Mar 27 2022

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

It is a beautiful feeling when everything in life is going well. When we are successful in our jobs, all of our family members are getting along, and our finances are where they should be, we may feel as though life couldn't possibly be better.

We need to be keenly aware that these are the exact times when the enemy attempts to cause us to stumble and fall. When we feel at peace, it can be easy to let our guard down. This false sense of security makes us vulnerable. Maybe we aren't coming to the Lord in prayer with our needs and petitions because our prayers have all been answered. So, that puts a distance between us and God that allows the enemy to step in and fill the void.

A fitting metaphor is encountering road hazards while driving. When we see a pothole on the road ahead of us, for instance, we almost always swerve to avoid it. But if we're distracted, we'll be caught off-guard and likely hit the pothole straight on. It can damage our vehicle and possibly cause us personal injury. To avoid that kind of situation, it's important to always be aware of what is happening around us.

We can think of the enemy as potholes in our spiritual road that we should do everything possible to avoid.

We all fall short in our walk with God at some point in our life. But we can take comfort, knowing that all believers have a similar experience. When we fail and sin against God, we can have the assurance that He will show us grace and strengthen us, so we don't fall as quickly the next time.

Dear Lord, make me keenly aware of the enemy who is trying to devour my soul. I need your power to be vigilant in my walk with you. I want to finish the race of life in your strength and boldness. Use my life to encourage others in their relationships with you. In Jesus's name, amen.

Mar 26 2022

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. :

In this afternoon's verse, John is praying for followers of Jesus to prosper in their spirit and also in their physical bodies. God cares about every aspect of our lives; not just how we are doing spiritually. No matter how we are struggling or what we are going through, God wants us to do well.

When it comes to maintaining our physical health, we take time to create food plans and exercise routines, and try to get enough rest. We should invest a similar amount of time planning for a healthy spiritual life. Just as exercising helps keep our bodies strong, developing good spiritual habits will help keep us strong in our faith.

Of course, having a spiritual plan in place doesn't mean we will always feel like being disciplined in our walk with God—just as we don't always feel like exercising. But when we are intentional and prioritize spending time with God above all else, then we will prosper in our souls.

Starting anything new can be challenging and even overwhelming. A brand-new physical fitness plan shocks our bodies and makes our muscles ache. In order to avoid getting discouraged as well as prevent injury, we need to take baby steps. In regard to our spiritual health, it's also okay to take baby steps. Begin with reading a chapter in the Bible, then progress to two, and then three. God will give us the strength to follow Him and will motivate us to keep seeking after Him.

God, You have always been with me, even when life didn't go the way I wanted it to. There are times when my body is suffering and other times when my soul is hurting. My greatest comfort, no matter what I'm feeling, is knowing you're always there. I'm so grateful for your faithfulness. In Jesus's name, amen.


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