Life Plan Devotion #97 [God's Armor--Helmet of Salvation, Part XV, Fear of Death]

Hi, Everyone.
Thank you for praying for my daughter and grandson's trip to the Dominican Republic yesterday. After one missed flight (due to weather), which amazingly did NOT result in a delayed arrival, they are there safe and sound. Their luggage should get there today (wouldn't you know). :)
Today, we wrap up our discussion of the 4th most common fear used by Satan to try to discourage and defeat the believer, the fear of death/dying. Tomorrow, we will look at the 5th (and final) most common fear used by Satan.
Thank you for staying the course in this not-so-mini mini series on the Armor of God. As always, I love hearing from you. How is God confirming His Word in your life?

Life Plan Devotion #97 [God's Armor--Helmet of Salvation, Part XV]

     When you take the Helmet of Salvation (Deliverance) and the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God), part of the Armor of God and given to every believer (Ephesians 6:17), you have everything you need to defeat Satan, as he seeks to cause you to give in to the fourth most common fear, the fear of death/dying.
     When you know what the Word of God has to say about death, you will feel reassurance, and you will have the arsenal you need to speak to the enemy and watch him retreat. You are not alone. The psalmist tells us, and it is true, that "The Lord's eye is upon those who fear Him [*****vere and worship Him with awe], who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving-kindness, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine."
     Even if you're given a terminal diagnosis, as was Hezekiah in Isaiah 38:1-5, you can call on God for help, as did Hezekiah. He "prayed to the LORD, [saying,] 'Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in Your eyes.' And Hezekiah wept bitterly." Notice that Hezekiah lived a life in line with God's Word. "Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: 'Go and tell Hezekiah...I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add 15 years to your life." When Satan whispers, "You're going to die," you tell him, "Let's see what God has to say!"
     God says, "The number of your days I will fulfill" (Exodus 23:26). This is a promise to those who worship Him wholeheartedly (Exodus 23:24-25). God says, "With long life will I satisfy [the one who loves Me] and show him my salvation [deliverance]" (Psalm 91:16). When Satan tries to present you with the fear of death/dying, you tell him, "I love and worship God. He knows the exact number of days I will live, and He's promised it will be a long, satisfying life, so you have no say so in the matter. Get behind me, Satan!"

I Corinthians 15:5-58
"The sting of death is sin... But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm..."

What this has to do with weight loss: Through Jesus' death on the Cross, we have spiritual and physical victory over sin, even the sin of gluttony, which caused us to put on many pounds of pain and resulted in many physical and emotional consequences. Through Jesus, and as a true believer, you have ultimate victory on your weight-loss journey. May that encourage you to "stand firm," when you experience the occasional slip or stall.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I thank You that through the death of Your Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ, I have victory over sin, no matter the sin, no matter the consequence of the sin. How I praise You for that! The enemy would have me believe that he has the power to bury me, but as Your child, as someone who loves You and lives for You, I have You on my side. How I praise You for that! Give me the courage and the boldness to claim and proclaim Your promises of long life, whenever the enemy comes to me with the fear of death/dying, for Your Word is greater than his word. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, speaking God's powerful Word, knowing that the enemy's scheme to put fear of death/dying on you will be defeated.

Blessings,
Mary