Don’t Mess with Me

Another child enters the Kingdom of God. . .

The waters of the baptistery provided a COLD welcome as my daughter and I stepped inside.  I wore waders over clothing and still felt the cold temperature through the layers.  My daughter wore bathing suit shorts and a t-shirt.  The shirt worn was one of her favorites.  It was red with the statement: don’t mess with me, my dad is the referee.  My husband officiates and she sports (no pun intended) the shirt in support him. 

Baptism remained the hot topic for weeks leading to this event.  My daughter grew in excitement with each conversation pertaining to spiritual growth and decision to join His Family.  We explained the meaning behind such a decision, read through Scripture, asked questions concerning faith and just loved on this little girl for quite some time before planning the actual Baptism. 

The day came and she filled with excitement.  Family gathered around in support, her dad prayed, her brother ran video and I had the privilege of baptizing her.  Once she rose from the water, the excitement to get warm, dry clothes back on almost exceeded the emotions prior to the event. 

Welcome to His Family my dear daughter. . .

Then, the day after arrived and times seemed tough for this little girl.  The day just did not go as planned and emotions were anything but happy.  Blame it on tiredness from a busy day prior, a girl just being a girl or her brother pushing past the point of toleration; but, I see it as one piece of the puzzle we failed to educate on pertaining to Baptism.

‘After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matthew 4:2-3)

Following Baptism, Jesus traveled into the wilderness, fasted and the devil moved in to destroy.  The enemy planned to destroy the connection Jesus received upon Baptism, the power now residing within and halt any work done for God.  Three times, the devil worked at reverting such a decision and confession of faith.

The enemy hates losing another person to God’s Kingdom.  Satan will fight with any weapon available and do/say anything to try and win you back.  Satan asked Jesus to perform tasks to reveal the power within; but, God was not asking for Jesus to do so, therefore the task need not be done. . . ‘Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

The enemy proceeded to ask Jesus to jump and rely on angels to save him since now in connection with God.  ‘Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Matthew 4:7)

Then, the enemy tempted Jesus with material items to come back to his team.  ‘Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” (Matthew 4:10)

The devil realized Who already won this battle and he stood no chance of survival.  Jesus held the power of the Holy Spirit and the weaponry He fought with now, no man could withstand.  Satan left Jesus alone.

As we enter His Kingdom, Satan realizes he lost.  He will work diligently on your spirit to bring you down and run away from the decision just made.  Take Jesus’ example and demand that Satan get behind you so the steps now taken will align with Truth.  I informed my daughter of this information we failed to explain prior to the decision. 

Looking back, I see that the shirt worn for her Baptism was quite fitting: don’t mess with me, my Dad is the referee.  I am thinking Jesus would have liked to worn such a shirt so the devil would have known right away there is no chance of winning.  Our Father will be our referee and bring awareness to troubled situations, call off those who come to harm us, help us to remain in possession of His Holy Spirit and keep us in the game.  Remember as you take Jesus as Lord and Savior, the battle is already won.  Let Him protect you from the evil one who will prowl in to steal/destroy your love for Jesus.  Tell Satan to get behind thee!

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.  

Sheree Craig