The definition of a ploy is a tactic intended to embarrass or frustrate an opponent, a cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one’s advantage. The devil is like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour through media, entertainment/music, killing, stealing, and destroying anything good and godly. We must recognize His tactics and schemes, so we won’t let them steal our joy. Things will happen here on earth that you have no words for. Jesus said in this world; you will have tribulation but be of good cheer because I have overcome the world (John 16:33). To be an overcomer, you must overcome something. Jesus took our grief, sorrow, pain, and bruises. Humiliation sickness and nailed it on the cross (Isaiah 53). That means we do not have to carry it; we give it to God. We can
experience joy even during pain.
In the book of Acts, I read how people living for God suffered, were in chains, beaten for sharing the gospel, and still had joy because they knew the reward was great. Therefore, they focused their attention on God. They praised God while
in chains and rejoiced, which is not the usual response that a person would do. However, in the book of Acts, healing, miracles, signs, and wonders followed them, and thousands of people gave their lives to Jesus daily.
James 1: 2-3 NIV Version: 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, three because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Joy can only come from God. It is eternal. Solomon, the wisest man in the bible that ever lived, said it best In Ecclesiastes 2. Solomon said he had all that money could buy, but it was useless because when
you die, you can’t take it with you, and other people will enjoy the fruits of your labor. He said wisdom and happiness are useless when godly people go through suffering. This is what Solomon concluded in Ecclesiastes
2:24-26 Easy Read Version: The best thing people can do is eat, drink, and enjoy the work they must do. I also saw that this comes from God. 26 If people do good and please God, he will give them wisdom, knowledge, and joy.
But those who sin will get only the work of gathering and carrying things. So God takes from the wrong person and gives to the good person. But all this work is useless. It is like trying to catch the wind.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 New Living Translation: 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So, we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; instead, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. The things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Please read my past blog/click the link Fix Your Gaze, You’ll Be Amazed!
No matter the devil’s ploy, keep your inner joy!
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for being the beginning and the end. I am convinced neither life nor death, blessing or cursing, or things to come will separate me from the love of God. I fix my gaze on you. I refuse to let the devil steal my joy. I repent for allowing situations to get me stressed out and frustrated. I rejoice in tribulation because I know greater is on the way. I am an overcomer because Jesus has overcome; I can have joy. Thank you, God, for your manifested glory in my life. In Jesus’ name! Amen