Devotion for February 2, 2021

“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’” (Matthew 13:28)

The Bible says: “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and … when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop … the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this”” (vv. 24-28). We all need a spiritual wake-up call from time to time. Sometimes the problem we are dealing with isn’t of human origin. Jesus said, “While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.” Yes, it’s foolish to blame everything on the devil, but it’s even more foolish not to recognize when he is at work.

Paul writes: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but … against the powers of this dark world and … spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground” (Ephesians 6:11-13). He goes on to say, “take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (v. 16). So the word for you today is recognize when Satan is at work, stand up to him, and he will flee!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to recognize Satan working and then, by Your Presence and Your Word, stand up and overcome his working. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike

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Pastor Bailey
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