Just Say NO!

A Battle To Fight

By Donna Johnson on July 25th, 2018

   
     There is power in our “Yes”, when we give it to Jesus as we lay our lives at the foot of the cross and choose to become a vessel of His tangible hope and demonstrative love in the earth, but there is also power in our “No”. Donna Johnson, a servant leader here at Living Hope, has learned the power behind such a word. Check out her story below and be encouraged that the battle you face each and every day has already been won, for “the Lord your God fights for you, you need only be still.”

 

A few days ago I was at church praying with our church intercessory team and I felt this heaviness come over me. To combat what I was feeling, I began to focus on God and not the feeling. I started by telling Him how good He is, how much I love Him and things of the sort. Although I was able to continue praying the heaviness didn’t leave, and when the other intercessors were preparing to leave, I heard the Spirit of the Lord telling me to stay there for a little while longer. I walked the others to the door, made sure I was safely locked in, and walked back into the sanctuary. As I approached the altar, the heaviness increased, and I became overwhelmed. I lifted my head up and said in a loud voice “Okay Lord, what is this? What is happening to me?” My knees became weak, and I suddenly found myself on the floor crying the hardest cry I have ever cried. I then heard the Lord say, “Scream as loudly as you can!” I hesitated for a second because I thought ‘what if someone heard me?’ The Lord again said, “Scream it out!” And so, I did. I screamed the loudest I could while crying, curled up on the floor. The Lord then said, “Not just an empty scream. Scream ‘NO’ to the devil. Let him hear you loud and clear.” So, I screamed “NO” as loud as I could. Immediately, the weight was lifted, and I found myself laughing while crying because of how quickly everything changed. I left church that night feeling enlightened and empowered.

One thing I have learned in my walk with Christ is that loving God does NOT mean you will no longer have problems. As a matter of fact, in John 16:33 Jesus tells us the “In the world you WILL have tribulation…” 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” However, these warnings do not mean that we are to sit idly by and allow the enemy to issue an all-out assault on our lives either. Following the warning about the enemy’s tactics in 1 Peter 5, verse 9 tells us to “RESIST him.” James 4:7 says that we are to “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” God reminded me as I was on floor that night, we have authority over Satan and anything he tries to dish out. In Luke 10:19 Jesus says, “Behold, I give you the AUTHORITY to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over ALL the power of the enemy…” In other words, we can say (or scream) ‘NO’ to the devil. We CAN resist him! We can stop him dead in his tracks.

We have to realize that the attacks that we face as Christians are not simply because the devil is bored, he is on a mission. He is trying to take us out. He wants to deceive us into thinking that life would be easier without having to serve a God who allows us to suffer. He wants us to think that we are powerless against the little arrows he throws our way. Above all of that, he wants to stop us from being the warriors God created us to be which would hinder the plans and purposes of God for our life. We CAN NOT let him win! We must be determined to take up our cross, whatever it may be, and follow Christ.

There are three things that we need to be sure of as we face the attack of the enemy. The first thing is that this war is not about us, it is ALL about God. Romans 8:36 says, “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” In Matthew 5:11 Jesus says, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:11 says, “For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” In Matthew 10:22 Jesus told the disciples “…you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.” 2 Chronicles 20:15, “This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” When we chose to become followers of Christ, Satan became our instant enemy.

That brings me to the second thing we need to certain of. We are not fighting alone! One of the greatest reminders of this is found in Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 1 John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is IN YOU is GREATER than he who is in the world.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” Joshua, prior to his death, told the Israelites in his farewell address, “One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you.” (Joshua 23:10). In Deuteronomy 20:3-4, the Lord sent word to the Israelites saying, “Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” When we fight against the devil, we NEVER fight alone.

The third and final thing we need to be assured of is that we already have the victory. In John 16:33 when Jesus warned us that we will have tribulation, he followed that statement by saying “…but be of good cheer, I have OVERCOME the world.” 2 Corinthians 2:14, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us IN TRIUMPH in Christ.” Romans 8:37 says, “in all these things we are MORE THAN conquerors through Him who loved us.” The more you read the Word of God the more evident it becomes… WE WIN!!!

Friends, we are in perilous times and Satan has releasing his minions to attacks those who proclaim Christ as their Lord. Maybe today you find yourself in the midst of a battle and it looks the end is nowhere near. Maybe you have been struggling to keep your head above water or keep yourself afloat. I want to encourage you today that God has not forsaken you. You are NOT alone. Yes, the enemy will throw things at us but we do not have to surrender or wave the white flag because what we are going through may seem like the end of the world. God gave us authority over the devil and it is time that we exercise our power. It is time for us to JUST SAY ‘NO’ to Satan. No more… NO, you cannot take my peace! NO, you cannot have my family! NO, you cannot operate in my work place! NO, I will not die! NO, I will not quit! NO, I will not give up! NO! NO! NO! We have to be unwavering in this thing. We have to stand our ground! Whatever Satan is trying to do to DISTRACT YOU from what God has planned for you will not work. Whatever he says or does means nothing. We already have the victory! Hang in there for a little while longer and see what God will do. We have this assurance that “ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28). So no matter what the devil attempts to do, HE WILL LOSE! Just in case you need to read it again… WE WIN!!!
 
Keep fighting the good fight,
Donna Johnson

28 Responses to “Just Say NO!”

  1. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after browsing through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m certainly happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!

  2. I enjoy reading through an article that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment!

  3. When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you can remove me from that service? Kudos!

  4. Everyone loves it whenever people come together and share thoughts. Great website, keep it up!

  5. Kyle Classon says:

    I like reading a post that will make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!

  6. Edmond Dabe says:

    Very good information. Lucky me I found your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I’ve saved as a favorite for later!

  7. You’ve made some really good points there. I looked on the web to learn more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.

  8. Angel Zidzik says:

    Right here is the right web site for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You understand a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject which has been written about for decades. Great stuff, just wonderful!

  9. Adan Eguia says:

    An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who was conducting a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me dinner because I found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this subject here on your web page.

  10. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been conducting a little research on this. And he actually bought me lunch due to the fact that I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this matter here on your blog.

  11. I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something not enough people are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I found this in my search for something regarding this.

  12. Signe Lunz says:

    I’m more than happy to uncover this site. I need to to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely savored every bit of it and i also have you book marked to check out new things in your web site.

  13. Tyler Lipe says:

    Having read this I thought it was rather enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this information together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  14. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo matter but generally people don’t speak about these subjects. To the next! All the best!!

  15. Your style is unique in comparison to other people I have read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this page.

  16. Very good article. I certainly appreciate this site. Thanks!

  17. I was able to find good information from your content.

  18. Hello there! I simply want to give you a huge thumbs up for the great information you’ve got right here on this post. I am returning to your website for more soon.

  19. Belle Lazos says:

    You have made some good points there. I looked on the internet to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.

  20. You are so cool! I don’t think I have read anything like that before. So great to find somebody with original thoughts on this issue. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This website is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality!

  21. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on this. And he actually ordered me breakfast because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this issue here on your web page.

  22. I absolutely love your blog.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to create my own site and would like to learn where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Thanks!

  23. Having read this I believed it was really informative. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  24. I want to to thank you for this great read!! I absolutely loved every little bit of it. I have you book marked to look at new things you post…

  25. Hi there! This post could not be written much better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I am going to forward this information to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a very good read. I appreciate you for sharing!

  26. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Many thanks, However I am going through problems with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I am unable to join it. Is there anybody else getting identical RSS issues? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  27. Tu Sazama says:

    Hi, I do believe this is an excellent website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back yet again since I book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

  28. Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return once again since I book marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

Leave a Reply