"And the great dragon was cast out,
that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan,
which deceived the whole world:
he was cast out into the earth,
and his angels were cast out with him.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,
Now is come salvation, and strength, and the
Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ:
for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,
which accused them before our God day and night."
- Revelation 12: 9,10

I remember those days well.

All too well.

Back in high school, there was a bully who seemed to harass me night and day.  His name was Gary. 

I'm not sure when it started or the reason why he singled out me, but he didn't like me.  And he made that clear.  He threatened me.  He chased me.  And he occassionally caught me.  He generally tried to make my life miserable.

I was scared of him.  He was tougher than me.  I was a shy, timid guy, and I knew that I was no match for him.

After a while, it began to alter my life completely.  I found myself walking quickly to my car after ending my shift at the McDonald's where I worked...fearfully looking over my shoulder the entire time.  I turned down seldom traveled side streets to avoid him when I saw his car approaching me down the main highway in my hometown.  I tried to avoid him as best as I could.

But, he was relentless and he wouldn't leave me alone.

For about 3 years I lived under these circumstances.  Some days were better than others, but every day the threat of an encounter with Gary was a very real possibility.  A possibility that kept me in constant fear when I was out in public.

Then, a new guy moved into town.  His name was Baker.  And Baker was tougher that the bully.  And the bully knew better than to mess with Baker.

And so I started hanging out with Baker!

And the bully left me alone whenever Baker was around.  He knew he could handle me, but he couldn't handle my friend, Baker.

You know, many times there is another bully that harasses us night and day - and that bully is Satan.

He singles us out immediately after we accept Christ and it's all because of our relationship with Jesus that he doesn't like us.  He makes that clear.  He threatens us.  He chases us.  He generally tries to make our lives miserable.

And sometimes we run scared of him.  We think he's tougher than us.  (and don't kid yourself, he is tougher than us!)  We know we are no match for him.  (and we aren't!)

And so, our lives begin to be altered by this bully.  We find ourselves looking over our shoulders because of his threats.  We do our best to avoid him...

...but he is relentless and won't leave us alone.

Know what I'm talking about?  He tempts us.  He lies to us.  He tries to discourage us and disappoint us.  He does everything he can to worry us and make us fearful and keep us doubting.  He throws stumbling block after stumbling block into our pathway to trip us up.

And he just doesn't seem to stop.

Until we remember to hang our with our Friend.  Our Friend, Jesus.

You see, Jesus is tougher than Satan.  He's more powerful.  And satan knows better than to mess with Jesus!   He knows he can handle us by ourselves, but He can't handle Jesus!

The power of Christ overcomes the temptation of the bully - when we abide in Him. (or "hang out" as I like to put it :-)  The truth of Jesus overcomes the lies of the bully - when we abide in Him.    The Prince of Peace overcomes our fears and worries - when we abide in Him.   The Joy of the Lord overcomes our disappointments and discouragements and our doubts - when we abide in Him.

Our Friend Jesus overcomes the bully Satan.

Every time.

Christian, is the bully harassing you?  Sure, he is.  Don't kid yourself.  The question is, what are you going to do about it? 

Are you going to live your life in fear and worry, always looking over your shoulder for the next disappointment or discouragement? 

Or, are you going to "hang out" with your Friend, Jesus?

Bully beware!  You're no match for my Friend!

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!