"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's
desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for
there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is
a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44 NIV
Some of you will think I messed up in my title by not capitalizing "devil". Proper nouns are always capitalized and the devil is NEVER proper! I never capitalize his name. But, unfortunately, many people capitalize not only his name but him and what he does! They think and think about him and all he TRIES to do, until they have imagined him as a giant instead of the wimp he really is. The Bible even tells us on that day we will look and say, "That is what I was so afraid of on the earth?? That small, wimpy looking thing is what always frightened me so??" The Bible tells us that Jesus literally made him a "laughingstock" as He paraded the authority and power satan robbed from Adam through the streets of Heaven after He had been crucified! A laughingstock! Think about that one, my friend! These aren't MY words they are GOD'S word!! Sometimes, especially when something comes to try to shake me I have to think about a book I read by John Osteen (Joel Osteen's father) one time. He said one night one of the children had gone out for the evening and they had not returned at the hour he had expected them. He stood at a window that allowed him to look down the driveway. He looked diligently for headlights that never came. The devil began to play all sorts of images in his mind. He could see his son's car mangled, his son bleeding, his son unable to reach anyone for help, and even dying. Remember, John has two sons and he did not reference which one, therefore don't assume it was Joel. As he invisioned all of this God spoke to him and said, "John, the devil is a liar and the exact OPPOSITE of what he tells you is the TRUTH!" John began to rejoice, knowing his son was fine. He got into bed, fell immediately into a sleep and slept like a baby. When he got up the next day, there was his son, totally unharmed! I recall this story often! What great rejoicing it brings to me when I realize everything the enemy tries to get me to believe or imagine is the OPPOSITE of the truth!! Why, that is cause to run for joy and leap like a calf as they say!! No wonder the psalmist, David said, "Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!" Psalm 34:3. Magnify God and what He is continually doing! Magnify the blessings in your life, the times you have seen God be faithful to you over and over again. Magnify His covenant of Blessing that is upon you because you are a born again child of God!! Doing this will change your perspective of any situation that is challenging you today! Give glory to God, for He is your rear guard and has you covered in the powerful blood of Jesus!! You will have a good day today, my friend! God guarantees it!
