For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too.
(1 Thessalonians 2:4-8 NLT)
The closer I get to the person God intended for me to be the more fierce the enemy becomes but I am not special for you too will taste of the enemy’s vengeance as you move closer to God's purpose for your life. Have you ever wondered if you were on the path God has planned for your life? You will know as the opposition increases, guarantied! It seems odd but the enemy, in this way, is predictable. If you are on a route that is less than what God has called you to do Satan will leave you alone but if you are stepping in the footsteps of Jesus often the enemy will know it sooner than you yourself realize it and he gives it away by his attacks. Many times these attacks will start in your dreams tempting to lead you off course and eventually threatening hopelessness and promising your past will also be your future but don’t take your eyes off of Jesus. On my own I am bound to repeat the same mistakes I have made before, for in me is brokenness but in my Savior is victory and I cannot not lose as long as I am careful to step where Jesus steps.
Image a winter scene where the trees and ground are covered with new snow yet untouched by man or beast and as you look out across the valley to mountains in the distance you marvel at the wonder of it all but you also realize on your own you could never reach your destination except for your guide that has promised to lead you through the wilderness. You trust Him completely because He spoke truth to you and told you of your need, which no one else could have known and even more important for the first time in your heart was born hope and peace like you’ve never known. Your guide instructs you to carefully step where he steps as you listen intently, for you know how easily you will sink in the deep snow, become cold and wet, and possibly freeze to death. If someone looked at where you two have been they would only see one set of tracks because each step you take is purposefully chosen. The enemy has been watching too and he knows if you venture off course you will lose your way, your heart will become cold and your strength will weaken and if you remain off course you will die. Why would he attack if you do his work for him but it is the one who follows the Guide closely whom he fears will reach their destination and therefore he attacks with the intention of distracting, even if only for a moment. At first the distractions will come seemingly innocently tempting but if that doesn’t work the tempting turns to threats so guard your soul because that is where the battleground begins and keep your eyes fixed on your guide – Jesus, for though He cannot be seen with human eye by His Spirit He leads you and it is by His Spirit you must learn to see. For this is the message, awakening all who would set out on the great adventure, come see what the Lord has done!
How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings. You feed them from the abundance of Your own house, letting them drink from Your river of delights. For You are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.
(Psalms 36:7-9 NLT)
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