Keep On, Keeping On!
Our motto is “Speak Your Visions Into Victory,” and as Proverbs 18:21 KJV states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
What happens when you’ve been believing for a long time and you’re starting to get weary? Or when you’re standing firm in faith, keeping God’s word in your heart, the devil swoops in to find a weak area to attack? John 10:10 ESV reminds us, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Like the 60’s phrase states, “You need to keep on keeping on”. This is when you need to have very tight lips and watch every word that comes out of your mouth. When you’re believing for something significant like a miracle, the devil will try to derail you, causing you to speak contrary to God’s word.
If you fall into this trap, the devil can use those words against you. According to Ephesians 6:12 NKJV, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” It’s challenging because you may have bad habits of speaking what you naturally feel, but according to that scripture, these things are supernatural and use what you say against you. You must prevent any negative words from leaving your mouth that could affect your outcome. You have to cast down those negative thoughts and refocus on God’s promises. Scripture repeatedly tells us to cast down negative thoughts; this is crucial, and that's why we keep reiterating this in our devotionals.
When I Googled the verse to find different versions, the AI overview said, “2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV speaks of 'casting down imaginations.' The verse says, 'Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.' The Greek terms translated as 'casting down imaginations' can also mean 'destroying arguments' or 'destroying speculations.'” Even AI recognizes that these imaginations are false arguments and speculations. These thoughts have no real evidence. According to dictionary.com, speculation means forming a theory or conjecture without firm evidence. So why believe these lies when God’s promises are solid and true? Isaiah 55:11 NIV says, "So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." This means God cannot lie; if He said we have what we need, it will come to pass, including our biggest dreams.
Which thought will you choose to believe? One based on baseless speculation or God’s unchanging word? It is your choice.
The devil wants to keep you from your destiny. Ephesians 1:4-6 AMP states, “God chose people in Christ before the foundation of the world. The verse says, 'just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight.'”
God had a plan for you before you were even born—a plan only you can fulfill. You are uniquely made in God’s image. The devil knows that if you get close to your God-ordained destiny, you will be his worst enemy. That’s why he fights so hard for your mind.
For the first time in my life, I am actually excited about the attacks of the devil because I know I am so close to my breakthrough and he is running scared. It’s not enjoyable, but since starting this blog, my family and I have faced unimaginable challenges. To give some context, my mother-in-law is battling severe health issues, a family member needs healing from substance abuse, and I experienced a job transition with subsequent mass layoffs. Despite being overqualified and making a significant impact, layoffs affected me based on seniority. My husband’s family is causing strife when my mother-in-law needs peace, and there’s more. The devil is trying to derail us from our dreams and victory.
In the past, I would have reacted with frustration, but God is merciful. I remember my favorite scripture from childhood, Micah 7:19 NKJV, "He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities." This means that if we ask for forgiveness, God will cast our sins into the sea and never remember them again. The Message translation puts it beautifully:
"You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Where is the god who can compare with you—wiping the slate clean of guilt, turning a blind eye, a deaf ear, to the past sins of your purged and precious people? You don’t nurse your anger and don’t stay angry long, for mercy is your specialty. That’s what you love most. And compassion is on its way to us. You’ll stamp out our wrongdoing. You’ll sink our sins to the bottom of the ocean. You’ll stay true to your word to Father Jacob and continue the compassion you showed Grandfather Abraham—everything you promised our ancestors from a long time ago."
God is wiping the slate clean and turning a blind eye as if it never happened before. Not to mention He will keep His promises to us that He gave to Abraham and Jacob. We don’t have time to go through all those promises, but when you speak God’s word and ask for forgiveness, the devil has nothing to stand on. Whatever you are believing for will come to pass. One of my favorite pastors says, “That is a blank check right there.”
So, when the devil tries to steal your promise or when things seem to be taking longer than expected, stop and laugh. Remind the devil of the promises you are standing on, which means you have to have scriptures that deal with your situation, and speak scripture to him. Then praise God because the breakthrough is already yours, and keep praising. You are a child of God with divine authority. The power is already within you; the devil is attacking because he knows this. Become so strong in faith that the devil will eventually flee. In James 4:7 KJV, it says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
What you do between dreaming, believing, and seeing your dreams come to pass will determine your victory. Be mindful of what you say, what you allow into your mind, and who you listen to. If you stumble, ask for forgiveness immediately and declare God’s word. Let the devil know you will not back down, and remind him that Jesus has already defeated him. He must back off because he is dealing with God’s royal child. Through the strength of Christ and the Holy Spirit within you, you can achieve anything. So, no matter what, keep on keeping on, and watch the devil retreat instead of you. He has no right to your life unless you allow it. Don’t!
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