Giveaway Official Rules

To enter: Sign Up to receive a daily bookclub email from Pastor Lisa

To earn extra entries:

• Comment on the daily bookclub blog
  (maximum 1x per day and must be the day-of to count as an entry)

• Share & tag the Seed Church on social media with any bookclub related post! Post your own photo or share the church’s bookclub posts (maximum 1x per day)

• Contest ends Thursday, July 28th Midnight

• Winner will be announced by Pastor Kempie Sunday, July 31st during our 11AM service
  
  *Winner must be able to pick up YETI locally*

Reading Schedule: The Bait of Satan

Day 1: July 1st
pages 5-6 + Day 1 Devotional (p.193)
(stopping at The Heart’s True Condition)
Day 2: July 2nd
pages 7-11 + Day 2 Devotional
Day 3: July 3rd
pages 12-15 + Day 3 Devotional
(stopping at The Wall’s of Protection)
Day 4: July 4th
pages 15-22 & Day 4 Devotional
Day 5: July 5th
pages 25-28 & Day 5 Devotional
(stopping at Is God in Control?)

Follow the reading schedule with each day’s devotional located in the back of the book

Bait of Satan - Introduction

A Call to Join (July 1st-28th)

The Bait of Satan is one of the most important books you will ever encounter. It will help you deal with the what can be one of the greatest hindrances in your walk with God — offense.

Offense is a slow death that must be dealt with and overcome. Jesus said in Luke 17:1, “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come.” I can promise you that you will have an opportunity to be offended daily and sometimes you may have multiple opportunities in one day. Yet, Jesus said we are to forgive it all!

Offense will hold you captive, blocking your ability to feel the presence of God and (like I said earlier) cause a slow death both spiritually and physically.

When the disciples were presented with this truth, their response was, “Increase our faith!”

I pray that your faith will increase as you read this book and you will experience freedom like never before!

Join me as we read this book together and discuss how we can apply this truth to our life. Sign up to receive a daily email from me during the month of July and to enter our YETI giveaway (if you entered in-person you do not have to sign up again).

I can’t wait to start this book with you July 1st!

Love,

Pastor Lisa

You Did It!

You Did It!
Pastor Lisa Womble

You have completed the 21-day Fast! You have learned that denying the flesh brings much spiritual fruit. I pray that you have increased in knowledge, wisdom, and love. A love for God, His Word, His presence, and love for each other.

" 1-2 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

3-5 There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!“ — Romans 5:1-5 MSG

We are to live in hope and peace and we are to live a life of rejoicing. So, when Satan comes to steal your hope, your peace, or your ability to rejoice, remember this scripture and start rejoicing. 

Rejoice that you're in Him. Rejoice that heaven is your home. Rejoice that your God hears and speaks to you. Rejoice that greater is He that is you than he who is in the world.

Rejoice that ___________________________________ (start putting your testimonies in here).

Make your list of reasons to rejoice - pull them out and use it to remind the devil who you are and that he is defeated. Remember this: When things get hard don’t let go of the Word. That's when you double your time in the Word and that’s when you should be in constant prayer. The devil won't be able to steal one thing from you!

"Rejoice and exalt in hope, be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:17 AMPC

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.” — Psalms 5:11-12 NLT

I am so happy for you and can't wait to hear all your testimonies — Click here to share!

I love you,

— Pastor Lisa

Day 21: What Makes You, You?

What Makes You, You?
Pastor Caleb Womble

What makes you, you? What a question. Take a few minutes before you continue to read and think about that question.

Next, ask yourself, “What have I achieved to tell me who I am?”

Now, you might start thinking:
I’m the one that _______.
I'm the one that, _______.
I'm that __________.

Maybe you’re the one that everybody likes at work. Or maybe you’re the one that has trouble making friends. Does the answer to what makes you, you match the title you give yourself?

Then, there is another question — “am I what other people say I am?” Are you defined by the labels that you have been given in life? Maybe you’ve been called stupid, ugly, fat, un-lovable, never amount to anything, trash, thug, not good enough, etc. Or, maybe you have been given good labels like smart, talented, good looking, etc.

We all have the question of, “who am I?” Then we start defining ourselves by the things we have done right and the things we have done wrong.

You see, the world likes to give you labels.
God tells you who you are.

The world tries to recreate you.
God created you.

So many people today have chosen to define themselves by the things they've done, what's been said about them, or even what's been done to them.

I want to help you discover that the truth of who you are is best discovered by finding out whose you are. It's not about who you are, it’s about whose you are. As believers we are able to let go of our past, our mistakes, and our shame.

How you identify yourself determines how you approach life. You see, if you try to do anything other than please God then you will live this life trying to achieve more, and more, and more. And what's crazy is that living that way will only leave you empty while trying to fulfill something that can never be satisfied.

How do we please God?
1. seek
2. dwell
3. tell

1. Seek God to know Him.

”And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13

This means — you’re going all in. This isn’t a second thing. You’re putting everything you have in to it. To know whose you are, you have to seek God and know Him through His word.

2. Dwell in community.

You have to have the right people around you. Now, if I was to bring a complete stranger in front of you and say, “Hey, this stranger is going to write anything he wants about you in the newspaper.” Well, hold up. Automatically, (if I was you) I would start thinking, first off, this guy doesn't know me. Then,
my mind would start to turn a little bit — what is he going to write? What is he going to say about me? Is it going to be good? Is it going to be bad?

All of this stuff starts getting into our minds. What if we would stop listening to the labels and negative things people speak over us and instead put ourselves in a community that reflects who we want to become? If you start surrounding yourself with people who reflect who you want to become then that would change everything about you.

You were never meant to live this life alone. Proverbs 13:20 says this, "Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” This scripture proves why church and youth group is so important. This is why getting involved at church and watching who you surround yourself with is so important.

3. Tell your story.

The world is pretty crazy and throws things at us like, you're a nobody or you’re a disappointment. Or, maybe it’s the thought that you have to reach a certain level of success to feel accepted. God's labels tell a better story. His labels tell of what He is doing on the inside of you so that the world can see it. You need to share what God has done for you.

Here are three questions to help you share your story
1. How was my life before Christ?
2. How did I come to Christ?
3. How is my life after I came to Christ?

Your life and your story might be the only Bible some people will see.

So, how do we please God?
1. We seek to know Him.
2. We dwell in community.
3. We tell our story.

Let's Eat some food!

— Pastor Caleb

Day 20: Salt and Light

Salt and Light
Pastor Julie Friday

It’s been awesome fasting together as a church family and we’re almost to the finish line. I want to encourage you to fast throughout the year whether it be one meal, one day, three days, or more just follow the leading of the Lord and be willing and obedient. 

We have the answer to life’s problems and it’s Jesus. It’s time for us to live out loud for Jesus like never before.

We confess it every week in church,

“Father I thank you that today I will have an encounter with you and be equipped through your word to have the boldness to engage others.”

Do we believe what we’re confessing? We’ve had encounters with Jesus and now we are equipped. Let’s walk in boldness and engage others. Stop just confessing and let’s put the word to action. I know many of you are great at sharing your faith and I share my faith as well but I believe more than ever that it’s time to step it up. It’s harvest time! (Hammer time). Can we put the music link right here? (lol)

We live in this world but we’re not of this world. Over the years you can watch how Christians look more and more like the world. This isn’t how it should be. I’ve seen so many Christians watching the same things, listening to the same music, and reacting to situations and people just like the world. We have Jesus living on the inside of us. We’ve been transformed! We’ve been changed by the power of God. We have the answer, yet why do so many Christians conform to the world rather than having an effect on those in the world? The world can’t save, heal or deliver but we know who can. His name is JESUS!

The Bible says we are the light of the world and the salt of the Earth. What does that actually mean? When I think of salt I think of something that adds flavor, something that preserves, and something that makes me thirsty. The way we live for Jesus should cause those around us to want to taste what’s different about us. We need to be in the world making people thirsty for Jesus. 

Light dispels darkness, light can guide you to the right path, and light can help you escape from danger or harm. God is light and He sent the Holy Spirit to live inside of every believer and be a carrier of His light. We need to let His light shine bright for all to see in order to lead others out of darkness.

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:14-16 The Message

Jesus often chose common examples to demonstrate His teachings. “Salt was so important and valuable that Roman soldiers sometimes were paid in salt,” wrote Greg Laurie (Harvest Daily Devotion), “Hence the expression, ‘He’s not worth his salt.’” Salt on its own is used for clearing roads and preserving food, but it also enhances the taste of everything it’s added to”. 

Jesus taught His followers to be careful not to lose the flavor of their Creator. Most of the salt used in Israel came from the Dead Sea, which contained impurities. Impurities can cause flavor loss. Right before this verse, in the conclusion of the Beatitudes, Jesus proclaimed blessings over those who are persecuted, not only for living in sake of righteousness but for living for Him. He described His followers, and believers today, as salt and light, clearly called to influence, improve and make the world a better place

(The Moody Bible Commentary).

When we act like the world we allow those impurities to come inside our own life and we begin to lose our flavor and lose the effect we have on the world. Say, “Not me in Jesus Name!"

Let’s live out loud for Jesus in a way that would make others want a taste (lots of flavor).  How do we do that? Those around us watch how we react and respond to life. Live out loud what you believe. The world is looking for something real and they are drawn to the supernatural. Well, we serve a real God with limitless power! We know the truth so we need to look different than the world. This means that we can have peace and joy in the midst of a storm. We use the Bible as our filter in which we view everything.

The more we grow closer to the Lord, the more He changes us. He doesn’t expect us to change before we come to Him. You don’t clean a fish before you catch it. We are all a work in progress. 

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good words and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, ESV)

“We’re not garlic, or paprika, we’re salt,” prayed Scotty Smith, “Salt preserves and fends off decay. Salt heals and soothes; it has medicinal value. Salt brings flavor and enhances other flavors. And salt only works when it’s out of the saltshaker…”

Step out into your world and share the good news of Jesus!

Keep fighting the good fight of faith!

— Pastor Julie 

I want to encourage you to read all of Romans 6:1-23 in The Message 

God’s Word is so good!

Day 19: Ministering to the Lord

Ministering to the Lord
Pastor Brian Friday

We’ve been fasting and praying for many days now. Often our prayers are in the form of requests, which is a good thing, considering Jesus told us “we have not because we ask not, therefore ask”.

However, there is another component to prayer that we need to employ and that is ministering to the Lord, or praise. Once we have submitted our requests (asking for things that are promised in scripture), we believe that we receive when we pray (Mark 11:24). So, because we believe we have what we desire from Him, we need to act like we have it. We don’t fret, worry, or have anxiety about what we believe we’ve received. If those negative thoughts come that’s when we employ praise. By this point of our time of prayer and fasting, we need to thank God for hearing and answering our prayers.  

 “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” — Acts 13:2 NKJV

Look at how God moved as they ministered to the Lord. God gave the answers they were seeking and launched Barnabas and Saul into the ministry as they were ministering to the Lord. 

Not only will God often manifest in your praise but the Bible actually says He inhabits the praises of His people. If you want to be close to the Lord, praise Him!

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” — Psalms 22:3 KJV

He promises to show up when we praise Him, and not only that, He also will draw people to Himself as we lift Him up. Is there a family member you’ve been praying for? Then begin to lift up Jesus in praise for that family member and watch God draw them in!

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”— John 12:32 NKJV

You may say, “I don’t really feel inspired to p raise the Lord.” or “I’m really kind of feeling down today.”, or “It just doesn’t seem like God is answering my prayers.”. If you’ve ever said or felt anything like that then you’re normal. What God does is not based upon our feelings or even what we can see with our eyes. The best and most important time to praise the Lord is when you don’t feel like it. Praising Him in the face of adversity is often when the manifestation of your prayers will take place. When we feel at our lowest, instead of giving in to our emotions and our circumstances, if we’ll place our trust and our praise on the Lord, then all of Heaven begins to work on our behalf to accomplish what the Word promises as we pray and praise in faith! This is what the Bible meant when it says to bring a sacrifice of praise to God.

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” — Heb 13:15 KJV

“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”  — Psalms 106:1

It’s time to turn your praise on! 

Let’s end this fast by praising God for the answers we’re looking for.

And, just like Barnabas and Saul, as we minister to the Lord and fast, the Holy Spirit will give us the answers we’re looking for!

— Pastor Brian

Day 18: Excellence

Excellence
Pastor Dennis Maddox

“Let everyone be devoted to fulfill the work God has given them to do with excellence, and their joy will be in doing what’s right and being themselves, and not in being affirmed by others.” — Galatians 6:4 TPT

For my entire life I have heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect.” and just to let you know — it’s a lie. There’s only one that’s perfect and that’s Jesus. Perfection may not be obtainable but we can develop spiritual excellence in our lives. 

“Excellence means greatness — the very best. Achieving excellence is never easy to do. Excellence is a quality that people really appreciate because it's so hard to find. Excellence is the quality of excelling, of being truly the best at something. Getting an A+ shows excellence.” (vocabulary.com)

When excellence is on display we all see it and know it immediately. The outstanding is recognized in every area of life. Whether it’s through craftsmanship, a musical performance, a work of art, or a gifted speaker. It could be a form of technology, science, literature or even a mathematical equation. Or perhaps it’s the gifted athlete who breaks every record in their sport. We all crave and acknowledge excellence. 

As a musician I can appreciate the hard work that goes into becoming masterful on an instrument. To become proficient on a musical instrument it usually requires around 10,000 hours of practice. You have to be disciplined to get to this point and even then you’re just getting started. Proficiency can lead to musical excellence if the student receives the right instruction and is diligent to pursue it. 

Likewise, as Christians we should discipline ourselves to practice being in His presence everyday. As disciples we recognize that our excellence is found in Jesus, what He has done, and what He is continuing to do in our lives (If we let Him). We have to pursue Him everyday to become a disciple (John 8:31). We should also receive instruction from our pastors as they preach the Word and speak into our lives on a regular basis. (Heb 10:25).

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” — 2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT

God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life: 

• His Word 

• His Spirit

• Prayer and Fasting

• Worship

• His Church

All of these elements are needed for us to walk in the divine nature mentioned in 2 Peter 1:4.

It’s easy to become a believer but it takes a daily commitment to become a disciple. Jesus said to abide or live in His word (John 8:31). As you begin a journey of excellence abiding in His Word, you will find and know the great and precious promises that are available. As a result, your faith will be built up to act on His word and see these promises come to pass in your life. 

I can’t tell you what God’s specific will is for your life but I know that He can. I do know that you are an original, formed and fashioned by God, and He has a specific plan for your life - a life of excellence.

I pray that during this fast that more of His will shall be revealed to you, that you clearly hear His direction on how to fulfill it, and that you experience his divine nature.

Excellence comes by laying down your life day after day, month after month, and year after year so that you can hear His voice and He can live through you. 

Have an excellent day! 

— Pastor Dennis

Day 17: Our Powerful Energy Source

Our Powerful Energy Source
Pastor Datha Thomas

I woke up yesterday morning needing energy. As much as I love coffee, I knew that the energy I needed could only come from the Word of God and not coffee or even a Vitamin B shot.

Isn’t it amazing how the Word of God is the answer to everything in our life? I was not going to let being tired stop or rob me of the blessing of fasting.

There is a word in the Greek, ‘energy’, which means energy or strength. This time of prayer and fasting is the time to not only read the Word but to quote the promises of God.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”. The Amplified version says, “My strength and power are made perfect and completed and show themselves more effective in your weakness.”

In the scripture in Colossians 1:11 in which Paul is praying for the believers to be, “strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy”, the word, strengthened, is a form of dunamis, which means potential power or ability. Another translation of the word dunamis is the word kratos which describes the mighty power of God. This is written in the Word to show us that the strengthening of power that we receive is in line with the mighty power of God.

There is another word for energy and it is exousieas which means authority. We must not only read the Word for energy but speak the Word and release the strength of God and the authority of God!

The second powerful source of energy is praying in tongues. I have been praying in tongues since I was a young child. I can say I absolutely believe that these two principles will give you the energy that you need to finish this fast with great rewards in your life.

I heard Marilyn Hickey talk about the fact that she was 89 years old and she traveled all over the country. She was talking about how tiring these trips can be and how fasting can drain the body. She had learned how to take and quote the Word and spend time praying in tongues. Strength would always be restored to her body.

“If we would pray with power, we should pray with fasting. This, of course, does not mean that we should fast every time with we pray but there are times of emergency or special crisis in our work or in our individual lives, when men of downright earnestness will withdraw themselves even from the gratification of natural appetites that would be perfectly proper under other circumstances. There is a peculiar power in such prayer. Every great crisis in life and work should be met in that way.”
— R.A. Torrey

— Pastor Datha

Day 16: Fasting Your Way out of Debt

Fasting Your Way out of Debt
Pastor Kempie Womble

Everybody wants to be out of debt but not everybody decides to be out of debt. Making a decision to go into debt can be quick and easy but getting out of debt is not always so quick & easy.

Sometimes our flesh can take over and blind us from making smart financial decisions. Men can convince themselves that a new boat will help them become better fishermen or a gun will make them a better hunter. On the ladies’ side maybe it’s new clothes, jewelry, or a new car. Whatever it is, your flesh can make some unwise financial decisions.

There’s nothing wrong with having nice stuff, but we are talking about getting out of debt. Everyday we have TV commercials pushing products that give us the idea that we will be happier if we buy what they are selling.

The sad thing is, most people have settled for the idea that being in debt is just a way of life. Everybody has a car payment, every body has credit card debt, so why not just be like every one else?

But did you know that your finances were designed for you to be prosperous so that you can be generous?

From the beginning, in the book of Genesis, God blessed Adam and Eve. He told them to be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, and govern it. They were given dominion over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground. It was God’s will that they prosper in everything that they did. That was God’s original plan for mankind.

God has already laid out the foundation and plan for us to be prosperous but it only works if we are willing to obey His instructions and apply His principles to our lives. When we do, we’ll enjoy the freedom and peace that comes from allowing God to direct our finances for His purposes.

But what about my debt?

We all have heard what we need to do to get out of debt. We need to be on a budget, we need to eat rice and beans (Dave Ramsey) and so on. All of that may be necessary, however, when it comes to strict budgeting, most people give up.

But here’s the good news:

Fasting and praying over your money will bring the break through you need in your financial situation. Fasting will help reveal God’s plan for your finances. When we make a decision to stop trying to fix our debt situation on our own, and let God take over, we begin to see light at the end of the tunnel.

When you turn your finances over to God you now have the Master planner on your side.

There is a saying, “Whatever we’re controlled by is what we’re enslaved to”.

I don’t know about you but I want to be controlled by the Spirit of God.

I remember a testimony of a person in our church who said that God told her to give her way out of debt. She sowed in the midst of her struggle. She and her family are now living the blessed life.

Just because you are in debt doesn’t mean the kingdom principal of sowing and reaping stops. You can’t reap if you don’t sow.

Fast and pray over your money. Thank God for financial breakthrough and provision to get out of debt and stay out of debt.

Trust God, believe and confess His Word, and He will give you the wisdom for your financial situation.

If you believe it, then receive it.

— Pastor Kempie