Romans 16:17-20 - Crush The Enemy

Yesterday was so cool in the way the Holy Spirit was so evident throughout the day.  He came through mightily in our prayer group...through an opportunity a dear sister had to stand up for her beliefs in her workplace about a situation we had prayed for the night before in corporate prayer time...in the way He guided my words as I ministered to one in a serious health situation…  His Presence was with me throughout the whole day in a very strong way.  It was as if I could feel the warmth of His breathe on me.  Woo hoo!

The enemy is working so hard to get into the lives of believers.  He wants to tear them away from the Lord so badly and will stop at nothing to cause the division.  The verses prior to Romans 16:20 give us an idea on what Paul was seeing years ago yet we can see it happening today.

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.  20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

The enemy doesn't like when we stand up for what we believe.  Neither does he like when we give God glory for victories.  He especially doesn't like us to encourage others to lean on the Lord's strength.  He wants each and every one to turn away from the Lord.  When we stand up against the enemy, we will crush him under our feet through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The only way we can do that is to believe and surrender to the Lord.  It is through a life of surrender that a life of peace can be found even in the times of the enemy knocking at one's door.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your presence.  Thank You for Your empowerment.  Thank You for the strength to crush the enemy.  Lord, I pray for more to come into a life of total surrender to You so they too can find the peace they so desire.  Lord, take the blinders off of eyes that are keeping people from seeing You fully.  I pray, in Your Holy Name, for the enemy to be crushed in people's lives.  Right now.  Right where they are.  Lord, come down upon them and cleanse them of anything that isn't You in their lives.  Empower them to crush the enemy.    Lord, it is through my daily prayer of more of You and less of me that I am empowered.  Thank You Jesus for being The One To Empower Me!  Amen.