Did You Get a Weird Message From Me?
Dailey's Weekly
Did you get a message from me this week? Was someone claiming to be my assistant or offering you a prophecy for your life, from Author Courtney Dailey?
Yeah. That wasn't me.
I'm not a pastor (or a prophet, forecasting your future). I don't solicit people for money and I don't beg for friend requests from unknown, personal accounts. Also, there’s no such thing as Courtney Dailey Ministries. My identity was stolen this week.
Sigh...
When you guys told me someone was impersonating me, sending out messages to my Author Courtney Dailey family, it hurt my heart. (Actually, first it infuriated me and I totally ranted to my husband about it for 10 minutes.) And then it hurt my heart. Because what kind of individual tries to twist precious God Stories into a scam, deflecting the light of God's miracles to prey on folks for money? Who steals someone's name and personal photos to manufacture fake profiles and lead people astray?
After a bit of investigative work, I was able to report and block the culprit, thankfully. But I still don’t feel justice was served. It was wrong. And unfair. And the whole thing got me thinking (as these things often do)...
While I did stop the faux-profile person doing this, we know EXACTLY who was behind it—the one who sabotages the good in this world for his evil plotting. It's the devil. And rest assured, I'm not the only victim.
I’m sure you’ve experienced spiritual blows too. Maybe the devil’s attacking your faith right this minute with scary medical results or a trying family situation. Maybe it’s a feeling… defeat, depression, or anxiety. Perhaps it’s a financial burden or church hurt.
If Satan is working to wreak havoc in your life this week or you feel overwhelmed by his persistent spiritual attacks, let me be the first to congratulate you, my friend.
Congratulate you? Yes, that's right.
Congratulate you.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10
God's Word promises us we will have tribulation in this world anyway, but especially when we're serving God. In short, it just means we're on Satan's radar. And that, my fellow laborers, is a reason to rejoice.
Those next two verses in Matthew 5 go on to say, "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
When we run headstrong into a ministry or service, when we study our Bibles or pray diligently or take a moment to stop and share the story of Jesus with someone, we're painting a giant target on our backs. The devil sees our good works and plots to squash our efforts. It enrages him.
And doesn't it make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside to know you've done your part to anger our greatest enemy? I pray every morning the devil shudders when my feet hit the floor. I endeavor with each sunrise to show the world the massive, unending, powerful love and might of our Sovereign God.
If that means there is stress and tribulation and even identity theft from the enemy, so be it. I don’t know about you, but I'll gladly linger on the devil's "most wanted" list if it means I’m in service to the one true King.
Sure, there will be tough times. And because we can't physically see the spiritual warfare raging all around us, we may spiral into discouragement or confusion about these earthly trials. We may throw our hands up to the sky (as if it's the Lord's doing) and ask, "Why me, God?"
Simply put, here's why:
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
When a church explodes with growth and revival, the devil is eager to sneak in, planting seeds of division among its members. When a new believer rises from the baptistry, shedding tears of gratitude for their renewed life, the devil plots his own course for their future. And when a ministry of rebuilding homes and sharing God stories results in repentance and conversions, the devil sends in his troops to spread lies and steal joy.
The devil has an agenda, but our God is bigger.
The Lord’s promises endure, and we will fight His fight until the day of judgment. Our army of light marches toward home and we will never be defeated. Because OUR GOD is victorious. We know how the story ends.
What a blessing for all of us to be persecuted or exhausted or tried for His sake today.
Please let me know when the devil sends more impersonators and thank you for reporting them. I'm sure this isn't the last of his schemes. But in the meantime, let's press forward and keep sharing God's stories and shining His light even brighter.
It'll make the devil downright furious.
Verse of the Day:
"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Quote of the Day:
"We start by setting the course. We succeed by staying the course."
-Carece Slaughter
Keep fighting the fight! We are right there with you!
Amen, sister. Continue to fight the good fight!