BRANDON J. SUTTON
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Soft Target

3/26/2020

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“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10 ESV
 
Soft targets are places that are easily accessible with little to no protection, making them susceptible to an attack. Spiritually, our soft targets are vulnerable areas in our lives that the enemy tries to exploit. Substance abuse, sex, gossip, unforgiveness, jealousy, selfishness and anxiety are all soft targets. Our enemy attacks us where we are weak and tries to use our weakness to separate us from God’s love.  
 
“For I am certain that nothing can separate us from God’s love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39 GNT
 
As believers, we strengthen those areas in which we are weak through preparation, discipline and agility.
 
Prepare: The enemy begins each attack with a thought. You have the affair, use the drugs, spend the money, fear and quit in your mind before it manifests itself in your life. Do not wait for the enemy to attack you, prepare in advance to combat the assault, that means not being conformed to this world, but being transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:8). We renew our minds by meditating on God’s word. So, when the enemy attacks you with negative thoughts and feelings you can defend yourself with the word of God.
 
Discipline: To fortify those soft targets in your life, you are going to have to be disciplined. If you know talking to someone or consuming certain substances, images, music, etc. elicits a negative reaction from you then change your routine and habits in order to stay away from those adverse things and people. Create a new way of living that will bring you closer to God. That may mean giving up on some things and people that make you feel good but is not good for you. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it is painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way (Hebrews 12:11).
 
Agility: When you begin to change and make progress in your life the enemy will alter the way he attacks you and you must be agile enough to change your defenses. If he can no longer tempt you through money, then he may try to tempt you with sex. If he can’t tempt you with drugs and alcohol, then he will come at you in your health. If he can no longer defeat you in your thinking, then he will come at you in your relationships. Guard against new attacks by remaining faithful to God and remembering that the same God who saved, healed and delivered you before will do it again.  
 
We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus and no attack of the enemy will prevail against us if we remain prepared, disciplined and agile.

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Panic Room

3/11/2020

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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1
 
A panic room is a secure room within a residence that provides shelter in the case of an invasion or attack. We all have internal panic rooms. When you are under attack, what room do you run to? Some of us seek shelter in sex, drugs and alcohol while others seek refuge in gossip, overeating, frivolous spending and complaining. No matter what you may be facing, God wants you to seek and find shelter in Him during times of trouble. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
 
The enemy’s attack is relentless, and oftentimes we respond to his attack by taking refuge in rooms of familiarity, regret and carnality. 
 
Rooms of Familiarity: When the Israelites escaped slavery and began their journey to the Promise Land, many of them started to complain at the first hint of adversity. They would rather go back to bondage than receive the blessings God had for them because slavery, depression, negativity and fear was familiar. Starting anew is difficult, but remember God is a God of increase, not decrease. Meaning the opportunity ahead of you is better than what is behind you. So when you are feeling angry, afraid, depressed and discouraged do not run back to what you left behind, instead trust and believe God when He says; No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for you.
 
Rooms of Regret: Another room we retreat to when under attack are rooms of regret. What would have happened if I had taken that job? How would my life be different if I had stayed in that relationship? What would my life be like if I had moved to pursue that opportunity? Regret is a tool that the enemy uses against us to fix our focus on what could have been, instead of what is and is to come. If you find yourself living in regret remember that you are loved, forgiven, blessed and favored by God, the author and perfecter of your faith. The plans He has for you are greater than any of your past mistakes. Forget what is behind and reach toward what lies ahead.
 
Rooms of Carnality: The most common rooms we build are rooms of carnality or rooms of the flesh. When under distress, it feels good satisfying the flesh. The sex, alcohol and high feels good. The donut tastes good. Disparaging others who may be struggling makes you feel like you are doing better than them. But when the high subsides you are still left with your problems and yourself. The only way to escape this room is through Christ, for if you have Him you will never thirst again. He will be all you want and need. The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
 
Tear down those rooms of familiarity, regret and carnality and instead seek refuge in the only room that matters – the room of salvation. In that room we find our victory and peace.
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