Here's an interesting letter I received. I enjoy receiving these letters.
Dear Brother Ollison,
This may seem like a strange letter, but I must tell someone who I feel will listen. Last month I decided to get closer to God. I have been reading my Bible more and I have started listening to preachers on the radio. When nothing is good on the radio, I listen to CD's that people in my church give me. I read my Bible every day. I mean I really read it. It's more interesting to me than television or movies. And it is all paying off spiritually. I have a closeness with Jesus I have never had before, but there is one problem.
In the last month everything I own seems to be breaking down. Just yesterday I had two flats getting to church. I could understand it if my tires were old, but they're not. I really think the devil is trying to distract me from the Bible and church. Is that possible? And if it is, what can I do about it?
I brought this up in Sunday School and I was just told to "hang in there" because there will always be trials and there is nothing I can do about it. Isn't there something I can do while I "hang in there?"
- Springfield, Missouri USA
Dear Friend, what you have described is exactly something Jesus talked about in Mark, chapter 4. Here Jesus told his disciples a parable, or story, about a sower who sowed seed. Some of the seed fell on the wayside and the birds of the air came and devoured it.
Later when the disciples said they didn't understand what Jesus was talking about, Jesus explained the parable to them. He said that the seed that was sown was the Word. And then He said that as soon as the seed is sown, immediately, Satan comes along to steal the seed.
My friend, that is what is happening to you. You have been reading and hearing the Word. The Word is being sown into your heart and Satan doesn't like that. He knows that faith comes by the hearing of the Word and he hates faith. His nature is to distract and steal and that is what he is trying to do to you.
You asked if there is anything you can do while you're hanging on. Yes, there is. You can take authority over the one who is causing the distractions. You do not have to let the seed be stolen. Jesus Himself gave you this authority, but you are the one who has to take it.
In Ephesians the first chapter it says that we as Christians are the body of Christ and we are seated with Him far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named. That is not just in the future, but in the here and now.
Jesus said "Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
So, don't just "hang in there." Take authority over the power of the enemy. Jesus gave it to you. He expects you to use it.
Devotion 0104