news flash: you have an enemy

Here are a couple of random pictures from young life camp that I haven't come around to sharing with you yet, I had so much fun there! {More to come!}

I remember when I first became a Christian and I silently imagined to myself a future ahead that would be filled with white picket fences, cupcake parties, endless perfection, along with success without hardly having to do much at all.

Sooner than later the reality of the Christian life struck me and I was able to understand that life as a Christian often meant many different trials and tribulations AND also circumstances that I was often not in favor of. The good news is that all throughout the midst of these hardships, I have Jesus as my anchor, who I can trust is always working for my good. He brings me life and peace that nobody or anything in this world can give me. Also, in the midst of all these trials of my life, Jesus is still going to bless me with amazing things, even though I don't deserve any of them!

Next, I realized I have an enemy. In the beginning of my relationship with Jesus, I wondered why it felt so much like there was someone working against me. Why did it feel like I had to work EXTRA hard just to simply wake up and read my devotional every day? Why did I feel like there was someone telling me I wasn't good enough to be a Christian?

The enemy saw what was forming in my life, and he didn't like it one bit. He saw my weakness as a new follower of Christ as an opportunity for him to attack me with lies and discouragement.

The enemy has hated my relationship with Jesus from the start. 

He has done everything he can to keep me from moving forward, and to discourage me when things aren't going my way.

He has told me lies about myself that were never true.

He makes me focus on where I am, not on how far I've come.

I could go on forever about the things the enemy has done to prevent me from moving forward. But he doesn't deserve that much attention. I'm only telling you all of these things because I think it is important to be aware of how the enemy tries to work in our lives. He whispers lies into our hearts that hurt our souls. He tries to make us settle with what is in front of us instead of trusting God to bless us beyond our wildest dreams. 

Friends, don't be surprised at all with the opposition that you may be facing in your life with your relationship with Jesus. In fact, I'd say get used to it, but NEVER give up. Its never going to go away, but the good news is that the more you fight against it, the stronger you become in Christ. As long as we are seeking God above all else, than the enemy can hardly do anything at all. The enemy can only work in your life if you give him the permission to do so. For example, say the enemy tells you that your not good enough for Gods love, because you have done way too many bad things in comparison to another Christian who you view to be perfect. You choose to believe that lie from the enemy and live a life of misery, instead of living by the truth of what God's word says about you. 

"So you are no longer a slave, but Gods child; and since you are a child, God has also made you an heir."

Galatians 4:7  

The verse about is truth. It says that we are all Gods heirs. This means that we are all viewed the same in Christ and we are all given the same inheritance as children of God. Not one of us is better than the other.

Reflect on that truth today, friend! Stop thinking anything different than what God's word says about you. We reap what we sow. If we sow thoughts of lies, we will reap lives of misery. If we sow thoughts of truth from Gods word, we will reap joyfulness and purpose.

I love you guys!

Love always, Jess

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