Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: Luke 22:31-38
Luke 22:31 (NLT) "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you, to sift you like wheat."
Satan's desire is to destroy those that love Jesus. He daily stands before the Father in heaven pointing his fingers of accusation against Christian after Christian, trying to prove that he has legal right to their immortal soul. Not only this, but he knows how to upset you. He knows what strings to pull to get your anger to rise. He knows what button to push to get you to deny your faith in Jesus under the pressure of friends and family. He knows how to trigger your impatience. He knows how to "get under your skin" and get you frustrated.
This is exactly what happened to Peter during his lifetime. Jesus warning in Luke 22:31 to Peter is the same to you and I today. At all times, Satan is trying to sift you, to destroy all that you are, to break your spirit, your heart, your family, and your faith in God.
There are several times when Satan is sifting those who love God. Every time you get angry for any reason--Satan is sifting. Every time you have a temptation to do wrong--Satan is sifting. Every time your faith is put to the test--Satan is sifting. Every time you feel doubt about God's plan--Satan is sifting. And, finally, every time you have fear, worry, or anxiety--Satan is shifting.
Is Satan sifting you? Remember this: The Lord desires to use this time of sifting to mold you into Christ-likeness just as he did with Peter. However, He uses trials and all sorts of circumstances accomplish this feat. Yet He is in control at all times and will give you the grace to sustain the attacks of Satan. Your job is to place your complete trust in Him and know that Jesus Himself has "pleaded in prayer for you" so that "your faith should not fail" (Luke 22:32). Faith Lesson: Trials are the means by which you become more like Jesus.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
READ: Luke 22:31-38
Luke 22:31 (NLT) "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you, to sift you like wheat."
Satan's desire is to destroy those that love Jesus. He daily stands before the Father in heaven pointing his fingers of accusation against Christian after Christian, trying to prove that he has legal right to their immortal soul. Not only this, but he knows how to upset you. He knows what strings to pull to get your anger to rise. He knows what button to push to get you to deny your faith in Jesus under the pressure of friends and family. He knows how to trigger your impatience. He knows how to "get under your skin" and get you frustrated.
This is exactly what happened to Peter during his lifetime. Jesus warning in Luke 22:31 to Peter is the same to you and I today. At all times, Satan is trying to sift you, to destroy all that you are, to break your spirit, your heart, your family, and your faith in God.
There are several times when Satan is sifting those who love God. Every time you get angry for any reason--Satan is sifting. Every time you have a temptation to do wrong--Satan is sifting. Every time your faith is put to the test--Satan is sifting. Every time you feel doubt about God's plan--Satan is sifting. And, finally, every time you have fear, worry, or anxiety--Satan is shifting.
Is Satan sifting you? Remember this: The Lord desires to use this time of sifting to mold you into Christ-likeness just as he did with Peter. However, He uses trials and all sorts of circumstances accomplish this feat. Yet He is in control at all times and will give you the grace to sustain the attacks of Satan. Your job is to place your complete trust in Him and know that Jesus Himself has "pleaded in prayer for you" so that "your faith should not fail" (Luke 22:32). Faith Lesson: Trials are the means by which you become more like Jesus.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
