Fight or Flight

SCRIPTURE

Acts 8:1 … ¶ On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

OBSERVATION

As I read Acts chapter 8 I am reminded that there is an enemy who does not want you and me to grow. John 10 tells us that he has come to steal and kill and destroy. Take note of two other scriptures that remind us of this fact:
1Pet. 4:12 ¶ Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

This truth might be daunting at first glance but we must never forget that Jesus has ‘overcome’ the world. If we resist the enemy in the strength of Jesus, the good news - no the GREAT news is this: the evil one must flee.

James 4:7 ¶ Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

NEVER GIVE UP. We have victory in Christ.

APPLICATION

As I go through this day, I am going to look back and not ahead. I am going to look back to the cross where the enemy was defeated. I can have victory because his downfall is already an accomplished fact. I decide to rejoice today not for the trials I go through
but in the midst of all my trials, God is accomplishing an eternal work.

PRAYER

Lord, may our lives release your power over the enemy and may you help us close every door where he has established a foothold in our lives.