As I read the book of Acts, I noticed that Satan is using the same schemes today that he used against the Apostle Paul!
Do you want to know how Satan operates? Just look in your Bible. Satan uses the same tactics, schemes, and traps today that he used 2,000 years ago.
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9
After a certain age, you realize this is true because you’ve lived long enough to observe it for yourself.
SATAN IS BEHIND MURDER
“Some Jews formed a conspiracy to murder Paul.” (See Acts 23:12-13)
Today, all over the world, antisemites want to murder Jews just because they are Jewish. Extremists wish to murder anyone who disagrees with their ideology.
SATAN IS THE ACCUSER
Paul is falsely accused of “being a troublemaker and stirring up riots” (Acts 24:5)
But it isn’t Paul who instigated the riots. Rather, it was his accusers. Rioters blame those they hate for the riots when it is the rioters themselves who are responsible.
SATAN IS A LIAR
“Other Jews joined in the accusations, asserting that these things were true.” Acts 24:9
They were all lying. We see this today. Lies, lies, lies! They accuse their “enemy” of what they do themselves. (e.g., they say Israel is guilty of genocide. Nothing could be further from the truth! It is the enemies of Israel who pursue genocide of the Jews.)
Jesus told Paul, “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God…” Acts 26:17-18
Those who are evil and fight against the Truth are under the power of Satan, the father of lies.
In His Love, Cindy
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”
Psalm 122:6NASB
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4 (NKJV)
From Enduring Word Bible Commentary – By humility and fear of the LORD: These two qualities are connected. Humility is a proper view of self; fear of the LORD is a proper view of God. The person who has these two qualities is well on their way on the path to wisdom.
I was feeling discouraged, tired, and weak. But my daily Bible reading fell in the book of Nehemiah. It was just what I needed! Nehemiah is packed with encouragement and reveals the sneaky tactics of the enemy. Once I realized that my negative feelings were really an attack of Satan, they lost their power over me!
If this is happening to you, congratulations! The devil is afraid of you, and he wants to stop your work for the Lord.
Satanic attacks are often disguised as your own feelings and thoughts. The enemy loves to attack our mind (our thinking). Those doubts, fears, frustrations, distractions, and even fatigue are an attack of the enemy.
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpentâs cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray … ” 2 Corinthians 11:3
“…the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers,” 2 Corinthians 4:4
These chapters are an example for us of how the enemy tries to stop the work God has given us to do. Whether it is writing a blog, teaching a Bible Study, going to the mission field, pastoring a church, or building a wall, the enemy’s plan is first and foremost to STOP THE WORK.
How does he do this?
(Parenthesis and underlining mine.)
1. Intimidation
“When Sanballat (the enemy) heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, âWhat are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubbleâburned as they are?â Nehemiah 6:19
“Tobiah the Ammonite (also an enemy), who was at his side, said, âWhat they are buildingâeven a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!â Nehemiah 4:1-3
When you are feeling intimidated (which includes feelings of failure or lack of expertise, and you start second-guessing your calling), know this: Satan is attacking your mind because he’s angry! He wants to stop the work!
2. Stirring Up Trouble
“They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.” Nehemiah 4:8
Has trouble come against your ministry in any way? Have problems cropped up that you didn’t expect? It could come in many forms: extra bills, lack of resources, lack of workers, etc. Satan wants to stop the work!
3. Trouble From Within
“Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. Some were saying, âWe and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.Others were saying, âWe are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.â Nehemiah 5:1-3
Jews who were more prosperous were taking advantage of their fellow Jews by charging them interest on loans, taking their children as slaves, and taking their property. Is there trouble within? Satan wants to stop the work!
4. Lies
Sanballat sent a message to Nehemiah:
âIt is reported among the nationsâand Geshem says it is trueâthat you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: âThere is a king in Judah!â Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.â
I sent him this reply: âNothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.â Nehemiah 6:5-8
Sometimes lies may be circulated about you. Satan wants to stop the work!
5. Fear
“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, âTheir hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.â
Fear brings on fatigue. Enthusiasm brings on high energy. Satan wants to stop the work!
THE REST OF THE STORY:
Even though the enemy strategized many different ways to stop the work, he failed. Why? Nehemiah says,
“But we prayed to our God.” Nehemiah 4:9
“So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.” Nehemiah 6:15
Remember this:
“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
In His Love, Cindy
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”
Psalm 122:6NASB
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
Over twenty years ago, I became a special education teacher. I quickly realized that I couldn’t make a difference in every student’s life. But the Lord planted in me the idea that if I could make a difference in just one student’s life, I had accomplished something wonderful.
That’s when I learned the Story of the Starfish. It made such a huge impression on me that I hung a dried starfish on my desk lamp as a reminder.
The Starfish Story – Adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley
A young girl was walking along a beach where thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.
She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, âLittle girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You canât save all these starfish. You canât begin to make a difference!â
The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied, âWell, I made a difference to that one!â
This is the same idea the Lord spoke to my heart about my blog: Don’t pay attention to numbers. Write for individual people. If just one person is encouraged, that’s something wonderful.
Look around for your starfish – someone you can encourage, or maybe even introduce to Jesus. Now that’s something wonderful!
âA new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”
“As I look back, I see more clearly that every step, the missteps as much as the faithful strides, has been held within the hands of a gracious God. The longer I walk with Him, the more I realize that growth in Christ is not about achievement but surrender; not about strength but dependence.” Bruce Cooper, The Clarity That Comes With Age
Jesus said, âI am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 Read full chapter
In His Love, Cindy
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”
Psalm 122:6NASB
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
Yes! The vast majority of historians and biblical scholars, both religious and secular, agree that Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical person. His physical existence in first-century Palestine is considered a well-established historical fact.
Did He claim to be the only way to God?
Yes! Jesus said,
âI am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV
Is the New Testament Historically Reliable Literature?
Yes! The authenticity of the New Testament is overwhelming: there are about 25,000 early manuscripts. In comparison, the Gallic Wars written by Caesar in the first century BC has only 10 early manuscripts.
What will you do?
Still unsure? Please watch the video below before you decide. (Under 5 minutes)
If you have never put your faith and trust in Jesus, you can do it now. He loves you more than you can comprehend, and it will change your life forever. Pray now:
Lord Jesus, I come before you and confess that I am a sinner. Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross and that Almighty God raised you from the dead. I pray that you will forgive me of all my sins. I choose today to trust and follow you with my whole heart. Amen.
âIF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH, âJESUS IS LORD,â AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. FOR IT IS WITH YOUR HEART THAT YOU BELIEVE AND ARE JUSTIFIED, AND IT IS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YOU CONFESS AND ARE SAVED. AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, ANYONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.â ROMANS 10:9-11
If you prayed that prayer, please message me in the comments section with any questions you may have. I would love to hear from you!
Read the Bible every day so that you can learn how to follow Jesus. The Gospel of John is a good place to start.
There is nothing more loving you can do for your children than to instill in them a love for God’s Word and teach them to pray by your example.
“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” Psalm 78:4-7
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 NASB
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
The rich young ruler’s encounter with Jesus is not just about the love of money. There is a deeper meaning, too.
A man ran up to Jesus and asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He proceeds to tell Jesus how he has kept all the commandments. He thinks that eternal life comes to those who follow the rules, but he’s wrong.
Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor. Then Jesus, standing right there, in the flesh, says, “Come, follow Me.” But the man walks away sad. He wants to hold on to his wealth and all that it gives him more than he wants Jesus.
My thoughts: Many people want eternal life, but not everyone is willing to count the cost. Like the rich young ruler, they want a salvation that requires nothing from them except to follow the rules. But that’s religion, not a relationship with God. God desires a relationship with us. That’s why Jesus told His disciples,
” It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.â  And they were even more astonished, and said to Him, âThen who can be saved?â  Looking at them, Jesus said, âWith people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.â Mark 10:25
To earn salvation by following rules would be easier than surrendering your life to Jesus. It’s a matter of who is in control, God or me?
Jesus is explaining to them that earning salvation is impossible. Salvation is the gift of God for those who trust and follow Him with their whole heart.
We must ask ourselves, Do I want to be a Christian on my own terms? Or, am I willing to follow Him with my whole heart?
Read the whole story of the Rich Young Ruler here: (Mark 10:17-31).
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 NASB
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
"And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! His doom is sure; one little word shall fell him." Martin Luther (1483-1546)
In any time of need, when we do battle with the forces of evil, God is our fortress to hide us and protect us, and the Word that endures forever will fight for us.
I will say of the Lord, âHe is my refuge and my fortress,     my God, in whom I trust.â Psalm 91:2 Read full chapter
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 NASB
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
“Warriors war; they arenât content to let lies and falsehoods go unopposed. They are by nature those who have a deep abiding desire and passion to make a difference for good and righteousness and holiness in this dark, fallen, deceptive world. Are you a warrior of God?”
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.â Deuteronomy 31:6
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 NASB
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
Real Christian Women 