They were deceived by his words and led to a path they could never return from. Don’t let that happen to you.

When God created the heavens and the earth, he created angels, His throne, and a place for His children. Among the angels, was an angel named Lucifer. Lucifer was “…the anointed cherub who covers.” Ezekiel 28:14 He was given power as a guard in heaven; power that would one day lead to his demise. The bible describes Lucifer as “perfect, beautiful, and powerful.”

“You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created…” Ezekiel 28:15

But Lucifer let his power lead to greed, to pride, and to selfish ambition.

“Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor…” Ezekiel 28:17

Lucifer let his desires control him and he used that to control other angels. He gathered angels and turned them against God by manipulating them into believing that one day they could overthrow the kingdom of God. Lucifer made them believe they would take over the thrown and have the power of God. They were deceived by his words and led to a path they could never return from. Don’t let that happen to you.

In Matthew 25:41, scripture tells us that Lucifer AND his angels were kicked out of heaven.

“…the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41

Lucifer, after being kicked out of heaven, was named the devil and his angels would become demons.

God prepared the Lake of fire for Lucifer and his angels and started the great divide between God and man. God knew what Lucifer would do, but He created him anyway.

Why would He do such a thing? Why would He create such evil?

The devil is described as “…going to and fro on the earth, and walking back and forth on it.” Job 1:7; 2:2

“…the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

His actions led him down a destructive path that would have a domino effect upon all mankind.

As I picture the devil walking around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, I picture my children, my students, the unsaved and broken being surrounded by the devil. I can see the devil encircling my child with an evil plan to devour him, seeking his weaknesses, waiting for a moment to attack. As he lingers on the earth, as his demons whisper lies into your mind, he’s seeking how and when he can pull you away from the Lord. Stand firm. Fill your mind with His love.

I ask you again, why would God create someone so evil? Why would He do such a thing to His own creation?

Hebrews 4:13 says, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

God sees all and knows all, yet He has a purpose for each and every moment of creation. Each and every one of us is born into sin, corrupted by this world, but He created us anyway.

As you look back at the story, notice how Lucifer was not alone. He chose to turn from God but he also brought others down with him. Every day, we are tempted to turn from God and follow this world. We are deceived by the lies of the devil and led to believe there is more to life than just living for God.

The choice you have to make is if you will choose to follow this world, to blend in with the culture around you, or follow your Heavenly Father, no matter the cost.

Following God may cost you your friends, your family, and your comfort, but following Christ is the best decision that you will ever make.

I encourage you to stand firm in your faith and spend time with your Father so that you will know when the devil is lurking around you and you won’t be deceived by the lies that this world will tell you. Never let others drag you down or turn you from what you know is right. It won’t be easy, but God will give you the strength if you look to Him.

“Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

I’m praying for you always! Stay strong! Stay faithful!

-Kayla Rampey

May God bless you and show you His grace every day!

Let God be God. Trust in the Father.

 “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” -Corrie ten Boom

Worry, like most sins, is destructive. It has a way of making you think that you will never be enough for this world. It fills your mind with lies that can lead you to a dark place, a place of brokenness and discontent with who you are. Worry tells you that you’ll never fit in, you’ll never achieve your dreams, and you’ll never be who you want to be. It convinces you that your life boils down to what you eat, how much or how little, what you wear, and what others think about you. Worry consumes your mind with things of this world that don’t even matter in relation to eternity. Worry makes you forget about your eternal purpose and that you are a child of God that is chosen, forgiven, and cared for by an Almighty God. Worry is destructive, deceptive, and can easily derail even the strongest of Christians from the path that God has put in front of them.

In Luke 12:22-31, Jesus reminded His disciples of His power and His provision for creation. At this time, the disciples’ faith was being put to the test. They had left everything behind to follow Jesus. They gave up everything they knew and were comfortable with and chose to follow a Man wherever He led no matter the cost. They were living on faith, extreme faith if you ask me, and the worst thing they could do was let worry creep into their minds. They would have to learn to set worry aside and let God be God.

 “²² Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴ Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! ²⁵ Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? ²⁶ Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

²⁷ “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” Luke 12:22-31

Just as Jesus was reminded His disciples to focus on Him, He wants you to remember that if you fixate your mind on your worries, you’ll never be able to see the plan He has put in front of you. Worry blinds you to the world around you and the way God cares for His creation. Take a minute to read the scripture above and picture the image God has portrayed.

“Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them…” (v24)

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin…” (v27)

God feeds the birds and provides a way for the flowers to bloom year after year, yet we look at ourselves and worry that He won’t provide what we need. Why is that? The problem is not that God doesn’t have enough power to provide for us; the problem is that we don’t have enough faith to wait on Him to provide.

You are a child of God and your Heavenly Father wants to provide for you, it’s time to step back, stop trying to fix things on your own, and let God be God.

Whatever your worry may be, remind yourself Who is in control. The answer is not you.  God is in control and He will provide for you if you trust in Him. It may not be exactly what you think you need or exactly when you want it to happen, but God always provides for His children.

Be patient. Be prayerful. And Let God be God.

May God bless you and show you His grace every day!

-Kayla Rampey