Messes--I hate them! Messy desks, desk drawers, offices, garages, junk drawers, not to mention kids' rooms. You smile, cause you've got them too! I'm not a PERFECT neat-freak, and I'll admit, I've even learned to live with a bit of it! That's life! But that's not the kind of mess I'm talking about. I've lived with teens long enough to learn a little of the "cool" language they use, and when they say, "Don't mess with me," you'd better not mess!

Well, I'm ready this week to give a late-breaking bulletin to the major mess-maker of them all! I'm tired of what he does to homes, people, families, hearts, bodies, minds, souls and spirits! Need I identify him? I think not--he comes to rob, steal and destroy, and, in teen English, to MESS IT UP! I believe it's time for those who serve the Lord to stand up and be counted; to say, "Devil, enough is enough. DON'T mess with the messenger!" Our own words may roll like water off a duck's back, but in the Name of the Lord, he must flee. Let's go to the Well in the Name of the Lord and find our source of strength!

A Helping Word...or Two!

Ministering His Ways....A Godly Commitment!

Exhibit A: Daniel, young Hebrew follower of the one true God. Hear him pray fervently, three times a day, despite the laws of the land. He was a committed follower of His God and no leader or no law would cause him to swerve in his personal dedication to the God of his life. He lived what he believed. He was committed to serve God in the purest way possible, despite the evils of his day--even the evil king who promptly sent him to the lions' den. You know the story--an angel shut the lions' mouths, no harm came to Daniel, and he was delivered to continue serving his God.

God's messengers proclaim their faith in a lifestyle different than the world's. It shows where they work, in what they say, in how they act and react--it's a lifestyle of genuine love and service to their Savior, Jesus Christ. And the devil doesn't like it. He tempts in every way possible--a compromise here, a little let-down there--does it really matter? Well, devil, yes it does. We live for God--we're not perfect! We will fail, but when we do, we're back up on our feet again. For our hearts are set on the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus, and in HIS grace and strength we stand. So, devil, DON'T MESS WITH THE MESSENGER! We come against you, and all the lions of your devilish world, in the Name of the Lord--He is Lord of All!

Ministering His Worth...A Godly Confidence!

Exhibit B: David, teen shepherd boy, suddenly thrust into a role bigger than life. God knew his future and was preparing him to stand, not in his own strength, but in the strength of the Lord. And that he did...you know the story! He met Goliath in the valley and the stone met Goliath in the head, for God was with David as he came against the godless giant in the Name of the Lord.

God's messengers minister in God's Name wherever they go. They go, not in the confidence of their own ability, but in His. When they stand up to boldly enter new territory for the Kingdom, old slewfoot is in the background, whispering words of doubt, fear and insecurity. Did David hear those words? A hint of them from the king, we know! But it did not matter. He was on God's mission and on God's Word he could depend. Do YOU hear those words? Sure--we all do, but we must not let it matter. We are on God's mission and on God's strength we can depend. So devil, DON'T MESS WITH THE MESSENGER! We come against you in the Name of the Lord--He is Lord of All!

Ministering His Word...A Godly Creed!

Exhibit C: Peter, great apostle of the Lord. Hear him proclaim God's Word on the Day of Pentecost. He believed the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ, preached it, and thousands were saved. His ministry grew in the power of the Lord--and so did the opposition. One night an angel found him in prison, miraculously rescued him, returning him back to the streets to once again proclaim God's Word.

God's messengers minister the powerful Word of God, whether behind a pulpit, on a PC, or the neighbor's porch! God's Word, which has won us, wins the world, and He uses us to deliver the most powerful message in the world, God's amazing love and grace. When we stand up boldly to proclaim what we believe, it angers the enemy. And what does he do? Attack the messenger, attack your faith in the veracity and power of God's Word. Halt, Satan! God's Word is true, whether we proclaim it on the rooftop or quietly in our own hearts. God's Word is hidden DEEP within our hearts and souls--so DON'T MESS WITH THE MESSENGER! We come against you in the Name of the Lord--He is Lord of All!!

Let the Lord encourage you as you meditate on these three godly heroes: Daniel, David, Peter, the men who didn't let the devil mess with them! They were strong in commitment, confidence and creed, and in the Name of the Lord. Let His Name and His Word be your strength--and mine--this week.

...and that's just a thought or two--from my heart to yours!

His Healing Words

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:10,11 KJV)."

"Lord, we put on your armor, and in Your Name, we face the foe. We will not lose our confidence, our creed or our commitment to You. We stand strong and victorious in the Name of the Lord whom we love and serve. In Jesus Name, Amen."

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Thanks for visiting a place where "Christians aren't perfect; they're just forgiven!"
Have a great day serving the Lord!

Featured link!

The Christian Armor Room at Peggie's Place!

A place to enjoy other devotionals!

I'm blessed with a wonderful "virtual web family," many close friends who not only help to keep me sane and smiling, but write wonderful devotionals. Enjoy their spiritual insights--and their sites as well!

A Virtual Web Family (by Charlene Fairchild)

Peggie's List of Devotional Resources

Be Still and Know That I Am God!
a Christian-based nature tape for your devotions time!
(Check out the cool SOUNDS/Storms of Life demo!)

Not hearing music? You need Crescendo! With thanks to Gilberto Barreto for the beautiful music playing at Peggie's Place. His original composition is entitled, "I Love You, Jesus."

Peggie's Place banner was "Made in Hawaii"
compliments of my friend Madelein of His Praise Maui!

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