted here as a thief patrolling the earth, looking for sheep (God's possession) to steal, kill or destroy. He is not bothered about lost souls. His target are those serving God faithfully. He uses deception as his primary weapon, pride and lust of various kinds as enticement and the final outcome is death - separation from God. James 1:14 -15 says: "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." The devil will not separate you from Christ in Jesus name.
JESUS CAME TO SAVE
God does not want anyone to perish in hellfire with Satan. He therefore sent Jesus, his only begotten son, to die for the sins of humanity. John 3:16 tells us "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." You only need to confess your sins with your mouth and believe with your heart that Jesus, the son of God, has paid the price for your sins and your will be saved (Rom 10:19). There is no other way to salvation. Jesus is the only way (John 14:6).
GOD IS DEPENDING ON YOU.
You have a very important role to play in making God's desire a reality. God cannot force repentance on anyone because of free will, therefore he has given believers the responsibility of persuading men to repent and escape Satan and hellfire. We are his foot soldiers. As Satan patrols the earth like a roaring lion, believers walk the earth reconciling men back to God, with the Lion of Judah and the fire if the Holy Spirit in their hearts. He has given us all we need to accomplish the task of soul winning. "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick" (9:1-2).
Luke 10:19 says: "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
LET'S ARISE AND WORK
Brethren, let's humble ourselves before God, resist the devil, roll up ours sleeves and do the work God has called and chosen us to do. With the help of the Holy Spirit and the Lion of the tribe of Judah, we shall overcome.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Rev 12:11). Heaven will testify concerning you in Jesus name.
PRAYER:
Father, help me to make heaven in Jesus name. I will not go to heaven empty handed, Lord help me to win souls for you in Jesus name.
DECREE:
Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. Jesus lives in me.
God bless you. Shalom
