The Devil is a Kill Joy & Hindrance

Often times when I am just about to rejoice in the work of the Lord, there is something to dampen the spirit or outright hostility from certain quarters. The devil tempts unspiritual people to do his dirty work to kill joy as the Holy Spirit is a source of joy for those who do the works of God. I was winding down the month of June and the first half of the year with great satisfaction and joy of what the Lord has done. I thought May was amazing bur June was even better. I spoke 4 times in June and twice outside of my own congregation. To top it up I conducted a day long seminar on the book of Revelation and spoke for more than 5 hours almost non stop except for a 45 min lunch break and a short coffee break at 10.20am after the first session.

Last Sunday I rejoice in the fact that the Lord put His words in mouth preaching on husband-wife relationships which is one of most difficult and delicate subjects as there are many broken families and many wives whose husbands are non believers. Even the singles got hit hard and i told them straight up that the only choice was to marry fellow believers, and even that by God’s grace they will have a blessed family life. I told the young women not to look down on young men whose earnings are much less than them in most cases as we have a 75 percent ladies to men ratio in church and for the girls it is not easy to find life partners within the church so they have to look elsewhere provided that it is among believers.

The devil puts up all kinds of opposition. I was rejoicing in the fact that the vast majority of the youths and most of them in praise and worship are beginning to understand what the pastor wants (what the Lord wants in worship) and then someone threw a spanner into the works. 

The devil likes to cast doubt which is opposite of faith. I can say almost nothing would have been achieved if I had given in to doubt and indecision. The mission trip at the end of May was almost cancelled but it went ahead in glorious sunshine. And last Sunday a team of 10 people went up twice the number of the first team that I led and it was glorious sunshine once more as a member challenged me to pray for good weather thinking that it would rain. 

The baptism on Pentecost Sunday was conducted in persistent rain over 6 hours from 10.30am to 4.30pm. We went ahead when just before reaching the site it rained heavily for a few minutes and the leaders looked to me for a final call. Just get on with it, I told them as it would be easier to dip them at the river bank since the waters would be up due to the rain. It is more difficult in dry season as we have to walk to the middle of the river to find enough water for immersion. I could go on and on. O leaders have faith and Jesus rebuked His disciples for the lack of faith.