Therefore take up the armor....

"Finally be strong in the Lord and His might power. Put on the full armor so that you can fight against the devil's evil tricks. Our battle is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of the world's darkness" I just got done reading a book by Randy Alcorn--" Lord Foulgrin's Letters". It is along the lines of the " Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis which I have never read. Alcorn's book is very good--it gave me insight into what the passage in Ephesians was talking about.

I firmly believe in demons and that hell is a real place; I also recognize that I can't blame everything that happens to me on them... that I have a sinful nature. But the battle that is taking place daily, hourly , minute by minute for my thoughts and actions is real as well. I have a part to play--I must call on the shed blood to cleanse me and continually seek the LORD in all that I do: take thoughts captive, live the life He has called me to live, praise Him, read his word....but have you ever wondered about the battle taking place?

I had a vision of U of Michigan stadium: in this stadium the place was packed : one side was beautiful--angels all around. The other side was ugly--black and angry. I looked down on the field and saw a game going on: angels vs. demons---every time the demons cheered their team moved forward--every time the angels cheered they moved forward.. For a while, the demons were winning...then I heard this singing... the angels started moving forward very rapidly, I could hear low murmuring... they moved forward some more... then this loud cheer erupted and they scored. Praise , Prayer and someone accepting Jesus.... this ensured the victory.

I think this how we win--prayer and praise; the evil one thinks he will win--he doesn't. When I allow myself to wallow in negative thoughts, don't praise or read His word..I allow the enemy to move forward. He doesn't have much of a game plan--but it certainly works to his advantage...if he can make me doubt, bring confusion or believe the lies--he influences my behavior .

Thank you, LORD that you know the outcome..

prayer and refining

I have been " stuck" in a certain spot in my devotions for a couple of weeks now. In James 5, it talks about prayer: " anyone who is having troubles should pray. Anyone who is happy should sing praises.... When a believing person prays great things happen." I love that!! I know that it is all in God's will and timing but I can still go HIM with big troubles or little troubles and know that he hears me...even if I don't know or can't pray or it feels like it is very ineffectual. " God honors prayer..He longs to demonstrate His power in the tremendous trials that jar us like thunder and the pinprick troubles that annoy us. Giant needs are never too great for His power; dwarf-sized ones are never too small for HIS love." Warren Meyers



Then in 1 Peter 1 it talks about why we have troubles: " Theses troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which can be proved to be pure by fire, but will ruin. But the purity of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor when Jesus is shown to you" I am learning that through the trials and troubles, I am made complete.





I read somewhere about how silver and gold is refined--the person has to stand right there and hold it into the fire for just the right amount of time: I guess the Lord knows how long this refining will take place and even though, I would like it to be over and done; (please LORD!!) I must not be there yet.