The enemy will use anything to take us away from being in God’s presence. He tries to fill our minds with negative thoughts that we begin to believe we aren’t good enough and don’t deserve the goodness of God’s promises. In this devotional, you will receive and see how God thinks about us, how he views us, and what we should do when the enemy tries to attack us.
Corey Alpough
Day 1
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9
Our minds are always thinking. There are days when it seems like we have an overflow of thoughts we can’t control. We may be dealing with one problem that can begin to turn into other problems. One thing the enemy is great at is attacking our minds. The enemy constantly tries to get us to believe we aren’t good enough, and he wants us to believe we’re not deserving of God’s blessings and love.
What if I told you everything the enemy says about you is a lie?
Let’s take a look at 1 Peter 5:8-9. Peter gives Christians a list of instructions on how we should live. He urges us to stay clear-minded and pay attention to what is happening in our lives and the world. He encourages us to be alert because the devil wants to cause harm to us for the rest of our lives. Our place in the kingdom is secure. The devil knows and understands he can’t take that away from us, but he will do anything to waver our faith and trust in God. We must stand firm and have strong faith when the enemy attacks. Trust in God’s promises.
Reflection
What promises of God can you reflect on when the enemy tries to attack your mind?
Prayer
Lord, I pray for strength when my mind begins to wander into negative places and thoughts. I pray that I can trust and have faith in the promises you have made and will keep. Help me live in humility and seek you daily. Amen
Day 2
Scripture: Philippians 4:6-8
One thing we should all experience is the peace of God. Peace is a gift from God and something we should cherish every day. Our minds, bodies, and spirits rest when we have peace. One thing that can easily destroy our peace is worry.
Worry is one of the most used things by the enemy. Once he gets you to worry, the enemy knows that you have given him access to your mind and thoughts. Our attitudes begin to change when we worry. Doubt begins to creep in. We start to let the smallest of things affect us. The enemy is constantly working to take us away from God’s presence and our relationship with him, so we must stay rooted in scripture and live in God’s peace.
Take up your shield of faith, seek God diligently, cast your cares to God, remember the promises of God, and remember that God is faithful. Philippians 4:6-8 is a perfect scripture for when you begin to worry. God is giving us very simple instructions when dealing with difficult times. Prayer and Practice! The more we pray, the more we become in God’s presence. The more we practice, the more we begin to experience the peace of God. Our faith increases. The doubt and fear begin to go away. We must rely on God because if we don’t, we will begin to carry a burden that isn’t meant for us to carry. God works for our greater good, so get in the presence of God now.
Reflection
What can you stop worrying about that you haven’t allowed God to handle?
What can you use from Phillipians 4:6-8 that can be applied to specific areas in your life?
Prayer
Lord, help me to fix my eyes on what is honorable and right. Help me think about the things in my life that are worthy of your praise and give you glory. Cover my body in your armor so I’m equipped for the war the enemy has ahead. I stand on your promises Father God. For you will never leave me or forsake me. I can stand tall with my head high, knowing that your unconditional love will drive away all my worries. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 3
Scripture: Romans 12:21
As Christians, we must live a life of wanting to help and serve others, and putting others before ourselves shows that we are willing to sacrifice our desires and wants to live as Jesus did. If we constantly think about ourselves, not others, it can lead to a life of endless pain, sin, and hatred. Believe it or not, when the enemy can see we are always thinking about ourselves before others, he will use it to his advantage. The enemy doesn’t just use your hardships or circumstances to attack. Your way of thinking is a gateway for the enemy to get through you. Being selfish, seeking revenge, and having hatred toward others should never be your way of thinking.
Romans 12:21 tells us not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil by doing good. It is simply telling us to give back. Be a helping hand in someone’s life. Serve in your community, Serve in your church. Be a light in someone’s life because you never know what your words or actions could do for someone. Acts of love, kindness, and generosity are some things we should try thinking about and practicing as we continue to live a life of goodness.
Reflection
Think about a moment when you showed acts of goodness and ask yourself how it made you feel after doing so.
What are some ways or places you can start serving God and others?
Prayer
Lord, from this moment forward, I will serve others and spread your goodness to the best of my abilities. Help me to think of others before thinking of myself. Fill my heart with kindness, love, words of encouragement, and generosity. Help me live for the good of others instead of myself. Amen.
Day 4
Scripture: Psalms 61:1-4
Do you know God understands your feelings? God not only understands our feelings but also cares for our pain. We don’t have to say a word for God to know what we think or feel at any point in our existence. God knows us better than anyone else. In Psalms 61, David cried out to God. David was struggling and lost. A simple cry out to God brought David peace and comfort. He was able to see that God was his rock.
Just like David, we should cry out to God when times become dark or hard. When our hearts and thoughts are overwhelmed, crying out to God brings us stability. It brings comfort and a sense of safety. I’m sure we have all had moments where we thought the light would never shine through the darkness. Our struggles, pains, and circumstances may have seemed like they would never end, but a simple cry out to God changed the entire trajectory of our situation and brought deliverance to our lives.
Reflection
What is something currently overwhelming you that you have not brought to God?
Prayer
Lord, I cry out to you, asking for peace, rest, and comfort in my life. Through my darkest moments, the moments I struggle, the times I become overwhelmed, and when I’m lost, I pray for your Grace and care. Rest my mind and bring peace through to my heart. Place me at the top of the rock so that I can find rest and safety in the Rock of Salvation. Amen.
Day 5
Scriptures: John 3:16, Romans 5:8
Do you know how much of a blessing it is for God to sacrifice his son for our sins? I want you all to truly think about that. God loves us so much that he was willing to sacrifice his one and only son. I never understood how deeply that meant throughout my life, but now that I have a better understanding of God and what he truly stands for, I sometimes sit in awe of how great God is. God has given us the hope of eternal life. God’s desire is for every one of us to be saved! God wants us to be happy and joyful. He wants us to have hope and peace through the good and hard times.
What true power does the enemy hold over us? The answer is that the enemy has no power. What he says or wants us to think doesn’t hold any power because God has already shown us his unfailing love by sacrificing his son for us. We were saved the moment Jesus stretched on the cross. Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ will be saved.
The message I’m trying to get across is to stop believing the lie. God is telling us in scripture that all we have to do is believe. Believe Jesus died for our sins. The attacks of the enemy are insufficient. They hold no weight. The enemy’s agenda is to get us to believe in the lie. He wants us to think that things can’t get better. He wants to believe that God’s promises aren’t true. If you are ever in a season in your life where stress, unhappiness, depression, anger, and struggle have started to take effect on your life, always reflect on the sacrifice God has made. Remember, God’s love never fails. You are saved!
Prayer
Lord, thank you for sacrificing your one and only son to pay for our sins. Thank you for your immense love. Thank you for everything you have and will do for me. I commit to following Christ. I will have a life of peace, joy, and happiness. Amen.