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DAY four — Week of october 5, 2025

DAY 4 - RESIST - Stand strong, be alert, and guard ourselves by abiding in Christ.

Now we have to stand strong, be constantly alert, and guard ourselves from the schemes of the enemy. We need to live an active relationship with God, remembering that we are adopted sons and daughters, keeping our spiritual armor on, resisting temptation and sin, and being quick to repent when we make mistakes.

1 Peter 5:8 NLT
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

The gospel of John, Chapter 15 verses 5 through 14, teach us about abiding. We see that the vinedresser is The Father, Jesus is the True Vine, and we are the branches.

The Vinedresser (GOD) airos (takes up) and kathairos (prunes or cleanses) the branches of the Vine (Jesus) and the branches (followers of Jesus) are katharos (cleansed) by believing the logos (the Word who is Jesus). It also explains that apart from Christ, we can do NOTHING.

Abiding in God Means:

We want what Jesus wants (v. 7)
We represent Him well (v. 8)
We stay in His love (v. 9-10)
We listen to what He says (v. 11)
We love each other sacrificially (vv. 12-13)
We obey Him (v. 14)

Abiding is NOT a checklist but it is a deep and intentional relationship, full of loving care from the Father, resulting in a fruit-bearing life of love and joy.

PRAYER - RESIST:

I commit to be a true follower of Jesus, and worship You, and You alone, resisting the enemy! I will stay alert, stand strong, and through the power and strength of the Holy Spirit, resist temptation and sin. I will be quick to forgive and to repent when I make mistakes. (see the above “Repent” section above as often as needed).

Father, thank you for loving me so much that You sent your Son to die for me, and adopted me as your son/daughter. I receive Your love, acceptance, grace, and mercy.

I love you, Lord, and will remain and abide in You as You abide in me.

I will keep your commands and obey You willingly. Thank You that my joy is complete in You. I will live a life that loves others the way that you love me.

Thank you for The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, who teaches us all things.

I am constantly strengthened in You, Lord, by Your vast strength. I put on my spiritual clothing, assuring my "old self" is removed, and my "new self," created in God's likeness of righteousness, purity and truth, is securely on.

I put on the full armor of God and continue to hold my ground against the enemy and his strategies. I remember that my battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces.

I put on:

The BELT, the sphere, OF TRUTH
The BREASTPLATE, OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
The SHOES OF PEACE, which are the firm foundation that come from the GOOD NEWS (the Gospel).
The SHIELD OF FAITH to stop (quench), the fiery arrows of the devil.
The HELMET OF SALVATION.
The SWORD OF THE SPIRIT which is the WORD OF GOD (Rhema Word - dagger for close combat).

I stay constantly alert by praying in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.

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