Ok, you’ve made it through another New Year, what now?  Are you making needed changes that you’ve promised yourself that you would being it’s a new year?  Or is it back to the same-old-same-old?

I think many of us know HOW to change the things we need to, it’s just easier to remain in the old rut, than it is to climb out of it.  God doesn’t expect you to do it all on your own, that’s why He’s always there to help, but sometimes pride keeps us from reaching out to Him or others for help, because that signals weakness, and we don’t want to look weak, especially to others.

As a minister, I find it hard to share with others when I’m having problems, because number one, as a minister of the Gospel, l’m supposed to be strong, ten feet tall and bulletproof, and a shining example for others to follow.  But that’s a load God did not design any minister or believer to bear.  Sometimes even asking for prayer can be perceived by some as a sign of weakness, and how can you lead others to Christ if you’re dealing with the same trials and tribulations everyone else is dealing with?  And add to that, we all know not everyone prays in faith, but rather just spreads the bad news, which accomplishes nothing.  So the devil tries to instill pride in us in order to make us perceive ourselves as stronger than needing others’ prayers.  Big mistake.

Well, Jesus never promised us life without problems, and we all have them.  One way the devil gets his hooks into a believer is to make them think that if their life was everything it’s supposed to be, we would never be attacked, because God would protect them from every attack.  Lie number one, there.  The devil attacks us just because we’re handy.  We must remember who the devil is: he is the adversary of God, and every human being on earth.  Jesus said in John 10:10, The thief cometh not, but for to kill, and to steal, and to destroy: but I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The devil knows those who are believers in Christ Jesus, and he sets his sights on them to discourage and distance them from our heavenly Father.  Oh, the devil knows God has given us nearly boundless authority against him, so his primary goal is to keep us so distracted with arrows coming in from every direction, that we never go on the offensive against him.  I say it like this: no football game or war has ever been won with a top notch defense.  Wars are won by an overwhelming offensive, and as children of God, we have the goods on the inside to be an overwhelming victor over all the fiery darts of the enemy.  And the devil knows that, too.  He just hopes YOU never come that that knowledge.

Today, let’s determine to use our relationship as a son or daughter of God to get things on the right track.  No more being used by the devil as chump change and letting the devil separate us believers one from another.  We’re much stronger together.  As it is written in Leviticus 26:8-9 And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.  For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.  It is also written in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12,

 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

 10  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

 11  Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

 12  And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

We have God given authority to change our circumstances to line our lives up with His Word.  And as we do, we will see the awesome plan of God unfolding in our lives.  He created you to be victorious in every circumstance, not a loser, because HE is not a loser.  You’re His family, He’s your Father, you’re His child.  And as a Father of a family, He wants His kids to stick together in one accord against the enemy and be strong, because He is raising you and me for a position of authority in His Kingdom. Never let the devil distract you from that fact!

So what does the devil do? He attempts to pit us against one another to destroy our effectiveness.  There should be no competition among brothers and sisters in Christ.  We are supposed to all be on the same side, but we often forget that, don’t we?  We see other church  denominations as competition, rather than fellow soldiers helping us war against the kingdom of darkness.

What now?  We can either all come together in Christ Jesus and get the Gospel out to the world and get this job done so He can return, or we can keep doing the same old stuff and keep kicking the can down the road.  I don’t know about you, but I’d like Jesus to come quickly and wind all this up and take over and establish His Kingdom, which will never end.

We think we’re waiting for Him.  And here all the time, He’s waiting for US.  Tell someone about Jesus today, ask them if they know Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Who knows, you may lead someone to Him that up to now has been lost. Win souls for Jesus, there’s no better way to start off a new year!