Resist Satan and Be Steadfast in Faith

By Karren Farley
“Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (I Peter 5.9, NKJV).

We are instructed to resist Satan. To resist means saying “no” to temptations we are fighting. It means saying “no” to fighting with somebody and it also means refusing to give in to something. As we fill our hearts with the Word, spend time in prayer, attend a good Bible-believing church, we will learn what God’s standard is for us. We know walking the Christian path can be hard at times, but what a blessing it is to have the power of God in our lives as Bible-believing women!

We must learn to resist the plans of Satan for our life. God’s plan is for us to have eternal life. Yes, as Christians we face obstacles, adversities, temptations, and health crises. However we have a mighty weapon to use--prayer to our Almighty, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent God!

1 Peter 5:9 says “...knowing that the same sufferings, are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” The trials we go through and what others go through can make or break us. It can draw us closer to God, to each other and to our church, OR it can tear us away from them. Look at all the examples in the Bible. Think about Moses, David, and Peter, then consider Deborah, Abigail, Esther, Hannah, and Mary, the mother of Jesus.

What made them great was the trials they went through. Sometimes they didn’t follow what God would have liked for them; however, they repented, turned back to Jehovah God and went on to be great women and men of God. That is why we are still talking about them today! You will be a blessing to others when you share how God brought you through a difficult situation. It may be a simple remark to someone in the grocery store, to a mom in the doctor’s office, or to the mom in court whose husband or child is facing charges.

I was in Joplin, MO in June 1996 when my husband was admitted to a hospital with chest pain. We found out he had nine blockages.  I was alone and 1,200 miles from home. I was crying and very scared as I remembered that my father in-law, Rev. G. M. Farley, had died after cardiac bypass surgery.

As I was calling my daughter, Felicia, from a pay phone to tell her that her father was to have heart surgery, someone came up behind me and touched me on the right shoulder. I turned around and a nice-looking gentleman in a suit told me that my husband would be OK and immediately walked away. I have no idea who he was, but I had peace from that moment forward. Personally, I feel it was an angel that God sent to strengthen me and give me peace. This was in 1996; that touch and that word still comforts me to this day! Yes, my husband was OK. That word of encouragement gave me strength to face that whole ordeal. We truly serve an infinite God!

My husband, as he was leaving to go to work this morning, said that “I was his sunshine in the storm.” We have been each others’ strength since we were married in 1970. No matter what we have faced, Jesus Christ our Lord, has been the One that has brought us through the storms of life.

My prayer for you is that you will allow God to strengthen you to become a powerful, anointed women of God. When the storms of life come at you in full force, fight back with God’s Word! Cast all your cares on Him and you will be able to resist the Devil.

Casting All Your Care Upon Him

By Karren Farley
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you,” 1 Peter 5:7, NKJV.

Our son Jason called us at 8 a.m. on June 29, 2008. It was a beautiful Sunday morning, and he asked if we would watch his 1 year-old son one more night so he could go on a motorcycle ride with the members of his club, Shiftn Steel Sport Riderz. Three hours later we were informed that Jason had been killed in a motorcycle accident. He was only 29 years old. He was my third child and our first son. Wow, what a nightmare we have been through since then.

As I was thinking about writing for the Women’s Ministry devotional, I came across this Scripture, “Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you,” 1 Peter 5:7, NKJV. No matter what we face in life, and when I say no matter what we face in life, I mean it. NO MATTER WHAT WE FACE IN LIFE, we are to cast every care upon Him.

Cast means “to fling something down, away.” It means to throw something away from yourself, usually with force. Whatever the concern we may have, whether it is spiritual, temporal, great or small, God is concerned. So many times I have felt like I had no strength to go on, especially around the holidays.

That seems to be the time when the lost, lonely, empty feelings are ever so strong. I will let my tears come, wipe them and force myself to get busy doing something to get my mind occupied. I must CAST by force; I have to throw all my feelings and my loss to my Creator, God. I had to make a choice. Face depression and go it alone OR take the path that Christ has for me. By following this Scripture, I have chosen to rise above it.

Sometimes when asked how I am doing, I will say, “Hey, for not using anti-depression pills, prescription drugs, smoking, nor drinking but going through grief the natural way, I feel I am doing pretty good.”

Whenever I’m down, He comes along and lets me cast my cares over onto His shoulders. This lightens my load and allows my feet to stay steady on the path He has for me. No matter how heavy the weight, He has the strength to carry it for me. We need to remember that our God cares for us. Yes, He cares for you so very much. He cares about your distractions, anxieties, burdens and your fears.

Vineyard has a CD I enjoy; it is entitled “Women In Worship.” The song I Receive has blessed me in my weak moments. I will sometimes stop what I am doing and just worship the Lord as I play the CD several times and sing the song. The chorus very simply says, “I receive your love for me.”

We need to receive God’s love for us daily. Let God’s love come in and touch your heart and soul today and cast all your cares over to Him. That is my prayer for you this week.