BUSY

Scriptures: Hebrews 13:2, Exodus 34:21, Hebrews 10:25, Matthew 11:28

BEING

“Being” is a profound word. By definition, it means existence or the nature or essence of a person. A being is a living creature, from a person to a bug. Everything that can breathe is considered a being. “Being” can also depict a state of action in progress. 

Sometimes, our person is “being” (in verb form), a certain way. That’s where we are going with this word on day one. 

Most often, humans are in a state of confinement/imprisonment/chokeholds because of something we have chosen in our lives that could have been selected differently for a better outcome. There is generally suffering on the other side of the poor choice. 

“Busy” can be one of Satan’s most significant tools for entanglement in his web of deception and destruction. If Satan can’t make you bad, he will make you “busy.” Distraction is one of his best weapons with which to destroy, and it is often accompanied by being far too preoccupied. Busy and distraction are usually best friends with one another. 

If Satan can get you busy enough to neglect more important things, he has you right where he wants you to be. You can get so busy…that you are ineffective for the Kingdom! Satan might make you too busy with your work, so you miss your kid’s or grandkid’s ball games. He can make you too busy to take the time to be God’s hands and feet to someone in need right before you, missing the opportunity to BLESS YOUR GOD! (Heb 13:2) He will even make you so busy during your week that you allow that to be an excuse for neglecting the house of God and His people on Sundays in the name of “rest.” Don’t get me wrong. Rest is essential, and God requires it of us so that we can reset and be our best for each day (Ex 34:21). 

In this verse of Exodus, however, rest depicts a time to turn away from labor to worship, honor, and bless the LORD, assembling ourselves as we are called, and meditate on Him. This is a day set aside for HIM. (Heb 10:25) 

What are you “being” lately? Are you being busy, distracted, and overwhelmed regularly, and can’t seem to catch your breath? 

Jesus is inviting you today to find REST in Him and step away from the enemy’s stronghold of busy. (Matt 11:28)

Scriptures: Matthew 5:11, James 1:2, Romans 5:3-5, John 16:33, Philippians 4:6-7

UNDER

To be under is extending or directly below or at a lower level than something or someone. Do you feel “under” a weight of any sort? Most people do feel a weight from something in their lives. If you’re a breathing child of God and you’re not currently IN a battle of some sort, or just got out of one, then be on the lookout, because there’s always one on the horizon as a follower of Jesus Christ. 

We are continually bombarded by tactics from the enemy that can make us feel like we’re under immediate stress, strain, doubts, fears, anxiety, and panic. He stops at nothing with a child of God doing his best to obey Christ. He doesn’t have to worry about those who aren’t trying…they are no threat to him! Those who have great potential for the Kingdom are usually the ones who endure the most significant hardships. God says that we are blessed when we are persecuted! (Matt 5:11) He goes a step further, to tell us that we are to “count it all joy when we suffer!” (James 1:2, Rom 5:3-5) 

The best idea is to search God’s Word to see what He has to say about being under the weight of all the issues. We are to seek God for His Peace, because He is Perfect Peace, and only in Him can we overcome any of these things. (John 16:33) 

The devil is ecstatic when we submit to the weights of this world and allow it to affect us negatively…after all, his plans are for the destruction of families. (John 10:10) 

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to “be careful for nothing.” To be “careful” here is not to allow yourself to succumb to the cares of this world (enemy tactics) and enable those cares to affect how you feel and respond/react. 

WHAT TO DO WITH MY WORRIES? “IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION LET YOUR REQUEST BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD.” 

How much is “everything?” Nothing is off limits to Jesus. Bring it ALL to Him. 

“Oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” 

Care does not bring the solution; prayer delivers the solution. 

So, could you turn your cares into prayers? When you develop this habit, you will soon feel the weight of “being under” lift! 

Scriptures: 1 John 5:19, Ephesians 6:11, Psalms 119:66, Job 1:12, 1 John 4:4

Satan’s

Satan’s the ultimate adversary. It’s not our neighbor/boss/co-worker/etc. He’s the responsible driver for all the evil that we currently see or experience. He’s been given the temporary ability to “rule this world.” (1 John 5:19) It’s essential to recognize the characteristics of the one you’re constantly up against. God considered it wise, as part of his curse on the world after the fall of Adam and Eve, to give Satan massive power in our world. It’s best to know your God intimately and educate yourself on the enemy and the tools that he uses. Don’t get out of bed without putting on the WHOLE armour of God so that you are protected! (Eph 6:11) 

Ephesians 4:27 tells us, “Neither give place to the devil.” This verse highlights the importance of not giving the devil any opportunity or foothold in our lives. The Greek word “place” (topos) refers to a specific, marked-off location, emphasizing the devil’s desire to control every area of our lives. 

Satan doesn’t have ultimate power, however. There’s not a situation of God and Satan duking it out for control in the universe. God is God, not Satan. Satan’s not, nor will ever be God, but he’s a good imitator. All Satan’s power is solely by permission. He has no autonomy to do anything God does not permit for infinitely wise purposes. 

Before you get bent out of shape and act/react concerning a person doing you wrong or a situation that seems out of control, consider that you cannot expect an unsaved person to act saved. Sometimes, it can be challenging to find many people expressing saved qualities because of human nature! That’s why discernment in the Spirit is so critical. 

David provided examples of interacting with God to discern and squelch the enemy. It would be prudent to emulate and pray some of his prayers so that God can increase your ability to discern as the enemy creeps up (Psalm 119:66, verses 125, 169). Satan and God’s Word cannot continually dwell in the same place, so keep the Word active in your life daily! 

In Job 1:12, the Lord allowed Satan only that time frame He had appointed. The enemy’s reign will soon be up! 

The best news: GREATER is HE who is in you, than he who is in the world!!!!! (1 John 4:4) Believer, you have access to unleash the Greatest Power within you, to defeat “being under Satan’s yoke.” 

Don’t be so busy and distracted that you don’t prepare through Scripture study and prayer to be fully armed, fully prepared, and ready to defeat the devil’s fiery darts. Chose to “kill busy” today.

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 6:14, Matthew 11:28-30, Joshua 24:15, Luke 11:23

YOKE

A yoke is a wooden beam or frame used to join two animals, particularly draft animals like oxen, so that they can pull a load together. A yoke can represent an oppressive force or burden that enslaves or restricts freedom. This metaphorical use is common in literature and religion, referring to a situation where one is controlled by another. 

In the Bible, “yoke” can represent submission, burden, servitude, or oppression, as well as teamwork and cooperation < Those last two descriptions can be used for marriage> (2 Cor. 6:14) 

Jesus uses the concept of a yoke to describe His teachings and call to discipleship, emphasizing that His yoke is easy and his burden is light. (Matt. 11:28-30) 

With these descriptions, ask yourself: “Am I taking God’s easy yoke upon me so that I can have freedom, or am I under satan’s yoke of oppression in the busyness of life?” I don’t know about you…But I am not interested in coming into agreement with the enslavement of the devil to yoke with him! I don’t want to be in undue misery when I have a choice! (Joshua 24:15) The weight of satan’s yoke is heavy, unpleasant, and destructive to our being. The weight of being busy can cause overwhelmingness that is not from God. So, where is that from, if it’s not from God? There’s only one other option here. 

Some believe that they do not have to choose which side of the fence to be on concerning God and the devil—they will “sit ON the fence.” One who thinks like this does not understand that “the fence” belongs to Satan! You have chosen the wrong side when you straddle the fence. God has clarified that if you are not for Him, you are against Him (Luke 11:23). 

“Busy,” although not bad when it’s temporal, is a burdensome yoke (sometimes noose-feeling) around our necks when we let busy take away from what God is due. He is to get our “first fruits” of the day each day (Matt 6:33-seek ye “FIRST”). 

Friends, don’t let being busy take over your vapor of a life! Do what you can, when, and how you can—and let God be responsible for the outcomes! He is waiting for you to let Him drive this life for you—and He’s a much better driver than you are!