This book is a devotional/prayer book to direct your thoughts heavenward. Is your mind a myriad of worries? Do you sometimes have trouble going to sleep at night? Maybe you need to spend some time talking to God! For many years, I have been talking...
We have a little Myer lemon tree which produces the most juicy and delicious lemons. They are actually a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. Each year we watch the flowers open, then the fruit forming, which takes several months. We look forward to all the great things we can make with the produce during the winter.
For the past two years though, sulphur crested cockatoos have been caught stealing the fruit! They tear it open, eat a bit then discard the rest on the ground! It's very upsetting indeed! This morning when I looked out the window after losing quite a few lemons this week, I noticed that my husband had thrown a net over the tree to try to prevent any further theft. At once, the thought popped into my mind that we need to guard ourselves because the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
When I looked at my little tree, I also suddenly thought of the fruit of the Spirit:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
I thought about the times when the enemy had tried to steal my joy and peace and prevent the other wonderful fruit of the Spirit from growing to maturity. Looking at the net that was now in place over the tree, I realised I needed to remind myself of how my fruit could stay safe from the enemy.
It was clear! I must stand firm - the victory in Jesus is already won! I am covered by the precious blood of the lamb! The enemy can try to trick me but I stand firm by claiming all the promises of God which are "Yes" and "amen" in Christ!
I start each day in submission to Your authority God:
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7 NIV
When I resist the enemy, he has no choice but to flee! I resist the enemy in Your strength God, not on my own. The devil can't make me do anything. He may seek to steal, kill, and destroy; but because I have Your Holy Spirit inside of me, he can't steal unless I allow him to. I know he is a great liar and deceiver and all he can do is try to deceive me and tempt me. Please help me to stay strong and rely on You so I won't take the bait! Help me to remember that he holds no power! I choose to remember every day that in the name of Jesus, I have authority over the enemy. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! (1 John 4:4)
Thank You for making me aware of my protective 'net' that keeps me safe from the enemy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
* God is always speaking to me through nature and day to day experiences. Some of these moments have been recorded as poems in my book: 'Seasons of My Soul'.
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