Week 138: The Web

                                   The Web

                          For we walk by faith, not by sight: II Corinthians 5:7

• Trapped. . .

• Caught. . .

• Imprisoned. . .

Even though we don’t consider spider webs as home decor, some of their intricate patterns are beautifully constructed. It takes the average spider about 30-60 minutes to spin a stunning web. This isn’t a long time when you consider all the elaborate intricate detailing; all starting with a single silk thread.

These web-spinners’ main objective is to catch prey. Once the unsuspecting bug is ensnared, well. . . The devil runs his operation pretty much like spiders. The spider starts with a single thread; the devil starts with a single sin. The spider’s mission is to trap prey; the devil’s mission is to trap prey. It doesn’t take the spider long to spin a web. The devil has already spun his web.    

If the naive insect knew it wasn’t going to be able to escape, I’m sure it would not have gone anywhere near the web. However, we think we’re too smart to get caught. We think we can negotiate the terms of our transgressions. After all, we can stop anytime we want to. Hmmm!   

                         Webs aren’t designed for escape! 

Nevertheless, God brought us out of bondage to bring us in to the good life that He has prepared for us. (Deuteronomy 6:23; John 10:10) We can put our faith in Jesus; follow His instructions, and get free from the enemy’s deadly web. Remember, the devil thought Jesus was dead and buried; he thought Peter was bound in chains. It seems like the enemy falls into his own traps.

Let the wicked fall into their won nets, while I pass by in safety. (Psalm 141:10 NIV)

      Is there a trap, scheme, or plot that God can’t get us out of?  

© 2016                          See you next week on Paulette Talks Faith

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Week 137: In the Eye of the Storm

                            In the Eye of the Storm  

O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully 

          rewardeth the proud doer. Psalm 31:23

• Hazardous winds. . .

• Rogue waves. . .

• Torrential rains. . .  

                      

Whether it’s the wicked winds of a cyclone, typhoon, hurricane, or tornado; in the eye of a storm the weather is mostly calm. It’s kind of hard to believe that in the center of all the devastation there is such a place.

There is a calm place we can go to when we face personal storms. Sometimes our storms come as an outwardly intruding force, or as a quiet emotional attack. Whatever kind, if we just locate the eye of the storm, we’ll find a safe harbor. Psalm 91 describes it as the Secret Place. Philippians 4:7 talks about the peace of God which is beyond understanding.

                 

I can only share what I do when a storm hits. The key for me is to  immediately find the Eye; meaning I go straight to God—alone. I don’t want to hear “Static” (see week 135) that people will bring with their opinions, ideas, and emotions. They might mean well, but I just want to hear a clear message from God. I pray and read scriptures that speak directly to my circumstances.

Then I wait for my spirit to connect to the Comforter. (John 14:26) Once that connection is made, my thoughts shift. I begin to feel God’s peace. My faith builds in knowing that Heaven’s Got It! 

If I don’t get into the presence of God, the devil’s illegal suggestions will drive me crazy. (See week 111; "Trust God or Go Stone Crazy.") There is no sense in trying to figure anything out while he’s SHOUTING in my ears. I’m getting better at detecting his lies at their onset. It’s like pulling weeds out of a yard. If I don’t stay on top of it, they’ll get out of control. 

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

                                     Locate the Eye!

© 2016                          See you next week on Paulette Talks Faith

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Week 136: Watch Out - Don't Trip!

                        Watch Out—Don’t Trip!

                              Fight the good fight of faith. . . I Timothy 6:12a

• Watch your step. . .

• Watch your back. . .

• WATCH OUT!

We are jammed packed here on earth with all kinds of people. They’re everywhere. Most of them are pleasant, and play by the rules set by society. However, some are ill-mannered, vile, and out of their minds—crazy. They don’t abide by anybody’s rules. Their mission is to trip-up those who want to do right.          

                                   Watch Out—Don’t Trip! 

The devil is looking for whom he can devour. He has mean-spirited people scattered about for you to trip over. If you waste your life concentrating and brooding over how they have wronged you; thinking of ways to get back at them instead of focusing on your life and the assignment(s) that God has for you to do, well. . .

                                         You got devoured! 

You can’t let the devil control how you respond to negative emotions without jeopardizing the blessings that God has for you. It’s not easy to hand out love when hate is thrown at you, but that’s how it works in God’s kingdom.

          Short term gratification isn’t worth lifelong blessings.

               

Jesus died for you and for your haters to be free; not to have to live in bondage. Therefore, pray for your enemies. Don’t squander your time using ineffective weapons of hate.

                    You know what to do. Put on your armor;

                        fight the good fight of faith, and WIN.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:10-18)

If anybody is going to do any tripping, it will be the enemy.    

© 2016                          See you next week on Paulette Talks Faith

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