2 Thessalonians 2:4
He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (New International Version)

Is your heart filled with your love for God?

As we continue to live, the devil will get more and more anxious, desperate even. He knows he’s going to lose. He will do anything and everything within his power to deceive as many as he can.

Revelation 12:12b But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in fierce anger (fury), because he knows that he has [only] a short time [left]! (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)

Your love for God is what will keep you from being deceived. The devil is cunning. He will try to convince you God does not love you, and therefore, loving God has no purpose. How?

• By continually reminding you of your mistakes.
  If he can occupy you with thoughts of your sins, past present and the future sins you might commit because of the temptations face, you live defeated.
  Psalm 51:3-4 For I am fully aware of all I have done wrong, and my guilt is there, staring me in the face. 4 It was against You, only You, that I sinned, for I have done what You say is wrong, right before Your eyes. So when You speak, You are in the right. When You judge, Your judgments are pure and true. (The Voice TVT)

• By making you think you have no power over him.
  If you don’t understand the power of salvation, the enemy convinces you that you don’t have victory over sin. Then you will believe the Father is asking you to do something that you cannot do.
  Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)

• By telling you your hardships are an indication that God doesn’t love you.
  You cannot live with the misconception that God is supposed to give you everything you want so you can be “happy”. That somehow, you should have not sorrow, pain or have a reason to cry. If you do, your heart will be filled with disappointment instead of love.
  1 Peter 4:12-13b Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process. (The Message MSG)

• By convincing you that your fortune is something other than the blessing of God.
  The devil wants you to believe your prayers, desires, hopes, and endeavors are accomplished because of you. When you believe you succeed because of your passion and not God’s grace, your heart becomes filled with you.
  Jeremiah 9:23 Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)

The enemy is always whispering in your ear. If you listen to what he says, your will slowly replace your love for God. There are so many ways the enemy uses; there are only a few ways listed here. Always keep in mind, the devil does not want to reign outside of the Church, he wants authority in the very bosom of the Church. You are the church; not the building you go to. He wants your heart. If he can’t have it, at least he does not want God to have it either.

Matthew 22:37 Jesus answered him, “‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’(The Passion Translation TPT)

The altar of Your heart must be filled with God. There can be no room for anything else.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, Thank You for exposing the devil’s plan to undermine my worship and turn my heart and mind against You. You have also revealed his ultimate goal is to take Your place on the altar of my heart. I repent for the times I listened to his whispers and questioned Your love for me. By doing so I but my love for You in jeopardy. Thank you for Your warning. Thank You for keeping me in Your word, on my knees and on my face. Your word says the devil knows his time is short. I see his attacks getting more and more strategic as I draw closer to You. He is determined to  win in this warfare. However, I am just as determined. Thank You for warning me and covering me, every day. Thank You for preparing me to withstand the attacks of the enemy. Thank You for equipping me with the weapons I need to guard my heart. Thank You for filling me up to the point of overflowing. Sometimes I allow circumstances and situations to cause me to leak and I repent. As long as I am breathing, I will keep coming back for You to fill the leaks. I want the cup of my heart filled with You…

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Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.