Family Devotions and Bible Readings

S     1 Peter 5:8     Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.

O     Victims are what Satan looks for. Victims fall among other things because of pride. I used to tell children in children’s church that a lamb that goes away from the shepherd thinking that they are safe, are called victims. That is exactly the type of lamb or believer that Satan is looking for. Humbleness makes us aware of our need for our Shepherd, while pride makes us self-reliant based on our limited knowledge. In this area of spiritual warfare, I rather humble myself and just run to the Shepherd when Satan attacks than think I am strong and be a victim.

A      So many times in my walk with God, He has shown me times how my pride has led me astray, has led me to harm. The reason He had to show me is because I was living in cruise control, not being aware of all the things that happen in my life and in my surroundings. I have been not paying attention, not disciplining myself, not caring about those areas of weakness, not working at making those areas stronger. I have just been cruising and failed miserably. But God showed before I hurt others with my arrogance. I need to take daily care to insure that I am careful and watching out for attacks from Satan, that I am doing what I can during these short days on earth to resist him and to bring more to the kingdom.

P     Lord, help me become more humble by showing me each day my areas of weakness. Help me with my attention span as I seek to watch out for Satan, as I seek to look for areas of pride, as I seek to be more aware of all areas of my lives where I can be of use and service in Your kingdom. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.