Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does. (The Message 1 Peter 5:8-11)
Do you enjoy having the last word? I can remember conversations with my husband when we didn't necessarily agree, and one of us would attempt to have the last word. It became a joke of sorts with each one, under their breath as they walk away, turning and mumbling...a last word.
How do we stop Satan from having the last word in our lives? When we turn to God, to His Word for the final say, we close our ears to the taunting of evil one.
How does one "Keep a firm grip on the faith?" Again, God's Word is the key to life, to right living. Satan attacks those who are young in their faith, he preys on those who are alone or weak or young. Those of us who possess a seasoned faith need to come alongside those who are not. This is discipleship.
Just as we raise up our children by teaching the basics of right and wrong living, so too must we teach those basics of Christianity to the new believer. Placing a Bible in their young hands is not enough, we must read with them and talk it over.
It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. Satan will be thwarted for good when Jesus returns, but until then we have a battle to wage.
We have Good News to spread and we have God's Word to share...the final WORD, the last Word.
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