"embrace The Cross & Run Toward The Roar."

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

(I Peter 5:8) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

(James 4:7) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

(Job 1:7) “And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”

(1 Corinthians 15:55-56) [55] “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” [56] “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.”

(Hebrews 2:14) “ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.”

PROLOGUE

Have you observed a consistent effort in today's society to remove God from everything that was once treasured? This message underscores the profound importance of acknowledging the incredible power and authority we possess through the name and the blood of Jesus.

It challenges us to face the devil's hardships and encourages us to confront our doubts and fears without fear. We are not merely believers but spiritual warriors, given an important role in the fight against dark forces.

God’s indwelling Spirit empowers us to confront the sources of fear, doubt, and intimidation that the enemy may use to block our spiritual and personal growth.

I believe that is what David was talking about when he made the statement found in Psalm 23:5, where he speaks of God, stating that God prepares a table before him in the presence of his enemies. Spiritually speaking, I think he was referring to our past, our fears, our doubts, our failures, and so on.

This message clearly explains the tactics of an enemy determined to destroy us. One who uses fear to deceive and intimidate, aiming to weaken our faith and prevent us from reaching our full potential and fulfilling God's purpose in our lives.

When we face this challenge directly, we realize that the enemy's power is limited over a Christian who understands how to walk in and assert the authority given to us as the body of Christ on earth.

In summary, I confidently declare that when we realize we are more than conquerors through Christ, we can face our vulnerabilities with assurance and emerge stronger on the other side of the trial.

"THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A LION."

The lion is well known for its impressive appearance and commanding presence, which is why it is often referred to as the "king of the jungle." Its roar and majestic mane symbolize strength, courage, and dominance in the animal kingdom.

Lions demonstrate remarkable patience and stealth as they stalk a herd of prey. They may spend days observing the herd's movements, carefully searching for any signs of weakness among its members.

This includes targeting stragglers or those who are physically impaired, like those with a limp. It's a testament to the lion's strategic approach to picking the most vulnerable prey for a successful hunt.

When the lions decide to charge at the herd, they do so with great speed, targeting the strongest individuals. As they stampede the herd and pursue the strong, they are careful to keep their eyes on those they have already identified as the weak members of the herd.

After creating chaos among the herd, the lions circle back to take their prize from the vulnerable targets they had seen before.

As lions age, they may lose some physical strength and agility, which can impact their ability to lead the pride during hunts. However, older lions still contribute to the pride by offering guidance and wisdom based on their extensive experience.

The older lions maintain their mighty roar, which commands attention throughout the jungle and ensures they stay valuable for their pride's survival. As lions grow older, their physical condition declines, and a clear sign of this decline is the decay that develops in their teeth.

The younger lions use the intimidating presence of the older lions to instill fear in the prey through their mighty and thunderous roars.

This causes the prey to panic and become confused, causing them to unknowingly fall into the ambush of the physically stronger younger lions waiting nearby.

How often have we tried to avoid trouble, only to find that our efforts to escape it have unintentionally led us into even worse situations?

If the prey had chosen to run toward the old lion instead of the younger ones, the old lion, despite having a mighty roar, wouldn't have been able to cause harm because of his weakened teeth and reduced strength compared to the younger lions.

As stated in 1 Peter 5:8, the Apostle Peter warns us about the devil, describing him as a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Peter emphasizes that the devil is portrayed as a roaring lion, not a strong one, but as an older lion who lacks the strength of younger lions.